From Dr. Kathy – Making homemade pet food is not to be entered into lightly. Online “recipes” are often woefully UNBALANCED. Even veterinary nutritionists use computer programs to help develop BALANCED diets. To purchase all of the required nutrients and micronutrients would be cost prohibitive because they are not usually sold in the small amounts actually needed. Pets may do “okay” for quite some time on an “owner formulated homemade diet”… until they don’t.
Most general practitioners have very basic nutrition training and are not qualified to FORMULATE a diet that can safely be fed long term.
If you want to make your pet’s food you can consult with a licensed veterinary nutritionist – https://www.acvim.org/about-acvim/acvn-redirect. BalanceIt.com can provide appropriate information. Be prepared to weigh ingredients rather than measure by cups or teaspoons. Two different cups of hamburger, for example, can weigh differently. Pet food manufacturers measure ingredients by weight.
Otc Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Purina Veterinary Diets, Hills, Science Diet, Iams and Eukanuba are all options.
Make sure to take at least a week to gradually blend over to any new formula.
Dr. Kathy
**The Vet Corner groups encourage members to establish a relationship with their local veterinarian, don’t wait until an emergency.**
© 2014-2025 Rural Veterinary Outreach. All Rights Reserved.
RVO Vet Corner Files 