Homemade Dog & Cat Food: What’s Safe and What to Avoid

 Homemade pet food can feel like the ultimate act of love: you control the ingredients, avoid fillers, and tailor meals to your dog or cat’s needs. But “home-cooked” does not automatically mean “balanced” or “safe.” Dogs and cats have very specific nutrient requirements, and small mistakes—like missing calcium, adding too much liver, or using the wrong seasonings—can add up over weeks and months.

This guide shows what’s generally safe, what to avoid, and how to build a smarter homemade bowl for dogs and cats—without guessing. It’s written for everyday pet parents, but it’s also careful about the bigger truth: most homemade diets need a complete recipe (and often supplements) to truly meet all nutrient needs long-term.

Quick safety reminder: If your pet is a puppy/kitten, pregnant, senior, has kidney/heart disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, food allergies, or is underweight/overweight, talk to your vet before switching diets. Special conditions can make “healthy” foods unsafe.

Why Homemade Food Can Be Risky (Even With Great Ingredients)

The biggest danger of homemade diets isn’t “bad ingredients.” It’s missing nutrients or having the wrong ratios. Many well-meaning bowls are heavy on meat and rice, but low in calcium, essential fatty acids, iodine, zinc, vitamin D, and certain B vitamins. Over time, those gaps can affect bones, skin, heart, immunity, and energy.

Common long-term problems from unbalanced homemade diets can include:

• Calcium deficiency (weak bones, fractures, dental issues), especially if meat is fed without bone/calcium.
• Vitamin A excess from too much liver (bone changes, joint stiffness).
• Thiamine (B1) deficiency from certain raw fish or overly restricted diets.
• Pancreatitis flare-ups from high-fat meals (dogs are especially sensitive).
• Taurine concerns in cats if diet is inappropriate (cats must have taurine).

If you want to feed homemade regularly (not just occasional “topper” meals), it’s best to use a complete recipe formulated by a veterinary nutritionist or based on a reputable veterinary resource.

Dogs vs. Cats: The Most Important Differences

Dogs are omnivores (flexible), while cats are obligate carnivores (they require animal-based nutrients). That means a homemade plan that works for a dog can be dangerous for a cat.

• Cats must have taurine (found in animal tissues; deficiency can harm heart/vision).
• Cats require preformed vitamin A (they can’t convert beta-carotene like dogs do).
• Cats need arachidonic acid (an essential fat from animal sources).
• Cats are more sensitive to diet changes and can develop serious issues if they stop eating.

Bottom line: Homemade diets are usually easier and safer to do for dogs than cats, but both require careful balance if fed as the main diet.

Safe Homemade Ingredients (Most Pets Tolerate These Well)

Protein (Cooked)

• Chicken, turkey (skinless, boneless; watch fat for pancreatitis-prone dogs)
• Lean beef (drain fat after cooking)
• Lamb (richer—use smaller portions)
• Fish (salmon, sardines, white fish; cooked; avoid seasoning)
• Eggs (cooked; great protein and nutrients)

Carbs (Mostly for Dogs; Limited for Cats)

• Rice (white for sensitive stomachs; brown for fiber if tolerated)
• Oats (plain, cooked; good for dogs)
• Potatoes / sweet potatoes (cooked; no spices)
• Pumpkin (plain; helpful for stool consistency in many dogs)

Vegetables (Cooked/Softened Is Often Best)

• Carrots, zucchini, green beans, peas
• Spinach (small amounts; not for pets with certain urinary issues without vet advice)
• Broccoli (small amounts—too much can cause gas)

Fats (Use Carefully)

• Fish oil (great omega-3s; dose matters—ask your vet for guidance)
• Small amounts of olive oil (dogs more than cats; not for pancreatitis dogs)
• Animal fat (only in limited amounts; too much triggers GI upset/pancreatitis)

Tip: If your pet has a history of pancreatitis (especially dogs), keep meals low-fat and avoid rich meats, skin, butter, coconut oil, and greasy leftovers.

What to Avoid (Or Use Only With Vet Guidance)

Absolutely Avoid (Toxic or Dangerous)

• Onions, garlic, chives, leeks (can damage red blood cells; garlic is not “safe in small amounts” for many pets)
• Grapes and raisins (kidney failure risk in dogs)
• Chocolate, cocoa
• Xylitol (often in sugar-free gum/peanut butter; can be deadly for dogs)
• Alcohol, caffeine
• Macadamia nuts
• Cooked bones (splinter risk; choking, obstruction, perforation)

High-Risk “People Foods”

• Fatty meats, bacon, sausage, fried foods (pancreatitis risk)
• Seasoned foods (salt, spices, sauces, bouillon, marinades)
• Deli meats (high salt/preservatives)
• Milk/cream (many pets are lactose intolerant)

Raw Diet Risks (Important)

Raw feeding is controversial because it increases exposure to bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) and parasites—for pets and people in the household. Raw bones can also fracture teeth or cause obstructions. If you’re considering raw, discuss it with your vet, especially if anyone in your home is pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or very young.

Homemade Food for Dogs: A Safer “Base Bowl” Approach

If you’re not ready to fully commit to a formulated homemade diet, the safest path is often:

• Use homemade as a topper (10–25% of calories), and keep a complete commercial diet as the base.
• Or, follow a veterinary-formulated recipe for 100% homemade feeding.

If you’re doing an occasional homemade meal for a healthy adult dog, a basic template is:

• Lean protein (cooked): chicken/turkey/beef/fish
• Cooked carb: rice/oats/potato (optional; some dogs do great with it)
• Vegetable: green beans/carrots/zucchini
• Calcium source: this is the part most people miss

Calcium is non-negotiable if you’re feeding meat without bone regularly. Dogs need a proper calcium-to-phosphorus balance. Meat is high in phosphorus and low in calcium. The safest way is to use a veterinarian-approved calcium supplement or a recipe that includes a controlled calcium source.

Homemade Food for Cats: Why It’s Tricky

Cats require specific nutrients that are hard to “intuit” in a kitchen. A cat diet must provide:

• Taurine
• Preformed vitamin A
• Arachidonic acid
• High protein and appropriate fat
• Correct minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) to support urinary health

Because of this, cats should not be fed a random homemade mix as a main diet. If you want homemade for cats, use a recipe designed specifically for cats, ideally formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Otherwise, keep homemade as a small topper only.

Very important: If a cat stops eating for more than 24 hours, contact a vet. Cats can develop serious liver issues (hepatic lipidosis) when they don’t eat.

Common Homemade Diet Mistakes (That Look Healthy but Aren’t)

• “Just chicken and rice” for weeks (fine short-term for upset stomach; not balanced long-term).
• No calcium source (a major cause of deficiency in homemade diets).
• Too much liver (vitamin A excess risk).
• Too much fish (can unbalance fats; may add excess calories; raw fish has extra risks).
• Adding garlic “for immunity” (can be harmful).
• Using salty broths or seasonings (raises sodium; irritates GI tract).
• Switching foods too fast (causes vomiting/diarrhea; transition slowly).

Safe Homemade Treats and Add-Ons

If your goal is “more real food” without nutritional imbalance, focus on small, safe add-ons:

• Plain cooked chicken (tiny pieces as training treats)
• Cooked egg (small amounts)
• Plain pumpkin (dog-friendly fiber)
• Blueberries (dogs often love them; cats less so)
• Plain yogurt (only if tolerated; small amounts)

Keep treats to 10% or less of daily calories whenever possible.

How to Switch to Homemade Food Without Stomach Upset

Most pets do better with a slow transition:

• Days 1–3: 75% current food + 25% new food
• Days 4–6: 50% current + 50% new
• Days 7–10: 25% current + 75% new
• Then: 100% new (if stools and appetite are stable)

If your pet develops vomiting, repeated diarrhea, refusal to eat, lethargy, or seems painful, stop the new food and contact your vet.

Special Health Situations (When Homemade Needs Extra Caution)

• Pancreatitis (dogs): keep meals very low-fat; avoid rich meats and oils.
• Kidney disease: protein and phosphorus must be controlled; do not DIY without a vet plan.
• Heart disease: sodium matters; avoid salty foods; ensure taurine/carnitine guidance.
• Urinary crystals (cats): minerals and hydration matter; random homemade diets can worsen it.
• Allergies: careful ingredient control can help, but you still need balanced nutrition.

Best Practices for Homemade Feeding (Simple, Realistic)

• Use a complete recipe from a reputable veterinary source for full-time homemade feeding.
• Don’t guess supplements. Calcium, iodine, and essential fats are common missing pieces.
• Keep seasoning out. No salt, onions, garlic, pepper, sauces, or spice blends.
• Cook thoroughly to reduce bacterial risk (especially for households with vulnerable people).
• Batch cook and freeze single-meal portions to keep it consistent and safe.
• Track stool, energy, coat, weight and adjust with your vet if changes appear.

If your main goal is “cleaner food,” one of the safest compromises is mixing mostly complete commercial food with a smaller portion of homemade. That gives variety and freshness while preserving nutritional completeness.

Quick FAQs

Can dogs and cats eat the same homemade food?

Usually, no. Cats have stricter requirements (taurine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid). A dog-friendly bowl can be dangerous for cats if used as the main diet.

Is grain-free homemade better?

Not automatically. Dogs can digest many grains well, and grains can provide energy and fiber. The “best” choice depends on your dog’s digestion, allergies, and your overall recipe balance.

Is pumpkin always good?

Plain pumpkin can help some dogs with stool consistency, but it’s not a cure-all and can worsen stool if too much is used. Start small.

What about bone broth?

Only if it’s unsalted and made without onions/garlic. Many store-bought broths contain onion/garlic powders and too much sodium.

Final Takeaway: Homemade Can Be Safe—If It’s Balanced

Homemade dog and cat food can be wonderful when it’s done with the same care you’d use for a child’s nutrition: thoughtful ingredients, correct proportions, and the right supplements where needed. If you’re just starting, the safest move is to use homemade as a topper while keeping a complete diet as the base. And if you want homemade as the main diet, choose a recipe designed for your species (dog vs. cat) and ideally reviewed by a veterinary nutrition professional.

With the right plan, you can offer real, gentle food without the hidden risks—and your pet gets the best of both worlds: comfort today, and health for the long run.