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Study: Most Homemade Dog Diets Unsafe
24 Nov
Summary
- Most homemade dog diets lack essential nutrients.
- Only about 6% of analyzed homemade diets were nutritionally complete.
- Veterinarians advise consulting nutritionists for balanced homemade diets.
New research from Texas A&M University's Dog Aging Project indicates that homemade dog food diets are frequently deficient in essential nutrients. An analysis of over 1,700 homemade diets revealed that a striking majority did not meet dogs' dietary needs, posing significant health risks to pets despite owners' good intentions.
The study, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, utilized an online tool to assess the nutritional completeness of submitted recipes. Alarmingly, only approximately 6 percent of these homemade diets met established nutritional standards. Even minor ingredient substitutions can create imbalances, particularly affecting critical calcium and phosphorus levels.
Veterinary experts highlight that these imbalances can lead to severe health problems, including bone weakening and kidney issues. For dogs with existing health conditions, these deficiencies can exacerbate their illnesses. The study also flagged the potential inclusion of dangerous ingredients like bones or toxic foods. To ensure a dog's well-being, owners considering homemade diets should consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
