Home Cooked Dog Food: Do’s & Don'ts for Pet Parents

In Singapore, many pet parents are choosing to prepare cooked dog food at home to have better control over ingredients and their dog’s health. While home cooking comes from a place of good-intentioned care and can be beneficial, it often leads to common mistakes such as unbalanced meals, missing nutrients, or unsafe ingredient choices especially for those preparing pet meals for the first time.

Here are some of the essential do’s and don’ts of homemade dog food, to ensure you understand what makes a balanced diet for dogs, and why swapping out the apron for professionally-prepared fresh meals such as those from The Grateful Pet may be a safer, more reliable option.

Is Cooked Dog Food at Home Healthy for Dogs?

Simply put, yes — homecooked-dog food can be a healthy option for your pet provided the meal is complete and nutritionally balanced. This is especially true for dogs with established issues such as sensitive stomachs, food intolerances, or allergies, as carefully selected ingredients and proteins can make a meaningful difference. For example, novel proteins like kangaroo meat are often recommended as they are less likely to trigger adverse reactions from food for dogs with food sensitivity. Dogs with dental issues may also benefit from softer, home-cooked meals that are specially curated to meet their needs. [1]

The trouble, however, comes when this caveat isn’t met.

Common Mistakes In Home-Cooked Dog Food

Some common pitfalls pet parents fall into relying solely on muscle meat while overlooking nutrient-dense organs, neglecting essential nutrients such as calcium and omega-3s, and assuming all homemade diets are suitable for dogs. Even more dire is the possibility of unknowingly using unsafe ingredients such as onions or leeks. But the most common mistake pet owners make doesn’t come from a place of negligence, but rather a place of love.

While your pets may be members of your family unit, they do not benefit from the same nutritional considerations. Many pet parent’s notion of a “balanced meal” is with reference to human intake, and doesn’t account for the specific ratios of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals dogs actually need. [2] This can cause severe nutritional imbalances that could lead to more serious issues in the long term.

In short, the home-cooking process is tedious, full of uncertainties, and may do more harm than good for your furry friends.

The Dos & Don’ts of Home-Cooking Dog Food

Do’s

Do follow AAFCO or NRC nutritional guidelines as a baseline
Do use dog-safe ingredients
Do rotate proteins (e.g. chicken, pork, beef, fish)
Do ensure their meals consist of protein, fibre, healthy fats, and supplements (where needed)
Do practice food safety
Do introduce new foods gradually

Don’ts

Don’t assume “natural” = “balanced”
Don’t rely on online recipes without veterinary review
Don’t season with:
– Salt
– Soy sauce
– Spices (certain ones are okay)
Don’t use cooking oils unsuitable for dogs
Don’t overcook until nutrients are depleted
Don’t feed cooked bones (splinter risk)
Don’t ignore signs of imbalance:
– Dull coat
– Digestive upset
– Low energy

Home-Cooked vs Professionally Prepared Meals: What’s Better for Your Dog?

Home-cooked meals can appeal to pet parents because they offer greater control over ingredients, a sense of freshness, and the ability to personalise meals for individual dogs. However, without proper formulation, they carry a high risk of nutritional imbalance, particularly when fed long term. Professionally prepared meals, such as those from The Grateful Pet, are designed to meet complete and balanced nutritional standards according to internationally recognised frameworks that define the essential nutrient requirements for dogs and cats at different life stages, like AAFCO and NRC. Professionally prepared meals are also consistent with nutrient profiles across every serving, and have safer food handling and storage practices. [3]

In Singapore, where busy lifestyles can make regular meal preparation challenging and the warm, humid climate increases the risk of food spoilage, maintaining consistency and food safety at home can be especially difficult. As a result, professionally prepared dog meals in a certified (AVS) controlled safe environment, provide pet parents with greater peace of mind, making them a reliable and practical option for long-term feeding while providing them with a homecooked-style meal

How to Build a Balanced Diet for Dogs at Home

Start with a base formula:

50–60% muscle meat
10-15% organ meat (secreting and non-secreting)
Calcium source (such as ground bones or eggshells)
10-15% fruits and vegetables
Healthy fats (such as fish oil or flaxseed oil)

Essential nutrients (such as vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, minerals, taurine)

Finally, portioning matters just as much as ingredients. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding—your dog’s ideal intake depends on their size, age, life stage, metabolism, and activity level. Puppies, seniors, and highly active dogs all have very different calorie and nutrient requirements, and even small miscalculations over time can lead to unwanted weight changes or nutritional imbalances. [4] Professionally prepared meals remove this guesswork by offering portions that are calculated to meet your dog’s specific needs, ensuring consistent, balanced nutrition at every meal.

When Should You Consult a Vet or Pet Nutritionist?

You should consult a vet or pet nutritionist if your dog has underlying health conditions such as kidney disease, allergies, or gastrointestinal issues, as these often require carefully tailored diets. Professional advice is also important if your dog experiences sudden weight loss or gain, or shows persistent digestive problems that may signal nutritional imbalances or food sensitivities.

Beyond health concerns, it is strongly recommended to seek expert guidance before switching from commercial to home-cooked diets, or before eliminating entire food groups, to ensure your dog continues to receive complete and balanced nutrition.

Only The Best For Your Loyal Friend

Choosing to cook for your dog as an act of genuine love and desire to provide the very best is a commendable effort as a pet owner. However, good intentions may not always be enough when it comes to nourishing your best friend.

This is where professionally prepared meals can play a reassuring role — offering a safer, more consistent everyday option that is carefully formulated to be complete and balanced. For those who still enjoy adding a personal touch, these meals can also serve as a reliable foundation, easily complemented with fresh, dog-safe ingredients,