With the rise of pet humanization and growing consumer interest in raw and homemade-style foods, questions have emerged about whether such diets meet the nutritional requirements of dogs. Choi and colleagues (2023) conducted a detailed evaluation of 11 commercial homemade-style foods sold online in Korea, testing their adequacy against AAFCO maintenance standards for adult dogs.
The findings showed that while crude protein and amino acid content met requirements across all products, significant nutritional gaps were identified. One product failed to meet crude fat standards, and many were deficient in essential minerals. Selenium deficiency was most common, present in 91% of the products, followed by deficiencies in copper and zinc (46%), potassium and calcium (27%), and iron (18%). Six products also fell outside the recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which is critical for bone health and metabolic function.
Moreover, imbalances in the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio raised concerns about long-term effects on inflammation and health. Although three products (26.2%) met AAFCO standards apart from selenium deficiency, the overall results highlight inconsistencies in nutritional adequacy among alternative diets.
The study underscores the importance of accurate nutritional labeling and proper validation of formulas. For dog owners, these findings serve as a reminder that while homemade-style diets may appeal due to their “human-like” ingredients, professional guidance and supplementation may be necessary to ensure balanced nutrition and long-term canine health.
Source: Choi, B., Kim, S., & Jang, G. (2023). Nutritional evaluation of new alternative types of dog foods including raw and cooked homemade-style diets. Journal of Veterinary Science, 24. Published August 7, 2023.
