Scientific Results: Findings from the Dog Aging Project: home-prepared diets for companion dogs feature diverse ingredients, and few are nutritionally complete

Author

Janice S. O’Brien

Where was it published?

American Journal of Veterinary Research (published online ahead of print 2025)

 What is this paper about?

This study explored what dog owners like to cook up for their furry friends at home. We were curious about the ingredients they choose and whether those meals provide the essential nutrients that keep our pups healthy and happy.

What we did:
Our team gathered insights from dog owners involved in the Dog Aging Project. These owners shared what they feed their dogs through surveys, especially focusing on homemade meals.

We looked at 1,726 different dog diets that people reported, which included a variety of ingredients like meat, veggies, grains, and even some supplements.

With the help of two independent coders, we dug into all the dietary ingredients that dog owners mentioned. Then, five nutrition specialists entered those ingredients into a nutrition analysis tool to see if the meals met dogs’ nutritional needs. We compared each diet against the AAFCO guidelines, which are the official recommendations for what dogs need to stay healthy.

What did we find?

• Most homemade dog meals had meat (90%) and vegetables (65%).
• About 45% of owners added store-bought food or supplements to help balance the meals.
• But only 6% of the homemade diets met all the nutrients that dogs need according to official standards.

It’s great to see so many dog owners getting creative with their pets’ meals, but it’s also important to ensure they’re getting everything they need to thrive!

What do these results mean for me and my dog?

Making your dog’s meals at home can be a wonderful way to show your love—but it takes careful planning to make sure it’s healthy. Just like us, dogs need a balanced diet, and getting all the right nutrients is crucial for their well-being. It’s super important to ensure they’re getting all the right nutrients, as missing even one over time could lead to health issues. Before you start whipping up homemade doggy dinners, it’s a great idea to have a chat with your vet. They can help you figure out what’s best for your pup based on their age, size, and health.

Plus, by sharing information about your dog’s meals through the Dog Aging Project’s surveys, you’re helping veterinarians and pet owners discover how to enhance the health of our beloved companions. Your input is valuable and plays a big role in helping scientists learn how to better support all dogs. Thank you for being a thoughtful pet parent!

Also, Dr. O’Brien is diving into a follow-up study to determine whether dogs on home-prepared diets are any more or less at risk for disease than those on commercial diets. Our researchers are looking into all kinds of dog diets, so thank you for your patience as it takes time to gather data and share results. We’re excited to keep you updated on what we learn about dog diets, so stay tuned!

*Note: If you have concerns about your dog’s health, we encourage you to discuss these concerns with your primary care veterinarian. Suggestions for a treatment plan are best recommended by the veterinarian who has a relationship with your dog and understands their medical history.

Where can I learn more?

O’Brien, J. S., Lawson, E., Dog Aging Project Consortium, Tolbert, M. K., & Ruple, A. (2025). Findings from the Dog Aging Project: home-prepared diets for companion dogs feature diverse ingredients, and few are nutritionally complete. American Journal of Veterinary Research (published online ahead of print 2025). Retrieved Sep 8, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.06.0216

Abstract

Objective

To qualitatively describe the home-prepared diets of dogs enrolled within the Dog Aging Project cohort and to evaluate the overall potential for the diet to be complete when possible.

Methods

Free-text responses provided from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, by dog owners were evaluated by 2 independent coders to describe dietary ingredients in this observational study. Five independent coders input ingredients into a website for pet owners that was designed by veterinary nutritionists to determine the overall completeness of diets.

Results

Overall, 1,726 home-prepared diets were composed of a range of ingredients, which may include meat and organs, vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds, and added oils. The most common dietary ingredients were meat (90%) and vegetables (65%). Nearly half (45%) of owners added some form of commercially prepared diet or base/topper to supplement the home-prepared ingredients. Only 6% of these diets were potentially nutritionally complete according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials adult dog maintenance standards.

Conclusions

The composition of home-prepared diets varied substantially in terms of ingredients, and few are likely to be nutritionally complete.

Clinical Relevance

Veterinarians collecting diet history information should take care to fully examine the home-prepared diets reported by owners and use a variety of tools, including consultation with board-certified veterinary nutritionists (diplomate of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine–Nutrition), to assist owners in the selection of a maintenance diet.