Homemade vs Commercial Food: Which is Best?

Commercial food exists to solve one problem: giving a dog all the nutrients it needs in the right amounts. A food that meets AAFCO standards is complete and balanced. Home-cooked food can be just as good, but only if the recipe is balanced, and that usually means working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Studies of home-made dog recipes have found many were missing key nutrients, even when the ingredients looked wholesome.

Homemade vs Commercial Food: Which is Best?

• Homemade products can be cheaper to make, but take more time and effort. Commercial products are convenient, but can contain unwanted ingredients.
• Homemade products cost 20-50% less on average compared to commercial options. You save money by making food, cleaners, beauty products yourself.
• Ingredients: With homemade products you control what goes in them. Commercial products often contain preservatives, stabilizers and other unnecessary ingredients.
• Convenience: Buying commercial products is easier and faster. Making your own requires finding recipes, purchasing ingredients, cleaning up.
• Taste: Homemade food often tastes better since you can adjust flavors to your preferences. Commercial food aims for mass market appeal.
• Quality: If you follow trusted recipes, homemade can meet or exceed commercial quality. But mistakes can happen if you improvise too much.

So which is best overall?

• It depends on your priorities. If you want to save money, control ingredients and enjoy homemade taste, then homemade wins.
• If you value convenience and consistency more than anything, commercial products are better for you.
• In many cases a hybrid approach works well – make homemade versions of the products you care most about controlling, and buy commercial for the rest.

If you go the commercial route for your Poodle’s meals, start with our shortlist of the best dog foods for Poodles.

What has been your experience with homemade vs store bought products? Do you have a favorite homemade recipe or product you like to make?

Frequently asked questions

Is homemade food better for dogs?

Not automatically. It can be, but only when the recipe is complete and balanced, which usually needs a veterinary nutritionist. Unbalanced home diets cause problems over time.

Is commercial dog food safe?

A food that meets AAFCO standards and is made by a company with good quality control is a safe, complete diet for most dogs. Read the AAFCO statement on the label.

Can I mix homemade and commercial food?

You can, as long as the total diet stays balanced. Treats and toppers should stay under about a tenth of daily calories so they do not unbalance the main food.

How do I switch foods?

Change over about a week, mixing in more of the new food each day. A slow switch prevents the stomach upset that comes with a sudden change.

Sources

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Guidelines on selecting pet foods.
• Association of American Feed Control Officials.