The trend of home-cooked dog food has been growing over the past 15 years, with many owners seeking to provide their pets with more nutritious and safe meals. This shift is attributed to the 2007 melamine crisis, which led to a massive recall of commercial pet food and raised concerns about the industry's safety protocols. As a result, many dog owners have started cooking for their pets, with some even seeking out gourmet recipes and ingredients.
According to Jonathan Stockman, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, homemade food is not necessary for every dog, and commercial kibble or canned food can be a suitable option for most pets. However, for dogs with specific dietary needs or health issues, a homemade diet may be beneficial.
A study published in the journal Veterinary Sciences found that dogs with dermatological or gastrointestinal issues had better outcomes on a homemade diet, while another study published in Metabolites found that fresh, human-grade food had benefits for metabolism and other health markers.
