The truth about balanced dog nutrition (and why you can relax)
Want to swap out an ingredient? Go for it! One of the biggest misconceptions about homemade dog food is that everything has to be perfect—every single day.
Homemade dog food
One of the biggest misconceptions about homemade dog food is that everything has to be perfect—every single day. Many dog owners end up in “milligram panic”: - What if I used 20 grams too little chicken? - What if I forgot the oil this morning? - Have I ruined the balance completely? Let’s clear that up right away: 👉 Dogs do not need perfect balance in every meal. 👉 They need balance over time.
Why homemade recipes look so “precise”
Our recipes are formulated to meet strict FEDIAF guidelines (the European gold standard). But it’s important to understand why these rules exist: They are designed for commercial pet foods that are fed as the sole source of nutrition—every day, for life. That means manufacturers can’t afford to miss a single nutrient, because the dog never gets variation. But that’s not how you—or your dog—naturally eat. The body is built to handle variation. Think about your own diet: If you dont eat any vegetables on Tuesday, but you eat a smoothie on Thursday, you don’t become deficient. The same applies to your dog. What matters is the overall picture across days and weeks—not a single bowl.
Quick guide: How flexible can you be?
| Category | How flexible? | What to know | |----------|--------------|--------------| | **Muscle meat** (mince, fish, heart) | Very flexible | This makes up most of the diet. You can rotate between chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. Heart is muscle meat. Can’t find it? Use more regular meat. Just be aware that fat levels vary between protein sources, which can influence the overall energy of the diet over time. | | **Organs** (liver, kidney, spleen) | Be somewhat precise | Organs are your dog’s “multivitamin,” but they are not interchangeable—each organ provides a unique nutrient profile. The recipe is already balanced over time as written. Occasional swaps (e.g., beef liver vs. pork liver) are fine, but if you consistently replace one organ with another, you risk creating imbalances. Try to stick to the recipe overall | | **Vegetables** | Very flexible | Provide fiber and antioxidants. Dogs won’t “overdose” on vitamins from vegetable intake. If a recipe lists just one vegetable (like carrot or broccoli), you can easily rotate or use a mixed vegetable blend instead. | | **Supplements & oils** | Flexible | Don’t need to be given daily. Nutrients like omega-3s and fat-soluble vitamins a…
FAQ: Real-life worries (Is this dangerous?)
Here are the most common “panic questions” we get: “Help! I ran out of oil/vitamins and can’t buy more for two days!” No problem. It’s like skipping your own multivitamin for a weekend. Omega-3s and minerals are stored in the body—just resume when you have it again. “I only have 380g of meat, but the recipe says 400g. Do I need to recalculate calcium?” No. That 20g difference won’t affect your dog’s health. “I forgot to thaw the liver for dinner!” Not an issue. You can distribute the weekly amount over fewer days if needed. The body will still utilize the nutrients.
When is it important to be precise?
Even though we say “relax,” there are a few situations where accuracy really does matter: Allergies: If your dog reacts strongly to a specific ingredient (for example, chicken), you need to be strict about avoiding it. Even small amounts can trigger symptoms like itching or digestive issues. Growing puppies: Puppies have higher demands for proper calcium and phosphorus balance as their skeleton is developing. Here, it’s important to follow the recipe as closely as possible. Therapeutic diets (medical conditions): If your dog is on a specific diet for conditions like kidney or liver disease, nutrient balance becomes medically important. In these cases, you should consult before making significant changes.
Disclaimer
While small substitutions are generally safe, it’s important to understand that any changes will alter the diet from its originally formulated, balanced state. Our recipes are designed to be nutritionally complete when followed as written. Replacing key ingredients—such as organs, supplements, or oils—will affect the overall nutrient profile. The extent of this impact depends on what is being replaced and how often. Occasional minor changes are unlikely to cause issues, but consistent or larger substitutions may lead to imbalances over time.