With growing concerns about food quality and ingredient transparency, many dog owners are asking:
Is homemade dog food better than kibble?
The answer? It depends. Both options have advantages—and drawbacks. Whether you’re considering cooking for your dog or sticking with high-quality commercial kibble, this guide will help you make an informed decision by comparing the real pros and cons of each.
🏡 Homemade Dog Food: Pros
✅ Full Ingredient Control
You know exactly what goes into each meal—great for dogs with allergies, sensitivities, or special dietary needs.
✅ No Fillers or Artificial Additives
Homemade meals skip artificial preservatives, colorants, and low-quality fillers commonly found in cheap kibble.
✅ Fresh, Whole Foods
Cooking fresh meat, vegetables, and grains offers higher moisture content and more natural nutrition.
✅ Tailored to Your Dog
You can customize meals for your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and medical conditions.
🏡 Homemade Dog Food: Cons
❌ Nutritional Imbalance
Most homemade diets are lacking essential vitamins and minerals if not formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. This can lead to deficiencies over time.
❌ Time-Consuming
Planning, prepping, cooking, and storing dog food requires significant time and effort.
❌ Costly (in some cases)
Quality meats and produce can make homemade feeding more expensive than kibble.
❌ Shorter Shelf Life
Homemade food spoils quickly—must be refrigerated or frozen and used within a few days.
🥣 Kibble (Dry Dog Food): Pros
✅ Convenient
Kibble is easy to store, measure, and serve, with long shelf life and less mess.
✅ Complete & Balanced
High-quality kibble is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards and offers a reliable nutrient profile.
✅ Budget-Friendly
There’s a wide range of price points, and feeding kibble is typically more affordable for medium and large breeds.
✅ Dental Health Benefits
Crunchy kibble can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, though it’s not a replacement for brushing.
🥣 Kibble: Cons
❌ Ingredient Quality Varies
Some kibble contains meat by-products, cheap fillers (like corn, wheat, soy), or artificial preservatives.
❌ Lower Moisture Content
Dry food may contribute to dehydration or urinary issues, especially in dogs who don’t drink enough water.
❌ Less Variety
Feeding the same dry kibble every day can become boring for some dogs, leading to picky eating or food refusal.
❌ May Trigger Allergies
Some commercial foods contain common allergens or low-quality proteins that can cause reactions in sensitive dogs.
🥩 Which Is More Nutritious?
- Homemade food can be more nutritious if it’s balanced and professionally formulated.
- Kibble is more consistent—you get complete nutrition with less risk of imbalance.
👉 If you want to feed homemade, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to create a complete recipe.
🍽️ Combination Feeding: The Best of Both Worlds?
Many owners combine kibble + fresh food to improve variety, taste, and nutritional content without going fully homemade.
Examples:
- Kibble base + cooked lean meat or veggies
- Kibble + commercial frozen or fresh toppers (like The Farmer’s Dog or Nom Nom)
- Rotate between kibble and homemade meals (but balance daily calories)
💡 When to Consider Homemade Food
- Your dog has allergies, digestive issues, or skin problems
- You want clean-label, human-grade food
- You’re willing to invest time and consult with a vet
- Your dog is a picky eater who refuses kibble
💡 When Kibble Might Be Better
- You need a budget-friendly, convenient option
- Your dog is thriving on their current diet
- You have a large breed or multiple dogs
- You can’t commit to daily prep and portion planning
Conclusion
Feeding your puppy properly is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a new dog owner. With the right food, schedule, and care, you’ll support their growth and set them up for a long, healthy life.
Not sure which route is right for your dog? Visit our Feeding Comparison Tool to compare recipes, brands, and feeding plans tailored to your pet.