The Supplements Required for Homemade Dog Food

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Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Feeding a dog a homemade diet isn’t easy—and not just because of the prep work that goes into feeding your buddy. A homemade dog diet has to contain the right nutrients in the right ratios. An unbalanced diet puts your dog at risk for serious health problems. In many cases, supplements are required to ensure complete and balanced nutrition when making homemade dog food.

In this guide, we review some of the nutrients that frequently require supplementation in a homemade diet for dogs and discuss how to incorporate them safely. We’ll also offer tips for choosing quality homemade dog food supplements, including options targeted for specific health concerns.

Remember, it’s important to talk to your vet before switching your dog to a homemade diet. They’re critical resources not only for diet planning, but also helping you keep an eye on your dog’s body condition and health.

What Supplements Does Homemade Dog Food Need?

When it comes to homemade dog food recipes, no two formulas are exactly alike. Nor are the dogs eating them. So the need for supplements depends on both the recipe and the situation. Your vet should have the final say about what your dog’s diet needs.

Let’s review some of the supplements commonly recommended to pet parents making homemade dog food.

Homemade dog food premix

These supplements are formulated to simplify the task of creating a nutritionally complete homemade diet. They’re typically designed to be mixed with raw or cooked meat—and sometimes grains or vegetables—to deliver essential vitamins and minerals at the levels required for optimal canine nutrition.

Calcium

Not only is calcium essential for strong bones and healthy teeth, but it plays an important role in cardiovascular and nervous system health. If your dog doesn’t get enough calcium from their diet, their body might start leeching it from their bones. Calcium deficiencies are most likely to occur in homemade diets that only contain muscle meat, not bone.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

This water-soluble vitamin supports brain and immune system health and plays a key role in red blood cell production. Organ meats are particularly rich in vitamin B12, but it’s also found in fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Deficiency of this vitamin may interfere with the body’s absorption of iron, which could contribute to anemia.

Magnesium

This mineral is important for energy production as well as proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Magnesium deficiency is more likely to affect diabetic dogs as well as dogs with kidney disease and conditions that impair nutrient absorption, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Deficiencies can be serious, causing muscle weakness, heart arrhythmias, and abnormal behavior.

Choline

An essential amino acid for dogs, choline is involved in liver function, brain development, and nervous system health. Meat and eggs are good sources of choline, but because your dog’s body can’t synthesize it from other amino acids, their diet needs to provide a sufficient amount of it. Choline deficiency can cause vomiting, liver problems, and high cholesterol.

Vitamin D

This vitamin enhances the absorption of other essential nutrients—particularly calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D deficiency is rare in dogs eating properly formulated commercial diets, but a homemade diet might not supply an adequate amount. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, and beef liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) nutrient profiles, a complete and balanced canine diet contains specific levels of omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are particularly important for healthy brain and eye development in puppies. Omega-3 deficiencies can impact skin and coat health as well as energy levels and healing. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are rich in omega-3s.

A dog stares at the delicious salmon fillet on the table in the kitchen.

O_Lypa via iStock

Adding supplements to homemade dog food

When your veterinarian recommends a specific nutrient supplement for your dog, it may be best to administer the supplement directly. This allows you to control the dosage and ensures consistency. If your dog refuses to take pills, however, mixing it with their food is the next option.

Ask your vet whether the supplement can safely be crushed and mixed into your dog’s food. If not, you may be able to find the same supplement in another form—a powder or liquid that mixes more easily.

How To Choose Quality Supplements

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your pet, choosing quality supplements can be a challenge. It’s always wise to take marketing claims with a grain of salt, but supplements are particularly tricky, even when they’re intended for human consumption.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have a special category for pet supplements, so they’re regulated according to the same standards as pet food. In fact, it’s the FDA’s stance that the Dietary Supplement Health and Safety Act of 1994 which regulates statements of nutritional support doesn’t apply to animals.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) describes supplements for pets as a regulatory gray area, so the burden falls largely on the pet parent to choose wisely. Here are some things to look for when evaluating supplements for dogs.

Scientifically supported ingredients

A pet supplement label should clearly identify the active ingredients in the product. A little research will reveal whether there’s scientific evidence to support their effectiveness for the intended purpose. In addition to researching a product’s active ingredients, check to see if it contains any artificial additives or ingredients your dog might be allergic to.

National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal of approval

The NASC is a nonprofit trade association that aims to protect and improve the integrity of the animal supplement industry. Think of the NASC as the pet supplement equivalent of the AAFCO, which built the framework for uniformity in the US pet food industry. Neither has FDA-level regulatory authority, but their protocols are designed to hold manufacturers to industry-specific standards.

In order to display the NASC’s Quality Seal on their products, a manufacturer must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality control. The manufacturer must have written standard operating procedures in place and pass an independent third-party audit every two years along with random periodic product testing.

Strong quality control by the manufacturer

If the label doesn’t sport an NASC quality seal, you may have to do a little legwork to evaluate a supplement brand’s commitment to quality. Reputable brands offer certificates of analysis (COA) for their products on demand—or better yet, post them on their website—to prove their products actually contain what’s on the label.

Third-party testing isn’t a requirement, but submitting products for analysis by an independent lab is a sign that a company is committed to quality and transparency. If the brand doesn’t offer specific details about how their products are formulated, manufactured, and tested, you may want to keep looking.

History of customer satisfaction

Read customer reviews for clues about a product’s effectiveness and overall value. They’re also a great place to gauge general satisfaction with the brand, including things like customer support, return policies, and shipping speed.

Don’t assume the testimonials on a brand’s website paint a complete picture. Check the brand’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and look for reviews on third-party websites like Trustpilot or Consumer Affairs.

Liudmila Chernetska via iStock

Targeted Supplements for Health Issues

All dogs have the same core nutritional requirements, but individual needs can vary slightly according to the dog’s life stage and health status. Homemade diets should be tailored to your dog’s specific needs, crafted with input and ongoing support from your veterinarian.

On top of a balanced homemade diet, some dogs may benefit from additional supplements targeted for specific health concerns. Let’s take a look at a few cases where targeted supplements may be useful.

Dogs with frequent stomach issues

Prebiotic and probiotic supplements can help support healthy microbial balance in your dog’s gut. They’re often recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs, those who experience occasional loose stools, and dogs undergoing antibiotic therapy.

Senior dogs with joint troubles

Dogs with osteoarthritis and other joint concerns may benefit from supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin. These ingredients may help stop the breakdown of healthy cartilage and stimulate cartilage growth. Some joint supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and promote joint lubrication to alleviate pain.

Dogs with skin and coat problems

Supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids—typically from fish oil—can be beneficial for dogs with inflammatory skin conditions like allergies and dermatitis. Fish oil supplements may help alleviate dry, itchy skin and promote a healthier coat.

Anxious dogs

Dogs who suffer from chronic or situational anxiety may benefit from calming supplements. Common ingredients in calming supplements include l-tryptophan to boost serotonin levels, cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce cortisol levels, or melatonin to deliver a calming effect.

Dogs with urinary tract issues

Urinary health supplements may be beneficial for some dogs with urinary tract issues such as bladder inflammation, urinary crystals, or urinary tract infections. Cranberry supplements are a popular choice, rich in antioxidants that can help boost immunity and reduce inflammation.

Always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog supplements. Your vet can help you determine whether a supplement is necessary and, if so, the proper dosage for your dog.

How We Chose

We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.

We selected dog supplements from manufacturers with a history and reputation for efficacy, safety, and customer satisfaction. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

How To Add Critical Supplements to Homemade Dog Food