Customized Dog Diets vs Generic Recipes & Commercial Raw/Cooked Diets

If all three options are balanced to NRC standards, what sets apart a personalized diet from a generic homemade batch recipe or cooked/raw commercial food?

There are two methods to create a diet that complies with NRC standards. If you are unfamiliar with NRC, you can find more information here!

A diet can be designed based on requirements related to calories/energy or tailored to the ideal body weight of the specific dog. I formulate diets based on body weight as it most precise.

Creating batch recipes based on calories is a convenient option for dog owners with multiple pets. They can prepare a large batch of food and adjust the portions according to each dog's calorie needs to maintain their weight. This is similar to how commercial pet foods are created (although dry foods and most raw/cooked foods follow AAFCO guidelines instead of NRC).

Diets formulated according to calorie/energy requirements, such as 1000 kcal (commercial, generic/bulk recipes), are most suitable for dogs that typically eat within the recommended guidelines for their body weight. However, for dogs that are easy or hard to maintain, there is a risk of over or under-nutrition depending on the formulation parameters used.

Customized Dog Food Recipes

For instance, let's consider three client dogs, each consuming 800 calories per day, with weights of 35lbs, 50lbs, and 65lbs respectively.

Although there is a significant difference in weight, this scenario is quite common!

The 50lb dog is closest to the average caloric intake for their weight, making them suitable for a generic batch recipe. However, the other two dogs would benefit from a personalized approach to ensure their nutritional needs are met appropriately based on their body weight.

Delving deeper into the topic, let's examine the varying calcium and magnesium requirements based on body weight:

Weekly requirements for:

35lb dog: Calcium 7238mg Magnesium 1097mg

50lb dog: Calcium 9457mg Magnesium 1433mg

65lb dog: Calcium 11514mg Magnesium 1745mg

Given a daily intake of 800 calories for all dogs, adjustments in food choices are necessary to meet these specific requirements.

When creating a customized dog food recipe, it will indicate the precise quantities of each food to be given, on a daily or weekly basis, removing the necessity for calorie calculations.

Furthermore, a personalized diet considers additional factors beyond formulation!

It takes into account the dog's breed(s) and potential health predispositions such as urinary stones, cancer, or heart disease, tailoring specific foods and supplements for added support.

For dogs in the senior lifestage, the focus is on avoiding excessive nutrients while addressing cancer prevention, cognition, and joint support. Lifestyle habits, such as treat consumption for training, are also considered to ensure an appropriate balance of calories and nutrients.

Batch recipes using generic mixes lack precision, especially for dogs with health issues. A targeted approach with individual supplements allows for more precise customization and monitoring of potential reactions.

Amid the abundance of free recipes and commercial raw options claiming balance to NRC standards, understanding the difference between these and a custom recipe is crucial. I trust this information proves helpful!