🐕 10 Best Nutrient Mixes for Homemade Dog Food: Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy
Homemade dog food can offer numerous benefits, including control over ingredients, the ability to accommodate food sensitivities, and even fostering a stronger bond with your furry friend. However, balancing nutrients is crucial to ensure your dog gets all the essential vitamins and minerals for optimal health. To help you navigate the world of homemade dog food, we’ve compiled the 10 best nutrient mixes that can complement your homemade recipes, ensuring your dog stays healthy, happy, and energized.
🗝️ Key Takeaways: Quick Answers for Choosing the Best Nutrient Mix
- What’s the best nutrient mix for balanced homemade meals? Choose a nutrient mix that covers all vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, such as Balance IT Canine.
- Are there all-natural options? Yes, options like Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm offer natural, holistic ingredients.
- Do I need a supplement if my homemade dog food has meat and veggies? Yes, homemade diets often lack certain essential nutrients, so a supplement mix is important.
- What should I prioritize in a mix? Look for a formula that includes calcium, phosphorus, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D, all critical for a dog’s overall health.
- Can nutrient mixes cater to specific health needs? Absolutely—certain mixes focus on issues like joint support, weight control, or sensitive stomachs.
🧑🍳 Balance IT Canine: Vet-Formulated for Complete Nutrition
Balance IT Canine is one of the top choices for ensuring your homemade dog food provides complete and balanced nutrition. This vet-formulated supplement is designed to work with cooked, whole-food recipes, providing all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs. It’s available in both powder and tablet form, making it easy to add to your dog’s daily meals.
Key Nutrients:
- Calcium and Phosphorus for strong bones and teeth
- Vitamins A, D, and E for immune and skin health
- Potassium and Magnesium for muscle function
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Balance IT Canine | General all-around nutrition | Great for those looking for vet-approved formulas. |
💡 Pro Tip: Use Balance IT Canine with any homemade dog food recipe to ensure your dog gets complete and balanced nutrition without the guesswork.
🌿 Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm: Holistic, Grain-Free Nutrition
Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm is a holistic, low-carb nutrient mix designed to help dogs maintain healthy body weight while supporting overall wellness. This mix features a blend of superfoods, including pumpkin, broccoli, and kelp, which provide vitamins and antioxidants to boost your dog’s immune system. Ideal for owners looking for a grain-free, natural option, Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm is particularly popular for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those needing a low-carb diet.
Key Nutrients:
- Omega-3 fatty acids for heart and joint health
- Antioxidants from veggies like pumpkin and spinach
- Fiber to support digestive health
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm | Dogs needing a low-carb, grain-free option | Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or dietary restrictions. |
💡 Pro Tip: Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm works well with lean meats like turkey or chicken, helping your dog maintain a healthy weight while staying nutritionally balanced.
🥩 The Honest Kitchen: Whole Food Base Mix
The Honest Kitchen offers a dehydrated base mix that’s packed with whole foods, including organic spinach, coconut, and sweet potatoes. It’s designed to be mixed with fresh, raw, or cooked meats to provide a complete meal. This nutrient mix is grain-free and packed with prebiotics and digestive enzymes, making it perfect for dogs with digestive sensitivities or those on a whole-food diet.
Key Nutrients:
- Vitamin A and Beta-carotene for vision and immune support
- Prebiotics and Probiotics for gut health
- Fiber for digestion
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| The Honest Kitchen | Whole food-based nutrition | Ideal for pet owners wanting organic, real food ingredients. |
💡 Pro Tip: The Honest Kitchen base mix is great for pet parents seeking a convenient, whole-food option. Simply add water and your choice of protein, and it’s ready to serve.
🐾 My Pet Carnivore: Raw-Friendly Nutrient Supplement
For those feeding a raw diet, My Pet Carnivore’s Nutrient Supplement is a perfect fit. It’s specifically designed for raw feeders, ensuring that homemade raw meals are nutritionally balanced without adding any unnecessary fillers. This supplement includes essential nutrients like zinc, iodine, and vitamin D, which are often missing from raw diets.
Key Nutrients:
- Zinc for immune function and skin health
- Iodine for thyroid support
- Vitamin D for bone health
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| My Pet Carnivore | Raw-feeding dogs | Ensures complete nutrition for dogs on a raw diet. |
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re feeding a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, My Pet Carnivore helps cover all the essential nutrients often missed in raw food alone.
🧬 Furrowed Earth: Customizable Nutrient Mix
If you prefer a tailored approach to your dog’s nutrition, Furrowed Earth offers customizable nutrient mixes based on your dog’s unique health needs. Whether your dog requires joint support, skin and coat health, or weight management, Furrowed Earth can create a supplement tailored to their exact requirements. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for dogs with specific health conditions.
Key Nutrients (Varies by Customization):
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health
- Omega-3 fatty acids for anti-inflammatory benefits
- B-complex vitamins for energy and metabolism
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Furrowed Earth | Dogs with specific health conditions | Ideal for pet parents who want personalized nutrition. |
💡 Pro Tip: Work with Furrowed Earth’s team to design a mix that addresses your dog’s unique health concerns, ensuring they get exactly what they need.
🦴 JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend: Vet-Recommended for Homemade Diets
JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend is a veterinarian-formulated supplement designed specifically for dogs on a homemade diet. This blend covers the essentials like calcium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy heart, joints, and coat. It’s designed to be mixed with homemade recipes to ensure your dog gets all the necessary nutrients without any artificial preservatives or fillers.
Key Nutrients:
- Omega-3s for joint and coat health
- Calcium for bone development
- Zinc for immune support
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| JustFoodForDogs | Dogs on cooked homemade diets | Provides vet-approved nutrients without artificial ingredients. |
💡 Pro Tip: Pair JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend with fresh, lightly cooked meats and vegetables to offer your dog a complete and balanced homemade meal.
🌾 Animal Essentials Herbal Multi-Vitamin: Natural Supplement for Daily Use
Animal Essentials Herbal Multi-Vitamin is a natural supplement that can be added to your homemade dog food to provide essential vitamins and minerals. It includes herbal extracts, such as alfalfa, kelp, and dandelion, which not only enhance nutrition but also provide detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s particularly beneficial for dogs with digestive issues or those in need of a natural, plant-based supplement.
Key Nutrients:
- Vitamin B complex for energy and metabolism
- Iodine for thyroid health from kelp
- Antioxidants for immune system support
💡 Pro Tip: Add Animal Essentials to your dog’s homemade meals as a daily booster, especially for dogs needing extra support for digestion or detoxification.
🧪 Canine Complete by Wholistic Pet Organics: All-in-One Superfood Supplement
Canine Complete is an all-in-one superfood supplement packed with whole foods, probiotics, and enzymes. This nutrient mix is designed to support overall wellness, including gut health, immune support, and joint function. It’s especially beneficial for dogs needing extra nutrition beyond their homemade meals, making it a great option for senior dogs or those recovering from illness.
Key Nutrients:
- Probiotics and digestive enzymes for gut health
- Organic kelp for thyroid support
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Complete | Senior dogs or dogs with health issues | Excellent for overall wellness and boosting energy. |
💡 Pro Tip: Canine Complete is ideal for senior dogs or those with compromised health, helping to cover all the bases with whole-food nutrients and superfoods.
🔍 Which Nutrient Mix Is Best for Your Dog’s Homemade Diet?
With a variety of nutrient mixes available, you can choose the one that best suits your dog’s specific needs and lifestyle. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Nutrient Mix | Best For | 💡 Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Balance IT Canine | General all-around nutrition | Ideal for those seeking vet-approved solutions. |
| Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm | Low-carb, grain-free diets | Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or weight issues. |
| The Honest Kitchen | Whole food-based nutrition | Best for those preferring organic, natural ingredients. |
| My Pet Carnivore | Raw-feeding dogs | Provides necessary nutrients often lacking in raw diets. |
| Furrowed Earth | Customizable to your dog’s needs | Perfect for tailoring nutrients to specific health conditions. |
| JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend | Homemade cooked diets | Recommended for those wanting vet-formulated blends. |
| Animal Essentials Herbal Multi-Vitamin | Natural, plant-based nutrients | Excellent for dogs needing a herbal-based supplement. |
| Canine Complete | Senior dogs or dogs with health issues | Great for boosting immune support and overall wellness. |
💡 Pro Tip: Whether you’re focusing on joint health, gut support, or just ensuring balanced nutrition, there’s a nutrient mix to fit your dog’s homemade diet needs. Always consult with your vet to ensure your mix of choice is compatible with your dog’s specific dietary requirements. 🐾
Comment 5: “Can I skip supplements if my homemade dog food contains meat, vegetables, and grains?”
While a diet rich in meat, vegetables, and grains provides many essential nutrients, it’s typically not enough to meet all of your dog’s nutritional needs. Even with a variety of ingredients, many homemade dog food recipes lack critical vitamins and minerals like calcium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for your dog’s bone health, immune function, and skin and coat condition.
For example, meat alone doesn’t provide sufficient calcium unless you’re feeding raw bones, and vegetables, though nutritious, don’t usually contain enough vitamin D or E to keep your dog in optimal health. Supplements act as the final puzzle piece, filling in the gaps that even the most well-balanced homemade meals can leave behind. This is why adding a nutrient mix or supplement is critical to ensure your dog receives a complete and balanced diet.
💡 Tip: Consult a vet or canine nutritionist to evaluate your dog’s homemade meals and determine which supplements can round out the diet, ensuring long-term health.
Comment 6: “Is there a specific nutrient mix you recommend for dogs with allergies?”
For dogs with food allergies, it’s important to choose a nutrient mix that doesn’t contain common allergens like grains, chicken, or beef by-products. One highly recommended option is Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm, which is designed for dogs with sensitivities and provides a grain-free, low-carb blend. The mix is rich in anti-inflammatory superfoods like broccoli, spinach, and pumpkin, which not only help maintain balanced nutrition but also support digestive health—often a key concern for dogs with allergies.
Another option is Furrowed Earth, which offers customizable nutrient mixes. You can tailor the ingredients to your dog’s unique needs, avoiding specific allergens while still ensuring they get essential nutrients like calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E.
💡 Tip: Always check the ingredient list of nutrient mixes to ensure they don’t contain potential allergens. It’s also a good idea to gradually introduce any new mix into your dog’s diet to watch for reactions.
Comment 7: “How do I know if my dog’s homemade food is lacking in nutrients?”
There are a few signs that your dog’s diet may be lacking key nutrients, which often show up as physical and behavioral changes. One of the first indicators is skin and coat health—if your dog’s coat becomes dull, brittle, or they develop dry, flaky skin, it could mean they’re not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids or zinc. Another sign is lethargy or low energy levels, which can point to deficiencies in B vitamins or iron.
You might also notice digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation, which can signal imbalances in fiber or digestive enzymes. In more serious cases, poor nutrition can lead to weakened bones (from calcium deficiency) or joint problems, especially in large or aging dogs.
💡 Tip: Regular vet check-ups are essential when feeding your dog homemade food. Blood tests can reveal nutrient deficiencies, and your vet can recommend the right supplements or nutrient mixes to correct these imbalances.
Comment 8: “What should I look for in a nutrient mix if my dog is on a raw food diet?”
If your dog is on a raw food diet, it’s important to find a nutrient mix that complements the raw ingredients while filling in the nutritional gaps that raw meat alone can’t provide. Look for a mix that includes zinc, iodine, and vitamin D, all of which are commonly lacking in raw diets. These nutrients are critical for your dog’s immune health, bone strength, and metabolism.
A good option is My Pet Carnivore’s Nutrient Supplement, specifically formulated for raw-fed dogs. It includes essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and trace minerals like manganese, which are often missing from raw muscle meat and organ diets.
💡 Tip: Ensure your nutrient mix doesn’t contain fillers or unnecessary carbohydrates, as these aren’t needed in raw diets. You want a mix that supports the natural benefits of raw feeding while providing essential micronutrients.
Comment 9: “Can I give my dog human multivitamins instead of a dog-specific nutrient mix?”
It’s strongly recommended to avoid giving your dog human multivitamins, as they are formulated specifically for human dietary needs, not dogs. Human supplements may contain higher concentrations of certain vitamins that can be toxic to dogs, such as vitamin D, calcium, and iron. Additionally, human multivitamins often include artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs and can lead to seizures, liver failure, or even death.
Dog-specific nutrient mixes are carefully balanced to meet the unique nutritional requirements of canines, ensuring your dog gets the right amount of each vitamin and mineral without the risk of overdose or harmful ingredients. It’s best to stick with a formulated nutrient mix that’s designed with your dog’s health in mind.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure about which nutrient mix to use, consult your vet or a veterinary nutritionist for recommendations tailored to your dog’s specific dietary needs.
Comment 10: “Do senior dogs need different nutrients in their homemade food?”
Yes, senior dogs have different nutritional needs compared to younger dogs, and it’s important to adjust their homemade meals to support aging joints, cognitive function, and immune health. Nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin are key for maintaining joint health and reducing the effects of arthritis, which is common in older dogs. Additionally, antioxidants like vitamin E and C are important for protecting against cell damage and supporting brain health.
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, also help reduce inflammation and support heart health in senior dogs. You may want to choose a nutrient mix specifically designed for seniors, such as Canine Complete by Wholistic Pet Organics, which includes joint support and antioxidant-rich ingredients.
💡 Tip: As your dog ages, it’s also important to watch their caloric intake and adjust portion sizes to avoid weight gain, which can put added stress on aging joints.
Comment 11: “Can nutrient mixes help if my dog has a medical condition like kidney disease?”
Yes, some nutrient mixes are specifically formulated to address medical conditions such as kidney disease, where certain nutrients must be carefully balanced. For dogs with kidney disease, it’s critical to control the intake of phosphorus and protein, while ensuring they still get enough essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants to support their overall health.
One option is to work with a veterinary nutritionist to create a homemade recipe that’s tailored to your dog’s condition. From there, you can add a customized nutrient mix, like Furrowed Earth, which can be adjusted to meet specific health needs, such as low phosphorus for kidney support.
💡 Tip: Always consult your vet before making dietary changes for dogs with medical conditions. The wrong nutrient balance can worsen their health, so it’s important to ensure the mix is appropriate for their condition.
Comment 12: “What’s the best nutrient mix if I want to feed my dog a grain-free homemade diet?”
For dogs on a grain-free homemade diet, it’s important to ensure that they’re still receiving the right balance of vitamins and minerals, as some nutrients typically found in grains, like fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium, may be lacking. A mix like Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm is specifically designed for grain-free diets and includes a blend of low-glycemic vegetables, digestive enzymes, and superfoods like broccoli and kelp to fill in the gaps.
You should also look for nutrient mixes that provide omega-3 fatty acids, as grain-free diets often rely on non-grain carbohydrates, which can reduce the anti-inflammatory benefits that grains like brown rice offer. Ensuring your nutrient mix contains the right vitamin B complex, iron, and fiber is also crucial for maintaining digestive and metabolic health.
💡 Tip: Always check with your vet before transitioning to a grain-free diet, as some dogs require grains for optimal digestion and energy. If you proceed with grain-free, a nutrient mix like Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm will help round out your dog’s diet.