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Dog Fresh Food Calculator

⚠️ CRITICAL: Long-Term Homemade Diets Require Professional Formulation

Homemade diets WITHOUT proper formulation cause severe nutritional deficiencies within 6-12 months, leading to heart disease, bone problems, and organ damage. This calculator is EDUCATIONAL ONLY and does NOT replace professional formulation by a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist.

⚠️ For safe long-term feeding: Consult ACVN.org or use BalanceIT.com ($30-50 per recipe formulation). Do NOT feed homemade food long-term without professional guidance.

Basic Information

Daily Calories Needed: 1059 kcal

🍽️ Load Recipe Preset (Optional)

Choose a pre-formulated recipe as a starting point. These recipes meet AAFCO standards and will be scaled to your dog's weight.

Recipe Builder (Build Your Own or Modify Preset)

Recommended: 0.02g

Nutritional Analysis

Recipe Total
603
kcal (450g)
Servings Per Day
1.76x
of this recipe
Ca:P Ratio
0.08:1
Ideal: 1.2:1
Protein
79.8g
59.4% DM
Fat
11.1g
8.3% DM
Calcium
64mg
Phosphorus
773mg

AAFCO Compliance Check (Adult)

Protein (per 1000 kcal)132.3g / 45g ✓
Fat (per 1000 kcal)18.5g / 13.8g ✓
Calcium (per 1000 kcal)106mg / 1250mg ✗
Phosphorus (per 1000 kcal)1282mg / 1000mg ✓

🚨 CRITICAL Nutritional Deficiencies Detected

  • • Calcium to Phosphorus ratio is out of ideal range (1.0-2.0:1). This can cause bone problems, especially in puppies.
  • • Calcium is too low. Add calcium supplement (calcium carbonate or bone meal) as recommended.
  • • Vitamin D is critically low. Without supplementation, this will cause rickets in puppies and bone weakness in adults. Add fish oil or a Vitamin D3 supplement (consult vet for dosage). (16/125 IU per 1000kcal)
  • • Vitamin E is deficient. This causes muscle weakness and immune problems. Add wheat germ oil or a Vitamin E supplement. (1.6/12.5mg per 1000kcal)
  • • Zinc is too low. Deficiency causes skin problems, hair loss, and immune dysfunction. Add zinc supplement or more organ meats. (6.6/20mg per 1000kcal)
  • • Taurine is critically deficient. This WILL cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM - fatal heart disease) within 6-12 months. Add beef heart, chicken hearts, or taurine supplement IMMEDIATELY. (33/200mg per 1000kcal - HEART DISEASE RISK)
  • • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA) are deficient. This increases inflammation and heart disease risk. Add fish oil supplement (salmon or sardine oil). (0/110mg per 1000kcal)

⚠️ Do NOT feed this recipe long-term without addressing these deficiencies. Consult a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (ACVN.org) or use a professional formulation service like BalanceIT.com.

Important Notes

  • • This calculator is for educational purposes. Always consult a veterinary nutritionist for long-term homemade diets.
  • • Puppies under 1 year need precise calcium and phosphorus levels - imbalances can cause serious bone problems.
  • • Add a multivitamin supplement designed for homemade dog food, as this calculator only tracks macronutrients and Ca/P.
  • • Common deficiencies in homemade diets: Vitamin D, Vitamin E, zinc, copper, and essential fatty acids. Use supplements.

🧊 Food Safety & Storage Guidelines

  • • Cook all meat to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature to kill bacteria. Ground meat is especially high-risk.
  • • Store homemade food in refrigerator for maximum 3-4 days. Freeze portions for longer storage (up to 2-3 months).
  • • Thaw frozen food in refrigerator overnight, never at room temperature. Use within 24 hours of thawing.
  • • Wash all bowls and utensils with hot soapy water after each meal. Bacteria multiply rapidly in food residue.
  • • Never leave fresh food out for more than 30-60 minutes. Discard uneaten portions to prevent bacterial growth.

📅 Transition Protocol (Essential to Prevent Diarrhea)

NEVER switch food abruptly. Gradual transition over 7-10 days prevents digestive upset:

  • • Days 1-2: 25% new food + 75% old food
  • • Days 3-4: 50% new food + 50% old food
  • • Days 5-6: 75% new food + 25% old food
  • • Day 7+: 100% new food

If diarrhea occurs, slow down transition. Some dogs need 14 days. Probiotics may help.

💊 Essential Supplements for Homemade Diets

These supplements are REQUIRED for complete nutrition (consult vet for specific brands and dosages):

  • • Multivitamin: Multivitamin/Mineral: BalanceIT Canine Foundation, VetriScience Canine Plus, or Nu-Cat/Nu-Dog (do NOT use human multivitamins)
  • • Fish Oil: Fish Oil (Omega-3): Nordic Naturals Pet, Grizzly Salmon Oil, or Welactin (1000mg EPA+DHA per 20-30 lbs body weight)
  • • Vitamin E: Vitamin E: 100-400 IU daily depending on size (protects fats from oxidation, especially if feeding fish oil)
  • • Calcium: Calcium: If not using bones - use calcium carbonate or calcium citrate (DO NOT use calcium from bone meal alone for puppies)

⚠️ Never guess supplement dosages. Over-supplementation (especially Vitamin A and D) can be toxic. Use professionally formulated supplements designed for homemade dog food.

👨‍⚕️ Professional Formulation Resources

For safe long-term homemade feeding, use these professional services:

  • • BalanceIT: BalanceIT.com - $30-50 per recipe. Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist formulates custom recipes with supplement blend. Most trusted resource.
  • • ACVN: ACVN.org - Find a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist for one-on-one consultation ($200-400). Ideal for dogs with medical conditions.
  • • JustFoodForDogs: JustFoodForDogs.com - Pre-made fresh food with veterinary nutritionist formulation. Convenient alternative if DIY is too complex.
  • • Books: Recommended Books: 'Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet' by Dr. Steve Brown, 'Home Prepared Dog & Cat Diets' by Dr. Donald Strombeck

⚠️ Do NOT rely on random internet recipes, pet food blogs, or non-veterinary 'nutrition coaches'. Most online recipes are dangerously deficient.