Unlock the Secrets to Homemade Balanced Raw Food for Dogs

Homemade balanced raw food for dogs is not simply about feeding raw meat, but about creating a nutritionally complete diet that mirrors a dog’s ancestral biology while meeting modern scientific standards. This article examines how confusion around raw feeding—often fueled by oversimplified advice or incomplete recipes—has led many well-intentioned pet owners to misunderstand what “balanced” truly means. By grounding the discussion in veterinary nutrition science and real-world preparation methods, it clarifies where raw feeding goes wrong, why precision matters, and how evidence-based frameworks are reshaping the conversation around canine health.

Crafting a Nutritional Masterpiece for Your Dog

Inside the balanced raw feeding movement—and what Sacramento pet parents should know before making the switch

The moment often comes quietly. You’re standing in the pet food aisle, bag in hand, staring at a label filled with words you can’t pronounce, wondering how something so processed became the standard for animals built on instinct, muscle, and movement.

For many Sacramento dog parents, that moment sparks a deeper question: Is there a more natural way to feed my dog—one that actually supports long-term health?

That question is leading more pet owners toward homemade raw diets. Not as a trend or rebellion against conventional pet food, but as a thoughtful attempt to align nutrition with biology.

When done correctly, raw feeding isn’t guesswork or ideology—it’s precision, balance, and intention.

One of the clearest guides through this often-confusing territory is Dr. Andrew Jones, whose work focuses on making veterinary nutrition practical, affordable, and evidence-based for everyday pet owners.

In his detailed walkthrough on preparing a balanced raw diet at home, Dr. Jones shows that raw feeding can be both accessible and nutritionally complete—if it follows the right structure.

In Homemade Balanced Raw Food for Dogs, Dr. Andrew Jones provides valuable insights on how to safely and affordably create a nutritionally balanced diet that benefits your furry friend.

Raw Feeding Isn’t About Extremes—It’s About Balance

Raw feeding has a reputation problem, and much of it stems from poorly constructed diets. Tossing raw meat into a bowl doesn’t automatically create health. Dogs, like humans, require specific nutrients in specific amounts over time.

Dr. Jones emphasizes that a truly balanced raw diet must meet National Research Council (NRC) nutrient guidelines—standards designed to ensure dogs receive adequate protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids throughout their lives.

“They base the diet on the ancestral model, but they also follow NRC raw dog food guidelines to ensure every nutrient is present in the correct amounts.”

This dual approach—ancestral logic supported by modern nutritional science—is what separates safe raw feeding from risky experimentation.

The Six Ingredients That Make the Diet Work

Rather than relying on supplements or intuition, Dr. Jones breaks raw feeding down into six foundational components. Together, they mirror the nutritional profile of a whole prey animal while staying within scientifically accepted ranges.

Muscle Meat: The Structural Core

Making up roughly 70% of the diet, muscle meat supplies high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential amino acids such as taurine, lysine, and methionine. It also provides B vitamins, zinc, and selenium—nutrients critical for energy, immune function, and muscle maintenance.

In real terms, this looks like chicken thighs, turkey, beef, or similar proteins, carefully weighed rather than estimated.

Raw Edible Bone: Mineral Precision

Raw edible bone accounts for about 10% of the diet and serves as the primary source of calcium and phosphorus.

“By feeding the correct amount of bone, you stay within the recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which supports bone health, nerve function, and muscle contraction.”

Too much bone can cause constipation and mineral overload. Too little can weaken skeletal structure. Measurement matters.

Small Oily Fish: The Anti-Inflammatory Advantage

Sardines and other small oily fish provide EPA and DHA—omega-3 fatty acids that help counterbalance the omega-6 fats found in land-based meats.

“Balancing omega-6 and omega-3 fats can significantly reduce inflammation linked to allergies, arthritis, and chronic disease.”

These fats are difficult to replace with supplements alone, making whole fish an important part of the plan.

Liver: Nutritional Density, Carefully Controlled

Liver is the most nutrient-dense organ meat, rich in vitamin A, copper, folate, and B vitamins. It’s essential—but capped at 5% to avoid toxicity.

Without liver, deficiencies can develop. With too much, serious problems can occur. Balance is non-negotiable.

Other Secreting Organs: Filling the Gaps

Kidney or spleen provides nutrients liver doesn’t, including vitamin D, vitamin K, and trace minerals. Like liver, it makes up about 5% of the diet.

Low-Glycemic Fiber: Supporting Digestion

While dogs aren’t plant-focused eaters, fiber still plays a role in digestive health. Green beans, pumpkin, or similar vegetables help regulate stool and feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Dr. Jones notes that even wild canines consume plant matter indirectly through prey stomach contents—making fiber a natural, if modest, inclusion.

Why Guessing Undermines Good Intentions

Many raw feeding issues don’t come from raw food itself—but from imbalance over time.

“Without using a calculator, you often see excesses or deficiencies in calcium, phosphorus, or essential vitamins and minerals.”

To prevent this, Dr. Jones demonstrates using a feeding calculator that adjusts portions based on a dog’s weight, age, and activity level. For example, a moderately active 22-pound adult dog may require just over 14 ounces of food per day—divided precisely across all six components.

This removes guesswork and turns raw feeding into a repeatable, safe system.

What Raw Feeding Looks Like in Real Life

In practice, preparing a balanced raw meal is less intimidating than it sounds. A kitchen scale, a clean workspace, and a few measured ingredients are all it takes. Meals can be prepared daily or batch-made and frozen for convenience.

For dogs that don’t chew bones well, grinding the bone ensures mineral intake without choking risk. For pet parents struggling to source organs, local co-ops, butchers, and specialty markets often offer affordable options.

Chicken hearts and gizzards—nutrient-dense and inexpensive—are especially useful additions.

A Natural Fit for Sacramento’s Wellness Mindset

Sacramento’s culture already embraces intentional living—local food systems, holistic health, and preventative care. It’s no surprise that this mindset is extending to pets.

Raw feeding isn’t about perfection or purity. It’s about awareness. About understanding what dogs need biologically, and choosing to meet those needs thoughtfully.

Over time, many pet parents report subtle but meaningful changes: steadier energy, improved digestion, healthier coats, and a deeper sense of connection through care.

Feeding With Knowledge, Not Fear

Raw feeding doesn’t require ideology—only education. With expert guidance, science-backed ratios, and realistic expectations, it becomes a sustainable way to support canine health rather than a risky experiment.

As Dr. Jones demonstrates, when raw diets are balanced correctly, they don’t just nourish dogs—they give pet parents confidence that what’s in the bowl truly supports a long, healthy life.

Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with medical conditions.

Want to dive deeper into pet wellness? Visit Healthy Pets, or head to Sacramento Living Well for more stories that inspire a vibrant, healthy lifestyle in our region.

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Written by the Sacramento Living Well Editorial Team — part of DSA Digital Media, your source for wellness and community-focused storytelling in Greater Sacramento.