Spotlighting on Resolutions to Trending Deficiencies (2026) when making your own dog food, and how to make Nutritionally Balanced Homemade Dog Food

2026 research has highlighted that homemade dog food is often nutritionally incomplete, with high rates of deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. As a response to these findings, this guide consolidates decades of canine nutrition research into practical advice for dog owners.

Drawing on the Ramses Series, specifically Making Your Own Dog Food with Ramses Recipes and The International Glossary of Dog Food Ingredients, this blog explains how to naturally correct these deficiencies using real foods, while safely balancing the diet for dogs of all sizes and life stages.

Here, you will find practical charts, natural ingredient recommendations, and life-stage guidance, ensuring homemade meals are safe, fully balanced, and nutrient-complete, without relying on supplements or fortified human foods.

To add clarity this blog will be complemented with in-depth posts on each area over the next 10 days so read and follow.

Key Nutrient Deficiencies in Homemade Dog Food

Homemade diets often fall short in:

• Calcium – critical for bones and teeth

• Vitamin D & E – for calcium absorption, immunity, and antioxidants

• Omega-3 fatty acids – for heart, skin, coat, and cognitive function

• Iodine – thyroid and metabolism support

• Zinc & Copper – immune and enzymatic function

• Taurine & L-Carnitine – essential for heart and muscle health

  
  

Calcium and Safe Sources

Calcium is often deficient, especially if feeding muscle meat only.

Safe calcium sources:

• Eggshell powder – finely ground and measured per dog size

• Pet-safe bone meal – certified for canine consumption

• Optional recreational bones – large beef knuckle or femur bones for chewing only; never fully consumed.

  
  

Bones Safety Note: Only large beef knuckle/femur bones; slow-roasted, dense, non-splintering.  Avoid small, cooked chicken/pork/lamb bones.

Eggshell Guide (Daily)

Dog Size	Approx. Weight	Eggshell Powder (g/oz)	Notes
Miniature	5 lb. (2.3 kg)	0.5 g (0.02 oz)	Mix with food
Small	15 lb. (6.8 kg)	1 g (0.04 oz)	Spread through meals
Medium	35 lb. (16 kg)	2 g (0.07 oz)	Mix in main meal
Large	70 lb. (32 kg)	4 g (0.14 oz)	Split if preferred
Giant	120 lb. (54 kg)	6 g (0.21 oz)	Introduce gradually

Watch for Cluster Post: Calcium in Homemade Dog Food

Vitamin Deficiencies and Natural Solutions

Key Vitamins (usually omitted)

• A –  Source : Liver, egg yolk, carotenoid-rich vegetables

• D – Source: Egg yolk, oily fish (sardines, salmon, mackerel), liver

• E – Source: Leafy greens, pumpkin, olive oil

• B12/Folate – Source: Liver, kidney, eggs, certain vegetables

  
  

As poultry eggs are an easy resolution to many of the missing Vitamins, we have formulated a Daily Practical Egg Guide:

Dog Size	Whole Egg per Day	Notes
Miniature	1/4 egg	Lightly cooked or finely chopped
Small	1/2 egg	Mix into meal
Medium	1 egg	Split if needed
Large	1.5 eggs	Rotate meals
Giant	2 eggs	Monitor overall nutrient balance

In addition the following Vegetables & Fruits are also recommended:

• Vitamin A & Beta-Carotene – Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato

• Vitamin B9 (Folate) – Spinach (always lightly cooked), broccoli, peas

• Vitamin C – Blueberries, cranberries, bell peppers

• Vitamin E – Leafy greens (spinach, kale), pumpkin, broccoli

  
  

Vegetables are complementary. Always follow cooking guides. For example always lightly cook spinach to remove oxalates which can otherwise cause kideny stones.

Watch for the Cluster Post: Vitamin Deficiencies in Homemade Dog Food

Mineral Deficiencies & Natural Solutions

Key Minerals

• Calcium & Phosphorus (in Red Meat) – Maintain 1.2–1.5:1 ratio for adult dogs; puppies require careful monitoring

• Iodine – Kelp/seaweed, eggs and some seafood

• Zinc & Copper – Liver, kidney, muscle meat,

• Selenium – Eggs, fish, organ meats

Calcium & Phosphorus Guidance

Phosphorus works closely with calcium (already addressed above) to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Most meat, fish, and eggs are high in phosphorus, so calcium must be added proportionally.

• Balance calcium and phosphorus (red meat) at roughly 1.2–1.5:1 ratio for adult dogs.

• Puppies and large/giant breeds need careful monitoring to avoid bone deformities.

Iodine Guidance

Although present in eggs many dog owners prefer to use Kelp/Seaweed therefore we provide a:

 Daily Practical Guide for Kelp.

Dog Size	Kelp (g)	Notes
Miniature	0.1–0.2	Sprinkle finely ground
Small	0.3–0.5	Introduce gradually
Medium	0.8–1	Can split meals
Large	1.5–2	Rotate with other mineral-rich foods
Giant	2.5–3	Monitor iodine intake

Overfeeding seaweed can cause thyroid issues; adhere to recommended amounts.

Zinc & Copper & Selenium Guide

All these minerals can easily be addressed by incorporating Organ Meats, Muscle meat, fish, and eggs. The majority of these are addressed in the Taurine, L-Carnitine & Heart Health section below. Pumpkin seeds are sometimes recommended but the amounts of these minerals in the seeds is negligible so our recommendation is stick with the options detailed.

Watch for Cluster Post: Minerals Missing from Homemade Dog Food

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Marine oils and oily fish support heart, skin, and coat health. Recommended Specific Natural Fish Oil Sources:

• Anchovy & Sardine Oil – low in contaminants, high in EPA/DHA

• Krill Oil – highly bioavailable, low in toxins

• Wild Salmon Oil – nutrient-rich, check sourcing

• Cod Liver Oil – traditional option

Practical Daily Dosing by Dog Size

Dog Size	Approx. Weight	Fish Oil / Oily Fish	Notes
Miniature	5 lb.	0.2–0.5 tsp	Use top-tested oils
Small	15 lb.	0.5–1 tsp	Rotate types if possible
Medium	35 lb.	1–2 tsp	Supplement with Vitamin E
Large	70 lb.	2–3 tsp	Store in glass containers
Giant	120 lb.	3–4 tsp	Ensure quality, purity tested

Use designated fish oils only; always avoid generic “fish oil” supplements.

Watch for the Cluster Post: Omega-3s in Homemade Dog Food

Taurine, L-Carnitine & Heart Health

Natural Sources

• Heart muscle – chicken, beef, pork, goat (highest taurine concentration)

• Liver & Kidney – complementary support

• Eggs & seafood – additional taurine

These deficiencies can easily be resolved with organ meats however careful attention must be made to the quantities to be included.

Heart Feeding Guide — Maximum Daily Amounts

Heart can be fed as a standalone organ up to 20% of the total daily meat portion in a recipe. Quantities vary by dog size and type of heart to ensure consistent nutrient delivery:

Dog Size	Beef / Pork / Goat Heart	Chicken Heart (Scaled)
Miniature (≤5 kg / 11 lb.)	15–20 g0.53–0.7 oz.	18–24 g           0.63–0.85 oz.
Small (5–10 kg / 11–22 lb.)	30–40 g1.05–1.4 oz.	36–48 g             1.27–1.7 oz.
Medium (10–25 kg / 22–55 lb.)	60–90 g2.1–3.2 oz.	72–110 g              2.5–3.9 oz.
Large (25–40 kg / 55–88 lb.)	120–170 g4.2–6 oz.	145–200 g               5.1–7 oz.
Giant (40+ kg / 88+ lb.)	200–280 g7–9.8 oz.	240–330 g            8.5–11.6 oz.

Notes:

• These values assume heart is the only organ included in a recipe, without exceeding 20% of the total daily meat portion.

• Chicken hearts are scaled to match nutrient density of beef/pork/goat hearts.

• Always recalculate if muscle meat quantities change.

Important : For recipes that call for multiple types of organ meat inclusion watch the Cluster Post: Taurine, L-Carnitine & Heart Health

Life Stage Considerations

Puppies

• High nutrient needs: calcium, phosphorus, taurine, vitamins

• Small, safe portions of organ meats and heart

• Watch the cluster post: Homemade Dog Food for Puppies

Adult Dogs

• Maintain cardiac, skeletal, and metabolic health

• Rotate natural vitamin and mineral sources

• Watch the cluster post: Homemade Dog Food for Adults

Senior Dogs

• Support heart, kidney, and immune health

• Adjust phosphorus if kidney disease present

• Focus on digestible meats, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids

• Watch the cluster post: Homemade Dog Food for Seniors

Watch for the Pillar post on :  Life Stages for Puppies, Adults, and Seniors

Summary / Key Takeaways

1. Homemade diets require careful formulation to avoid deficiencies

2. Include a variety of eggs, meats, organ meats, fish, and safe vegetables

3. Follow dog-size-specific guides for eggs, liver, heart, fish oils, and kelp

4. Monitor life-stage requirements

5. Avoid dairy, unsafe bones, and non-tested supplements

6. Stick to natural, dog-safe ingredients

Watch for the complementary cluster posts for this pillar guide, the pillar post on Life Stages and its cluster posts and for even greater insights visit www.RamsesSeries.com