Introduction: One Bowl, Three Paths
When Rishi adopted a Rajapalayam puppy named Bhairav, he faced a dilemma: Should he feed homemade meals like rice and chicken, trust commercial kibble, or explore the raw food trend sweeping social media?
Each option promised health, longevity, and vitality—but also came with warnings, costs, and confusion. His vet offered clarity: “There’s no one-size-fits-all. Let’s compare them scientifically.”
This article breaks down the three major dog food types—homemade, commercial, and raw—using veterinary insights, nutritional science, and practical experience. Whether you’re feeding a native Indian breed or a high-energy Labrador, this guide helps you choose with confidence.
Nutritional Foundations: What Dogs Really Need
Before comparing food types, it’s essential to understand what dogs require:
Protein: For muscle growth, immune function, and tissue repair.
Fat: For energy, skin health, and hormone production.
Carbohydrates: For digestible energy and fiber (not essential, but beneficial).
Vitamins & Minerals: For metabolic processes, bone health, and immunity.
Water: Often overlooked, but vital for digestion and temperature regulation.
Dogs are omnivores, not strict carnivores. They can digest starches and benefit from plant-based nutrients.
Dog Food Comparison Chart
Feature Homemade Commercial Raw
Control over ingredients High Low High
Convenience Medium High Low
Cost Often lower Varies High
Digestibility Variable Formulated Variable
Nutritional balance Requires planning Standardized Risk of imbalance
Shelf life Short Long Very short
Risk of contamination Medium Low High
Vet oversight needed Yes Optional Essential
Ideal for sensitive dogs Yes Yes (special formulas) Sometimes
Adaptability for Indian breeds High Moderate Low
Homemade Dog Food: Love in Every Bite
Homemade food allows pet parents to tailor meals to their dog’s taste, health, and lifestyle. Common ingredients include:
Chicken, fish, eggs, paneer
Rice, oats, sweet potato
Pumpkin, spinach, carrots
Curd, coconut oil, turmeric
Scientific Benefits:
Ingredient transparency: You know exactly what goes in.
Digestive comfort: Warm, moist meals are easier to digest.
Allergy control: Avoid known triggers like soy or gluten.
Emotional bonding: Cooking for your dog builds trust and routine.
Risks:
Nutritional imbalance: Missing calcium, omega-3, or vitamins.
Contamination: Improper meat handling or undercooking.
Time-consuming: Requires planning and rotation.
Vet Tip: Use supplements like eggshell powder (calcium), fish oil (omega-3), and curd (probiotics). Rotate proteins weekly. Consult a vet or canine nutritionist for balanced recipes.
Commercial Dog Food: Convenience Meets Science
Commercial dog food includes dry kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried options. Brands like Royal Canin, Farmina N&D, Drools Focus, and Canine Creek dominate the Indian market.
Scientific Benefits:
Standardized nutrition: Formulated to meet AAFCO guidelines.
Fortified with vitamins: Includes taurine, glucosamine, omega-3.
Long shelf life: Easy to store and portion.
Special formulas: For puppies, seniors, allergies, weight loss.
Risks:
Low-quality fillers: Corn, soy, wheat, artificial preservatives.
Label confusion: Buzzwords like “premium” or “natural” aren’t regulated.
Palatability tricks: Artificial flavors may mask poor ingredients.
Vet Tip: Choose brands with meat-first ingredients, no artificial colors, and clear feeding guidelines. Avoid vague terms like “meat meal” or “animal fat.”
Raw Dog Food: Back to Ancestral Roots?
Raw feeding (BARF: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) includes uncooked meat, bones, organs, and sometimes vegetables. Advocates claim it mimics a dog’s ancestral diet.
Scientific Benefits:
High protein: Supports muscle and energy.
Minimal processing: Preserves natural enzymes and nutrients.
Improved dental health: Chewing raw bones may reduce plaque.
Risks:
Pathogens: Raw meat can carry salmonella, E. coli, and parasites.
Bone hazards: Splintering can cause choking or internal injury.
Nutritional gaps: Without vet guidance, deficiencies are common.
Not ideal for all breeds: Indian dogs may struggle with raw digestion.
Vet Tip: Raw diets require strict hygiene, vet supervision, and balanced formulation. Cooked alternatives may offer similar benefits with less risk.
Feeding Indian Breeds: Rajapalayam, Indie, and More
Native Indian breeds have unique digestive profiles shaped by climate, lifestyle, and genetics.
Rajapalayam: Muscular, high-energy—benefit from rice, chicken, pumpkin, and curd. Homemade diets work well. Raw bones may pose risks.
Indie Dogs: Highly adaptable but sensitive to processed grains. Homemade meals with seasonal vegetables and lean protein support immunity.
Spitz and small breeds: May need commercial food for portion control and dental health. Avoid high-fat raw diets.
Vet Tip: Use warm, moist meals. Avoid spicy, oily, or raw meat unless guided. Rotate ingredients weekly and monitor stool quality.
Cost Comparison: What’s Sustainable?
Diet Type Monthly Cost (Medium Dog) Notes
Homemade ₹1,500–₹2,500 Depends on ingredients and supplements
Commercial ₹2,000–₹5,000 Varies by brand and formula
Raw ₹3,500–₹6,000 Includes meat, bones, organs, and hygiene supplies
Homemade food is often more affordable, especially when using local ingredients. Commercial food offers convenience but varies in quality. Raw feeding is the most expensive and labor-intensive.
Mixing Strategies: Best of All Worlds?
Many pet parents use hybrid feeding:
Morning: Commercial kibble
Evening: Homemade rice and chicken
Weekly treat: Raw egg or bone broth
This approach balances convenience, freshness, and variety. It also helps identify allergies and improve digestion.
Vet Tip: Transition slowly. Mix old and new food over 7–10 days. Monitor stool, coat, and energy.
Final Thoughts: Choose with Clarity, Feed with Care
Rishi now feeds Bhairav a hybrid diet—commercial kibble in the morning, homemade rice and fish at night, and bone broth on weekends. His Rajapalayam thrives with a shiny coat, strong muscles, and joyful energy.
There’s no perfect diet—only the one that suits your dog’s body, lifestyle, and your ability to sustain it. Whether you choose homemade, commercial, or raw, the key is balance, observation, and vet guidance.
Feed with intention. Watch with love. And let your dog’s health—not trends—guide your choices.