Every format of dog food can be balanced and every format can be unbalanced. A holistic veterinarian walks through kibble, raw, freeze-dried, gently cooked, and homemade dog food on safety, nutrient loss, cost, and how to tell whether a diet is complete and balanced.

By Dr. Dody Tyneway Robi, DVM | Updated October 2026 In the exam room, the conversation starts with the problem the owner can see: hairballs that keep coming back, straining in the litter box, vomiting that has become routine, a senior cat who seems a little off. That list does not even include w...

A 2026 study gave curcumin to cats with kidney disease and found meaningful improvements. Dr. Dody bought the exact supplement used. Her findings on taste, safety, and what actually works for senior cats.

If you've been curious about homemade dog food but aren't sure where to begin, you're not alone. Many pet parents worry that preparing homemade meals will be complicated or expensive. Others are afraid their homemade food won’t be nutritionally complete or balanced. The good news is that homemade...

If you’ve been researching homemade cat food recipes and feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, we’re here to help. While many pet parents tell us they’re afraid homemade diets will be too complicated or time-consuming or even unsafe for their cat, the truth is homemade feeding is very beginner-...

Your dog has food allergies. Your vet recommended a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet. You brought it home, set it down, and your dog walked away. This is not an unusual story. Hydrolyzed protein diets work by chemically breaking down proteins into fragments so small the immune system cannot r...

Your dog has been scratching for months. You switched foods. It helped a little, then stopped helping. You tried the bag labeled "limited ingredient." You tried the one that said "single protein." You may have even tried the expensive prescription formula. And yet here you are. Research has shown...

You have probably heard by now that ultra-processed food is not good for you. The research has been building for years, and the message has become hard to ignore: food that has been stripped of its original form, loaded with synthetic additives, and engineered for shelf stability rather than nutr...

Your dog is always hungry. They scratch constantly. They've been on an elimination diet that cost you a small fortune, and the bag of prescription kibble sitting in your pantry feels like a bill you never stop paying. Here is something nobody tells you: a prescription diet is not magic. It is a c...

I know where you are right now. You've tried the grain-free food. You've tried the fish and potato formula. You've tried the prescription bag that costs more each month than your own groceries. You've watched your dog lick their paws every evening, scratch through the night, and battle ear infect...

Homemade cat food can feel intimidating. Will it take too much time? Will it be too expensive? Will I get it wrong or even hurt my cat? We’ve put together this vet-approved practical guide to answer those questions and allay your fears about homemade cat food. With the expert advice of Dr. Dody f...

Homemade dog food has become increasingly popular among pet parents who want more control over what goes into their dog’s bowl. But fresh ingredients alone aren’t enough to create a proper dog diet. Dogs have very specific nutritional needs, and getting those nutrients right is essential for thei...