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...