Disclaimer: This activity was completed for educational purposes and does not endorse the use of AI search engines for the formulation of homemade pet food diets. If you would like to explore a home-made diet for your pet, please consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.
As AI search engines become an increasingly popular source of information, pet owners have begun asking them to create homemade recipes for their furry friends. Creating a homemade dog food recipe requires careful balancing to ensure that the diet delivers the proper amount of macro- and micronutrients. The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has developed a Dog and Cat Nutrient Profile for different life stages that outlines the minimum nutrient requirements for pet foods to be considered complete and balanced.
To test ChatGPT’s ability to develop a proper homemade recipe for an adult dog compared to AAFCO guidelines I created the following specific prompt: “You are a veterinary nutritionist. Create a complete and balanced homemade diet recipe for a healthy, 40-pound mixed breed dog.”
AI-Generated Recipe:
- Protein Source –
- 1.5 cups cooked chicken (dark meat preferred for higher fat content) (225 grams)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (185 grams)
- Vegetables –
- 1 cup cooked sweet potatoes, mashed (200 grams)
- 1 cup green beans, steamed and chopped (125 grams)
- Fruits (for vitamins and antioxidants) –
- 1/2 cup blueberries (75 grams)
- Supplements (for essential nutrients) –
- 1/4 teaspoon calcium carbonate (1.2 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon iodized salt (1.5 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon fish oil (provides omega-3 fatty acids.) (2.5 grams)
Feeding Guidelines –
- Feed approximately 1.5 to 2 cups (340-450 g) of this homemade diet per day, depending on your dog’s activity level and metabolism.
- Split the daily amount into two meals (morning and evening)
Assessment of AI Recipe:
As written, this recipe makes 815 grams of food, which provides approximately 900 Calories. The feeding guidelines say to feed 340-450 grams of food per day, which is equivalent to 375-500 Calories. However, an 18 kg (40-lb) dog needs closer to 750-800 Calories per day to maintain a stable body weight. Following the guidelines in this AI-generated recipe would result in a pet owner under-feeding their dog, which could lead to food-seeking behaviors and possibly weight loss.
Protein
A complete and balanced homemade diet recipe should consist of a cooked protein source that makes up one-quarter to one-third of the recipe. In this example recipe, 225 grams of dark chicken meat yields 28% of the recipe by weight, fulfilling this criterion. Additionally, this recipe contains about 9 grams of protein per 100 kilocalories on an as-fed basis, making it a moderate protein diet.
Carbohydrates
Dietary carbohydrates, including fibre, are not actually required to formulate a complete and balanced diet for healthy dogs. However, research has shown pets have more regular bowel movements and stool consistency when complex carbohydrates are included in the diet. Carbohydrates not only have a role in gastro-intestinal health but also provide benefits for glucose and lipid control and weight management.
Common carbohydrate ingredients are corn, rice, oatmeal, sweet potato, white potato, various vegetables, and pasta. For this AI recipe, carbohydrates are supplied by quinoa, sweet potato, and green beans. Carbohydrates and proteins should be present in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. This recipe calls for 225 grams of chicken and 510 grams of carbohydrates, which fits with the recommended ratio.
Fats
A fish oil ingredient, such as salmon or cod liver oil, was incorporated as a separate source of dietary fat. Although fish oil is not essential to create a balanced diet for adult dogs, it helps to increase the caloric density of the diet and provides eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) which have shown anti-inflammatory effects. Linoleic acid (LA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that IS essential in the diet of dogs. It acts as a precursor to forming other important fatty acids such as arachidonic acid which is crucial in many processes within the body. LA can be added to a diet through plant-based oils such as sunflower or safflower oil, or from animal sources (dark meat chicken or turkey).
In this recipe, the fat from chicken delivers enough LA for adult maintenance. Overall, the recipe provides 3% fat on an as fed basis and approximately 4 grams of fat per 100 kilocalories, making it a moderate fat diet.
Vitamins and Minerals
A multivitamin and mineral source is mandatory to meet the minimum requirements of micronutrients that aren’t fulfilled by all the whole food ingredients. A separate calcium carbonate source, such as Tums, would help the diet reach the required calcium levels of 2 grams per 15 kilograms of body weight. This recipe only calls for 1.2 grams, which is half the required amount for an 18-kg dog.
The lack of an appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement results in a deficiency in many micronutrients including iodine, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, D and E when compared to the AAFCO guidelines. There are several vitamin-mineral supplements designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists for home-cookers. Pet parents should work with their veterinary team to find the supplement that works best with their pet’s recipe.
In summary
This AI recipe contains an appropriate amount of protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. However, it is deficient in many vitamins and minerals. It also underestimates the number of calories a healthy adult dog would need to maintain a stable body weight. In conclusion, following a recipe from an AI search engine has more than a few risks, and could lead to malnourishment and nutritional deficiencies for some pets.
If you’re interested in feeding your dog or cat a homemade diet, speak with your family veterinarian to determine the best source for a balanced recipe that includes all the necessary nutrients. It is critical to precisely follow the given recipe, properly prepare meats and complex carbohydrates, and avoid ingredient substitutions. Veterinarians recommend regular monitoring of pets who are fed homemade diets, especially their body weight, bowel movements, skin, hair coat, and vision for any changes over time.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s homemade diet, please contact your veterinarian.
Written by:
Alison Ng, BScH, OVC Class of 2027
Reviewed by:
Dr. Sarah K. Abood, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Nestlé Purina Professorship in Companion Animal Nutrition
Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN, Associate Professor and RoyalCanin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition
References
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2. National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats [Internet]. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2006. Available from: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats
3. Schmalberg J. Beyond the Guaranteed Analysis: Comparing Pet Foods [Internet]. Today’s Veterinary Practice. 2013 [cited 2024 Aug 1]. Available from: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/nutrition/beyond-the-guaranteed-analysis-comparing-pet-foods/
4. The Association of American Feed Control Officials. The AAFCO Official Publication. In: The AAFCO Official Publication. The Association of American Feed Control Officials Inc.; 2024.
5. Moreno AA, Parker VJ, Winston JA, Rudinsky AJ. Dietary fiber aids in the management of canine and feline gastrointestinal disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022 Oct 26;260(S3):S33–45.