Safety & Nutrition
Home-cooked food can be a beautiful part of your pet's life, but it isn't a free-for-all. These are the safety basics every pet cook should know.
When to call your vet immediately
- Your pet ate something on the toxic lists below.
- Repeated vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or refusal to eat for more than 24 hours.
- Sudden weight loss, swelling, difficulty breathing, or seizures.
Toxic for dogs
- Chocolate
- Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters)
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions, garlic, chives, leeks
- Macadamia nuts
- Cooked bones
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Raw bread dough
Toxic for cats
- Onions and garlic (all forms)
- Lilies (even pollen)
- Chocolate and caffeine
- Raw fish (regularly)
- Dog food as a staple
- Milk and cream (most cats are lactose-intolerant)
- Alcohol
- Xylitol
Treats vs. meals
Treats, including everything in our Treat and Frozen collections, should make up no more than 10% of your pet's daily calories. The rest should come from a complete-and-balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards.
Portion sizing
Every recipe page includes suggested portions by pet weight. They are starting points only. Activity level, life stage, and body-condition score all matter, your vet can help you fine-tune.