What Changed in the Recipe Calculator—and Why
We’ve updated our Recipe Calculator based on continued recipe testing, nutrient analysis, and a closer review of the specific products used in our recommendations.
These are refinements. Nutrition operates within ranges rather than one exact number, and our previous recommendations were still within appropriate nutritional ranges. These updates simply reflect our commitment to continuing to improve our guidance as our research, testing, and products evolve.
The Main Updates
1. Fish is now calculated in relation to the amount of protein in your recipe, rather than as a percentage of the entire batch.
The amount shown in the calculator is a general starting point, not a fixed maximum. The appropriate amount can vary depending on the type of fish, the other ingredients in the recipe, and your dog’s individual needs.
2. Vitamin D We’ve separated our vitamin D guidance from the general fish recommendation to make it clearer.
You do not need to include a vitamin D-rich oily fish in every recipe. Instead, we recommend including one regularly as part of your dog’s overall rotation.
Examples include: Salmon, Sardines, Herring, Atlantic mackerel, and Rainbow trout.
Nutrition is about balance over time, not making every single meal perfect.
3. Essential Nutrient Mix
The updated recommendation is:c2 tbsp per 1.54 lb (698 g) batch
This is approximately 2.5% of the total recipe by weight.cFor smaller batches, use approximately: ½ tbsp per 1 cup of cooked homemade food
This update better reflects the nutrient density of the Essential Nutrient Mix while allowing you to use less per batch.
4. Eggs: We’ve slightly reduced the number of eggs recommended as an optional nutrient booster.
5. Oils: We made small adjustments to several oil measurements to more accurately reflect the specific products we use and recommend.
6. Freeze-Dried Liver: We’ve increased the recommended amount of freeze-dried liver based on our latest nutrient analysis and updated ingredient measurements.
7. Nutritional Yeast: The recommended amount of nutritional yeast has been slightly reduced.
8. Sunflower Seeds: We’ve reduced the recommended amount by approximately half. Our updated analysis showed that we could meet our vitamin E targets with a smaller amount.
9. Kelp: We’ve slightly reduced the recommended amount to align with the specific NOW® Kelp product used in the calculator.
Iodine levels can vary significantly between kelp products. Recommending one specific product allows us to provide more consistent and accurate guidance.
10. We’ve Also Updated Our Recommended Products
The calculator is based on the specific products and ingredient measurements listed in our shopping guide. Different brands can vary nutritionally, so we recommend using the linked products whenever possible. View the Calculator Shopping Guide
Updates to Our Guides
We’ll be releasing an updated version of The Dog Parent’s Guide to Home Cooking over the coming weeks. Everyone who has previously purchased the Guide will receive the updated digital version for free.
We’ll also be updating our free guide. The new version will be a more streamlined introduction reflecting the key changes, while the complete recommendations and detailed guidance will remain in the full Home Cooking Guide and Recipe Calculator.
We will continue reviewing and refining the calculator as we test more recipes, ingredients, and products.
Questions or notice something that doesn’t look right? Please contact us at woof@dogchild.co we’re always happy to help.