Most Indian homes have fed dogs from the kitchen for generations. Roti, rice, a little dal, whatever came off the plate.
It is affordable, it is fresh, and dogs enjoy it. The problem is that it is almost never balanced, and the gaps show up slowly — a dull coat, weak bones, poor healing, low energy.
Home cooking for your pet can absolutely work. It just has to be done properly.
A dog's plate is not a smaller version of yours. Roughly speaking, an adult dog needs:
- Animal protein as the base. Chicken, eggs, fish, mutton or paneer. This is the single biggest gap in Indian home diets.
- Some carbohydrate for energy. Rice, oats or roti in moderation.
- Vegetables for fiber and vitamins.
- Fat for skin, coat and absorption.
- Calcium. The most missed nutrient is calcium, which is a serious concern.
A dog fed only roti and dal is getting mostly carbohydrates with plant protein, which it digests poorly. Over months, that shows.
Proteins
- Boiled chicken, deboned
- Eggs, cooked
- Boiled fish such as rohu or surmai, deboned carefully
- Mutton in small amounts, lean and boiled
- Paneer and plain curd in moderation
- Boiled soya chunks or moong dal for vegetarian households, in limited quantity
Carbohydrates
- Plain boiled rice
- Oats
- Boiled sweet potato or potato
- Roti in small quantities, without ghee or salt
Vegetables
- Carrot, pumpkin, bottle gourd, beans, spinach, peas
- Cucumber, especially in summer
Fruits
- Apple without seeds, banana, watermelon without seeds, papaya, blueberries
These are to be avoided if possible. These cause real harm.
Onion and Garlic. Both damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Onion and garlic are the biggest risk in Indian cooking, because almost every gravy contains them. Leftover sabzi is not safe food for a dog.
Chocolate. Toxic to the heart and nervous system.
Grapes and Raisins. Can cause sudden kidney failure. Watch during festivals, when kishmish is everywhere.
Xylitol. Found in sugar-free sweets and some peanut butters. Causes a dangerous blood sugar crash.
Cooked Bones. They splinter. Chicken bones especially.
Excess Salt, Sugar, Masala and Ghee. Leads to pancreatitis, obesity and long-term damage.
Milk, for Many Adult Dogs. Most are lactose intolerant. Curd is usually better tolerated.
Caffeine and Alcohol. Never.
Raw Dough, Avocado, and Macadamia Nuts. All problematic.
Also worth knowing: Other toxic substances include onion‚ garlic‚ chocolate‚ grapes‚ and lilies‚ and cats have a higher requirement for the amino acid taurine from meat than is available in plants․
A 15 kg (33 lb) dog should receive 300 to 450 g of food a day‚ in two meals‚ which is two to three per cent of its body weight․ Puppies‚ dogs that work‚ and pregnant dogs need extra․
A medium-sized dog may be fed the following meals: for breakfast‚ boiled chicken and plain rice with grated carrot and pumpkin; for dinner‚ curd‚ boiled egg‚ and steamed beans․
The meat and rice diet contains little calcium. Home-fed puppies are therefore often deficient, resulting in weak bones and deformities. Common in India, speak to your vet about the right calcium supplement for your puppy's age and size. No guessing the dosage.
Cooking Style․ Dog food can be boiled or steamed․ No salt‚ no masala‚ no tadka‚ no onions or garlic․ To us‚ it looks bland․ It is exactly right for them․
Try an omega-3 or fish oil supplement for skin and coat health‚ and a multivitamin if recommended by your vet․
Change food over seven to ten days. Start with a quarter new food and three quarters old and shift the ratio every two or three days. A sudden switch causes loose motions.
Both work. Home-cooked food is fresh, cheaper and lets you control every ingredient, but it needs planning and supplementation. Good commercial food is already balanced and convenient, but quality varies enormously between brands.
Many Indian pet parents do a mix — packaged food as the base, home-cooked toppers for freshness. That is a perfectly sensible middle path.
Home cooking for your dog is a wonderful thing to do․ It's often healthier than the cheap kibble․ But leftovers are not a diet, and calcium is not optional․
Talk to your vet about home cooking before you go all-in, especially if you have a puppy‚ senior or a dog with a known health condition
Can Dogs Eat Roti Every Day?
Yes, dogs can eat roti every day in small quantities, provided it is accompanied by protein and vegetables. As the main meal, no.
Is Rice And Curd Enough For A Dog?
No. It lacks protein, calcium and fat. It helps an upset stomach for a day or two but shouldn't be a regular diet.
Can I Feed My Dog Leftover Sabzi?
No. Indian cooking almost always contains onion, garlic, salt and oil. All of these are harmful to dogs.
Are Eggs Safe For Dogs?
Yes, cooked. Two to four a week suits most medium dog.
