As a pooch parent, one of the biggest responsibilities you have is feeding your buddy a nutritious, complete diet. That can be tough if you make it yourself.

Whatever your reason for wanting to feed a homemade diet, talk it over with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist before changing anything. That’s because it can be pretty difficult to create a balanced diet from ingredients at home.

Every dog is unique, but each one requires an appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Some foods in each category are healthier than others and any allergies need to be factored in, too. Even balancing small amounts of vitamins and minerals is essential to long-term health.

Finally, get your veterinarian’s take on websites like Balancit.com that offer guidelines for creating homemade canine diets.