Quality pet food manufacturers work hard at making sure that their foods are the right nutrition for a particular animal. Homemade foods often run the risk of skimping on diet needs that are not the same as those of humans, and few people want to go to the work required to ensure that everything needed is in there, and things that aren't good are not.

If you're suspicious of a particular brand, there are high-end and select brands, maybe even organic brands that could work. Do some research, and clear anything you do with your vet.

I've fed my dog Science Diet her entire life, and she's quite healthy. She doesn't like it all that well, so we can just leave the bowl out. She gets a can of wet food with her monthly flea pill, and a token tidbit of "people food" after meals (it's a wolf pack thing.)