3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (2024)

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3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (1)

By Dara Katz

Published Apr 30, 2020

Homemade dog food seems like an unnecessary amount of work, no? But there are actually lots of good reasons to cook your pup’s meals. For one, there’s the benefit of knowing exactly what Winnie is eating. And, in certain cases, it could actually be the money-saving option. For instance, if she requires a special, expensive diet, DIY dog food could wind up costing less than packaged. And also…it’s honestly not that hard! Here are three easy-peasy homemade dog food recipes and everything you need to know before you hit the kitchen.

First, The Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

If you’re cooking for your dog, you should have a handle on what’s off the table. Foods like chocolate, grapes and raisins, avocado, onions, garlic and anything salty and/or seasoned could make your dog truly ill. ASPCA has a more comprehensive list of foods your dog should not eat, but if you’re unsure, you can always ask your vet.

Another thing to note is how your dog eats food. Can your dog handle chewing a big hunk of celery (which, spoiler alert, they can eat!)? Most dogs will require their food chopped to a size that doesn’t pose a choking hazard.

Second, The Foods Your Dog Can Eat

There are actually lots of yum, nutritious “human” foods your dog can eat in moderation. (Moderation is key. Overfeeding your dog any one ingredient can be harmful.)But foods like turkey, sweet potato, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, oatmeal and so many more are on the menu. Check out the American Kennel Club’s list and be sure to check with your vet before adding any ingredient to your dog’s diet. The American Kennel Club chief veterinary officer warns dog owners “that it is always a good idea to introduce a new food item slowly into a dog’s diet.” If your pup hasn’t had any of these foods before, prepare and add them incrementally to your dog’s current diet to see if she tolerates them. (Oh yeah, and not to pet the dog again but, talk to your vet first!).

Dog Nutrition 101

We wouldn’t let our 16-year-old drive without knowing the rules of the road, and we wouldn’t let you put on that chef’s hat without learning a little bit about your beloved pet’s dietary needs. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, a dog’s nutrition should include:

Protein

Chicken, turkey, pheasant, beef, venison, rabbit, salmon—the amino acids in protein are essential to your dog’s life. And while it is technically possible for canines to get enough protein from vegetarian diets (supplemented with vitamin D), it is not recommended. TLDR: You can be a vegan; your dog should not.

Fat and fatty acid

Fats, which usually come alongside animal protein or oils, provide “the most concentrated source of energy” for dogs, according to the NRC. Fats also contain vital fatty acids (e.g. omega-3, 6), which, among other things, carry fat-soluble vitamins and help keep your pup’s coat and skin healthy. But most importantly, fat makes food taste better!

Carbohydrates

Yes, your dog can (and should!) eat carbs. As Dr. Katja Lang, DVM, has told us before, “Grains are a digestible source of carbohydrates and can offer important nutrients, such as fiber and essential fatty acids.” A dog with specific allergies or medical conditions might benefit from nixing grains, but this should be at the guidance of your veterinarian, not because you want Winnie to try Whole30.

Vitamins

Dogs need their organic compounds too! A balanced diet should provide all the vitamins—A, D, E, B6, et al.— your pup needs for her metabolic purposes. And excess amounts in the form of supplements can have adverse effects on your dog’s health, so be wary of snake oil ads.

Minerals

Similar to vitamins, your dog needs inorganic compounds like calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, as well as magnesium, potassium and sodium for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction and cell signaling. Just like vitamins, there is such a thing as overdosing on a specific mineral. If you’re feeding your dog a well-rounded diet, there shouldn’t be a need to supplement with extra vitamins and minerals. (Talk to your vet, duh.)

Of course, things may vary from dog to dog. For example, a 12-pound adult dog has different needs than a 30-pound puppy. Your vet would know best, in this instance.

3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Ready to head to the kitchen? We've got three easy recipes that you can cook up along side your own dinner tonight.

3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (2)

Getty Images/Twenty20

1. Ground Turkey + Brown Rice + Baby Spinach + Carrots + Peas + Zucchini

Damn Delicious used the BalanceIT recipe generator, which calculates nutritional needs to cook up this particular concoction. This recipe is 50 percent protein, 25 percent veggies and 25 percent grains. Based on your dog's needs, you can easily adjust the ratios.

3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (3)

Getty Images/Twenty20

2. Salmon + Quinoa + Sweet Potato + Green Beans + Apple

And, just to prove how easy homemade dog food really is, we decided to create our own recipes with some of our favorite ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups quinoa

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 pounds salmon fillet (boneless)

1 large sweet potato, shredded

2 cups green beans (canned or frozen)

¼ cup apple, cored and chopped

Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, cook quinoa according to package instructions; set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add salmon until fully cooked (3 to 4 minutes on each side). Remove from heat, flake apart and double check for and remove any bones.
  3. Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sweat potatoes. Cook until soft.
  4. Stir in green beans, apple, flaked salmon and quinoa.
  5. Let cool completely.

3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (4)

Getty Images/Twenty20

3. Ground Chicken + Pumpkin + Barley + Blueberries + Corn

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups pearled barley

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 pounds ground chicken

1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 small corn cob (fresh, shucked)

8 oz. canned pumpkin (no salt)

Instructions:

  1. Boil water in a pot. Add corn for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool before cutting kernels off the cob.
  2. In a large saucepan, cook barley according to package instructions; set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks.
  4. Stir in barley, pumpkin, corn and blueberries.
  5. Let cool completely.

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Dara Katz

Executive Editor, Frazzled Mom, Bravo-Holic

Dara Katz is PureWow's Executive Editor, focusing on relationships, sex, horoscopes, travel and pets. Dara joined PureWow in 2016 and now dresses so much better. A lifestyle...

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3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think (2024)

FAQs

What are the best ingredients to put in homemade dog food? ›

Good homemade food for healthy dogs includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins and minerals your pet needs to stay healthy. You can add ground beef, chicken, lamb or venison, as well as vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.

What should top 3 ingredients be dog food? ›

What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).

What homemade food can dogs eat every day? ›

7 Foods to Cook For Your Dog
  • Chicken. Cooked chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. ...
  • Lean Ground Turkey. Lean ground turkey is a safe food to cook for your dog. ...
  • Eggs. Cooked eggs are a safe, healthy food with lots of minerals and vitamins. ...
  • Raw or Steamed Vegetables. ...
  • Fresh Fruits. ...
  • Boiled Potatoes. ...
  • Peanut Butter. ...
  • Yogurt.
Sep 12, 2023

What is a good filler for homemade dog food? ›

FILLERS --- (Oats, Brown rice, Yams, Cooked potatoes, and Pasta.) These healthy fillers will keep the dog food together. RECIPE: Ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and peas. Add water, as necessary.

What not to put in homemade dog food? ›

There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.

What are the 3 super foods for dogs? ›

Dog experts reveal dog superfoods
  • Sweet Potato. Sweet potato is a natural source of fiber and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. ...
  • Watermelon. Watermelon is a nutritious superfood, with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins A, B and C, potassium and magnesium. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Chia Seeds.
Jun 29, 2023

What are 3 foods dogs should not eat? ›

Toxic food for dogs
  • Onions, garlic and chives. The onion family, whether dry, raw or cooked, is particularly toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Macadamia nuts. ...
  • Corn on the cob. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Artificial sweetener (xylitol) ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Cooked bones.
May 25, 2023

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog? ›

16 Healthy and Safe Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
  • Cooked and Unseasoned Fish. ...
  • Green Beans. ...
  • Peanuts and Peanut Butter. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Cooked White Rice. ...
  • Cooked and Unseasoned Turkey. ...
  • Watermelon. ...
  • Plain Yogurt.
Jan 19, 2024

What meat should dogs not eat? ›

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.

Is peanut butter good for dogs? ›

' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.

Can I use oatmeal instead of rice in homemade dog food? ›

I have used lentils, barley, brown rice or even oatmeal. Make sure your garlic is cooked as raw garlic can make your dog sick, and never use onions as a vegetable as onions make them sick as well. I use a variety of vegetables and mix and match them in each batch.

What should be the main ingredient in homemade dog food? ›

Your pet needs protein (animal meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs), fat (from meat or oil) and carbohydrates (grains or vegetables). They also need calcium (from dairy or an ingredient such as egg shells), and essential fatty acids (from certain plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods).

What meat is best for homemade dog food? ›

Beef, chicken, turkey gizzards, livers (beef/chicken/turkey), hearts (beef/chicken/turkey), white fish (flounder, grouper, cod (no bones), rabbit, oily fish (sardines in olive oil), salmon, eggs, lamb, veal.

How do I make my own dog food at home? ›

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks. Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.

What is the best additive for homemade dog food? ›

What to add to homeade dog food?
Vitamin or Mineral NameFunction
PhosphorusWorks with calcium to support bone health
PotassiumEssential for maintaining electrolyte balance, supports nerve function
SodiumSupports proper fluid balance and nerve function
ChlorideSupports proper fluid balance and nerve function
13 more rows

What should the first two ingredients in dog food be? ›

Five Beneficial Ingredients in Dog Food
  • Meat. As a general rule of thumb, meat should be the first ingredient listed on the dog food bag. ...
  • Vitamins and Minerals. We all know that vitamins and minerals are good for hoomans, but they're also good for doggos! ...
  • Healthy Carbohydrates. ...
  • Healthy Fats. ...
  • Grains.
Mar 1, 2022

What can I mix in my dog's food to make them eat it? ›

Fruits and veggies are a great way to change your dog's eating habits for the better. Chopped apples, bananas, green beans, and broccoli are healthy foods you can mix with kibble. Sweet potato puree is another good source of fiber, as well as vitamin A.

Do vets recommend homemade dog food? ›

Nutritional Balance

Without the proper guidance, homemade pet food may lead to nutrient deficiencies or excesses that could negatively impact your pets' health. This is why AAFCO-compliant pet food is more generally recommended to dog parents and cat parents.

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