Homemade Dog Food : 5 Healthy, Vet Approved Dog Food Recipes + Easy Instructions For Home Cooking

The health and well-being of our pets are paramount, and what they eat plays a crucial role in this.

Homemade dog food is an excellent way to control the ingredients that go into your pet’s diet, ensuring they consume only the freshest, highest-quality foods tailored to their specific dietary needs.

Whether your furry friend has food allergies, sensitivities, or specific health conditions, a homemade diet can be beneficial, providing a wholesome alternative to commercial products.

But it’s essential to create balanced meals that meet all nutritional requirements, so always consult with a vet or a pet nutritionist.

Ready to get started?

Here are five carefully crafted homemade dog food recipes to inspire you. Adjust them as needed to suit your dog’s specific health, breed, age, and weight requirements.

1. Chicken and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food

Best for: Basic nutritional needs, protein-sensitive dogs.

This is a basic recipe that meets a dog’s general nutritional requirements. The chicken provides lean protein, while the vegetables deliver necessary fiber and micronutrients. Chicken is generally well-tolerated by many dogs, but some dogs are sensitive or allergic to it. If your dog has a known chicken sensitivity, it would be best to substitute with a different protein source.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground chicken
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup peas
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground chicken in a non-stick pan over medium heat until no pink is visible.
2. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
3. In a large pot, mix the chicken, vegetables, rice, and water.
4. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender.
5. Let it cool and serve.

2. Beef and Pumpkin Homemade Dog Food

Best for: Digestive health, grain-free diet.

The pumpkin in this recipe is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs as it is high in fiber and can help regulate digestion. Beef is a common protein source that most dogs tolerate well. Also, this recipe is grain-free, which can be beneficial for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups chopped spinach
• 2 tablespoons fish oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef in a non-stick pan until no pink remains.
2. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
3. In a large pot, combine beef, rice, pumpkin, spinach, and fish oil.
4. Cook over medium heat until heated through.
5. Let it cool and serve.

3. Turkey and Sweet Potato Homemade Dog Food

Best for: Weight control, grain-free diet, protein-sensitive dogs.

Turkey is a lean source of protein, and sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber, making this recipe good for weight control. This recipe is also grain-free and could be suitable for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 cup peas
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick pan until no pink remains.
2. Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then drain and mash.
3. In a large pot, combine turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and olive oil.
4. Cook over medium heat until heated through.
5. Let it cool and serve.

4. Fish and Quinoa Homemade Dog Food

Best for: Dogs with common meat allergies, skin, and coat health.

Fish is often recommended for dogs with allergies to more common meat proteins like beef and chicken. The fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health. Quinoa serves as a grain substitute, providing a source of carbohydrates that is generally well-tolerated by dogs with grain sensitivities. However, some dogs might be sensitive to quinoa.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds salmon or white fish
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fish oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the fish in a non-stick pan until it easily flakes with a fork.
2. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.
3. In a large pot, combine fish, quinoa, zucchini, green beans, and fish oil.
4. Cook over medium heat until heated through.
5. Let it cool and serve.

5. Pork and Barley Homemade Dog Food

Best for: Less common protein source, fiber needs.

Pork is a less common protein source in commercial dog foods, so it may be suitable for dogs that have developed sensitivities to proteins like chicken or beef. Barley is a high-fiber grain that can support healthy digestion, but if your dog is grain-sensitive or allergic, it may not be suitable.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground pork
• 1 1/2 cups barley
• 1 butternut squash, cubed
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground pork in a non-stick pan until no pink remains.
2. Cook the barley according to package instructions.
3. Boil the butternut squash until tender, then drain.
4. In a large pot, combine pork, barley, squash, blueberries, and olive oil.
5. Cook over medium heat until heated through.
6. Let it cool and serve.

Remember to gradually introduce new foods into your dog’s diet to avoid digestive upset. Begin by mixing a small amount of the new food with their current food, gradually increasing the new food’s proportion over a week or two.