Homemade Dog Food Recipes (Making 16 Different Recipes)

How best could you describe your relationship with your dog? Most people will probably describe their dogs as their best friends, others could have other descriptions, but the bottom line is that we humans always have the best relationship with our dogs.

Which is the best way to treat a best friend than to ensure that the food they eat is the best both nutritionally and in sweetness? This is achievable using the best homemade dog food recipes to be discussed in this article.

These sixteen recipes will be tackled exhaustively. The benefits the dog will reap from all the recipes will also be discussed.

By the time you’ll be coming to the end of this article, your dog will be the biggest beneficiary because it will be eating the best homemade dog food henceforth. Your dog will feel like a king, but again you’ll be doing it for the love of your dog.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Homemade Dog Food

When preparing homemade dog food, you need to get some facts right about the whole process. There are some things that you are allowed to do while others are strictly forbidden. The following are do’s and don’ts in making homemade dog food.

The Do’s

Homemade dog food should have the mineral and vitamin supplements that are healthy for the dog. Minerals such as calcium keep the bones strong and therefore ensure the breeding of an active, healthy dog. Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium Chloride among others are some of the minerals necessary for a healthy dog.

The cooking should take time for a quality meal. And talking of quality, the food should be of high quality and hence one might need to buy the expensive food ingredients.

The recipes should be specific for each diet. The diet should be well balanced. High-quality proteins are also recommended for the dog during the preparation of the food.

The Don’ts

The food should not contain any fats. The food for the dog should be very lean. The dog breeder is therefore discouraged from giving the dog fatty leftovers. The fats make the dog sick and unhealthy. The other substances that should not be in the food are the seasonings such as salt, pepper and among others.

These seasonings are unhealthy for the dog. The other potentially harmful product that the dog owner should look out for is poison. The FDA website has an excellent list that the owner should check on to see the list of poisons to avoid while preparing the dog food at home.

Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat

Foods Dogs can eat

The most recommended foods for the dog include vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. The fruits that are better suited for the dog are pears and bananas.

Cooked meat is rich in high-quality proteins and is therefore highly recommended for the dog. Rice is rich in energy for the dog. Peanut butter is highly suited for the dog too.

The foods that the dog should be given in moderation include fruits such as pineapples, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and apples. Tomatoes, hot dogs, potatoes, bread, mushrooms, broccoli, and cheese are also moderately recommended for the dog.

Foods Dogs cannot eat

The foods that are not recommended include popcorn, cherries, shrimp, peppers, almonds, corn, marshmallows, and celery.

The foods that are strictly forbidden include walnuts, beer, onions, pomegranate, avocado, nuts in general, grapes, gum, milk and dairy products, grapes and raisins, chocolate, coffee and caffeine, salt and yeast dough.

Top Best Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Dog Will Love

1. Homemade Recipes for Healthy Adult Dogs

Spinach and Salmon Mishmash

Fish oils are rich in Omega 3 hence very healthy for the dogs by improving the health of their hearts and making their skin, coat, and joints in a better state than before. Arthritis which is a serious dog disease will be kept at bay since the Omega 3 is anti-inflammatory.

Ingredients

• ½ cup of thinly cut spinach properly washed and drained
• ½ can salmon with skin and bones removed then drained
• 1 teaspoon of Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 eggs

Directions

1. In a small frying pan, heat the Extra Virgin Olive Oil over medium level heat
2. Add together the salmon and spinach and cook until they are heated enough
3. Add the eggs and stir for 2 minutes continuously until fully cooked
4. For some minutes, allow the mixture to cool then serve in a dog bowl

Beef and Vegetable Balls

Beef is always an excellent source of quality proteins that the dog would benefit from if cooked precisely as the following recipe directs. The Vegetables are a good source of vitamins that are essential for the building of the immune system of the dog.

Once prepared, the resulting meal has a good aroma that the dogs cannot resist. This recipe is healthy and irresistible.

Ingredients

• Two 170gm jars of organic beef and vegetable refined baby food
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• 2 cups of dry milk
• 1 cup of water

Directions

1. Heat the oven first to 350 degrees Fahrenheit before continuing.
2. Add all the ingredients in one mixing ball and then mix.
3. Introduce large spoonfuls of the mixture into a baking container.
4. Bake for a maximum of 15 minutes.
5. Allow to cool and serve in a dog bowl.

Storage

The remnants can last in the fridge for up to five days.

Chicken and Vegetable Mix

Chicken in the recipe is a good source of protein while the vegetables add flavor to the casserole. The vegetables make the intestinal tract of the dog to be in a healthy state. The green beans in particular help in the assumption that the stomach of the dog is full.

Ingredients

• 4 breasts of chicken
• ½ cup of chopped green beans
• ½ cup of chopped carrots
• ½ of chopped broccoli
• ½ cup of rolled oats
• 4 cups of low salt chicken puree

Directions

1. Remove the excess fat from the chicken breasts and hack the breasts into tiny
2. Cook the chicken breasts in a non-stick frying pan over moderate heat until the pink color is gone.
3. Add the chicken breasts, vegetables rolled oats and chicken puree to a large cooking pot and cook for approximately 15 minutes until the carrots are tender.
4. Allow it to cool then serve in a dog bowl.
5. You can store the leftover mix in the fridge for a maximum of five days.

Beef Stew

The beef in the stew is a good source of high-quality protein for the dog. The vegetables are a healthy source of vitamins. The added gravy is to flavor the food in order to be irresistible to the dog. We are in essence making one of our own Homemade Dog Food Recipes as a substitute for the commercialized one.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of beef
• 1 small sweet potato
• ½ of diced carrots
• ½ of diced green beans
• ½ cup of flour
• ½ of organic vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, mixed for frying

Directions

1. Cook the sweet potato in the microwave for 8 minutes until tender but firm then set aside.
2. Chop the stew pieces into smaller nickel-sized pieces.
3. Cook the sliced stew chunks in vegetable oil over medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the stew pieces from the skillet, separating the drippings.
5. Cut the sweet potatoes into small dice-sized pieces.
6. Heat the drippings over medium heat. Slowly add water and flour to the soup while whisking to create a thick aromatic gravy.
7. Add the beef, diced sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir.
8. Cook for about 10 minutes till the carrots are tender.
9. Allow to cool, and then serve in a dog bowl.
10. Store the leftover stew in the fridge for a maximum of five days.

2. Homemade Recipes for Puppies

Puppy stew

This recipe is very nutritious for the puppies since it contains high energy content sweet potatoes, proteins, carbohydrates, fat, omega-3, dietary fiber, and calcium. This diet will keep the puppy strong while keeping the skin glowing and healthy. The joints will be healthy to prevent arthritis.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless chicken meat with skin
• 6 large diced sweet potatoes, peeled
• 6 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium package frozen peas
• 56 fl. oz. diced tomatoes with juice
• 3 tablespoons of fresh parsley
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of iodized saltwater

Directions

1. Add the chicken, sweet potatoes, carrots, frozen peas, diced tomato juice, fresh parsley, olive oil and saltwater in a gallon cooking pot.
2. Add enough water to cover.
3. Allow it to boil then lower to simmer and cover.
4. Cook for two hours till soft while stirring occasionally.
5. Add water in small amounts to keep the mixture wet.
6. Cool and serve when ready in a dog bowl.
7. Store the remaining mixture in a fridge for up to five days.

Meatloaf

Puppies still have a long way to go and hence require high nutrient-rich foods. The recipe below takes into account the 1/3 protein and 2/3 grain or vegetable diet.

This recipe is one of the Homemade Dog Food Recipes that are also cheap and very easy to make. Vitamins, energy, and proteins are the major ingredients that ensure your puppy is active and healthy at all times.

Ingredients   

• 3 quarter cups of grated veggies (avoid spices)
• 2 pounds of lean mashed beef
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 cups of whole-grain oatmeal
• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• Well-grounded flax seeds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Put all the ingredients together in a baking pan and mix thoroughly.
3. Bake for one hour.
4. Freeze the remnants to keep fresh for up to 3 months.

Chicken and Vegetable Mix for Pups

This recipe factors in the importance of the nutritious value of vegetables and chicken. Be sure that if your puppy is fed on this recipe, then it will always be very active and healthy.

The special thing about this recipe is that it uses the common ingredients which are easily available. Your puppy will maintain the lean body that you so much love. Prepare the chicken and vegetable mix for your puppy and let it enjoy the benefits.

Ingredients

• 4 sliced chicken breasts.
• 1 cupful of black drained beans
• 1 cupful of kidney drained beans
• 1 cup of diced carrots
• 5 cupful of tomato paste
• 4 cupful of chicken broth

Directions

1. Hack the chicken breasts into tiny
2. Cook the chicken breasts in a non-stick frying pan over moderate heat until the pink color is gone.
3. Add the chicken breasts, vegetables, tomato paste, and chicken puree to a large cooking pot and cook over the medium heat for 15 minutes until the carrots are tender.
4. Allow it to cool then serve in a dog bowl.
5. Store the leftover for up to 5 days.

Ground Turkey and Vegetable Mix

The ground turkey and vegetable mix recipe is for the stronger puppy and is both tasty and healthy. This is one of the Homemade Dog Food Recipes that when used to cook a meal will make your puppy more strong and healthy.

What’s more, it is also a good source of proteins and vitamins. It will most probably keep your puppy active and grow to be a very healthy dog.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 6 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 8 ounces of a vegetable mixture of diced carrots, thinly chopped broccoli and chopped cauliflower, thawed.

Directions   

1. Add six cups of water into a large cooking pot
2. Introduce one teaspoon of dried rosemary
3. Sprinkle some ground turkey to the mixture
4. Mix the turkey and rosemary thoroughly and bring it to boil over high heat. Once the mixture has boiled, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes. Add 8 ounces of frozen vegetables. Cook for five more minutes.
5. Allow to cook and serve in the dog bowl.
6. Store the remnants in the fridge in a covered container.

3. Homemade Weight Loss Recipes for Dogs

Trixie’s Weight Loss Recipe

This recipe contains vitamins that will ensure your dog losses that excess weight. The addition of the high energy content ingredients helps the body to burn the excess fats in the body during the long walks and the usual plays with the dog. This recipe keeps the dog lean, healthy and active.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cooked vegetables (any mixture can do)
• 1 cupful of wheat bran
• 2 cupsful of rolled oats
• 2 cups of low-fat cottage cheese
• ½ pound mashed lean beef
• 1.5 teaspoonful of eggshell powder
• 1 teaspoonful of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoonsful of nutritional yeast
• Dog vitamins

Directions:

1. Cook the vegetables using 4 cups of water.
2. Once the vegetables are soft, add the bran and oats.  Cover and wait for 10 minutes.
3. Add remaining ingredients, except the vitamins.
4. Refrigerate extra food for up to five days.
5. Add a balanced vitamin while serving that will cater for the minimum daily requirements.
6. Serve two meals per day based on your dog’s weight.

Harvey’s Weight Loss Recipe

This recipe incorporates the efficiency of the balanced vitamins and high energy content to keep the dog active and hence burn the excess fats. This recipe keeps the dog lean to maintain the shape that you have always loved about your dog. The vegetable oil has been incorporated to ensure that your dog’s digestive tract is performing well.

Ingredients

• 1 pound mashed lean beef heart
• 5 cupsful of baked potatoes
• 2 cupsful of oats or vegetables
• 1 teaspoonful of vegetable oil
• 5 teaspoonful of eggshell powder
• Balanced dog vitamins

Directions

1. Add all ingredients, except the vitamins.
2. Refrigerate extra food for up to five days.
3. Add a balanced vitamin while serving that will cater for the minimum daily requirements.
4. Serve two meals per day based on your dog’s weight

Chubby Dogs’ Treats

This recipe is good for the dog if you want it to lose weight by incorporating high content energy foods. The proteins and low-fat milk are used to reduce the level of fat in the food content. This recipe will keep your dog healthy and strong for the long walks that you may take together.

Ingredients

• 5 cupful of low fat thinly sliced cheddar cheese
• 5 cupsful of whole wheat flour
• 5 cupful of mashed green beans
• 1 cupful of beef broth and 1/4 cupful for glaze
• 25 cupful of low-fat milk
• 1 tablespoonful of olive oil
• Additional Flour for Rolling

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350° F before you start cooking
2. Put the cheddar cheese and the flour in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Grind the green beans in a separate container
4. Add olive oil and milk to the broth. Add the mashed green beans to the mixture and stir.
5. Make a well in the middle of the cheese flour.
6. Empty the green bean mixture into the well and mix well.
7. Knead the dough in the bowl until the mixture is fully combined
8. Continue to knead using extra flour on a flat surface.
9. Knead until you have a strong
10. Spread out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes of your liking.
11. Spread the cut-outs on a baking sheet that has been thinly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
12. Pour 1/4 cup of beef puree into a small bowl.
13. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the puree onto the cut out cookies.
14. Bake for 30 minutes.

Low Fat Carrot and Banana Treat for Fat Dogs

This is one of the Homemade Dog Food Recipes that contain low-fat carrots and bananas which are suitable for your dog. Keep the dog hydrated and active throughout the day. Take long walks around the neighborhood to shed some pounds. Maintain the treats in moderation since the excess might have a reverse effect on the already fat dog.

Ingredients

• 1 medium ripe banana
• 1 cupful of carrots, shredded
• 1/4 cupful of applesauce, unsweetened
• 2 1/8 cupful of water
• 1 1/2 cupsful of whole wheat flour
• 1 cupful of rolled oats

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F
2. Grind the ripe banana in a small container.
3. Thinly grate the carrots, and mix thoroughly with the banana.
4. Add applesauce and water into the mixture
5. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the flour and oats.
6. Make a well in the center of the flour and oat mixture and pour in the carrot mixture.
7. Stir until thoroughly combined.
8. Knead the dough in the bowl until fully combined
9. Continue to knead on a flat surface until the dough has formed.
10. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness.
11. Cut out into 3-inch carrot-shaped pieces
12. Lightly spray a baking surface with non-stick spray.
13. Place the pieces on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
14. Cool and serve in a dog bowl

Storing – These dog treats will be kept fresh in the refrigerator for three weeks and six months in the freezer.

4. Homemade Recipes for Dogs with Kidney Disease

Chicken and Potato Recipe

The recipe below contains low quantities of Proteins, Phosphorus and Sodium. The recipe has a high content of potassium and calories. A dog that has a kidney disease requires these nutrients to reduce and finally eliminate the kidney disease. If there are further complaints, please consult with your veterinary doctor for further adjustments to the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of chicken breast, cooked
• 3 cups of potatoes boiled in with its skin intact
• 2 tablespoons chicken fat
• 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets
• 1/2 multiple vitamin-mineral tablets

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Serve in the dog bowl.
3. Preserve the remaining beef and potatoes in the fridge for up to five days.

Beef and Potato Recipe

This recipe contains reduced amounts of Sodium, Phosphorus and Proteins. The recipe has a high content of potassium and calories. If your dog has any kidney problems, be sure that this recipe will be very useful to your dog.

The nutrients contained in this recipe will help in minimizing the effects of kidney disease and might help your dog feel better and manage the condition well.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cooked (raw weight) lean ground beef
• cups potatoes boiled in skin
• 2 tablespoons chicken fat
• 1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets
• 1/2 multiple vitamin-mineral tablets

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Serve in the dog bowl.
3. Preserve the remaining beef and potatoes in the fridge for up to five days.

5. Homemade Recipes for Dogs with Liver Disease

Fish & Mashed Beef Recipe

The recipe below caters for a dog that shows symptoms of vomiting bile which is due to the increased level of liver enzymes in the blood. This recipe is not advisable for those dogs with the copper storage disease. As a good practice, it is advisable to consult your veterinary doctor for further details. It contains fish, ground beef and the important supplements for the liver disease.

Ingredients

• 8 Cups brown rice, cooked
• 2 Cups of sweet potato, cooked and grounded
• 2 Cups of chicken livers, cut and cooked
• 1 large hard-boiled egg, diced
• 2 Cups of poached, flaked, boneless haddock, cod
• 18 ounces regular mashed beef, cooked in a little water but not overly browned
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil
• Calcium carbonate (as per the requirements of your dog)
• Iodine tablets
• 50mg Zinc tablets
• 2 10mgs Manganese caps
• 2mg Copper capsules
• ½ teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

1. Mix the beef and rice together in a cooking pot. Allow it to cool.
2. Stir the mixture in 1 tablespoon of fish oil
3. Add Calcium carbonate as per the requirements of your dog
4. Crush and sprinkle iodine over the mixture
5. Add finely crushed Zinc
6. Add finely crushed Manganese
7. Sprinkle finely ground copper in the mix
8. Add coconut oil
9. Mix the food well to ensure the supplements are evenly distributed throughout the food
10. Divide the food into even batches as per your dog’s requirements
11. Put the mixture in a freezer bag in the freezer
12. Feed the dog twice each day

Chicken and Salmon

For dogs with elevated liver problems, the chicken and salmon recipe is ideal for your dog. This homemade recipe is exceptionally good for dogs vomiting bile as it will do wonders to your dog.

A warning though, this recipe should not be fed to dogs suffering from copper storage disease. In case you need any clarification, seek assistance from your dog’s vet.

Ingredients

• 7 Cups of brown rice, well-cooked
• 2 Cups raw Quinoa, cooked
• 9 Cups ground chicken with fat, moderately cooked
• 2 170gms cans of low sodium sockeye salmon
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil
• Iodine tablets
• 50mg Zinc tablets
• 1 10mgs Manganese cap
• ½ teaspoons Calcium
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

1. Heat the mixture to a reasonable temperature and allow it to cool.
2. Add a single tablespoonful of fish oil and stir.
3. Sprinkle 8.5 teaspoonful of calcium over the mixture.
4. Add 6 capsules of iodine over the food.
5. Crush 4 zinc (50mg) and sprinkle over the food.
6. Add one teaspoonful of coconut oil.
7. Divide the food into 7 equal portions
8. Use each portion to feed your dog twice a day.

Read more: german shepherd mastiff mix

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade Dog Food

#1. Using tips from social media

Books, blogs, and seminars are very resourceful sources on feeding the dog. Nevertheless, the best source on how to feed the dog on a well-balanced diet is your vet.  These professionals are qualified to recommend your dog’s diet, especially the well balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes.

#2. Using dog food recipes that have not been tried before

Most of the dog owners use basic ingredients such as rice, beef, and chicken. This is not enough since a well-balanced dog food recipe includes more than just the three ingredients mentioned above.

#3. Lack of flexibility

All the dogs are unique, and hence the food that they consume should be tailored to their particular needs. While preparing the food, keep in mind the allergies that your dog might have and prepare the food accordingly.

The cost of the recipes is also an issue, and hence the dog owner should choose the most affordable recipe while keeping in mind the quality.

#4. Failing to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals

While cooking the homemade dog food, the vitamins and minerals are removed. It is, therefore, necessary to consult a nutritional veterinary doctor on the supplements to add to the food a particular dog.

#5. Failing to consult a nutritional veterinary doctor

It is crucial to ask the veterinary doctor to prepare quality food for your dog. Most people simply ignore the veterinarian and hence their dogs suffer the consequences of a poor diet such as poor nutrition to the body of the dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Between raw food and cooked, which one is better suited for my dog?

Cooked food is the best. The downside is the cost and the time taken to prepare the food. There is no point of trying on a costly budget that may not be able to sustain your dog for a long time. While cooking the food, make sure to follow the recipe as precisely as possible and adapt it to your particular dog.

Do I have to mix supplements to the dog food recipes?

Yes, it is highly recommended to add supplements to your Homemade Dog Food Recipes. The supplements add vitamins and minerals which are mostly removed while cooking the homemade dog food. The supplements contain the delicate nutrients that will ensure the improvement in the health of your dog.

Which dog food recipe do you recommend for my dog’s kidney problems?

High moisture content in the dog food is suitable for removing the kidney stones, and hence it is very important to keep your recipes highly moisturized at all times. Most of the dog recipes in this article have high moisture content, and furthermore, we have two unique recipes for dogs with kidney problems.

Why should I feed my dog on homemade dog food?

The major reasons for this are that the dog food is prepared in the comfort of your kitchen, and hence you control the safety and quality of the food. The variety that you will be able to feed your dog is also up to you since you will not depend on the rigid commercial food.

Is homemade dog food organic?

Yes, it is. The beauty of preparing the homemade dog food is that you have control over the vast variety of ingredients which you can choose from. This makes the resulting homemade dog food to be healthier and of a higher quality.

How much does it cost to prepare homemade dog food?

The resulting overall cost of making homemade dog food depends on the ingredients that you want as per the quality that you need to achieve. Preparing high-quality food will need expensive ingredients and hence the cost of the food will be expensive.

To make your dog healthy, you will need to have more money for the numerous ingredients and the supplements that go with them.

Conclusion

Now that we have exhausted the best Homemade Dog Food Recipes, we leave it to the paws of the dogs to know if we are successful or not. The quality and quantity of the foods have been made to suit the whole needs of the dog as the primary concern.

The secondary concerns which are the presentation and the aroma act as the signals to have your dogs relish the dishes prepared with the elegant touch of human love. They say that the best way to get to the heart of a man is through the stomach. I say that the same applies to a man’s best friend, the dog.

Karen Snow

Hi! I’m Karen and a certified dog lover. As a freelance writer and blogger, I do my best to squeeze in some time with my dogs, learning more about the way they act and how I can make sure that they continue to stay well-cared for by yours truly.

My dogs have helped me through a lot, and this is my way of giving back to them! Besides animals, I also love to travel and cook, having explored my country’s restaurants and unique places. Follow me as I show you all the amazing tips and bits of information I learn along the way about our furry friends!