10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (2024)

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Dogs are part of the family, and while you only want to feed your kids the very best foods, the same goes for our pups.

We’ve all read about the scary dog food recalls and some of the sketchy things that go into lower-grade dog foods. If you buy quality dog food, you’re fine. But it can be comforting to know exactly what is going into your dog’s food.That’s why some pup parents make their own dog food from scratch.

Making homemade dog food is also a good option for pups with chronic health issues, like diabetes or intestinal issues. It’s something to consider, too, if you have a dog who is overweight or older.

We bring our dog Toby to doggy daycare a few times a week, and the manager, a super sweet gal named Jen, feeds her two rescue pups homemade dog food every day. One of them was having major stomach issues, and a blander diet did wonders for her health. She’s like a new dog because of it.

Just a note: Before you make any big changes to your dog’s diet, always consult with their veterinarian. And keep an eye on your pup after feeding them the new food to see how they’re doing. Chances are they’ll be just fine, perhaps with even more pep in their step, but you just want to be sure.

To get you inspired, here are 10 easy and nutritious dog food recipes you can make at home right now.

1. Turkey & Veggie Dog Food Recipe

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (1)

Natural, human-grade ingredients like ground turkey, carrots, broccoli and zucchini make this a healthy homemade dog food recipe packed with good-for-you nutrients.

Get recipe at Skinny Ms.

2. DIY Dog Food

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (2)

Cheaper than store-bought dog food, this recipe from DamnDelicious combines ground turkey, brown rice and lots of veggies. It’s easier on your wallet and on your dog’s tummy.

Get recipe at DamnDelicious

3. Slow Cooker Dog Food

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (3)

Slow cookers make preparingmeals much easier, and dog food is no exception. All you have to do with this recipe is chop up ingredients, dump in the slow cooker and then stir to mash together. That’s it!

Get recipe at Life in Pearls and Sports Bras

4. Make-Ahead Doggie Stew

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (4)

Stews are hearty yet nutritiousdishes that fill you up, and Skinny Ms. has a version just for dogs that is packed with protein.

Get recipe at Skinny Ms.

5. Vegan Dog Food

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (5)

Here’s an interesting twist on homemade dog food. This completely vegan version has only four ingredients– quinoa, bananas, frozen peas and sweet potatoes– creating a simple, clean dish for dogs.

Get recipe at Veg Annie

6. Homemade Dog Food in the Instant Pot

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The instant pot speeds up cooking times by 2-10x and uses up to 70 percent less energy. If you have one, use it to make this nutritioushomemade dog food recipe. And if you don’t have one, consider purchasing one –you’ll get more use out of it than you’d ever imagine!

10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (7)

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Get recipe at Traditional Cooking School by Gnowfglins

7. Crockpot Chicken Dog Food Recipe

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If you’ve never made homemade dog food before, this is a good place to start. It’s easy and super tasty for the furbabies.

Get recipe at Dogvills

8. Homemade Dog Beef Stew

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An easy one-pot recipe, this homemade dog beef stew is straightforward and simple to make and will provide your dog with lots of healthy nutrients.

Get recipe at Life at Cloverhill

9. DIY Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs

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Unfortunately, some dogs, especially older or overweight ones, develop diabetes. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help with their health, like feed them this homemade dog food recipes developed especially for diabetic dogs.

Get recipe at My Untangled Life

10. Turkey and Rice Homemade Dog Food

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And finally, this no-frills recipe is hearty and healthy. The combination of chicken and rice is easy on their stomach, so if your dog isn’t feeling well, this is a good recipe to make.

Get recipe at All Recipes

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10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (15)

Jessi Larson

Jessi is a marketing strategist for Fortune 50 companies who loves to research and write about all things dog. She is the proud mom to Toby, a giant Labrador Retriever who thinks he’s a lapdog. He inspires her to be a better pet parent and to share advice with other dog owners.

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10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (2024)

FAQs

What homemade food can dogs eat everyday? ›

Here are seven different foods and meals that are safe for your dog to eat and tips on how to prepare them.
  • Chicken. Cooked chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. ...
  • Lean Ground Turkey. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Raw or Steamed Vegetables. ...
  • Fresh Fruits. ...
  • Boiled Potatoes. ...
  • Peanut Butter. ...
  • Yogurt.
Sep 12, 2023

What are the best ingredients to use for 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 should be the number 1 ingredient in dog food? ›

The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals. Because your dog's food should have more meat than any other ingredient, it's vital to choose a meat source that will benefit your dog's health.

What can dogs eat everyday instead of dog food? ›

What To Feed Your Dog if You Ran Out of Dog Food
  • Canned chicken or tuna in water.
  • Canned vegetables (rinsed or salt-free)
  • Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  • Plain steel-cut or old-fashioned oats.
  • Whole grains like brown rice and barley.
  • Whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta.
  • Gluten-free grain alternatives like millet and quinoa.

Can I feed my dog chicken and rice every day? ›

Chicken and rice isn't meant to be given as an everyday dog food, nor is it suitable to be used in place of regular dog treats. It's simply a short-term bland diet option intended for a sick dog.

Can dogs eat scrambled eggs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

What are the top ingredients to avoid in dog food? ›

To help you with this, we have listed ten ingredients to avoid in dog food.
  1. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) First on our list is butylated hydroxyanisole, also known as BHA. ...
  2. White Flour. ...
  3. Meat Meal. ...
  4. Artificial Food Coloring. ...
  5. Corn Syrup. ...
  6. Rendered Fat. ...
  7. Vegetable Oil. ...
  8. Farmed Salmon.
Nov 12, 2021

Do vets recommend homemade dog food? ›

“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.

What is the number one food you should never feed your dog? ›

Fatty foods

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.

What should the first 5 ingredients be in dog food? ›

The top five ingredients in dog food should consist of a balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats and fatty acids, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. First of all, a high-quality source of animal protein, such as fish, beef, or deboned chicken, should be the main ingredient.

What is the 95 rule for dog food? ›

The 95% Rule

At least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, “Chicken for Dogs,” or “Salmon Dog Food,” must include at least 95% of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70% of the total product when counting the added water.

Can I feed my dog canned tuna? ›

Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.

Can I feed my dog canned chicken? ›

Dogs often eat chicken in most kibble brands. So, it is an excellent choice to feed your dog canned chicken or homemade chicken breasts or chunks to add more protein to its diet. If you are wary of feeding chicken with high salt content, you can cook chicken for your dog.

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.

How much homemade dog food should a dog eat a day? ›

There are other ways to calculate how much to feed. For example, Dr. Judy Morgan, a nutrition expert and one of our favorite podcast guests, recommends feeding a dog about 2-3% of their body weight when using homemade food, and I think that's an excellent place to start.

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog? ›

16 Healthy and Safe Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
  1. Apples. Fresh apples are a wonderful, crunchy snack for dogs. ...
  2. Bananas. ...
  3. Blueberries. ...
  4. Carrots. ...
  5. Unsalted Cashews. ...
  6. Cauliflower. ...
  7. Unseasoned Cooked Chicken. ...
  8. Unseasoned Cooked Eggs.
Jan 19, 2024

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