Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

You Yes You Can Make Your Dog Homemade Chicken And Vegetables

Behold: the power of a home-cooked meal.

⢠Grains absorb a lot of liquid. If you cook them with the other ingredients, you may have to add more water during the cooking process. This is especially true if youâre using brown rice. It’s best to add the grains and legumes that require only light cooking three-quarters of the way through cooking. Or, cook them separately and then mix them in afterward.

⢠Meat and veggies may need to be broken into smaller pieces before feeding to your dog. Transfer the cooled meal to a large bowl, then use a potato masher, spatula, or the back of a wooden spoon to mush it all together and tear apart the chunks of meat. You can also use a food grinder or processor.

⢠Meat contains a lot of water and shrinks during cooking. Find out just how much by consulting the USDAâs website. This is important to understand because cooking a pound of chicken, for example, results in much less meat in the finished product, meaning less calories and assorted nutrients. So, in calculating calories and nutrients, consider the âafter cookingâ weight.

⢠Adjust the protein-to-carb ratio by simply adding more meat to your recipe. You can even cook some additional meat separately and add it to the finished product at mealtime.

⢠Let the food cool down before packaging it in freezer-safe containers. Meals stay fresh for three to four days in the refrigerator. Defrost frozen meals in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

Now Let’s Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We

The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omega’s. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, I’ve found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pup’s ideal dog food flavor profile.

Well Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

In the past few issues of Whole Dog Journal, I have offered critiques on homemade dog food diets in order to address the dogs health concerns or simply to optimize the dogs diet plan. To do this, I analyzed the cooked and raw homemade dog food diets and compared them to the National Research Councils guidelines for canine nutrition. I want to be clear, though: I dont believe this is a requirement for feeding home-cooked dog food. Just as with the diet you feed yourself and your family, feeding a wide variety of healthy foods in appropriate proportions should meet the needs of most healthy dogs. The best diet for dogs, in effect, is a diverse diet.

You May Like: Open Farm Dog Food Recall

Founders Veterinary Clinic Recipe

Like the previous recipe, you can substitute a number of ingredients for things you have on hand. For example, you can swap out the main protein source for deboned fish and the carbohydrates for standard potatoes.

If you choose to feed your dog this food, its recommended that you add calcium or bonemeal pattern to ensure that your dogs bones remain healthy.

Ingredients

• 1/4 of a pound of cooked skinless chicken
• 1 Cup of cooked brown rice
• 1 Cup of cooked brown rice
• 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1/4 Teaspoon of potassium chloride

Directions

Once the cooked chicken and rice have cooled down, mix the various ingredients to form a mash. This recipe is portioned for a 20-pound dog. However, you can scale the ingredients amount accordingly.

Dogs Nutritional Guidelines To Follow

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials , the entity that supervises the nutritional value of commercial dog food, there are six essential nutrients all dog meals must contain to ensure a balanced and healthy diet for dogs. A proper homemade diet should also consider your pups weight, health conditions, size, and activity level.

Below is a breakdown of each nutrient and its importance.

You May Like: Is Authority Dog Food Good

Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Whenever you read or hear about the homemade dog food recipes. Always check with your veterinarian and canine nutritionist for some homemade dog food with some top dog tips.

DIY Dog food recipes are great when they are well-balanced and done correctly, but they can lead to malnutrition and health problems in your dog when the recipe isnt up to par.

Its also crucial to consult your vet before doing so, especially if you have adopted a new dog and want homemade puppy food.

Today, Im listing 50 of my favorite best homemade dog food recipes, which your dog will enjoy.

Monitor Weight And Health

A dogs weight is an essential indicator of its health, and you need to track it when switching to a new diet . Maintaining a healthy weight is easier when your dog is fed the right food. If your dogs weight increases or decreases rapidly, it might be due to food-related health issues.

Skin or coat issues, excessive tiredness, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, and obesity can be caused by unbalanced and insufficient meal plans. If you detect any of these symptoms while feeding your dog meals, stop doing it immediately and seek expert advice.

Recommended Reading: Where Can I Buy Nutrisource Dog Food

Ingredients Needed For This Homemade Dog Food Recipe:

This DIY dog food made at home is filled with rich protein, vegetables, and healthy grains. Heres what youll need:

• Coconut oil provides a variety of health benefits for dogs, such as improving the skin and coat, increasing energy, aiding digestion, and reducing allergic reactions, just to name a few. And just like us, your dog needs healthy fats in their diet.
• Ground turkey will add necessary protein to your dogs diet, as well as important vitamins and minerals.
• Veggies this homemade dog food recipe uses a mix of zucchini, spinach and carrots. All are safe for dogs and will provide your baby with a variety of nutrients.
• Turmeric a dog-safe seasoning that also provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Egg for extra protein and nutrients.
• Rice a complex carb that provides energy and aids in gastrointestinal function.

Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes For A Thriving Pup

Despite all of the commercially available dog foods that are on the market nowadays, many dog owners are turning to homemade recipes to keep their dogs healthy. Homemade meals offer greater control over what your pup is putting into their body.

Not only can you cater recipes to meet your dogs particular size, breed, and activity levels, but you can also address unique medical concerns or dietary restrictions.

Instead of taking a stab at the dark and hoping that your dried kibble contains good ingredients,

you can make your canine companions meals yourself and know for sure.

Before you start whipping together canine meals, there are a few things to know.

First, you should steer clear of table scraps and processed human foods. Its important to remember that there are many things that dogs are allergic to.

Secondly, the dietary needs of your dog are much different from your own.

The goal of homemade dog food recipes is to create a balanced diet that beats what you can get in your local pet food aisle.

There are many vet-approved recipes out there to get you started. These recipes are endorsed by licensed professionals, so you can have peace of mind knowing that theyre a healthy option.

You should also consult with your own vet to make sure that your dogs unique needs are being met.

Recommended Reading: Can Dogs Be Tested For Food Allergies

Do It Correctly Discuss These Recipes With A Vet

Before changing a dogs diet, particularly if your pet has serious health conditions, always discuss this change with your vet. Show them this list of recipes, let them know what you plan to feed your dog and ask for their input on healthy variations.

Theres no healthy homemade dog food recipe thats a perfect fit for every dog.

While these recipes can sometimes be a better choice than commercial diets, feeding this way can also be detrimental to your pets health if youre not paying attention to the nutritional content of these meals and comparing them with nutritional requirements.

Well-balanced meals are key. For example, if your homemade dog food meal contains too many vitamins, it could cause vitamin toxicity. On the other hand, if it doesnt provide the dog with enough nutrients, it will cause nutrient deficiency or malnutrition.

You must also know how much to feed your dog and what portions of these healthy homemade dog food recipes are appropriate, as well as what supplements youll need to include to make up for the lack of nutrients that your pet requires.

Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe

Jump to RecipeMy easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs

***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human-grade food diet for your pup. This post was updated with video August 16, 2020, updated with additional recipe links 9/14/2020, updated 1/7/2021 with metric measurements, updated 1/3/2022 with recipe links for hydrating meals.***

Don’t Miss: Best Food For Goldendoodle Puppy

Make Ground Beef And Veggies

Brown and crumble 3 lbs of ground beef in a large skillet. Place in a large bowl with the drippings.

Chop, shred, or process all the veggies. My dog is a small dog and prefers the veggies finely shredded in a food processor. You can use a knife or a box grater works too.

In a large pot , briefly saute carrots, broccoli, and sweet potato until just soft for a few minutes on medium. Place into the large bowl. In a large bowl, add the cooked ground beef, warm rice, warm sauteed veggies, and fresh spinach. Mix well with a large spatula.

How To Make Homemade Dog Food

So we know that a dog needs protein, carbs, healthy fats, nutrients, and essential fatty acids. Sounds simple enough, but what food should you actually be feeding them?

The first thing your dog needs is meat. In fact, meat should account for around 40% of their diet. Unless your dog is extremely active, opt for leaner meats like chicken, venison, and game. Meat is full of protein, iron, and B vitamins – vital stuff for your dog’s short and long-term health. Alternative protein sources include eggs and fish. Canned fish like tuna, mackerel, and pink salmon are good choices. Theyre full of protein and vitamins.

This might take a bit of getting used to, but feeding your dog raw liver and offal is a really good way of making sure they get the right nutrition. Don’t worry though, you won’t have to do this every day! A few portions each week is enough to keep them on track.

Now its time to make sure they get enough healthy fats. The right kinds of fat help the body to absorb nutrients from other foods. They also maintain healthy brain function, as well as reducing inflammation throughout the body. Cream cheese, eggs, and flaxseed are excellent sources of healthy fat.

Fruit and vegetable are full of good carbs, antioxidants, and a whole host of vitamins. These support the immune system, aid digestion, and improve overall health and well-being. Good doggy fruit and vegetables include:

• Raw bread dough

Also Check: Victor Classic Hi-pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food

Guidelines To Creating Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Following are guidelines for feeding a raw or cooked home-prepared diet to healthy dogs. No single type of food, such as chicken, should ever make up more than half the diet.

Except where specified, homemade food for dogs can be fed either raw or cooked. Leftovers from your table can be included as long as theyre foods you would eat yourself, not fatty scraps.

Meat and Other Animal Products: Should always make up at least half of the diet. A raw diet for dogs can be excessively high in fat, which can lead to obesity. Another potential hazard of diets containing too much fat: If an owner restricts the amount fed too much, the dog may suffer deficiencies of other required nutrients.

Unless your dog gets regular, intense exercise, use lean meats , remove skin from poultry, and cut off separable fat. Its better to feed dark meat poultry than breast, however, unless your dog requires a very low-fat diet.

Raw Meaty Bones : If you choose to feed them, RMBs should make up one third to one half of the total diet. Use the lower end of the range if you feed bony parts such as chicken necks and backs, but you can feed more if youre using primarily meatier parts such as chicken thighs. Never feed cooked bones. Read a full report on raw meaty bones here.

Boneless Meat: Include both poultry and red meat. Heart is a good choice, as it is lean and often less expensive than other muscle meats.

Tips For Slow Cooking Your Dog’s Meals

Slow-cooking veggies â from kale to parsnips to sweet peas â increases palatability. You can produce around nine pounds of food with two, seven-cup cookers. Be sure to alternate the protein sources from turkey and chicken to beef and pork, plus vary the vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates.

⢠For optimum performance, fill the cooker to about two-thirds capacity, and not less than halfway donât over- or under fill.

⢠Six- to seven-quart cookers work best.

⢠Keep the lid on. Slow cookers can lose 20 to 30 minutes of cooking time if the lid is removed.

⢠One hour on the high setting equals two to two and a half hours on low.

⢠Remove excess fat from meats and the skin from poultry. Brown ground meats and drain off the residual fat before putting them in the cooker.

⢠Never put frozen foods into a slow cooker. Defrost ingredients before adding.

⢠Cut all ingredients into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.

⢠Put the densest ingredients â sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and heavier root veggies such as parsnips, turnips, and rutabagas â on the bottom. Then add the meat and top off with other veggies and fruit.

Don’t Miss: Best Dry Dog Food For Pancreatitis

Mix And Portion Homemade Food For Dogs

The best way to store fresh food for your doggie is to use freezer bags. I have a small dog, so using this recipe I calculated the calories she needs per day. Measure a few day supply based on your dogs caloric needs. And portion it into a 5 day supply, so it is food safe after it defrosts.

Simply pull out a frozen bag of new food and let it defrost in the fridge every 5 days. I give her of the baggie daily. The bags compress flat in the freezer or you can place them in an airtight container. Store in an airtight container or larger zip-top bag in the freezer.

Tips For Making Your Dogs Food At Home:

• If youre not ready to make the leap to cooking all of your dogs food, try just adding some real, whole foods to their kibble. You can start with simply stirring in a scrambled egg, mixing in some chopped apples or carrots, or adding a small amount of the homemade dog food in with their normal kibble.
• You should be able to serve this homemade dog food to your dog either hot or cold. Ive found that dogs love this dog food so much, that they are not picky about how its served.
• Its not usually a good idea to abruptly change your dogs food. Start transitioning them to homemade food by mixing some of this in with their regular food or kibble for a few days until they are used to the new food. Your dogs belly will thank you. And again, remember to always discuss with your vet before feeding your pet something new.
• To give your dog a variety of different nutrients, use different meats, fruits, and vegetables to make your dogs food. However, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, it might be best to stick to one combination that you know works.

You May Like: Recipes For Dog Food Homemade