Best Homemade Recipes For Your Dog

Are you looking for the best homemade dog food recipes that are also safe for your pup?

We’ve put together a variety of homemade meals and treats that are perfect for every occasion in your dog’s life.

Can’t wait to cook for your pup? 

Let’s get started.

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” — Luciano Pavarotti.

Turkey and Vegetable Mix

Start cooking for your dog with this easy and filling recipe that combines all the best ingredients they are sure to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground turkey
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 3 cups baby spinach (chopped)
• 1/2 peas (frozen)
• 1 zucchini (shredded)
• 2 carrots (shredded)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

• Cook the rice (As per the instructions on the package)
• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat (You can also use a Dutch oven)
• Add the turkey to the stockpot and cook it for 3-5 minutes or until it turns brown. Keep mixing the turkey so it crumbles well.

• Add the spinach, peas, carrots, zucchini, and rice to the turkey crumble and cook for another 3-5 minutes. 
• Let the mix cool completely before storing or feeding it to your pup.

ALSO READ: Healthy Eating Doesn’t Need To Be Expensive Or Time-Consuming 

 

Homemade Meal for Dogs With Allergies

Some dogs have food allergies, and you’re likely to come across recipes online that make you wonder if they’re safe to eat. 

We understand your dilemma. That’s why we made sure to include an allergy-free recipe in this list of best homemade dog food recipes.

Check it out below.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground turkey (you can also use other proteins)
• 1 cup uncooked millet/whole grain
• 1 carrot (shredded)
• 1 apple (chopped)
• 1 zucchini (shredded)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon calcium powder
• 1 squash (shredded)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil or unsweetened coconut flakes

Preparation

• Add 1 cup whole grains to a pot of water and bring it up to boil
• Add olive oil and turkey to a pot and cook it well
• Add the cooked whole grains to the pot with the turkey
• Add the vegetables to the mix while the turkey and grains are still warm
• Mix it thoroughly
• Let it cool completely before storing or feeding

Beef and Vegetable Crockpot

If the recipes above were easy for you to prepare, then this slow-cooking one should be a breeze.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 15-ounce kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 1/2 cups butternut squash (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups carrots (chopped)
• 1/2 cup peas (frozen)

Preparation

• Add 4 cups of water to a slow cooker
• Add beef, rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, and peas to the slow cooker and cover it
• Cook the mix for 5-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat
• Keep stirring the mix at intervals
• Allow the mix to cool completely before storing or serving

Peanut Butter Dog Treat

Did you put all that effort into making your dog some healthy meals and forget about their treats? We’ve got you covered.

Check out this simple recipe for homemade dog treats that your furry pal is sure to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 – 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (check the ingredient list and make sure it does not contain xylitol)

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Find a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
• Use a mixer to beat the peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and eggs for 2 minutes on medium-high
• Slowly add whole wheat flour to this blend at low speed. If the dough is too sticky, you can add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the texture evens out
• Sprinkle flour on a clean surface and knead the dough lightly until it comes together
• Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch thick slab
• Get some cookie cutters and cut out the dough into cute shapes
• Place them on the baking sheet and put them in the preheated oven
• Bake the treats for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown
• Take the treats out of the oven and let them cool down before serving and storing. Keep the extra treats in an airtight container to maintain the satisfying crunch.

ALSO READ: Honey & Barbecue Meatball Cassoulet

Chicken and Rice Meal

“People who love to eat are always the best people.” — Julia Child 

Or should we say a dog that loves to eat is always the best dog?

But if your dog doesn’t have much of an appetite due to an upset stomach, it can be difficult to decide what to feed them. It’s best to avoid processed food that can make them feel worse.

Instead, you could try this homemade meal to help soothe their digestive tract.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 cup boneless skinless chicken (cubed)
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin

Preparation

• Boil the water in a medium pot
• Cut the chicken into pieces and add it to the boiling water along with the rice
• Let the ingredients simmer until thoroughly cooked
• Allow the dish to cool completely
• Add pumpkin to the pot and mix it well
• You can now directly feed the mixture to your dog or store it in the freezer.

Such an easy recipe might have you thinking, Can I feed my dog chicken and rice everyday?

The answer is no; you shouldn’t feed your dog chicken and rice every day.

Chicken and rice are both healthy and highly nutritious. However, they do not fulfill the complete nutritional needs of your dog. Feeding your dog only chicken and rice daily might even result in nutrition deficiencies.

Does that mean the rest of the homemade meals provide complete nutrition to your dog? Is homemade food better for dogs?

It depends. Homemade food is considered healthier than highly processed commercial dog food. 

Alternatively, just because dog food is made at home does not mean it’s perfectly healthy. Some homemade meals aren’t balanced, nutritious, or contain ingredients that are safe for dogs.

For example, tomatoes are excellent ingredients to use in healthy meals for humans. You can eat a tomato a day and benefit from all its nutrients. But if you ask, can my dog eat tomatoes? The answer may be different. What should you do then?

Do your research before following a homemade recipe for your dog. Make sure all ingredients are safe for them to eat.

Additionally, make sure to read the labels on commercially available dog food. Peruse the ingredient list to spot allergens and potentially toxic substances. 

But how do I make out my homemade dog food?

Adult dogs weighing around 50 pounds require approximately 16-ounce portions for each meal.

In Conclusion

These five meals are some of our most trusted and best homemade dog food recipes.

We hope you try and enjoy cooking some of these recipes soon. And let us know if your dog loves these dishes!