DIY Homemade Dog Food
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Keep your dog healthy and fit with this easy peasy homemade recipe – it’s cheaper than store-bought and chockfull of fresh veggies!
I never thought I would be one of those dog owners who made homemade human food for their pups. Not in a million years.
But when Butters recently fell sick with an upset stomach, our vet advised us to feed him a bland diet – chicken and rice without any kind of seasoning. So that’s what we did – we poached a chicken, shredded it in a food processor, and mixed in some white rice and fed him this bland diet for 3 days.
That’s when I started to do some research on homemade dog food, and I have been so amazed as to how many different kinds of vegetables dogs can have. And with the help of Balance IT, you can create so many different recipes for your pup!
Now the best part about making homemade dog food – just like making anything at home – is that you know exactly what is going into the dog bowl, and not any of that questionable gelatinous gunk from the canned food.
But it’s important to note that dogs have different nutrient requirements than humans for their proportional body size, such as:
- High-quality protein (meat, seafood, dairy or eggs)
- Fat (meat or oil)
- Carbohydrates (grains or vegetables)
- Calcium (dairy)
- Essential fatty acids (egg yolks or oatmeal)
Now this recipe here has a balance of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains, but the ratios can easily be adjusted to suit your pup’s breed and/or needs.
Once you’ve made your batch, you can divide them up into single servings, note the date, and freeze it. When ready to serve, you can defrost it in the fridge overnight and nuke it for 15-30 seconds. That’s it! Now who knew that making dog food would be this easy?
DIY Homemade Dog Food
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 pounds ground turkey
- 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1 zucchini, shredded
- ½ cup peas, canned or frozen
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large saucepan of 3 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.
- Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Let cool completely.
Did you make this recipe?
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I’d be careful with the spinach, especially if your dog has any kidney problems. Here’s AKC on spinach:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-my-dog-eat-spinach/
Hi, with the threat of DCM in dogs and some breeds more so than others, that reports have linked to peas and lentils. Potdatoes they say are a nono. What dog food brand do you trust? What web site do you trust to gather information on home made dog food and how to store it properly to revent salmonella, etc type things. How long once unfrozen can you safely leave it out until your dog decides to eat it? What to do when your dog is picky and you want to change them over to home made dog food? Meat has to be top ingriedient because it has taurine which is good for a dog’s heart health. What of the supplements? How much do they cost? Bad when people can’t afford their dog’s food.
Any help would be wonderful!
Thank you!!!
Dogfoodadvisor.com
This is good as it stands, but is NOT a complete diet. Unless you are able to use a program to analyze the nutrient value, your dog may be missing out on some important stuff. I began making the food for my dogs, but I discussed it with my vet, who gave me some good advice. I also add, at each meal, a powdered supplement (1 tsp per dog … according to their weight) that provides vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are normally added to any commercially prepared dog food. I intend to keep making my pets food for as long as they are around. Better tummies, better elimination, and gorgeous coats. They also shed less!! But my dogs do not do well with brown rice … the hulls upset their stomachs, they do not do well with peas, unless I grind them up … and I make a great deal more than this in one batch. I do use the ground turkey, but there should also be some organ meats, like chicken livers. I use the squash, the spinach, sweet potato, finely grated carrot, chopped up no-salt canned string beans, and a host of other dog-safe veggies. I cook 3 cups of white rice. I add coconut oil. The meat and veg gets cooked in my Instant Pot. when I mix is all topgether and allow it to cool a bit, I portion it on large cookie sheets in serving portions of ⅓ C. Then freeze. When they are solid. I bag them up and have enough for my 2 dogs for about 2 weeks. It IS work … and it is a bit more expensive. But wre have no itching, no excessive shedding, no tummy upsets, and no gas!! Win.
Just my opinion from research, but white rice isnt the best. You should use brown rice or quinoa
Actually, white rice is easier to digest than brown rice, for dogs.
Recipe sounds good. Can I replace turkey with Salmon?
Hi Preeta! This would be best discussed with your vet and/or nutritionist.
I really don’t mind making fresh dog food. the only problem is he won’t eat it, I haven’t tried this one, so I will check this out and see what happens. I still give it a high rating because I want to find something my dog will eat and get him away from those store-bought foods that aren’t good for any of our animals!
Most dogfood in the market isnt all to bad blue wilderness is really great has no wheat or grain which can lead to an upset stomach. If you do an 80% dry food with 20% wet food. Most dogs will love you for it
The FDA has stated that grain free diets for dogs causes cardiomyopathy and has listed 16 grain free brands NOT to feed your dog. Dogs are domesticated and have to have some grain.
No, That is not what the FDA says; you are misinformed.
There is also absolutely zero nutritional requirement for grains or plants in the canine diet. You should especially read up on Dr. David Mech’s research.
Yes, they do. grain free diets are causing heart problems.
Great recipe my two pugs love homemade food. But I have noticed less bowel movements and it does seem that they have a harder time doing it. Does this mean they are not getting enough fat ?
Hi Sharon! This would be best discussed with your vet and/or nutritionist.
I Have heard before that the better the food the less bowel movements they will have.
Bowel movements are an effect of fiber, not fat. Add a heaping tablespoon of pureed pumpkin (make sure you don’t buy pumpkin pie mix) to each meal and you’ll really firm up your pup’s stool.
Totally agreed for adding pumpkin. I always include either pumpkin or squash as my vet recommended. Since then my dog has no problem on bowl movement.
Good recipe. I have been feeding something very similar to this to my 10-year-old golden retriever for about one year now. I believe he is allergic to chicken. His main protein now is ground turkey. I also occasionally give him fish and canned salmon. He seems to have difficulty with dairy products, so the soft bones in the canned salmon are a good source of calcium. I use a variety of veggies. Carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, frozen peas, fresh sugar snap peas, parsley, spinach, celery, zucchini,apples, blueberries, frozen green beans, canned green beans, canned pumpkin puree. I will never go back to commercial food. I also now give him one teaspoon per day of Seacure. His digestive woes are gone, his poos have returned to normal and are small and not stinky, he has gained a few much needed pounds and his coat is beautiful.
My boy weighs 80lbs, how much would you feed him? Would you give him the whole serving?
if your dog is allergic to chicken than he won’t be able to eat turkey My dog can not have chicken or beef only fish and she also takes a prescription drug for allergies
I also have a GSD with chicken allergies. Would you share your recipie and directions? Thanks!
I did this with my smaller dog. I do this know becaus my boy dog got kindy stones. So I am making it know for two large dogs now.
But I realized you ho through all that work and you put it in the Microwave, that kills all the good stuff. So now every morning I get my sauce pan out put we call it chicken soup for the dogs warm it up for two big dogs 60lbs and up,each with added dry food ,sometimes a raw egg and that’s it. I just want to put out their about the Microwave.
This is great! I sub out some ditalini for the rice so she won’t get bored, and also throw in green beans occassionly. Eats every bit!
Hi, do you not add supplements to the homemade meals?
Yes, I add supplements/vitamins (ex. Balance IT® Canine) as directed by our vet/nutritionist.
My dog has has had some runny diarrhea and upset stomach. Should this help? Vet says it’s nothing to do with an illness.
I have been using this recipe and a few others for over a year for the same reason; bad tummy and runny poop, and it has worked wonders for my dogs!
Looks great! Think I will be sharing from the doggie bowl with my furry baby
I just want to say thank you so much for coming out with this. I have a yorkie and we have tried soo many foods for her, after a few weeks she stops eating. She has never ate all of her food plus licked the bowl clean! I have an appt set up with the vet to consult to make sure she’s still getting all her nutrients but so far so good!
Thank you very much for sharing this.
I’m having problems with my dog constantly chewing and scratching.
No fleas, and no allergies that we know of.
She’s a shorthair breed, but the hair is like a carpet all over the house. We can’t keep up with it.
I was thinking, maybe it was the dogs food that might be causing it.
But I’ve never made human food either. My recipe was similar, just not enough veggies.
So thank you for that insight.
I’m excited to see if this is her issue, because all I have left is a trip to the vets.
I recently read some pretty damning info about a link between grain free food and serious heart issues. We rescue our dogs so often we keep feeding whatever diet they’ve been on because “it’s been working.” Yet we’re still at the vet for skin issues, ear problems, and such. Why not give this a try? I tried this recipe and both dogs devoured it! (I admit I tasted it. Add a little ginger and soy sauce and you could wrap this stuff in a lettuce leaf!) Its early but we hope to update this post in a few weeks with some good news. Thanks for the great recipe!
My 8 month old Cavachon devours this dog food! But, I’m not sure if I’m giving her the correct daily a,punts. Currently, I’m giving her 1/2 cup twice a day, with little pieces of carrots, berries, sweet potato in between. Is that enough? Do it need to add some kind of dairy for calcium? Yogurt? Thanks
Hi Coni! We’re so glad to hear she’s enjoying the food! However, portion size and adequate nutrition for your dog might be best discussed with your vet and/or nutritionist. Hope that helps!
I am highly againsts any of the so called natural commercial dog foods on the market, so your article hits home for me since I have decided I am going to start taking the ingredients dogs can eat which are fresh and natural and prepare their dog food myself from now on, since my 8 year old rottweiler was born I have fed him the so called natural healthy dog food expecting him to be healthy and live to a ripe old age. Well he has tumors growing all over and through his body, so I am convinced even the so called healthy dog foods are not healthy for our dogs……………I never gave him people food thinking I was doing a good thing but from now on my dogs will be eating people food on the good food list from now on.
Thank You
Jeff
Can I substitute sweet potato for brown rice? If yes, will I need the same amount of sweet potatoes – 1.5 cups?
What a great idea! But unfortunately, without having tried this myself, I cannot answer with certainty. But if you get a chance to try it, please let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Great recipe, followed it to the T. Really helping with my dog’s upset stomach as this was our last resort. I only have 2 questions. What can I use in place of the baby spinach to mix it up from time to time? And also my dog has decreased in bowel movements…is that normal? It’s been greatly beneficial as my 10 year old, 38 lb. Staffordshire mix who was having diarrhea for over a week and now is back to almost normal thank goodness, but she’s maybe using the bathroom 1 time a day now rather than 3 times. Thank you for this great recipe!
You can try subbing in brussels sprouts for the spinach (I also recommend speaking to your vet about this) as they are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that are great for humans and dogs, alike. But I recommend not overfeeding them to your dog because they can cause a lot of gas!
Just made this! I added 2 eggs and a pat of butter.
My 2 dogs have allergies and I’ve tried everything under the sun!
This recipe cost me $11.00.
The dog food costs about $30 per week.
I’ll update how long it lasts and if they quit chewing on themselves.
I have a Great Dane, and a black lab
Fingers crossed this does the trick! Thanks for sharing with us!
curious if this helps with allergies as i have a pitbull with allergies that is constantly chewing and scratching herself and nothing seems to help her. let me know if this helps for your dog! thanks
When my Chihuahua started to get a bald spot from scratching himself, I was told to look at all his food and treats and see what a common ingredient was. Well it turns out he has a chicken allergies (that was the common ingredient in all his food and treats). I stopped everything with chicken and his fur grew back and he is doing well. I suggest you take a look at the ingredients on all his food and treats and see if you see something similar. Apparently chicken allergies are very common in dogs! Who knew? Best of luck
Hi! I have a 100 pound Great Pyrenees. I want to try this with him as he has stomach problems. How many cup should do you feed your Great Dane per day?
I don’t know what all the hype is about. I am in my 70’s, and remember when there was no such thing as store bought dog food, and we all fed our dogs the meat and vegetable scraps from our plates. I have NEVER bought the poison that they suggest we feed our beloved pets, and I have never had a dog that didn’t live to be 16 years or more. My last Collie girl was 19 years old when she passed happily in her sleep.
wow that’s awesome!!
Any update on how your large dogs are doing and how much you feed per meal?
My dog has allergies as well. Dairy is not good for allergic dogs. I’m making his food at home now and he’s doing better. Turkey meat, old fashioned oats, turmeric and veggies. He cleans his bowl and the licking has stopped!!
I’ve got two ACD’s (Australian Cattle Dogs), anyone else have this breed and if so what has been your experience with this recipe? I’ve been making my own for a while now, similar to this recipe but I’ve been using beef. Had a few issues with diarrhea in the beginning but has leveled off. Will be trying this recipe on my next cooking day!