*NEW* 3 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Dog Will Love

Three homemade dog food recipes PLUS two bonus dog snack recipes! These recipes are very affordable and all-natural so there are no nasties and you know exactly what your dog is eating. If you buy the ingredients frozen or in bulk (or both!), these dog food recipes work out very cheap per portion…

What You Need to Know

Dogs’ digestive systems aren’t quite the same as humans’, so you do need to be careful what you cook for them to keep them healthy. There are many recipes out there that are damaging to your dog’s health, or could even be dangerous, so make sure you consider each ingredient carefully and adhere to the suggested quantities to avoid any health problems.

While DIY dog food recipes can be incredibly beneficial if done correctly, there may be health consequences for your dog if you don’t follow strict recipe guidelines.

You should avoid recipes that include chocolate, avocado, onions or garlic, nuts, or a high fruit content, especially avoiding grapes and citrus fruits.

What Are the Benefits of Cooking for Your Dog?

• Diet Control

If you make your dog’s food from scratch, you have so much more control over precisely what they’re eating. You can be sure that there are no chemicals and nothing in the ingredients list that your dog might be allergic to. It’s a great option if your dog has a health issue that restricts their diet, as your home-cooked food will definitely taste better than special diet dried dog food.

• Flexibility

If your dog has had previous weight issues – being either under or overweight due to a health condition – then making your own food can help you control their calorie intake. If you need to build weight, add some more carbs; if you need them to lose weight, remove the carbs and fats. Making your dog food gives you so much more flexibility.

• Variation

Your dog will appreciate your efforts. Dog food isn’t the most exciting thing in the world when it comes from a bag or a tin. You’ll tend to buy a whole box of the same flavour too, it’s more convenient for you but not necessarily the most exciting for your dog.

The freshness of your ingredients when you make your own will make the food much tastier, and your dog will love the changes in diet as you go through the week.

• Cost

Dog food is expensive! Making your own with fresh ingredients could actually make it a little cheaper for you too.

The Best Dog Food Recipes

Note — if you have any concerns, or if your dog has allergies or specific dietary requirements, please talk to your vet before switching your dog’s diet or trying these homemade dog food recipes. These dog food recipes are widely available online. They are not my own personal recipes.

The All in One Recipe

This recipe is made up of things that you’ll probably have around the house anyway, so it’s a great money saver, and it really varies their diet.

Dog Food Ingredients:

• 3 cups chopped spinach
• Olive oil
• 3 lbs. Ground turkey
• 1 ½ cups brown rice
• 2 shredded carrots
• 1 shredded zucchini
• ½ cup peas

Method:

1. Cook the rice according to the instructions and set it aside to cool.
2. Add olive oil and turkey to a crockpot and brown off.
3. Once the turkey is cooked, add in all other ingredients, and cook, occasionally stirring, for 5 minutes.
4. Add in rice and mix.
5. Let mixture cool.

Homemade Dog Chilli

Yes, dogs love chilli too – it’s just a little different to ours.

Dog Food Ingredients:

• Butter
• 4 shredded carrots
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 can tomato paste
• Beef broth

Method:

1. Cook the beef with some butter in a pan.
2. Add in shredded carrots and tomato paste and coat with beef broth.
3. Add mixture to a casserole dish.
4. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Wait for the dish to cool.

Homemade Dog Meatloaf

Meatloaf is the food that everyone groans at, but it’s a favourite for dogs, and it’s effortless to pull together.

Dog Food Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups of grated broccoli & carrots
• ½ cup cottage cheese

Method:

1. Cook beef on low heat.
2. Add all over ingredients and mix in thoroughly over the heat.
3. Add all mixture into a load loaf tin and spread evenly.
4. Cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Leave to cool and freeze in slices for later meals.

Homemade Dog Treats

So, you’ve cooked up the perfect meal for your dog, and you have them on a healthy diet plan. But what about treats? Every dog needs something a little bit special every so often. Try this dog biscuit recipe:

Dog Snack Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 160g oats
• 60g sweet potato

Method:

1. Peel and chop up your sweet potato and boil it for around 15 minutes until it’s completely soft. Then leave to cool.
2. Blend your oats into flour using a blender.
3. Squash your banana with a fork and mix it thoroughly with the cool sweet potato.
4. Add in the oat flour and mix to form a dough.
5. Ball up your new dough-like texture and place it in the fridge overnight.
6. Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it’s around 1 cm thick.
7. Cut into biscuit shapes.
8. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Your dog will love these healthy snacks. The banana and sweet potato add some sweetness, and the oats develop into a satisfying crunch. They’ll stay fresh for around a week if you place them in a sealed container once cool. Make sure you never give the treat to your dog while it’s still warm.

Homemade Dog Meatballs

Who doesn’t love a good meatball? Your dog will jump at the chance and it’s an extra option for a savoury treat.

Dog Snack Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 4 cooked carrots
• Kale stalk chopped
• Salt
• Flour
• 3 cans pumpkin puree
• 2 cups oat bran
• 10 lbs. ground beef

Method:

1. Boil carrots and kale stalk until soft – adding a pinch of salt.
2. Brown ground beef and add cooked vegetables into the pan.
3. Add pumpkin puree and oat bran.
4. Take off the heat and add eggs.
5. Stir ingredients together until sticky.
6. Mould mixture into balls and coat with flour to absorb the moisture.
7. Cook on a covered baking tray in the oven for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.
8. Leave to cool.

Summary

Cooking for your dog can vary their diet and pump in some valuable vitamins from the fresh source. It can be much better for your dog than traditional dog food, which usually focuses solely on meat. But make sure you’re always paying attention to the ingredients of dog food recipes, and if your dog doesn’t react well to a certain meal, change it up a little.

(Dog food photo by Lyn Lomasi)