Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Ruby Doodle Dog · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

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Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved for your furry friend.

Cooking for your dog? I love to add extra protein, veggies, and nutrients to my dog's kibble. I've reviewed these recipes with my dogs, veterinarians.

Your dog will love these homemade dog food recipes that are vet approved as its meal. It's one of our friend's dog, Zoey's favorites!You can feed these recipes-raw or cook the entire meal.

Homemade dog food can benefit your pets in several ways. If you have a dog who suffers from allergies, skin problems or gastrointestinal issues.

Kibble is highly processed and tends to lose its nutritional value.

Making dog food or dog treats from scratch maintains vital nutrients, therefore making it easier and healthier for your dogs. Besides, who wants to eat the same thing every day!

Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved (1)

Tips and Tricks for Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved

Just like people, each dog is different and needs different nutritional and amounts of food. There is no one dog fits all rule.

Your dog's weight, health conditions, level of activity and size are all things you should consider when feeding your dog homemade dog food.

A good mix of a dog's basic requirements are enough to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

Every dog needs protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, minerals and vitamins. I always include a good multi-vitamin like these 5-in-1 Zesty Paws Multivitamin Bites.

Keeping our pets happy and healthy is always my number one concern.

Choosing Protein for Homemade Dog Food Topper

  • Proteins like Beef, Venison, Lamb, Rabbit, Hamburger, Chicken and Turkey help with growth of your dog, maintenance of tissues, organs and provides the amount of hormones and enzymes.
  • Fats from oil and meat help with the absorption of vitamins, protect the internal organs, and help maintain good skin and hair. I prefer using fish as the major source of fat.
  • Carbohydrates like rice, beans and corn helps to keep the intestines healthy while supplying glucose to the organs and the brain.
  • Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K promote the greatest benefits to the skin, eyes, and provide immunity for our dogs.

Vegetables that can be added

ZucchiniSquash
CarrotsAlfalfa Sprouts
AsparagusGreen Beans
TurnipsParsnips

My dogs love raw carrots. They put them between theirpaws and will spend a good half hour just chewing on a raw carrot.

For mealtime, I find my dogs digest cooked vegetables better than raw vegetables. Raw broccolican cause gas.

These are a good basic diet for adult dogs. If your puppy is overweight, has allergies or needs a high protein diet, you'll want to make the adjustments.

A Couple of Easy Ways to Cook Dog Food

If you're cooking the meat instead of leaving it raw, I recommend cooking it a couple of different ways.

The first is to simmer it in waterin a pot on the stove. Then mix the cooking water with the foodand you'll end up with a stew-like bowl for your puppy.

You'll always want to overcook the grains you choose so that it is easily digestible. Some veterinarians now feel grains should be limited, so check with your pet on his particularnutritional needs.

Vitamin and Nutritional Supplements

30 Minute Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipe

(This recipe is not a balanced meal for your pet. This recipe is only a topper for your dog's food.)

📖 Recipe

Yield: 2

Beef Gourmet Dog Food Recipe

Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved (2)

Dogs love liver! As carnivores, it's a wonderful addition for a dogs meal. Watch your dogs chow down on this tasty and easy to make mixture.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Chicken or Turkey
  • 5 cups brown rice
  • 4 cups veggies - Carrots, Broccoli, sweet potatoes
  • 3 tbsps coconut oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Daily Multivitamin in powdered form

Instructions

  1. Place your coconut oil in your pan.
  2. Cut up Chicken and pan fry.
  3. Place rice into a seperate pan and boil.
  4. Mix Rice and Veggies of your choosing into your mixture.
  5. Stir until mixed.
  6. Add your powdered nutritional supplements.

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Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved

More Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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  • Homemade Strawberry Banana Dog Treats Recipe
  • 4 Easy and Effective Recipes for Dogs Upset Stomach

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Ivana Kinsley says

    I'm searching for something new recipe for my little dogs morkie. Can I make for him this recipe or this only for big size dogs or any special breeds?

    Reply

  2. Audrey J. Livingston says

    Wow, its a great post for me. I will try it at my home. Thanks for share this awesome post with us. I love it.

    Reply

  3. Teresa Cutrell says

    My question is, how much do i give? I have 8 dogs, 10 pounds up to 150 pounds

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Hi, That sounds like a fun household. I'd love to have 8 dogs. To answer your question with all those various weights of your dogs, is that the general rule of thumb is 2-3% of their body weight. It all depends on your dogs individual metabolism and activity level. Generally large dogs tend to eat a lower percentage and toy breeds a large percentage. I know, it seems backwards doesn't it. But it's because larger breeds tend to not be as active as the toy breeds. For a 100 lb dog I would start with 2 lbs of food a day. 1/2 to 3/4 for a 25 lb dog and about a 1/4 lb for the toy breed. If you feed twice a day, cut that amount in half for each feeding. Watch your dogs weight closely when feeding cooked or even raw. You may need to either increase or decrease as you go along to cater to each of your 8 dogs.

      Reply

  4. Vickie Ferguson says

    I have a Chiweenie and she last weighed in at ii15 pounds. She is very active. How many cups of this homemade dog food do I give to her. I also give her Kefir in her food every day for her tummy troubles. Will the Kefir interfere with the nutrition of her food?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      When you say it should make 2 meals for a 50lb dog, are you saying feed 2 meals a day? Or is that enough for 2 days? I’m sorry I’m really struggling with how much I should be feeding my 45lb dog

      Reply

      • Ruby Doodle Dog says

        Every dog is different for how much food they need. A general rule of thumb is that a dog should be fed 2-3% of your dog's ideal weight ( take your dogs weighty and multiply by @% and then again by 3% to see the range of how much to feed daily.

        When feeding homemade you'll want to monitor your dog's weight and adjust food amounts up or down as needed to maintain his or her property weight.

        Each dog is unique. For some dogs you may need to feed more than 3%, especially if it's considered a lean diet.

        I carefully feel my dogs everyday. I can usually tell by feeling them if they are maintaining, gaining or losing weight.

        Hope that helps.

        Reply

  5. Teresa says

    Thank you for this! Finally a simple, complete recipe that I can easily put together for my dogs.

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Glad you enjoyed it...

      Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Absolutely! You can swap the poultry out for lean beef, lean pork, lamb, duck, venison, rabbit, goat, kangaroo or fish.

      Reply

  6. Jane Steinmetz says

    Thanks for these recipes! My 14 pound Cavalier/Pomeranian actually eats at mealtime instead of often leaving kibble behind. I bought some of the supplements you suggested to ensure Cooper is getting all the proper nutrients he needs and have a question - how much of the Purina Fortiflora should I use? The directions say one packet daily, but that could be anywhere from an 8 pound toy dog to an 80 pound large breed - please advise! Thanks.

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Hi, I'm so happy to hear you're trying the supplements. I know it's confusing since 1 packet can be used for either a 14 lb dog or a 100 lb Lab.

      What they've done is insure that each and every packet contains the right amount of beneficial microorganisms ( probiotics ) for each pet, no matter the size.

      What I did with Ruby, my Goldendoodle was give her 1/2 packet once a day to start out with. Then I gradually added a little more each day until I was giving her 12 packet twice a day with her food.

      Hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Anonymous says

        "12 packet twice a day" ?, should be 1/2 packet twice a day, I know this was a typo but don't want someone giving their dog too much....

        Reply

  7. Wendy says

    What can I do differently if my dog is allergic to grains?

    Reply

  8. Yolanda says

    Can I feed this to my dog instead of dog food for the long term?

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Hi Yolanda,

      No, unfortunately this recipe is not balanced to be fed for the long term. It's used as a topper for dog food.

      Reply

  9. Christine says

    Can you explain how to do the calculation again? And really how often do you need to feed dogs? Once a day or twice? I have 3 dogs 1. 12-15 lbs 2. 15lbs 3. 76.9 and I'm struggling with their weight.

    Reply

    • Renee says

      I make my dogs food and have for years. My one was always struggling with her weight as my male never did. I added more veggies to her dish and brown rice and chicken. I fed her twice a day a good portion. Over time she lost weight and is even running again and has a lot more energy. Hope this helps.

      Reply

  10. Maggie says

    Hi, great article and post. So enjoyed reading it and seeing the pics. Thank you

    I am puzzled and I just wondered why is it just a topper?? It seems to have all the ingredients , apart from supplements that appears to be various Gourmet “home cooked “ food that is now being sold for dogs?. Eg butternut box food, which looks v good, but not too different from this recipe??

    I hope you don’t mind me asking.

    Maggie

    Ps What food and how much food is it on top,of??

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      I"m so glad you enjoyed the article and the pictures. Because all dogs have different nutritional needs, I always call it a "topper." Plus that is what I personally use it for with my dogs, Ruby and Callie. As for how much, I usually replace about 1/4 cup of my dog's kibble with the topper. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  11. Cindy A says

    Hi, in your recipe you have 5 cups of rice is that cooked or is it 5 cups of uncooked rice which seems like a lot.
    Thanks!
    Cindy A

    Reply

  12. Gary Green says

    Is salt good to add?

    Reply

  13. Leah dixon says

    Hello, new to this, I have a cane corso and he is 6months weighs 80lbs, can I use ground chicken and Turkey and do you cook the veggies

    Reply

    • Ruby Doodle Dog says

      Hi,

      Yes, you can definitely use chicken and turkey. I do cook the veggies, but my dogs love them raw as well.

      Reply

  14. Robin says

    I also want to know about the rice. Is that 5 cups cooked already? And is 1 pound enough protein for all the rice and veggies ?
    Thank you for your advice

    Reply

  15. Mrscmb says

    The carbohydrate ratio in this recipe is higher than the protein. Protein ratio should be higher than carbs and veggies.

    Reply

  16. Amy says

    my dog cannot have rice. what is the best substitute for that?

    Reply

  17. Thomas M Knoll says

    I have a 14 year old who wont eat much. He loves liver which is how I get him to eat his meds. Liver sausage and chicken livers. I am confused your recipe begins with "Dogs love liver!" and then there is no kind Liver in the recipe!

    Reply

  18. Leslie Meirose says

    How much is a serving size for a 80 lb American bully, I make this for him but I substitute ground beef and drain off the grease for the chicken (allergies) I guess on how much to give him?

    Reply

Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved (2024)

FAQs

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 should be the main ingredient in homemade dog food? ›

WHAT IS THE RATIO FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD? Dogs are obligate carnivores, so their diet should mainly consist of meats and protein. A good recommendation is 80% meat, 10% vegetable, and 10% Know Better Pet Food Premix.

What should top 3 ingredients be dog food? ›

What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).

How do I make sure my homemade dog food is balanced? ›

Use a variety of human-grade ingredients.

Dogs need a balance of protein, veggies, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. To ensure that your dog is getting everything they need, use a variety of ingredients in your recipes.

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.

Can I feed my dog chicken and rice all the time? ›

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.

What not to put in homemade dog food? ›

There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.

What is the best meat to use when making homemade dog food? ›

Very lean ground beef or poultry- This is the main source of protein and has to be lean since dogs have a high amino acid requirement. Compared to ground beef, ground chicken and turkey are lower in protein, iron, and zinc, so you'll need to make up for it with extra beef liver.

What three ingredients should not be in dog food? ›

Corn Syrup - Used to sweeten your dog's food, but too much sugar leads to weight gain, diabetes, and hyperactivity. Sodium - Like in humans, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure among other health conditions. BHA/BHT - Preservatives known for causing kidney damage and directly linked to cancer.

What are the best nutrients to add to homemade dog food? ›

Vitamins dogs require include A (carrots, pumpkin), B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains), C (fruits and vegetables, organ meat), D (liver, fish, beef), E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils), K (fish, leafy green vegetables, fish), and choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks).

Are there side effects to homemade dog food? ›

Switching from a commercial diet to a homemade diet, or even varying the ingredients in a homemade diet, can cause some dogs gastrointestinal upset. Make changes to your dog's diet slowly, over at least a couple of days, to allow your dog's stomach time to adjust to the new food.

Is it cheaper to make your own dog food? ›

A nutritionally complete and balanced, homemade diet for a 30-pound dog costs around $3.52 per day, or if using organic ingredients – around $5.58 per day. This is about two to four times the price of commercial kibble of the same quantity. However, it is half the cost of commercial canned wet dog food.

What is the vet approved ratio for homemade dog food? ›

Your dog needs more than protein. Most nutritionally sound commercial diets include protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other minerals and vitamins in specific proportions. Your dog food should take into consideration the following ratio of 40% protein, 50% vegetables, and 10% starch.

Can dogs get enough nutrients from homemade dog food? ›

Even the best recipes often don't provide enough of certain nutrients, such as calcium. Your pup needs supplements if you're feeding them from scratch. Which ones depend on which nutrients are missing from their meals. A good recipe should include specific supplement instructions.

How many cups of homemade food should I feed my dog? ›

This will definitely vary from dog to dog, so I'd highly recommend speaking to your vet before going homemade. Generally speaking, for every 20 lbs your dog weighs, you give them roughly 1 cup of prepared food.

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