Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes: 8 Vet-Approved & Nutritionally Complete

Imagine if you had to eat the same food every day of your life. Beyond being painfully dull, wouldn’t you question whether you’re getting a nutritionally complete and balanced diet? Welcome to a dog’s life. Long ago, before commercially produced dog food, dogs ate many of the same foods as humans. There’s a reason our dogs beg for our food — they’re meant to eat a variety. I’ve cooked up some tips on how to make dog food, nutrition guidelines, and my favorite homemade dog food recipes.

What Are The Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food? 4 Advantages

Homemade dog food can benefit your canine companion in several ways:

1. Homemade Food Can Be Better For Dogs With Ailments. If you have a pet who suffers from allergies, skin problems, or gastrointestinal sensitivity, making homemade food can help you control what your pet eats. This way, you can use limited ingredients you know your dog doesn’t have an issue with.
2. Skip Artificial Additives & Preservatives. You can also skip the additives, preservatives, flavors, and coloring many dog foods contain that are responsible for many ailments.
3. Highly Processed Foods Have Less Nutritional Value. Many dog diets are cooked using high heat and other cooking methods that decrease the food’s nutritional value. Making dog food from scratch maintains more vital nutrients during cooking, which benefits Fido’s dietary needs more.
4. You Know Exactly What Your Dog Is Getting. With fresh food that you’ve made at home, you know exactly what you’ve put in. Ingredient lists and labels on dog food can be confusing and sometimes misleading. You also don’t have to worry about changes in the recipe, which many pet owners miss before it’s too late.

Complete Nutrition From A Veterinarian

That said, homemade dog foods can require significant time and effort to get right. Homemade dog food needs to contain nutrients dogs need to be healthy. But you need to get the right balance of nutrients so as not to avoid too much or too little. A veterinary nutritionist has specialized training to help pet parents like yourself make nutritionally balanced meals for your dog. Our veterinary consultant has reviewed and approved the homemade dog recipes in this article with this goal in mind. You can rest easy knowing these homemade dog recipes are all vet-approved.

It’s also a good idea to have the nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipes in this article handy in case you run out of dog food. Treat your dog like your other family members by preparing nutritious food from trusted ingredients.

Get Multiple Pet Insurance Quotes Instantly

What Nutrition Guidelines Should You Follow?

Like humans, every dog is different, so there is no one-pup-fits-all rule. Serving size, your dog’s weight, health conditions, size, and activity level are all factors you should consider when determining what’s suitable for your dog. However, dogs generally need six essential nutrients to maintain a healthy, balanced diet: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. A mix of these nutrients provides energy for your dog’s body to metabolize and grow.

To ensure your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need, you may want to add a fully balanced nutrition blend, like one of these blends from JustFoodForDogs. It’s a powder supplement you add to your homemade dog food to ensure it is nutritionally balanced. In addition to meals, many pup parents offer their dog a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to ensure their pup gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.

Check with your vet before adding any supplement to your dog’s diet because over-supplementation of vitamins and minerals can sometimes have serious health consequences in dogs.

5 Necessary Nutrients

Here are the benefits of the necessary nutrients and why your pup must have adequate amounts of each (listed in order of priority).

1. Proteins. This helps grow and maintain cells, tissues, organs, antibodies, hormones, and enzymes. It’s widely considered that meat-based protein, such as chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, and cooked egg, is better for dogs. But you can also consider nutritionally complete vegan diets for your dog.
2. Fats. Fats from oil and meat assist with absorbing specific vitamins, protect and insulate internal organs, and promote good skin and hair growth.
3. Carbohydrates. They keep the intestines healthy and supply glucose to critical organs, including the brain. Rice, corn, and beans are some of the most commonly used carbs for your dog.
4. Minerals. These include calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. Minerals give dogs structurally sound bones and teeth, among other benefits.
5. Vitamins. Vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E, and K promote eye and skin health, immunity, and more.

Water accounts for 60-70% of a dog’s body weight, so your dog must stay hydrated as well as eat a well-balanced diet. Dehydration in dogs can lead to many health issues. Give your dog access to clean, fresh drinking water throughout the day. We have reviewed some of the best dog water fountains to ensure your pup always has a supply of fresh, clean water.

Before embarking on a homemade meal plan, please consult your veterinarian to ensure your dog’s diet meets all their nutritional needs. Some dogs also need tailored nutrients if they have specific health concerns.

Homemade Dog Food Delivered

In the age of Uber Eats and DoorDash, and having just about anything delivered, you also have the option to buy fresh, natural dog food for doorstep delivery. It can be a huge time-saver and may be worth the cost after adding all the ingredients you need to buy to cook a recipe. The Farmer’s Dog ships frozen, allowing you to keep it on hand or serve it daily as a regular meal. This food is made with fresh and healthy human-grade ingredients. This means you can spend time on more important things, like belly rubs and walks, and less time making food and cleaning your food processor.

Check out our comprehensive review of The Farmer’s Dog, including all the recipes, prices, our personal experience, and more.

8 Of Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Click the links below to jump to a recipe you’re interested in. We also have some yummy organic dog treat recipes and treats made with Thanksgiving leftovers. A cookbook is an excellent choice for having a collection of pet food recipes on hand at all times. Dinner PAWsible is one of our favorites.

1. CBD-Infused Treats
2. Beef Stew, Doggie Style
3. Turkey, Rice, and Veggie Mix
4. Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Rice Meal
5. Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
6. Grain-Free Chicken Jerky Strips
7. Freeze-Dried Liver Treats
8. Frozen Banana Treats

Note: The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and your dog’s health. A recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble, but check with your vet to be certain.

CBD-Infused Dog Treats

You can purchase already-made CBD dog treats, but if you want to take a whack at making your own, here’s a recipe. Be sure to tell your vet that you’re adding CBD to your dog’s diet. Check with the manufacturer’s dosing guidelines of the CBD product you plan on giving your dog to verify you’re giving the proper amount.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1/2 cup oat
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 apple, cored and grated
• 1/2 cup carrots, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup olive or coconut oil
• 1/2 cup water
• Dash of sea salt
• 120 mg CBD oil

Total: Makes 24 treats

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a dog cookie baking tray with coconut oil
2. Core and grate the apples, then peel and grate the carrots
3. Combine gluten-free flour, oats, and coconut sugar in a medium-sized bowl (or use a food processor). Beat the egg in another medium-sized bowl. Then, add coconut oil, water, and grated apples and carrots
4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients bowl and mix thoroughly. Finally, add CBD oil and mix once more
5. Using a tbsp measuring spoon, portion the dog biscuits and press them into the dog treat baking pan
6. Bake for 32-37 minutes or until the biscuits are firm and golden brown on the outside
7. Store in an air-tight container

Recipe from: Truth Theory

Beef Stew, Doggie Style

This recipe is loaded with iron from fresh protein and can be stored in your refrigerator for most of the week (or frozen and heated up later).

Ingredients

• 1 pound of beef stew meat
• 1 small sweet potato
• 1/2 cup of carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup of green beans, diced
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Total: Makes approximately 4 cups (32 fluid ounces)

Nutritional Info (per 1 cup serving):

• Calories: 301
• Protein: 36.7 g
• Fat: 8.4 g
• Carbs: 17.4 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium

Directions

1. Cook the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside
2. Slice the beef into small chunks about the size of a nickel
3. Cook the beef stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well done
4. Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings
5. Dice the sweet potato
6. Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water to the drippings while whisking to create a thick gravy
7. Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat
8. Cook until the carrots are tender — about 10 minutes
9. Let it cool and serve
10. Store the remaining stew in the refrigerator for up to 5 days

Recipe from: Money Crashers

Turkey, Rice & Veggie Mix

This is an excellent, low-calorie, and low-fat recipe for pooches who may need to lose weight. Its good balance of lean animal protein, healthy carbs, and veggies yields 12 cups of dog food and can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cups uncooked brown rice
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 (16 ounces) package of frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower

Total: Makes approx. 10 cups

Nutritional Info (per 1 cup serving):

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 11.5 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Carbs: 32 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Iron, Potassium

Directions

1. Place the water, ground turkey, rice, and rosemary into a large Dutch oven
2. Stir until the ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low
4. Simmer for 20 minutes
5. Add the frozen vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes
6. Remove from heat and cool
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve

Recipe from: Allrecipes

Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Rice Meal

We love this recipe for its nutritional value, quick prep time (10 minutes), and easy crockpot cooking. It yields 12 cups and, like the beef stew, can be frozen for future feedings.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 15-ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups chopped butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup peas, frozen or canned

Total: Makes approx. 12 cups (or 88 fluid ounces)

Nutritional Info (per 1 cup serving):

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 39.1g
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 44.2 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Iron, Potassium, Calcium

Directions

1. Stir in all ingredients with 4 cups of water in a slow cooker
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours or high heat for 2 to 3 hours
3. Stir as needed and cool to room temperature

Recipe from: Damn Delicious

Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Are you looking for a doggie digestive aid? Pumpkin is easy on sour stomachs and can help alleviate your dog’s digestive issues. These homemade dog biscuits are a great way to introduce an all-natural tummy aid into your pup’s diet.

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oats (optional if your dog is on a grain-free diet; sub an extra 1/4 cup grain-free flour)
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten-free flour
• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Total: Makes approx. 24 treats

Nutritional Info (per 1 biscuit serving):

• Calories: 27
• Protein: 1.3 g
• Fat: 1.5g
• Carbs: 2.8 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Vitamin D, Iron

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon
3. Whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, and peanut butter in a separate large bowl until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry (or use a food processor)
4. Pour a floured surface and roll the dough to 1/2″ thick. Cut out using a cookie-cutter
5. The dough will be a little sticky; dust your hands and the rolling pin with flour to help. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown
6. Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool

Recipe from: My Baking Addiction

My Personal Experience With Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

I make these pumpkin dog biscuits regularly. They are super easy to make, and my toddler loves helping me. Plus, my dogs love them, and I know precisely what’s in them, which is reassuring. I use my favorite dog-shaped cookie cutters and usually get around 25 cookies per mixture. The mixture is usually really wet, so I have to dust my board and rolling pin with lots of flour.

– Emma Braby, Rescue Dog Mom & Writer For Canine Journal

Grain-Free Dog Food Recipe: Chicken Jerky Strips

Don’t trust store-bought rawhide, which often has a ton of additives and preservatives? Homemade chicken jerky strips are a perfect replacement. This grain-free recipe is a much healthier alternative to rawhide and very easy to make. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (if they last that long!)

Ingredients

• 2 to 4 boneless, 3-oz skinless chicken breasts

Total: Makes approx. 10-20 strips

Nutritional Info (per 1 stick serving):

• Calories: 33
• Protein: 7.8 g
• Fat: >1g
• Carbs: 0 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Vitamin D, Potassium

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees
2. Trim all excess fat off the chicken breasts
3. Cut into 1/8-inch thick strips using a paring knife
4. Bake for 2 hours on a baking sheet until the strips are dry and hard
5. Cool it completely before presenting it to your pup

Recipe from: Top Dog Tips

Freeze-Dried Liver Treats

This recipe uses beef liver as the only ingredient. It calls for boiling the liver, so you don’t have to worry about unsafe raw meat. It is super easy to make, you don’t need additional equipment like a food processor, and it’s much cheaper than buying freeze-dried liver treats.

Ingredients

• 1kg of beef liver (or any liver)

Total: Makes approx. 3-4 cups

Directions

1. Rinse the beef liver with cool water
2. Boil a large pot of water on the stove and add liver
3. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes until the liver is well-done
4. Remove from the stove and let the liver cool in the pot
5. Cut liver into bite-sized pieces
6. Spread the liver out on a foil-covered baking sheet
7. Place them in your kitchen freezer or a deep freezer for at least 5 to 7 days (the longer, the better)
8. Take a piece of liver out of the freezer and let it thaw. If there’s any moisture left, you’ll need to keep them in the freezer for longer
9. Once the liver is entirely dry, store it in a plastic bag or jar in a cool, dry place for about a week (or in your refrigerator for a longer shelf life)

My Personal Experience With Homemade Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Treats

I hate everything about liver, especially its smell and look. The thought of having liver in my refrigerator used to freak me out. A few years ago, I met a lovely family on Trusted Housesitters, and I regularly look after their two Leonberger mixes. When she showed me the bite-size chunks and how much the dogs adored them, I had a change of heart.

My two dogs go crazy for it! I cook it in large batches and store it in the freezer in bags. Just before I run out, I defrost another bag, ready for the week ahead. Since giving Bonkers the liver treats, I noticed a massive difference in his coat, and how shiny and thick it became. As much as I hate liver, my dogs love it and it is super easy to make.

– Emma Braby, Rescue Dog Mom & Writer For Canine Journal

Frozen Banana Treats

After a long walk in the hot sun, what pooch wouldn’t want a refreshingly cool treat? We love this simple recipe – yogurt, banana, and peanut butter. It’s a frozen smoothie for your dog. Need we say more?

Ingredients

• 4 cups plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free)
• 3 ripe bananas, peeled & mashed

Total: Makes approx. 8 1-oz treats

Nutritional Info (per 1 treat serving):

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 8.5 g
• Fat: 3.7 g
• Carbs: 19.5 g
• Minerals & Vitamins: Calcium, Potassium, Iron

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients into a puree in a bowl or using a food processor
2. Pour into 4-ounce plastic cups (ice trays or toddler popsicle trays work well)
3. Freeze until firm
4. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 weeks

Recipe from: Dr. Marty

Best Cooking Practices

It’s important not to stray from homemade dog food recipes or substitute ingredients as you might for yourself and your family. Dogs have different nutritional needs that require cooking recipes exactly as instructed. Be sure to cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria, and cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier for your pup to digest.

When in doubt, an excellent resource is Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D., a long-time expert in veterinary medicine. First published in 1999, the book is considered by many pet nutritionists to be the Bible of healthy homemade pet nutrition. For even more cooking options, be sure to check out Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.

We strongly emphasize discussing your dog’s specific nutritional needs with your vet first, as every pup is different. And remember that switching your dog’s food to homemade is a slow process, so patience is key.

Cooking For Canines: Online Help

There’s no shortage of homemade dog food recipes you can find online. We found this fun and informative video series that gives you weekly recipe tutorials, tips, and more. Check it out incase you want to subscribe through YouTube.

What About BARF?

You might have heard of a raw diet for dogs, more commonly known as “BARF” (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). The basic idea is to feed your dog raw meats, grains, and veggies like his canine ancestors ate millions of years ago. BARF has gained popularity among dog owners in recent years. However, the FDA and significant veterinary organizations strongly advocate against raw food diets for dogs. So, we suggest you speak with your vet before starting down this path.

Our article on raw dog food diets explains the benefits and risks of raw dog food and includes recipes for home use. You can also consider raw dog food delivery options, too.

Low-Calorie Dog Food Recipes

The recipes listed above are low in calories but should be consumed in moderation (serving sizes similar to what they currently eat). Work with your vet to ensure that the amount you feed matches your dog’s daily caloric needs. This is especially important if your dog is obese and struggles with their weight. We have a guide on how to help your dog lose weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know some of our readers still have questions about homemade dog food and DIY dog recipes. If you don’t see your question below, ask us in the comments, and we’ll find the answer for you.

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Safe For Dogs?

The FDA has not found a significant link between grain-free dog food and heart health. However, it’s wise to talk with your vet before switching your dog’s diet if you have any concerns about how it might affect your pup.

What Foods Should Your Dog Never Eat?

As a dog owner, you’ve likely come across this essential list before, but it’s always good to have it on hand as a reminder, especially if you’re cooking dog food from scratch. The principal toxic foods include:

• Chocolate
• Onions and garlic
• Avocados
• Grapes and raisins
• Macadamia nuts
• Raw bread dough
• Alcohol

For a more extensive list, check out this article on foods not to feed dogs. Did you know that most pet insurance policies cover accidental injury and poisoning? Find out what else is commonly included in our pet insurance comparison.

How Do I Store Homemade Dog Food?

It’s important to store the food according to the recipe. Since most homemade food doesn’t contain preservatives, it is usually stored in the refrigerator.

Our Methodology

Tired Of Cooking?

If all that sounds like a lot of work and you’re fed up with cleaning your food processor, but you want your pup to experience homemade food with the convenience of having it delivered to your doorstep, give The Farmer’s Dog a shot. With The Farmer’s Dog, you can have natural, fresh dog food sent to your house (we’re big fans and customers ourselves)! In addition to The Farmer’s Dog fresh food, we encourage you to check out these other dog food delivery options specially formulated by dog nutritionists and shipped directly to you for your pup to enjoy. Also, visit our reviews of dog food for all types of diets, ages, and health concerns.

Have you made any of these fun and healthy DIY dog food recipes? Perhaps you have another alternative to consuming traditional canned dog food or kibble? In the comments section below, let us know your questions, experiences with homemade food, and other thoughts.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Sally has researched and reviewed hundreds of different dog food brands and specific formulas. She’s an expert at analyzing dog food ingredients based on current nutritional guidelines and scientific studies for the healthiest food for our pups. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience in researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy.