6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (2024)

Ifyou’reseeking out recipes thatyourpuppywillcherishthat are supersolidand nutrient-rich look no further. As you know, there’s are many dog recipes to choose from. We looked througha large amount ofrecipes and formulasandtook the best of the best and put them here in one blog post.

These recipes will work for you whether you’re the owner to a new excited puppy or have an older dogwith certain needs. Theseformulasare nutritious, wholesome andall types of dogsadorethem.

There’s nothing like making your dog’s food in order to be sure that they are getting exactly what they need in their diet. But fora fewthethoughtof hand makingdinnersisa time consuming deal we don’t havesufficienthourswithin theday for.

That’s why when selecting these 6recipeswemade surethat they weresimple to create, both in regards to theingredientsand the time and stepsto formthem. Since we’ve done all of the researchfor you,tapthrough our list ofastonishingrecipesand be sure bookmark your favorites!

Also keep in mindany food allergies or dietaryconfinements your dog may have, and besure to contact your vetbefore making the move over tohand craftedmealsand how your dog could possibly be affected.

Contents

Should You Feed Your Dog a Homemade Diet?

The first thing to consider is if you should feed your dog a homemade diet. The answer is yes, but only if it fits into your lifestyle. It’s important to note that while some people love the idea of feeding their dog a homemade diet, others think it’s not worth the effort. This is because most commercial diets are designed to meet the nutritional requirements of puppies and adult dogs. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make a homemade diet for your dog. In fact, it’s quite easy to do so.

How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs

When preparing a diet at home, it is essential that we follow a recipe that is comprehensive and balanced. This ensures that our dogs receive everything they require for optimal health and wellness. A healthy pet requires proper nutrition, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats, fiber, water, and treats.

Once you and your veterinarian have selected an appropriate recipe, it’s time to get started. Before you begin, it’s best if you have prepared a food scale, food processors, pots and pans, containers or bags for portioned the food, and clean areas where you plan to prepare the food.

Purchase fresh, quality ingredients that are not canned or heavily processed. These items include whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, and dairy products. Avoid purchasing pre-packaged foods because they often contain preservatives and additives that could cause harm to your dog.

Measure out the ingredients. Make sure that the amount of each ingredient is correct; do not over measure. If you under-measure, your dog may end up eating too much, while if you over measure he/she might eat less than what is required.

If you are making a dry kibble, place the measured ingredients into a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover the ingredients completely, and bring the mixture to a boil. You want to make sure that there is no air trapped within the liquid. Remove the pot from heat once the ingredients reach a full rolling boil. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the salt. Stirring continuously, slowly add the salt to the mix. Continue stirring until the salt dissolves.

For homemade wet food, combine the measured ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, ensuring that no lumps remain. Place the bowl in a larger container filled with ice, and allow the mixture to chill completely. Once cooled, transfer the chilled mixture into a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into a storage bag or container. Seal the bag or container tightly, label, and store in the refrigerator.

Store leftovers in the freezer for future use. To thaw frozen meals, simply place the container in a sink filled with warm water. Allow the contents to defrost overnight in the fridge.

What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food

Homemade diets are great for dogs because they’re often low in preservatives, additives, and fillers. However, it’s important to make sure that what you feed your pet isn’t harmful to him or her. If your dog is overweight or underweight, it’s important to weigh him regularly and consult with your veterinarian about how much he weighs and his current health status. Also, watch for sudden weight loss or gain; if your dog loses weight suddenly, check with your veterinarian immediately. This could indicate something serious like kidney disease, liver failure, pancreatitis, or cancer.

If you’ve been feeding your dog commercial dry kibble, switching to a homemade diet might seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, there are some things you’ll want to do to ensure that your dog gets the nutrition she needs. Here are six tips to help you transition to making your own dog food.

1. Choose Your Ingredients Carefully

First, choose your ingredients carefully. You want to find foods that meet your dog’s nutritional needs, but avoid those high in fat, salt, sugar, and calories. Look for recipes that include protein sources such as chicken, fish, eggs, beef, lamb, turkey, and soybeans. Avoid grains, legumes, potatoes, and sweeteners like honey and molasses.

2. Make Sure Your Recipe Is Nutritious

Next, make sure your recipe is nutritionally balanced. Read ingredient labels to determine if your recipe includes enough vitamins and minerals. Be careful around fiber, though. Some recipes contain too much fiber, which can lead to constipation. Instead, look for recipes that use whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, and meat.

3. Consider Adding Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices can add flavor to your dog’s meal without adding extra calories.

4. Use Fresh Meat

Meat is an excellent source of protein, but it also contains lots of fat. To keep your dog healthy, opt for lean cuts of meat rather than fatty ones. Lean meats include ground beef, pork loin, veal, lamb, and poultry.

5. Add Fiber

Fiber helps promote regularity and keeps your dog feeling full longer. Look for recipes that have added fiber, including oats, wheat bran, flaxseed, psyllium husk, chia seeds, barley, beans, peas, lentils, and carrots.

6. Keep Your Diet Balanced

Finally, be sure to balance your dog’s diet by mixing up different types of meals throughout the week. For example, you may want to alternate between two different recipes every other day so that your dog never gets bored with one type of food.

1. Turkey and Veggie Dog Food Recipe

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (1)

Get the recipe here

2. Sweet Potato-Pea-Quinoa-Banana

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (2)

Get the recipe here

3. Homemade Beef Stew For Dogs

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (3)

Get the recipe here

4. Doggy Meat Loaf

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (4)

Get the recipe here

5. Crockpot Chicken Dog Food Recipe

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (5)

Get the recipe here

6. Turkey Loaf Recipe For Dogs

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (6)

Get the recipe here

Dog Training Tips For First-Time Dog Owners

If you've decided to bring a dog into your home, you have a lot to look forward to. Being a Read more

10 Awesome Halloween Costume Ideas For Your Dog

Let your dog join in on the fun of Halloween. Remember to take them trick or dog treating! Article Image Read more

How To Keep Your Dog Healthy

Having a dog can be a blessing. A dog can bring a lot of joy and happiness to your life. Read more

8 Treats For The Fall Season Your Dog Will Love

1. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Banana Dog Treats All that is needed is 4 simple ingredients for these Peanut Butter Banana Read more

6 Healthy Dog Food Recipes Are Perfect For Busy Owners | Social Doggy Club (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog? ›

16 Healthy and Safe Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
  • Cooked and Unseasoned Fish. ...
  • Green Beans. ...
  • Peanuts and Peanut Butter. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Cooked White Rice. ...
  • Cooked and Unseasoned Turkey. ...
  • Watermelon. ...
  • Plain Yogurt.
Jan 19, 2024

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).

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 a good substitute for chicken and rice for dogs? ›

If your dog cannot tolerate chicken then better alternatives are boiled turkey mince or boiled white fish (such as haddock, cod, pollock) if not, chicken is a great go-to. So what alternative can we use instead of the rice? Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash or Pumpkin.

Can dogs eat homemade dog food every day? ›

The answer is yes, dogs can eat homemade food every day, as long as you consult with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure your pet is being fed the correct balance of vitamins and nutrients they need.

What ingredients should be in homemade dog food? ›

Your pet needs protein (animal meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs), fat (from meat or oil) and carbohydrates (grains or vegetables). They also need calcium (from dairy or an ingredient such as egg shells), and essential fatty acids (from certain plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods).

What is the number one food you should never feed your dog? ›

Fatty foods

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Is peanut butter good for dogs? ›

Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.

What is the best meat to put in homemade dog food? ›

Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. A few rules apply: Always cook meat well. Never serve it raw or undercooked.

What ingredient to avoid in dog food? ›

Ingredients to avoid:
  • Corn and wheat gluten.
  • Meat and grain meals and by-products.
  • BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
  • BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
  • Ethoxyquin.
  • Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
  • PG (Propylene Glycol)
  • Rendered fat.

What can I mix in my dogs food everyday? ›

Fruits and veggies are a great way to change your dog's eating habits for the better. Chopped apples, bananas, green beans, and broccoli are healthy foods you can mix with kibble. Sweet potato puree is another good source of fiber, as well as vitamin A.

Why do vets not like homemade dog food? ›

Unfortunately, too often, homemade food lacks key nutrients. When researchers from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine performed a nutritional evaluation of 200 homemade dog food recipes, they discovered that most were missing key nutrients.

What home cooked food is best for dogs? ›

Home cooked diet for dogs: main ingredients.
  • High quality proteins: meat, seafood, eggs or legumes. ...
  • Carbohydrates: sweet potatoes, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa. ...
  • Fibers: vegetables and fruits (carrots, broccoli, green beans, zucchinis, berries, apples, bananas). ...
  • Fats: Coconut, olive, hemp or flax oil.
Apr 1, 2021

Is Pro Plan a good dog food? ›

Purina Pro Plan dog food is just one kind of dog food from Purina. It's Purina's high-end offering, containing better-quality ingredients than its other foods. For the most part, it contains quality ingredients, though it does contain some fillers and by-products in some of its lines.

Why not to feed chicken rice to dogs? ›

It is inherently inflammatory. It is far too starchy to be part of any dog's daily diet, let alone one that is suffering GI tract inflammation. The high starch in rice spikes blood sugar, and can also be contaminated with toxic arsenic. It takes a lot of work for the body to break down carbs.

Is sweet potato good for dogs? ›

Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits (and a sweet flavor they'll likely love). For example, sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. They're also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A.

Is oatmeal or rice better for dogs? ›

If you're considering oatmeal as an easily digestible option for a dog with an upset stomach, go for white or brown rice instead. “Those are much more tried-and-true and safe,” Watkins says. Oatmeal does, however, make a healthy addition to your dog's shampoo, Watkins says.

What can I feed my dog daily instead of dog food? ›

How to make dog food when you've run out
  • Cooked potato (e.g. unseasoned, unflavoured mashed potato).
  • Cooked, peeled sweet potato.
  • Cooked, boneless, unsalted, lean meat (chicken, beef, or turkey).
  • Additive-free cooked, tinned, or pureed pumpkin.
  • Cooked swede (mashed or chopped).
  • Broccoli.
  • Carrots.
  • Peas.

Do dogs live longer with homemade dog food? ›

A similar research conducted by Belgium scientists, titled “Relation Between the Domestic Dogs: Well-Being and Life Expectancy, A Statistical Essay,” revealed that dogs who had a high-quality, homemade diet (not table scraps or industrial, commercial pet food) extended their life expectancy by 32 months.

How many cups of homemade dog food should my dog get? ›

Food Calculator
DOG'S WEIGHTAMOUNT TO FEED
10 LB1 CUP PER DAY
15 LB1 1/4 CUP PER DAY
20 LB1 1/2 CUP PER DAY
25 LB1 3/4 CUP PER DAY
3 more rows

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.

What is the best base for homemade dog food? ›

How do I ensure my homemade dog food is nutritionally balanced?
  • At least 10 percent protein, such as chicken, fish, turkey, or lean beef.
  • Up to 50 percent carbs, like rice, pasta, and potatoes (also a great source of fiber!)
  • 2.5 to 4.5 percent fiber, which can be found in vegetables such as peas, green beans, and carrots.

What is a good filler for homemade dog food? ›

FILLERS --- (Oats, Brown rice, Yams, Cooked potatoes, and Pasta.) These healthy fillers will keep the dog food together. RECIPE: Ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and peas.

What food should I give my dog everyday? ›

It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.

What can I feed my dog instead of dog food? ›

Here are some plain, unseasoned, additive-free foods that are safe to feed your dog in moderation:
  • Cooked potato (e.g. unseasoned, unflavoured mashed potato).
  • Cooked, peeled sweet potato.
  • Cooked, boneless, unsalted, lean meat (chicken, beef, or turkey).
  • Additive-free cooked, tinned, or pureed pumpkin.

What is the perfect meal for a dog? ›

He says our dogs' daily diets should contain moderate amounts of quality animal protein – from meat and offal or eggs – as well as omega 3 fats, for example from fish, a rainbow of vegies, and some wholefoods dense in vitamins and minerals, such as kelp.

What are the three super foods for dogs? ›

Dog experts reveal dog superfoods
  • Sweet Potato. Sweet potato is a natural source of fiber and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. ...
  • Watermelon. Watermelon is a nutritious superfood, with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins A, B and C, potassium and magnesium. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Chia Seeds.
Jun 29, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6384

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.