6 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know

Homemade dog food can be a simple way to add fresh ingredients to your dog’s bowl. These homemade dog food recipes use familiar foods such as chicken, turkey, beef, rice, pumpkin, vegetables, and eggs.

Each recipe is easy to prepare and uses ingredients that many dogs enjoy. Since dogs have different calorie and nutrient needs, these meals work best with guidance from your veterinarian.

Long term homemade diets may also need added calcium, vitamins, and minerals to provide complete nutrition for your dog.

1. Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food

Tender chicken, soft brown rice, carrots, and green beans make this homemade dog food filling and easy to serve. The mild flavors work well for dogs that enjoy simple meals, while pumpkin adds moisture and natural fiber.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped green beans
• 1 half cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups water

Instructions

• Cut the chicken into small pieces.
• Place the chicken and water in a large pot.
• Cook over medium heat until the chicken is fully cooked.
• Add the carrots and green beans.
• Cook for about 8 minutes until the vegetables become soft.
• Stir in the cooked brown rice and pumpkin puree.
• Add the olive oil and mix well.
• Remove the pot from the heat.
• Allow the food to cool fully before serving.
• Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.

2. Turkey and Pumpkin Dog Food

Ground turkey gives this recipe plenty of savory flavor without making the mixture complicated. Pumpkin, rice, peas, and carrots create a soft texture that is easy to scoop into your dog’s bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 half cup green peas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Add the ground turkey to a large pan.
• Cook over medium heat until no pink meat remains.
• Break the turkey into small pieces as it cooks.
• Add the carrots, peas, and water.
• Cover and cook for about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the cooked rice and pumpkin puree.
• Add the olive oil and mix everything together.
• Cook for another 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
• Serve only the portion recommended for your dog.

3. Beef and Sweet Potato Dog Food

Beef and sweet potato create a rich homemade meal with a naturally soft and hearty texture. Spinach and carrots add extra variety, while cooked oats help hold the mixture together without making it too heavy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 cups cooked sweet potato
• 1 cup cooked rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 half cup chopped spinach
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Place the ground beef in a large skillet.
• Cook over medium heat until the beef is fully browned.
• Drain excess fat from the pan.
• Add the carrots and water.
• Cook for about 6 minutes.
• Stir in the spinach and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add the cooked sweet potato and oats.
• Stir until all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
• Add the olive oil and mix again.
• Cool completely before placing the food in your dog’s bowl.

4. Salmon and Quinoa Dog Food

Cooked salmon brings a rich taste and naturally contains useful fats, while quinoa gives the meal a light and fluffy base. Zucchini, carrots, and pumpkin add moisture and make this homemade dog food colorful and easy to portion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless salmon
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 half cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Check the salmon carefully and remove all bones.
• Place the salmon in a baking dish.
• Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until fully cooked.
• Allow the salmon to cool slightly and flake it into small pieces.
• Add the carrots, zucchini, and water to a pan.
• Cook until the vegetables become soft.
• Stir in the cooked quinoa and pumpkin puree.
• Add the flaked salmon and olive oil.
• Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
• Let the food cool completely before serving.

5. Egg and Oatmeal Dog Food

Eggs and oatmeal create a soft homemade dog food that can be useful when you want a simple recipe with common kitchen ingredients. Pumpkin and green beans add moisture and fiber, while cottage cheese gives the mixture a creamy texture.

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups cooked plain oatmeal
• 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 cup chopped green beans
• 1 half cup plain low fat cottage cheese
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 half cup water

Instructions

• Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them well.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
• Add the eggs and cook until they are fully set.
• Break the cooked eggs into small pieces.
• Add the green beans and water.
• Cook until the beans become soft.
• Stir in the cooked oatmeal and pumpkin puree.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Stir in the cottage cheese after the mixture cools slightly.
• Allow the food to cool completely before serving.

6. Chicken and Sweet Potato Dog Food

Chicken and sweet potato make a comforting combination with mild flavor and a soft texture. Broccoli and carrots add vegetables to the bowl, while cooked rice gives the recipe enough body for easy portioning.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups cooked sweet potato
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 half cup finely chopped broccoli
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups water

Instructions

• Cut the chicken thighs into small pieces.
• Place the chicken and water in a large pot.
• Cook over medium heat until the chicken is fully cooked.
• Add the carrots and broccoli.
• Cook for about 7 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
• Stir in the cooked sweet potato and white rice.
• Add the olive oil and mix well.
• Cook for another 2 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat.
• Cool the food completely before serving it to your dog.