A happy puppy with his tongue hanging out against green grass.

Cooking is a way to express love to those you care about, so it makes sense that a pet parent may want to incorporate homemade meals into their pup’s diet. Making dog food at home can be a healthy — and even cost-effective — way to manage your dog’s nutrition and fuel them for their day’s activities. 

Moreover, preparing homemade dog food can be quick! You won’t have to spend your whole evening hovered over the stove, especially with the convenient Greenlin-approved recipes on this page. Read on for ideas for healthy meals you can easily cook at home for your dog.

The Basics of Dog Nutrition

The perfect diet will look different for every dog. It is important to consult with your veterinarian before altering your pup’s existing diet, as a medical professional can provide personalized feedback about optimizing diet for your pet’s unique needs, with respect to their specific medical history. Furthermore, a veterinarian can help you break down your dog’s current nutrition and compare it to certain homemade recipes. 

The type of food you feed your dog can significantly impact the nutritional labels on the product. For example, when canned food states 8% protein, but dry food boasts 27% protein, the difference is the fact that there is more water in the canned food.

A well-rounded diet is measured by the comprehensiveness of the food’s nutritional value — both the macro-nutritional and micro-nutritional needs of a canine. 

Macronutrients 

  • Protein: The essential amino acids and muscle-repairing nutrients in protein are critical for keeping your dog healthy and moving throughout the day.  
  • Carbohydrates: Carbs are a great source of fiber and a filling component of your dog’s meal. Carbs are also essential for providing energy. 
  • Fat: While fat generally has a bad connotation, it is a crucial part of a well-rounded canine diet. Healthy fats contribute to cell function, vitamin retention, and skin and coat health. 

Micronutrients

  • Vitamins: These important nutrients provide support to a variety of your canine’s bodily functions including certain immune responses, bone density, and vision. Key vitamins include Vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
  • Minerals: The body needs certain minerals to support fundamental but overlooked functions like nerve, dental, and bone health. Essential minerals include (but are not limited to) calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, and magnesium.

Making Homemade Dog Meals

So, you’re ready to get cooking! But, where to start? Some of the best dog food recipes are simple and let the ingredients work for themselves. Remember, dogs have different cooking standards than humans, so avoid things like seasonings and full-fat protein options. Extra sodium and fat can hinder the benefits of feeding homemade dog food. 

When you’re just starting to feed your pup homemade meals, keep it easy. Begin with a strong base formula, and adjust it once you are comfortable with the process. 

Below are some straightforward inspirational recipes to cook for your dog.

High Protein Beef-Based Dog Food Recipe

High-protein sustenance is essential for a dog to thrive. Responsible for energy level regulation, muscle growth, tissue repair, and immune system support, a proper protein ratio can make or break your canine’s diet. 

This recipe has a cooking time of less than 1 hour, including the prep work, and accounts for the pillars of a well-rounded canine diet. If you have a picky eater, you can supplement practically any ingredient in this recipe for a more desired option. Just be sure to account for the changes in nutritional value when portioning for your dog’s weight. 

Ingredients:

  • 1lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil (safe cooking oil)

Preparation Instructions:

  1. Prepare and set aside 1 hard-boiled egg. 
    • Add the egg to a small pot and fill-to-cover with cold water. 
    • Bring water to boil and cook for 10-12 minutes. 
    • Drain the pot and soak the egg in an ice bath to cool.
  2. Prepare the fresh ingredients and set aside.
    • Peel and chop a large sweet potato into 1” pieces.
    • Peel and dice a large carrot. 
  1. Bring a medium-sized pot to medium heat with the coconut oil.
  2. Saute ground beef until it is no longer pink. 
  3. Throw in the chopped sweet potato and carrot pieces.
  4. Add enough water to cover the mixture and boil over medium heat until ingredients are soft and well-cooked – approximately 15 minutes. 
  5. Remove from heat and allow food to cool – approximately 1 hour. 
  6. Plate up the dog food mixture, and add chopped hard-boiled egg. 

High Fiber Light Meal for Sensitive Stomachs

Like their human counterparts, dogs can have sensitive stomachs that don’t respond well to just any food. The key to feeding homemade dog meals to a pup with a sensitive tummy is starting with a lean protein base that is easily digestible (chicken, turkey, fish) and adding a good source of fiber. From there, you can customize the recipe with your dog’s favorite ingredients. 

A lean and high-fiber diet can also be a beneficial temporary option in the event your dog eats something they shouldn’t have. The last thing you want to do in this situation is to overwhelm your dog’s digestive system any further, so avoid treats and heavy meals for at least 24 hours after the sneaky snack incident.  

This healthy dog recipe is simple to prepare and has a cooking time of 30 minutes — 45 with prep. These measurements will make up to a week of food depending on your pup’s nutrition requirements. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 6 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.     

Ingredients:

  • 1lb. lean ground turkey
  • ½ cup brown rice 
  • ½ cup green beans
  • 8 oz canned pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons salmon oil 
  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil (safe cooking oil)

Preparation Instructions:

  1. Wash brown rice and set aside. 
  2. Wash and cut green beans into small pieces. Set aside. 
  3. Add coconut oil to a medium-sized pot and turn on to a medium flame. 
  4. To the pot, add the turkey and rice. Break up the ground turkey into smaller pieces to cook evenly. 
  5. Cover with ½’’ water and enclose with a lid for 25 minutes or until rice is soft and turkey is fully cooked. 
  6. Throw in the green beans and allow 5 minutes to steam. 
  7. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
  8. Add pumpkin puree and salmon oil to the cooled mixture. 

DIY Dog Treats: Easy Biscuits

Treats transcend any language barrier! A tasty treat is a great way to show your love and appreciation for your furry friend. The best part is that a quality treat doesn’t have to be complicated to prepare at home. You can make a delicious-tasting treat with just a few ingredients and in less than an hour. 

The nice thing about DIY homemade dog treats is that they are completely customizable to your dog’s nutrition and taste buds. Below is a base recipe that you can offer on its own or with a few more optional ingredients (bone broth, egg shells, and supplements can all be added to the mixture before baking). 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup oats or oat flour
  • 1 banana
  • 3-4 tablespoons no-sugar-added peanut butter
  • Bite-size and shaped cookie cutter

Preparation Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. 
  2. Blend oats in a food processor until fine. If you are using oat flour, continue to step 2.
  3. Remove 2 tablespoons of flour and set aside for later
  4. Add banana and peanut butter to the oat flour and combine. The mixture will turn into a sticky dough.   
  5. Flour your surface with the reserved oat flour. 
  6. Roll out your dough into a ¼-inch-thick sheet.
  7. Stamp the shaped cookie cutter into dough until you’ve made enough pieces.
  8. Lay uncooked treats onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes or until they have puffed up and darkened on the bottom.
  9. Let cool before serving.  

Easy Ingredients to Add to Your Dog’s Diet

Looking to spice up your standard recipes? Consider these add-ons to your next batch of homemade dog food:

  • Organ meats: The heart and liver of common proteins like chicken, duck, and beef are rich in both macronutrients and micronutrients. 
  • Bone broth: Bone broth preserves collagen, essential amino acids, and minerals. 
  • Antioxidant-rich fruits: Blueberries and strawberries are high in antioxidants and are proven to have an impact on cognitive function and skin health. 
  • Eggshells: Remember to cook and crush them up first, but eggshells can be a great source of calcium, trace minerals, and compounds like glucosamine, which all can aid in musculoskeletal health and mobility.   

Toxic Foods To Avoid In Your Dog’s Homemade Meals

When you are putting together healthy dog recipes, remember to avoid certain foods that are known to be toxic to our furry friends, including:

  • Cooked bones 
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Grapes and raisins 
  • Fruit with pits
  • Chocolate 
  • Xylitol (artificial sugar)
  • Avocado
  • Green or unripe tomatoes  

Mealtime Done Their Way at Greenlin Pet Resorts

When dogs board, play, or stay with us at Greenlin Pet Resorts, we’ll take the time to learn the ins and outs of their mealtime routine and eating habits. Just because a pup is away from home doesn’t mean they can’t still enjoy some home-cooked food! Our caring feeding specialists will work with you to ensure we can store a supply of your dog’s normal food for the duration of their stay. All we ask for is feeding instructions! 

Want to learn more about dinner time at Greenlin Pet Resorts? Call us! You can reach Greenlin West in Mechanicsburg over the phone: (717) 366-7134 or contact us online. 

Posted in Pet Health Category