Homemade Dog Food
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This Homemade Dog Food recipe teaches you how to prepare a drool-worthy meal for your furry friend. It’s made with a combination of wholesome, easy-to-find ingredients that contain a nourishing balance of carbs, fat, fiber, and protein.
One of the best ways to know exactly what’s going into your dog’s bowl is to feed them Homemade Dog Food. This is especially important if you’re dealing with a picky pup, food sensitivities, or allergies.
This dog food recipe has the protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are vital to a healthy canine diet. My Layla girl can verify that it tastes great, too!
It’s important to note that dogs have nutritional needs that their meals must meet. This is why my homemade dog food recipe contains the AKC recommended ABCs of a balanced dog food diet. After all, we only want what’s best for our pups!
To add more nutritional value to this recipe, I highly recommend adding something like this DIY Nutrient Mix to the dog food!
Disclaimer: This homemade dog food is not an adequate meal replacement. Canine nutritional needs vary depending on factors including build, breed, and age. It’s strongly advised to consult with your veterinarian to determine your dog’s individual nutrient needs before starting them on homemade food.
Recipe features
- It’s a budget-friendly substitute that’s easy to make with healthy, low-fat, and grain-free ingredients.
- There are plenty of healthy substitutes and additions available to make your dog extra happy.
- It only takes 30 minutes to make this healthy food for pups!
- It can be made on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
- You can also freeze it, saving you time and effort for months on end.
Ingredients
Carrots – These are packed with potassium, fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins that can improve your dog’s overall health. Foods like apples, peas, beets, green beans, leafy greens, and pumpkin are also great sources of dietary fiber.
Sweet potato – This is an excellent source of carbohydrates for dogs. It’s low in fat and high in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron. Pumpkin and butternut squash offer the same nutritional benefits and also help regulate digestion.
Lentils – Legumes are healthy for dogs because they’re low in fat and calories but high in fiber and protein. You can also make this with whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats if there are no grain sensitivities.
Water – You need water to cook the lentils but for even more flavor, cook them in bone broth or chicken broth. Make sure the broth isn’t cooked with anything unsafe, like onions and garlic.
Ground turkey or chicken – You can also make this with lean ground beef, bison, venison, white fish, or salmon.
Spinach – Just like humans, dogs need their greens. Feel free to add green beans, broccoli, cucumber, or brussels sprouts instead. Check out this list of fruits and vegetables dogs can and cannot eat before making any switches.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Talk to your vet! This is a very important first step. You should always consult with your vet before making diet changes to determine your dog’s individual nutritional and caloric needs.
Step 2: Cook the lentils. Add the lentils and water to a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer until they’re tender.
Step 3: Prep the vegetables. Meanwhile, add the peeled sweet potato and carrots to a food processor. Pulse until they’re chopped into tiny pieces.
Step 4: Cook the meat and veggies. Cook the ground meat in a large pot over medium heat until it’s browned and no longer pink. Add the carrot and sweet potato mixture, then the spinach. Saute until they soften.
Step 5: Mix everything together. To finish, stir the cooked lentils into the mixture. Let it cool completely before serving.
Tips and FAQs
- If you need to add a bit of moisture to the pot while cooking the meat and vegetables, you can use a small amount of olive oil or coconut oil. These oils can also improve your pup’s skin and coat when given in moderation.
- Make this recipe even easier by using frozen vegetables instead. There’s no prep involved!
- You can mix your dog’s kibble into the homemade food at first to help their stomach adjust. Abrupt changes can cause an upset stomach.
Is this dog food recipe vet approved?
No, but it contains the complete list of components for well-balanced dog food. Keep in mind that all dogs have different nutritional needs. Talk to your vet to determine your dog’s complete dietary needs.
How much homemade dog food should I feed my dog?
Refer to this chart, Calorie Ranges for an Average Healthy Adult Dog by WSAVA before feeding your dog. Like us, dogs rely on calories for energy and to maintain a healthy weight. You never want to feed your dog too much or too little.
Can you make dog food in the Instant Pot?
Yep! Here’s how to make homemade dog food in the Instant Pot:
- Press “sauté” on your Instant Pot and set it for 6 minutes. After 2 minutes (once it’s hot), add the ground turkey and cook it until it’s no longer pink.
- Next, add the lentils and water to the pot, then place the lid on, ensuring the knob on top is in the “seal” position. Pressure cook for 20 minutes, then quick release.
- Remove the lid, then add the grated carrots, sweet potato and spinach then immediately place the lid back on and let everything sit for about 5 minutes, which should soften the veggies.
- NOTE: if you’re making dog food in a pressure cooker, it may be helpful to use frozen veggies, as they will soften more easily.
Storage
Refrigerator: After cooling, store the dog food in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can freeze your dog’s meals in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
More canine-approved recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Homemade Dog Food
Ingredients
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed; preferably green or brown
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken
- 5 oz. spinach
Instructions
stovetop:
- Add the lentils and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the water is absorbed and the lentils are cooked.
- Meanwhile, add the carrots and sweet potato to a food processor and pulse for a few seconds; set aside. Add the ground turkey or chicken to a large pot or Dutch oven and cook it until it's no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break it up.
- Add the chopped carrots and sweet potato to the pot with the turkey, along with the spinach. Sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add a small amount of olive oil if needed.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the pot and stir to combine.
- Store food in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Or, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
crockpot:
- Place the ground turkey or chicken, carrots, sweet potatoes, and lentils into your slow cooker, then add 4 cups of water and give everything a gentle stir.
- Cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours, or until the vegetables and lentils are soft. Then, add the spinach, stir, and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until the spinach is soft. NOTE: you may need to add more water so the vegetables cook properly; if so, add 1/2 cup at a time.
- Store food in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Or, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Notes
- Refrigerator: store dog food in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
- Freezer: transfer dog food to a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight
Nutrition
I have a 7 yo spayed German Shepherd. Never any health issues until recently. She was having terrible gas and vomiting. Shes picky and doesnt like veggies. We switched to 4Health Salmon and potato from Tractor supply
Ans she’s been better. But our 2 yo rescue is a Shepherd Husky mix and now he has terrible gas. I made it in the instant pot which scorched the bottom but I’ll work on that. This recipe was super easy and they love it!!
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My dog is a very fussy eater and I made this and she demolished it. Gave some to my daughter for her two dogs and they loved it.
I’m so glad all the pups are loving the food!
While making your own dog food can be a great way to make sure the ingredients are fresh and of high quality, it’s important to make sure your dog gets the right nutrients in a balanced diet. Proper protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals are crucial for a dog’s health. Food Research Lab (FRL) aids by ensuring that diets meet industry standards, conducting nutritional analyses, and developing scientifically formulated pet food solutions. Their expertise supports the creation of well-balanced, safe, and nutritious meals for pets.
Your recipe needs to be corrected. You called for 1 and a half cup of lentils. I cooked that and it makes way too much. Your recipe should say use 1 1/2 cups COOKED lentils OR provide the appropriate dry measurements to get the amount of cooked lentils.
Hi! For this recipe, you’ll use 1 1/2 cup dry lentils, and cook them in the 3 1/2 cups of water listed in the ingredients. I hope this helps!
Hi, I just made this recipe but have not given it to my dogs yet. My lab is 100 pounds, and my other pup is about 60 pounds. What is the serving size for that weight and 2 labs? I am nervous that we will be spending a lot of money for the amount this recipe makes and how big my dogs are. Can someone please advise? Thank you!
Hi Cierra — I recommend consulting with your vet on how much to feed your dogs!
Absolutely amazing and my dog Luna absolutely LOVES it!! She actually went into a little frenzy with excitement and is very satisfied 🙂 I used some chicken broth to salute the veggies and have frozen a big batch too love this recipe thank you! I make many of her doggy biscuits too. Plan to to give her her good quality kibble and this nice food twice a week. Thank you 🤩
I’m so glad your pup has been enjoying the food!
Good
I used ground venison squash,carrots,spinach and vegetable broth, and raw eggs came out great and the dogs loved it.
Thanks Cheryl! Glad the dogs love it!
Thanks so much for this recipe! Starbuck, our 16 year old Malamute has joint dysplasia. The vet gave him dog ibuprofen and gabapentin but they seemed to hurt his tummy. I changed to a hemp product for joints but he stopped eating them after a couple of months. Then he
started turning his nose up at kibble and canned dog food. Out of desperation I tried your recipe. He not only loves it, he doesn’t seem to be limping around as much and has more pep. I do toss in a handful of green peas for the calcium. Taking the time to make it is a small price to pay to see how much better he is.
Thanks Cathy! I’m so happy Starbuck loves it!
How much does your dog weigh and how many cups per serving do you give it
With research, I decided on 1/2 cup AM and 1/2 cup PM for our 25 lb border terrier. Yes, he is a stocky BT and our vet says his weight is good after 3 weeks of homemade food. He is active at 12 years old, regularly hiking 2-3 miles. Younger, more active, dogs might need a bit more.
I decided on 1/2 cup with both feedings (breakfast and dinner) for my 75 pound GSP/Pitty. She is on a very strict diet in an effort to keep her at her ideal weight since she has had 2 surgeries on her left knee. I’ll be using this as supplemental food to go with her kibble and make it more appetizing. I’ll cut her 1 cup of kibble down to 3/4 of a cup. I gave her a small taste after I finished the recipe this morning and she LOVED it. That’s actually an understatement – she demolished it and kept looking for more!
I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with this recipe. I added double the carrots and sweet potato, a bit of extra spinach, and also put tumeric in to assist with her joint pain. With the added carrots and sweet potatoes the recipe made a little more than 2.5 weeks of supplementary food. I kept about 5 days worth of it in the fridge and use our vacuum sealer to seal up 2 packages of roughly a weeks’ worth each.
My 2 guys, Sammy and Pablo, watched every step as I prepared this recipe. I was concerned Sammy might not like it. He’s the picky one. I was really hoping they liked it. I added ground flax seeds after checking if they’re ok for dogs. NO WORRIES THAT THEY WON’T LIKE IT! Sammy finished his first and came in the kitchen looking for more. I gave them both a second helping since I had skimped on the first because i wanted to make sure they would eat it. I plan on using this as a topper for their dry food at first. They are happy dogs now!
Thanks so much Dana! I’m so happy the dogos loved the food!
Same here. We have adopted our dog and he’s not eating very well and seems to like only chicken. But with this recipe, he ate everything!
Really thank you 😊