Our canine pets may not be capable of expressing themselves fully, but they are just as fussy as kids when it comes to food. Dogs, too, have a big appetite and need to get a balanced diet to stay fit. So serving them some delicious homemade dog food recipes is an excellent option to keep them healthy.
But do you know of any nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipes? Don’t worry if your answer was a no. Here, we’re here to help out with the recipes for nutritional homemade dog food!
When we say homemade, we mean it; and you have almost all of the stuff and ingredients readily available in your home, though some you might have to get it from the market. But, those ingredients are also available without much difficulty.
Nutritional Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Keep reading to check out some homemade dog food recipes that are vet-approved and packed with nutrition.
1. Salmon Treat Recipes
While eating healthy is definitely the best for all those tasked with staying fit this year, your little furry buddy at home must be eating healthy too! And this Salmon treat is just what it needs right now.
Along with being eco-friendly, this recipe has everything dogs love to eat. Not just that, you could also prepare this meal on the go. The raw foods that you dump into the trash are utilized here to make this super healthy homemade dog food recipe.
You might be confused by the salmon skin here, but it is perfectly safe to consume once heated up properly and turned into a crispy, delicious snack for your pet.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 salmon chunks with skin
- 1 squash
- 1 broccoli (stem and head both)
- 3 potatoes
- 2 carrots
Instructions
- Remove the broccoli stems, peel the carrots, and chop the squash. Keep the peelings since they are for your dog.
- Combine all ingredients and steam in a rice cooker or bake in the oven.
- After putting 1 tablespoon of any cooking oil, air-fry the potato shavings.
- Pan-fry the salmon in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Begin with the skin side down on a medium-hot pan. After it’s 90% cooked, flip it over and cook it only for about a minute or two. You can also finish the salmon in the oven if you prefer, but make sure you don’t overcook it.
- Remove the crisp salmon skin and place the fish in your dog’s bowl. Cut into little bite-sized pieces for convenience of use and a cleaner floor! You can also break the crispy skin into small pieces and serve it to them as a snack.
Benefits
- Eco-friendly – Uses the parts of foods that are tossed in the trash, such as salmon skin, broccoli stems, and so on.
- Portable – It can be easily made on the go and carried around for your dog in between a hectic schedule.
- Healthy eating – It is a vet-approved homemade dog food recipe full of healthy vegetables.
- Uses salmon skin – a high omega component, to keep your dog heart-healthy and bring about great skin and coat.
2. The Mix Veg Platter Recipes
The name might at first sound a bit uninteresting and not so delicious, but hear us out – this recipe is superbly easy to prepare. Plus, if done right, it can actually be quite tasty. You can even make it in a large batch and then store it away, only to bring it out in single servings later for your furry friend.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups brown rice
- 2 shredded carrots
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 mashed zucchini
- 3 lbs turkey meatballs
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 3 cups minced fresh spinach
Instructions
- Cook rice in a large pot with twice the amount of water as the amount of rice. For example, if you’re making 1 cup of rice, take two cups of water.
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Cook ground turkey until browned. This will take about 3-5 minutes. Make sure to crumble the ground turkey as it cooks.
- Stir in the spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas, and brown rice with the turkey for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted properly and the mixture is cooked through.
- Switch off the flame, add a splash of lemon juice (optional), and then serve it to your dog.
Benefits
- Contains ingredients that can be found easily in most grocery stores.
- Inexpensive – this meal can be whipped up quickly with ingredients that do not need to be bought separately for your dog.
- Easy to make.
- This meal can be made easily in a large batch and then served in quantities as and when required, thereby easing your workload.
3. Steamed Veggie Broth Recipes
This is another tasty dish that you can make in large batches and feed your dog over the week. And it will stay delicious as ever. The recipe only takes around fifteen minutes of preparation time and approximately five to eight hours in a slow cooker to achieve that stew consistency perfect for the winters!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 quarts water
- 1 pound brown rice
- 2 cups diced sweet potato
- 2 big breasts of chicken
- 2 pounds frozen mixed frozen vegetables of your choosing
Instructions
- Place all of the above-mentioned ingredients in the slow cooker, covering the chicken fully with veggies.
- Cook for 5 hours on high heat or 8 hours on low heat.
- Remove from the slow cooker, shred the chicken, and toss it into the rice and vegetable mixture until equally distributed.
- Refrigerate for up to three days, covered, or freeze in single-serve amounts.
- Incorporate some bone broth powder into the stew. It’s pretty nutritious, and dogs love it.
Benefits
- Stew consistency – easy on your dog’s stomach.
- Easy to find ingredients – contains items like brown rice, sweet potato, and chicken breasts, which can be found at your nearest grocery store.
- Includes frozen vegetables that are already cut up and diced, reducing preparation time.
- Made as a one-time meal for the whole week.
4. Beef and Veggie Pot Recipe
This recipe uses beef – a protein not often found in dog recipes. Not only does this recipe include easy preparation and slow cooking, but it also contains ingredients that hold up better in a cooker and do not turn into mush. An easy-to-prep one-pot recipe, this is going to make your work easier, and your little dogs are going to love it!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cups butternut, diced 1 1/2 cups brown rice
- 1/2 cups carrots, shredded
- (15-ounce) canned, washed, and strained kidney beans
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the above veggies with 4 cups of water.
- Cook, covered, over low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Benefits
- Contains easy to prep ingredients like butternut squash, carrots, and so on.
- It is a one-pot meal that reduces cooking to the optimum level.
- Takes lesser time to cook than other crockpot recipes when cooked on high heat.
- Makes the cleanup process more straightforward due to only one main utensil being used.
- Contains ingredients easily found at the nearest grocery store.
5. Chicken and Veggie Steamed Delight Recipe
This recipe calls for the simplest of ingredients all thrown in together into a slow cooker and served to your dog. This would be a fantastic way to take the stress off of planning meals for the day. This recipe contains ingredients that your dog would happily have. And they are easy to prepare, making it a one-time happy meal for your furry friend!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken
- 2 cups (frozen) peas
- 1 diced sweet potato 1 big or 2 medium dredged and chopped apples
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 cups pinto beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Fill the crock halfway with water, just enough to immerse the meat. Stir in the potato, carrots, kidney beans, green beans, and apple.
- Boil on simmer for 8-9 hrs, then pour the frozen peas and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Drain excess liquid, add olive oil, and mash with a fork.
- Scoop daily doses into individual Ziploc bags and freeze when they have cooled.
- Remove one bag from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
Benefits
- Includes chicken and vegetables, which are always a safe and great option for your dog as a meal.
- Includes easy to purchase vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and so on.
- It is easy to mash and serves as a filling meal for your dog.
- Daily servings can be made out of a large batch and frozen for a week.
6. Carrot And Beans Mush Recipe
This perfect blend is produced with all-natural ingredients. The ground turkey and beans are guaranteed to please your dog. The best part is the inclusion of healthy oils like Sunflower oil, which helps shine your dog’s hair while also providing the necessary fats for a nutritious diet. On top of it, you can further add other supplements into this mixture to elevate the protein quotient.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. mashed carrots
- 1 cup beans
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped or pureed other green veggies of your choice
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped 1/2 zucchini, sliced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- Add 1 1/2 cups water in a double boiler, carrots in a steam basket over the pot, cover. Heat till boiling, then lower to low heat and steam for 10 minutes, or until carrots begin to soften.
- Continue steaming the beans, vegetables, and zucchini until all vegetables are soft but not mushy, about 6-8 minutes.
- Allow veggies to cool somewhat before chopping using a food processor or a knife.
- Toss in the olive oil with the carrot and vegetable combination.
- Allow it cool completely before separating into freezer-safe containers.
Benefits
- Carrots are always the best option to get your dog’s hair intact and prolong the aging procedure.
- Good oils like Sunflower can ease digestion and add anti-oxidants to your dogs’ immunity.
- All the green boiled veggies are excellent options for your dogs’ overall health.
- Mashed veggies are easy to digest
- Eco-friendly and can be prepared from vegetable remnants.
7. Egg Pot Recipe
Dogs are perhaps one of those beings who love eggs just as much as we do. So, when you are boiling an egg next time, try mixing it with some boiled vegetables and rice to give them a great treat. This dish is 100% healthy and the best to refrigerate and serve more than once. Try it out, and make your four-legged friends happier than ever.
Ingredients
- 6 cups organic brown rice, cooked (3 cups uncooked rice)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced and sliced into tiny pieces
- 3 medium shredded or thinly sliced carrots
- 14 cup curly parsley, minced
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except flour.
- Shape them into balls of whichever size you like.
- Dredge the balls in the flour gently, brushing off any excess.
- Place them in an oven until done. Bake time may vary depending on the size of your balls. Still, it usually takes 25 minutes.
Benefits
- Beef is a protein-rich source that will help your dog gain weight.
- This dish can help your pet feel full, and the vitamins and minerals help keep your pup’s coat and skin healthy.
- The dish is high in zinc, iron, selenium, and vitamins B12, B3, and B6.
- Easy cooking method and can stay good for two to three days.
9. Cake Recipe
Suppose your dogs have a special day coming, and you need to treat them well. Why not serve them a cake? While not all dogs can digest the artificial frosting and cake procured in bakeries, you can prepare fluffy, wholegrain cakes at home perfectly suited for them. Cakes also add up to their carbs and fiber needs so, it’s a steal deal for you.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter 2 eggs (spread or pure)
- a quarter cup of oil (canola, vegetable)
- 34 cup milk (or water)
- a third of a cup of honey or maple syrup (or apple sauce or skip it)
- 2 1/2 cups carrot shredded (2 large)
- 2 cups whole wheat/whole grain flour (or white flour)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160C fan).
- 2 x 20cm/8″ cake pans, greased and lined with parchment paper
- Combine the eggs, peanut butter, oil, honey, and milk in a mixing bowl. Even a slightly lumpy mixture is fine.
- Mix in the carrots. Then toss in the flour and baking soda until just incorporated (overmixing = hard cake = unhappy birthday pup).
- Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and level the tops.
- Set 20 minutes in the oven or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Benefits
- Wholegrain present in the cakes can help them assimilate nutrients.
- Fruits and nuts can level up their sugar and carb deficit in the cake.
- A well-decorated can be an excellent mood-lifter for all those young dogs who love attention and care.
- Mood lifter
- Can be refrigerated
10. Turkey Tokens Recipe
Another recipe containing healthy meat, this one will surely be loved by your furry pal. Moreover, considering that it contains Turkey, this can even be a sweet Thanksgiving treat for your buddy. It’s a nutrient-rich homemade dog food recipe that you can serve any time.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground white flesh turkey, fully cooked and drained
- 6 boiled eggs
- 2 big cleaned, peeled, diced, and boiled sweet potatoes
- 1 frozen (15-ounce) bag of peas
- 12 cup fresh cranberries, thinly sliced
- 14 cup hemp seeds
- 14 cup fresh parsley
- 6 minced sage leaves
- 3 tbsp. rosemary, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Boil your white flesh turkey in a rice boiler properly and let the fat melt.
- Boil eggs and finely diced veggies separately in pans.
- Put all of these ingredients together and mash a bit using gentle fingers.
- Lastly, heat up the olive oil and toss the whole mush into it, and the dish is ready for your furry baby.
Benefits
- The lean, white meat and the veggies can help in muscular development in dogs.
- It is also a highly nutritious form of protein for dogs.
- This dish may offer an alternate option for dogs with dietary sensitivities or allergies to beef or chicken-based recipes.
- Good source of proteins and fats
- It can be stored for a few days.
- Quite filling for dogs.
Conclusion
You are what you eat, and this stands true for our canine friends too. Healthy food can lead to many positive changes in your dogs’ overall health and habits. So, take cues from these healthy homemade dog food recipes, and keep your pets hale and hearty.
Heather Abraham is a professional blogger who owns two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a leopard gecko. She has a connection with animals since she was a child. She shares her love for all pet breeds and provides information on pet food, toys, medications, beds, and everything else.
She is committed to learning about the internal workings of animals. Her work permits her to work closely with knowledgeable vets and obtain practical expertise in animal care. When she is not working, her love of animals continues in her writing. Her goal is to educate and uplift readers who also have a passion for animals through her writing.