Over the past few years, more and more people are choosing to prepare homemade dog food for their furry companions. This trend is driven by a growing desire to provide dogs with the most wholesome and nutritious meals possible. Homemade dog food allows owners to control the ingredients, ensuring that their dogs are only getting the best and healthiest food. Our list of the best homemade dog foods includes recipes with the most recommended human foods to incorporate into Fido’s diet.
If you do choose to prep something straight out of the fridge or pantry when you run out of kibble, there are plenty of choices that are healthy for your dog. Here are a few of the most popular advantages of making homemade dog food:
- Control over ingredients: By making your own dog food, you have complete control over the ingredients that go into it. This means you can limit artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers that are often found in commercial dog food.
- Tailored to individual needs: You can tailor your dog’s food to their specific needs, whether they have allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions. This is something that is often difficult to achieve with commercial dog food, which is typically formulated for a general population of dogs.
- Fresher ingredients: Homemade dog food is made with fresh ingredients, which are often more palatable and nutritious. Fresh ingredients also provide a higher level of essential vitamins and minerals, which can contribute to your dog’s overall health and well-being.
- Cost-effective: While the initial investment in equipment and ingredients can be higher, homemade dog food can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially for dog owners with multiple dogs or dogs with special dietary needs.
Preparing some of the best homemade dog food can be a great way to help keep beloved pets healthy and happy. However, it is important to note that consulting with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist is the best way pet owners can create a good menu for their dogs. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
The List: Best Homemade Dog Food, According to Experts
1. Chicken
Chicken and other birds are favored by many dogs. Hunting breeds seem to have a particular taste for chicken dishes. Top Dog Tips recommends a chicken casserole for your pup. What you’ll need: “2 chicken breasts, 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, green beans, potatoes, broccoli), 1/4 cup of rolled oats, and 2 cups of chicken broth.”
Pet Helpful describes a chicken, spaghetti and vegetable recipe. “This is one of my dog’s very favorite meals to eat. Each of the ingredients is prepared differently, so follow along with my instructions.”
Wamiz suggests a three-ingredient recipe requiring “46 oz. minced chicken, 15 oz. mixed frozen vegetables, and 26 oz. rice. Put the ingredients into a saucepan or casserole dish. Stir in 1.5 quarts of water until it turns into a smooth mixture. Place over a medium heat and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the water is absorbed.”
2. Beef
It is no secret that dogs are fond of beefy meals. Even beef gravy or broth can be quite appealing for some dogs. Canine Journal comments with a cheekily named Beef Stew, Doggie Style, which is “loaded with iron from fresh protein and can be stored in your fridge for most of the week (or frozen and heated up later). [With] 1 pound of beef stew meat, 1 small sweet potato, 1/2 cup of carrots, and 1/2 cup of green beans.”
Hepper Blog recommends their beef, herb, and egg dog food recipe: “This recipe is so easy, it only has one step: combine the ingredients! Your pup will love the mixture of ground beef, protein-packed eggs, and dog-friendly herbs like parsley.”
Your dog can take part in Taco Tuesday, too! The Krazy Coupon Lady shares their taco bowl recipe: “1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup cooked rice (brown or white), 1/3 cup corn, 1/4 cup diced tomatoes, and 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce. Cook and cool the beef and rice. Combine with the other ingredients. Be mindful of adding any other fat to this dog food recipe, especially if the beef you’re using already has a significant amount.”
3. Brown Rice
Dogs are not strict carnivores and can benefit greatly from some grain in their diet. It is important to make sure that ratios are correct, as too much grain can be unhealthy for dogs. The Dog Bakery says, “We call this meal by ‘Damn Delicious’ the ‘Old Standard’ because it’s made up of ingredients you’ve likely seen in many a homemade dog meal – brown rice, turkey and veggies. It’s healthy, easy to make and inexpensive. This is also the perfect meal to make in large batches and then freeze as single servings you can thaw for days and days!”
Preparing homemade dog food can also be a frugal choice. TheDollarStretcher.com says you can mix leftover table scraps with brown rice for your dog’s next meal. “I save table scrapes and freeze them. When I have about two to three cups, I make doggy food. You will need: 2 cups brown rice, 4 cups chicken stock, 1 package mixed frozen peas with carrots, and 3 cups meat [leftovers].”
Canine Journal explains why rice is healthy for your pet. Carbohydrates like rice, corn, and beans “keeps intestines healthy and supplies glucose to critical organs, including the brain.”
4. Peanut Butter
Too much processed food is the impetus behind preparing homemade dog food. But surely peanut butter is okay occasionally? According to Woman’s Day, peanut butter is a great addition to homemade dog treats. “Peanut Butter Bacon Dog Treats: Made with drool-worthy bacon and peanut butter (as well as milk, applesauce, flour, baking powder, and oats), your dog will perform just about any trick to get their paws on one of these treats.”
Top Dog Tips shares another great treat recipe called the Elvis Biscuit: “2.5 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 pound of bananas, and 1 cup of peanut butter. Directions: Roll into a dough, cut into bone-shaped pieces, and bake for 20 minutes [@ 350 degrees F].”
The Krazy Coupon Lady says, “When you’re looking to cut down on the amount of meat your dog consumes, give this one a shot. 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 chopped zucchinis, 2 chopped sweet potatoes, and 1 cup chopped broccoli. Cook and cool the vegetables, then stir in the peanut butter until the mixture is a mushy consistency.”
5. Salmon
Cats have a legendary love of fish, but it is great for dogs as well! Salmon has dense nutrition that is great for many different dietary needs. dog child explains a recipe for dog-friendly salmon fried rice: “Just chop up a few veggies and toss some rice and salmon together, and your pup will have a healthful rice dinner in no time. This homemade salmon dog food is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids for your pup. This tasty combination of salmon, rice, carrots and peas is the perfect meal for your pup.”
The Krazy Coupon Lady offers, “Salmon is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats for both humans and dogs. Always be sure to remove all bones from your fish. 3 pounds salmon, 2 handfuls kale, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (note: not pumpkin pie filling) Cook and cool the fish and veggies. Mix with the pumpkin puree, then it’s ready to serve.”
According to Wamiz, you can make doggy omelets for breakfast with salmon. You’ll need “2 organic eggs, 3 pieces of smoked salmon, and 1 green bell pepper. Lightly grease an oven proof dish with olive oil. Crack the eggs into a dish, add green pepper and salmon. Stir together. Bake at [350 degrees F] for 10 to 12 minutes [or until eggs are fully cooked].”
6. Banana
Dogs are bananas for bananas! Seriously though, bananas are an appropriate and sweet treat that dogs can enjoy. Canine Journal suggest making frozen banana treats. “After a long walk in the hot sun, what pooch wouldn’t want a refreshingly cool treat? We love this simple recipe – yogurt, banana, and peanut butter. It’s a frozen smoothie for your dog. Need we say more? Ingredients: 4 cups plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol free), and 3 ripe bananas.”
“Plant-Based Banana Dog Muffins: These simple and delicious muffins smell so good! Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein, these treats will add some essential nutrients to your dog’s diet while helping to keep your dog feeling fuller for longer. When we say simple, we mean it! All you need is a blender and a muffin tray,” assures dog child.
Top Dog Tips raves about another frozen treat. “Frosty Paws: 32 ounces of vanilla yogurt, 1 large, mashed banana, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Directions: Blend together and freeze in small portions.”
7. Oatmeal
Many Dogs are able to enjoy oatmeal as a healthy addition for dietary fiber. When combined with other tasty mix-ins, oatmeal can be a great platform for dog treats. Woman’s Day claims, “It doesn’t get simpler than peanut butter and oatmeal. Any dog is sure to devour these simple treats (honestly, they sound pretty good to humans, too).”
dog child also suggests a sweet dog treat: “Making this peanut butter banana oatmeal is a breeze. It is one of my go-to homemade dog food recipes. The Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal smells delicious, and you can whip it up in a matter of minutes. Your dog will go crazy for the flavors while getting a nutritionally complete homemade dog food meal. It is a great healthy dog food recipe for picky eaters. The banana adds sweetness, while the oats, flaxseed and hemp seeds pack a ton of fiber.”
Top Dog Tips also states that oatmeal, rice, and quinoa can be substituted for each other in many dog food recipes.
You might also be interested in:
Sources:
- Top Dog Tips
- Pet Helpful
- Wamiz
- Dog Bakery
- TheDollarStretcher.com
- Canine Journal
- Hepper Blog
- dog child
- The Krazy Coupon Lady
- Woman’s Day
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
It’s disheartening, even pathetic, to see people more and more wanting to impose their own omnivore, or even vegetarian diets onto dogs. Dogs—also cats—are, for the most part, meat eaters, with an occasional bit of other items from time to time. Forcing dogs to eat so many vegetables is not natural.
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