Guide to Homemade Dog Food Healthy, Easy & Vet-Approved Recipes

Homemade dog food is a simple, healthy way to give your pet better nutrition using real, whole ingredients. This guide explains everything you need to know how to cook balanced meals at home, which ingredients support your dog’s health, what portion sizes to follow, and how to safely store food.

Whether your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach, or you just want to avoid fillers found in commercial kibble, this homemade dog food guide includes easy vet-approved recipes, nutritional tips, transition steps, and natural supplements. Backed by expert advice and practical steps, this is your complete resource for feeding your dog better naturally, safely, and affordably.

Why Is Homemade Dog Food Better?

Homemade dog food is good for your dog’s health. It’s fresh, clean, and made with real food. Many store-bought dog foods have fake flavors, too much salt, bad fats, and low-quality meat. These can make dogs feel sick.

Dogs who eat only store food might get:

• Itchy skin or allergies
• Tummy troubles like gas or diarrhea
• Gaining too much weight
• Feeling tired or slow

But when you cook food at home, your dog eats healthy things like chicken, rice, and carrots. This helps them:

• Have shiny fur and less shedding
• Poop better and have less gas
• Feel strong and play more
• Go to the vet less often

Making food at home also lets you choose what’s best for your dog. You can use food that helps with allergies or sensitive stomachs. It’s a safe way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and full of energy.

What Should Be in Homemade Dog Food?

To keep your dog strong and healthy, homemade dog food must have the right mix of things. Here’s what to put in:

1. Protein – Half of the food (50%)
   Protein helps build muscles and keeps your dog active. Good proteins are chicken, turkey, beef, fish, and eggs.
2. Vegetables – One fourth (25%)
   Veggies give your dog vitamins and help the tummy. Use carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, or zucchini.
3. Healthy Carbs or Grains – One fourth (25%)
   Grains give energy. Use brown rice, oats, or quinoa.
4. Healthy Fats & Extra Nutrients
   Fats help make fur shiny and keep the body strong. Add small amounts of fish oil, coconut oil, and calcium (like eggshell powder).

Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Happy, Healthy Pups

Homemade dog food is a loving way to make sure your furry friend gets fresh, natural nutrition especially when they have allergies or sensitive stomachs. These easy, vet-approved recipes are made with simple ingredients you likely have at home. Each one is full of flavor, easy to digest, and tailored for different dog needs from shiny coats to more energy.

Let’s get cooking!

Turkey & Veggie Mix

If your dog has allergies or sensitive skin, this homemade recipe is a gentle and healthy choice. It uses simple, fresh foods that are easy to find and safe for dogs. Every ingredient has been chosen carefully to help your dog feel better, stay strong, and enjoy mealtime.

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 2 pounds of ground turkey This is the main protein. It’s lean, low in fat, and easy on your dog’s stomach. Turkey is also a great choice for dogs with food allergies because it’s less likely to cause itching or upset tummies compared to beef or chicken.
• 2 cups of brown rice Brown rice is a healthy grain full of fiber and energy. It helps your dog feel full and supports healthy digestion. Make sure to cook it well so it’s soft and easy to chew.
• 1 sweet potato (cooked and mashed) Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and they taste great. They help your dog’s digestion and keep their poop healthy. Make sure to cook and mash it until it’s smooth.
• 1 cup chopped carrots Carrots are crunchy and full of beta-carotene, which helps your dog’s eyes and skin. Chop them small or lightly steam them to make them softer.
• 1 cup green peas Peas add protein and fiber. They also have vitamins like B and K that help your dog’s bones and muscles. You can use frozen peas, but thaw them first.
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil This healthy fat helps your dog’s skin and coat stay shiny. It also adds taste and helps with brain health.
• 1 teaspoon of fish oil Fish oil gives Omega-3 fatty acids. These are super important for your dog’s skin, coat, joints, and brain. You can buy fish oil for dogs from pet stores or online.

Step-by-Step Instructions (So Easy to Follow)

1. Cook the ground turkey in a large pan over medium heat. You don’t need to add oil because turkey cooks in its own juices. Stir it well and break it into small pieces so your dog can chew it easily. Cook until it turns brown and there’s no pink left.
2. In a separate pot, boil 2 cups of brown rice. Use double the amount of water (about 4 cups). Let it boil, then turn the heat down and let it cook for about 25–30 minutes. Stir sometimes to keep it from sticking. It should be soft and fluffy when ready.
3. In another small pot, boil or steam the sweet potato. First, wash and peel it. Cut it into small chunks to cook faster. Boil for 10–15 minutes until soft. Then mash it with a fork or spoon until smooth.
4. While the rice and sweet potato are cooking, chop the carrots into small pieces. You can leave them raw for crunch, or steam them for 5 minutes if your dog prefers softer food. Measure out 1 cup of green peas frozen is okay, just let them thaw first.
5. In a big mixing bowl, combine the cooked turkey, brown rice, mashed sweet potato, carrots, and peas. Mix everything well so all ingredients are spread evenly.
6. Now add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of fish oil. Mix again so the oils are evenly spread through the food. These oils help keep your dog’s fur shiny and support heart and brain health.
7. Let the food cool down completely. You can serve it when it feels warm or at room temperature. Never serve it hot.

How Much to Feed Your Dog (Daily Serving Sizes)

This recipe makes a big batch, enough for several meals. The amount your dog needs depends on their size:

• Small dogs (10–20 pounds): Give ½ to 1 cup per meal.
• Medium dogs (30–50 pounds): Give 1 to 1½ cups per meal.
• Large dogs (60+ pounds): Give 2 to 3 cups per meal.

Feed your dog twice a day morning and evening for a happy belly and steady energy.

Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Food

If your dog often has an upset stomach, soft poop, or doesn’t like their dry food, this meal is a gentle, vet-approved choice. It’s tasty, easy to make, and made with soft fish, cozy pumpkin, and good seeds. It helps your dog feel better inside and look better on the outside with a shiny coat.

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 1 pound of cooked salmon (skinless, boneless) Salmon is soft and full of healthy fats called Omega-3s. It helps stop dry, itchy skin and gives your dog a soft, shiny coat.
• 1 cup of cooked quinoa Quinoa is a grain that is very easy to digest. It has good protein, vitamins, and energy to keep your dog strong.
• ½ cup of pumpkin puree (plain, not sweet) Pumpkin helps with digestion and makes your dog’s poop more normal. It’s soft on their stomach and full of fiber.
• ½ cup of chopped spinach Spinach gives your dog iron and strong vitamins to help their body and bones stay healthy.
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil This adds healthy fat to the food. It makes the meal tasty and helps your dog’s tummy and fur.

How to Make This Homemade Dog Food

1. Cook the salmon in a pan or steam it until fully done. Remove all skin and tiny bones. Break the salmon into small pieces.
2. Cook quinoa by boiling 1 cup of it in 2 cups of water. Let it simmer until fluffy. Let it cool a bit.
3. Use plain pumpkin puree (not the one used for pies). It should be soft and smooth. Canned pumpkin is easiest to use.
4. Chop the spinach into small bits. You can lightly steam it or leave it raw if your dog digests it well.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked salmon, quinoa, pumpkin, and spinach.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and mix well. It will melt and coat the food nicely.
7. Let the food cool to room temperature before serving.

How to Store Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Food Safely

1. Put the food in airtight containers with lids.
2. Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
3. For longer use, store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
4. You can freeze in small amounts (like per meal) to make serving easier. Just thaw and warm a little before feeding.

How Much Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Food to Feed

Feeding depends on your dog’s size and age. Here’s how much to give:

• Small dogs (10–20 lbs): ½ to 1 cup per meal
• Medium dogs (30–50 lbs): 1 to 1½ cups per meal
• Large dogs (60+ lbs): 2 to 3 cups per meal

Feed twice a day unless your vet says otherwise. Always check if your dog needs more or less based on their energy and health.

Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food

This recipe is perfect for dogs who need more energy like playful pups, working dogs, or those that are underweight. It’s made with beef for strong muscles, rice for steady energy, and fruits and veggies for full-body health. It’s also easy on the stomach and super tasty for picky eaters.

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 2 pounds of lean ground beef Use lean (90% or more) to avoid too much fat. Beef gives your dog lots of protein, iron, and strength for muscles and bones.
• 2 cups of cooked brown rice Brown rice gives long-lasting energy. It’s easy to digest and full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• 1 zucchini (shredded or finely chopped) Zucchini adds fiber, water, and vitamin C to help your dog’s skin and digestion.
• 1 apple (cored and diced, no seeds) Apples are full of fiber and natural sweetness. They help keep your dog’s teeth clean and gut happy.
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil This oil gives Omega-3 fatty acids for shiny fur and healthy skin. It also helps with joints and inflammation.

How to Make Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food

1. Cook the beef in a non-stick pan on medium heat. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Make sure it turns brown all over. Drain the extra fat to keep it healthy.
2. Cook brown rice in a separate pot. Use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. Let it simmer until the grains are soft and fluffy.
3. Shred the zucchini using a grater, or chop it small. You can lightly steam it for better digestion or keep it raw if your dog’s tummy handles it well.
4. Dice the apple into small chunks. Make sure to remove all seeds and the core, as they are not safe for dogs.
5. In a large bowl, mix the cooked beef, rice, zucchini, and apple.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil and mix everything well until coated.
7. Let it cool down fully before feeding your dog.

How to Store Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food Safely

1. Store in clean airtight containers.
2. In the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 5 days.
3. In the freezer, it stays good for up to 3 months.
4. You can freeze in small, single-meal packs to make mealtime easy.

How Much Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food to Feed

Here’s a guide to help you serve the right amount based on your dog’s weight:

• Small dogs (10–20 lbs): ½ to 1 cup per meal
• Medium dogs (30–50 lbs): 1 to 1½ cups per meal
• Large dogs (60+ lbs): 2 to 3 cups per meal

Feed two times a day and adjust portions if your dog is very active, a puppy, or needs to gain/lose weight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is homemade dog food cheaper than store-bought kibble?

Yes! When you cook in bulk and plan meals well, homemade dog food can cost $2 to $3 per day for a medium-sized dog. Compare that to premium kibble, which often costs $5 or more per day. Plus, homemade food means fewer vet visits, which saves money in the long run.

Does my dog need supplements with homemade food?

Yes, your dog needs a few important nutrients that aren’t always in homemade meals. Always talk to your vet, but most dogs will benefit from:

• Fish oil capsules – for healthy skin and a shiny coat
• Eggshell powder or calcium powder – to support strong bones and teeth
• Balance IT® supplements – a vet-trusted brand that adds missing vitamins

These keep your dog healthy, active, and full of life.

How long does homemade dog food last?

To keep food fresh and safe:

• In the fridge, store in airtight containers and use within 4 to 5 days
• In the freezer, you can freeze portions for up to 2 to 3 months
• Always thaw frozen food overnight in the fridge do not microwave directly from frozen