10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes Every Dog Parent Should Know (2024)

FAQs

What should be the main ingredient in homemade dog food? ›

WHAT IS THE RATIO FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD? Dogs are obligate carnivores, so their diet should mainly consist of meats and protein. A good recommendation is 80% meat, 10% vegetable, and 10% Know Better Pet Food Premix.

What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).

Vets generally don't recommend making your own raw dog food because of the risk of bacterial contamination or possible public health risks. Consult with a vet or veterinary nutritionist to make sure a homemade diet works for your pet.

There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.

What are the essential ingredients for homemade dog food? In general, a nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipe should include: At least 10 percent protein, such as chicken, fish, turkey, or lean beef. Up to 50 percent carbs, like rice, pasta, and potatoes (also a great source of fiber!)

Chicken and rice isn't meant to be given as an everyday dog food, nor is it suitable to be used in place of regular dog treats. It's simply a short-term bland diet option intended for a sick dog.

Fruits and veggies are a great way to change your dog's eating habits for the better. Chopped apples, bananas, green beans, and broccoli are healthy foods you can mix with kibble. Sweet potato puree is another good source of fiber, as well as vitamin A.

Homemade meals may even make it possible to feed your dog well for less. Even when you add the cost of a vitamin/mineral supplement opens in a new tab and calcium, it can still cost less than commercial food (like, as little as $3 a day). But there's a catch: What you save in money, you spend in time and commitment.

Beef, chicken, turkey gizzards, livers (beef/chicken/turkey), hearts (beef/chicken/turkey), white fish (flounder, grouper, cod (no bones), rabbit, oily fish (sardines in olive oil), salmon, eggs, lamb, veal.

What ingredient to avoid in dog food? ›

Denatured meat is the process in which meat is prepared for dog food. This process is done to colour the meat showing that it is not fit for human consumption. It is often called 3D or 4D meat. These meats come from animals that are either down, dying, diseased or dead, but what exactly does this mean?

The general rule of thumb for a home-made diet for a healthy canine patient is 75% meat/15%vegetables/10% carbohydrate. Variety is the key to a healthy diet so be sure to vary your meat, carbohydrate and vegetable sources from time to time.

Common Dog Food Ingredients

Cereals, which are basic carbohydrates like grain, rice bran, and beet pulp. Vegetables. Fish, which provide both protein and calcium. Fats and oils, a source for vitamins, as well as the energy that dogs need to survive.

FILLERS --- (Oats, Brown rice, Yams, Cooked potatoes, and Pasta.) These healthy fillers will keep the dog food together. RECIPE: Ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and peas.

Focus on the first ingredients.

The main protein should be first and an actual meat source like chicken, duck or lamb.