Are you looking for the best homemade dog food recipes? We’re here to help you out. We have compiled a list of vet approved homemade dog food recipes. 

Get ready to cook for your dog like you do for your other beloved family members!

To ensure your beloved pet’s long-term health and well-being, you must give it high-quality food. Fortunately, there are plenty of home-cooked recipes that dogs can eat safely. Cooking for your dog is a smart choice, and you'll enjoy feeding it more than ever!

Meatballs

First on our list of best homemade dog food recipes is meatballs: a classic, foolproof treat you can give your dog any day. The best part is that you can make a big batch and freeze them—they will keep for up to two months! You can just defrost and heat up a serving once a week or so.

Beef is a great ingredient that is tasty and packed full of nutrients. You can also opt for lighter meat, such as chicken or turkey. As for the vegetables, you can add in your dog’s favorites if it has any!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or chicken or turkey
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of almond flour or plain flour
• ¼ cup chopped carrots, parsley, and/or spinach

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until homogenous. 
3. Add water if the mixture is a bit dry, or add flour if the mixture is too wet.
4. Form your meatballs. Any size will do—just consider how many servings your dog will need to be full.
5. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and put them in the oven.
6. One-inch meatballs will bake within 15 to 20 minutes. Smaller servings will bake faster, while larger ones will need a bit more time. You can also choose to fry the meatballs to keep a closer eye on their doneness.
7. Serve meatballs when fully cool.
8. Cooked and uncooked meatballs can be stored in the freezer for two months. Cooked leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.

ALSO READ: Some Tips On Taking Care Of Pet Dogs

Chicken Rice Balls 

This recipe is packed with ingredients dogs are sure to love: chicken, sweet potatoes, and rice. Well-cooked chicken is a safe and healthy, protein-packed treat for your dog. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, which will boost your dog’s immune system and eye health.

This is one of the best homemade dog food recipes for small dogs because you can adjust the servings to suit their appetite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 pound roasted and shredded chicken
• 2 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• ¼ cup chopped parsley, peas, kale, and/or other veggies
• 2 eggs

Preparation

1. In a large pot, put sweet potatoes, carrots, and your choice of veggies. Add water and boil until the sweet potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the mixture and pulse in a blender until pureed.
3. Scramble the eggs.
4. Mix the rice, shredded chicken, vegetable puree, and eggs until homogenous. 
5. Portion into balls in your preferred size.
6. Microwave the balls for 30 seconds and serve.
7. Chicken rice balls can be kept in the freezer for one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and microwave before serving.

Mini Omelets

What can I feed my dog instead of dog food? How about an omelette? 

Eggs are excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids—nutrients that your dog needs for long-term health.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup cooked salmon, shredded chicken, or your protein of choice
• ½ green pepper, diced

Preparation

1. Mix eggs in a bowl.
2. Drizzle a bit of oil on a frying pan. Heat it to medium-high.
3. Pour eggs into the pan. Tilt to spread evenly and cook about halfway.
4. Sprinkle protein and green peppers in the middle.
5. Fold the egg in half and cook until firm.
6. Cool and serve.

Woof Loaf

This highly nutritious meal is packed with protein and your dog’s favorite veggies!

Ingredients

• 3 cups ground meat (turkey, chicken, or beef)
• ¼ cup grated sweet potato
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup peas or other finely-chopped green vegetables
• 1 ½ cups uncooked traditional rolled oats
• 2 eggs

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, sweet potato, carrots, and other veggies until homogenous.
3. Add the rolled oats and eggs. Continue mixing until it comes together.
4. Put the mixture in the loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Let the pan cool thoroughly before cutting a slice for your dog.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. —Roger Caras

Spinach and Salmon Scramble

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep dog’s skin and fur healthy and fluffy. 

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 oz boneless, skinless salmon
• ½ cup spinach
• 2 eggs

Preparation

1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add salmon and spinach and cook through.
3. Add eggs and stir until all elements are cooked
4. Let cool and serve.

Turkey & Veggie Mash

This turkey mash is made with 100% natural, nutrient-dense, and delicious ingredients that your dog is sure to love. And best of all, the total prep time is only 20 minutes!

Ingredients

• 1 chopped carrot
• 1 cup cauliflower
• ½ cup green beans and/or other green veggies of choice
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon diced chicken liver
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

1. Steam vegetables until tender, about 10 minutes. Mix and chop finely or pulse in a blender or food processor.
2. Mix turkey and chicken liver in a pan and cook on medium heat. 
3. Combine veggies with the meat. Add olive oil for binding.
4. Cool completely before serving or freezing for future use.

Meat Cakes

These meat cakes are filled with healthy and tasty ingredients such as rice, potatoes, carrots, celery stalks, eggs, oats, and a lot of beef. It’s a great dish worth every effort to spoil your dog with guilt-free and healthy home-cooked food.

Ingredients

• ½ cup cooked brown rice
• 1 grated potato
• 1 grated carrot
• 1 chopped celery stalk
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup traditional rolled oats

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease all 12 cups of a large muffin tin.
2. In a medium bowl, combine veggies, beef, and eggs. Mix until homogeneous.
3. Add olive oil, rolled oats, and cooked rice. Combine thoroughly.
4. Fill each muffin tin to the brim. Press down to pack the mixture firmly.
5. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool completely before serving or freezing for future use.

Vegan Happy Dog Bowl

This is an excellent homemade dog food recipes for skin allergies because it only consists of wholesome ingredients. If you want to switch your dog to a vegan diet, this is an excellent recipe to begin with!

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, baked and chopped
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup black beans
• ½ cup kale leaf stems

Preparation

1. Make sure all ingredients are cooled completely before mixing.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice, sweet potatoes, and kale. 
3. Divide into two or three servings, and let your pup enjoy!

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Is Home-Cooked Food Good for Dogs?

Dogs always seem to covet any type of food they catch whiffs of, and as loving owners, their begging eyes can be difficult to resist. Often, dogs are not satisfied with the commercial dog food you put on their plates—they always seem to want a piece of whatever you are eating.

Can I feed my dog homemade food? While experts strongly advise against feeding dogs scraps from your dinner table, that doesn’t mean you can’t give your dog home-cooked food. 

In fact, cooking dog food at home is an excellent way to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients it needs. And as a bonus, you don’t have to worry about preservatives, chemicals, and additives found in pet food products.

Mixing and Matching Ingredients

A balanced diet for most dogs consists of 40% protein, 50% vegetables, and 10% starch.

Nutrient-rich protein options include beef, chicken, turkey, pork, tuna, and eggs. Make sure to remove skin and excess fat before cooking your choice of protein. Some dogs are sensitive or even allergic to protein, so you should consult your vet before you begin experimenting with home-cooked meals for your dog. 

Dogs enjoy carrots, peas, spinach, sweet potato, and celery. Avoid mushrooms, grapes, and raisins.

The most nutrient-dense carbs are brown rice, rolled oats, and pasta.

If your dog accidentally ingests an ingredient that it shouldn’t, you must take action immediately. Check out this guide on how to get a dog to throw up. Take your dog to the vet if it has vomited more than one or two times in 24 hours.

This list of the best homemade dog food recipes is packed with much-needed nutrients, and they’re incredibly easy to prepare. You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to whip up these healthy meals for your dog instead of opting for commercial dog food.

Enjoy trying out these recipes, and let us know which one is your dog’s favorite!