If you've been curious about homemade dog food but aren't sure where to begin, you're not alone. Many pet parents worry that preparing homemade meals will be complicated or expensive. Others are afraid their homemade food won’t be nutritionally complete or balanced.
The good news is that homemade dog food can be surprisingly simple when you begin with easy recipes and follow veterinarian-developed guidance. Our team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists, PhD animal nutritionists, and veterinarians have worked together to create homemade dog food recipes that work. Dr. Dody in particular has spent nearly 20 years creating complete and balanced homemade diets for dogs of all ages and sizes.
In this article, you'll find three beginner-friendly homemade dog food recipes that are easy to prepare using everyday kitchen equipment, plus a bonus homemade dog treat recipe your pup will love.
Before we begin, there’s one safety issue we need to address:
Why “Dog-Safe” Bone Broth Is So Important
All three homemade dog food recipes in this article use either water or bone broth. Bone broth is great for adding flavor, moisture, and valuable nutrients that many dogs enjoy.
However, it’s important to use only “dog-safe” bone broth. Bone broth from the grocery store often contains ingredients like onions, garlic, or excessive sodium that can be harmful to dogs.
Look for bone broth specifically formulated for pets, or make your own dog-safe bone broth at home. If you’d like to learn more, check out our complete guide to making bone broth for your dogs.
Homemade Dog Food Recipe #1: Turkey with Chicken Hearts and Gizzards (made in a Slow Cooker)
This slow cooker recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the addition of organ meats means it’s super nutritious and packed with B vitamins and COQ10.
Ingredients:
2 pounds of 85% ground turkey
1 pound of chicken gizzards or chicken gizzards and hearts (do NOT use only hearts)
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 pound of carrots (diced into bite-sized pieces)
8 ounces of broccoli (diced into bite-sized pieces)
2 cups of whole wheat pasta shells
5 cups of dog-safe bone broth or water
2 Tsp Holistic Vet Blend® Icelandic Omega-3 Fish Oil
2 Tbsp Holistic Vet Blend® Canine Limited Premix
Equipment:
Slow cooker
Directions:
1. Add the coconut oil to the slow cooker.
2. Add all of the meat to the slow cooker, breaking it all up into smaller pieces as you go.
3. Add the carrots and bone broth/water and mix well.
4. Set the pasta shells on top, pressing down a bit to make sure they are covered with liquid.
5. Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours. .
6. Add the broccoli, and cook for an additional 2 hours.
7. Pull the pot out of the slow cooker and allow the food to cool. (transferring the food to a different container and adding a couple of ice cubes will cool it faster)
8. Add the vitamin premix and fish oil
9. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for later use.
Homemade Dog Food Recipe #2: Ground Beef and Blueberries (Instant Pot)
The Instant Pot makes this recipe easy to make but also quick to cook. It’s full of protein and energy-providing carbohydrates while containing vital nutrients from fruits and vegetables.
Ingredients:
3 pounds of 83% lean ground beef
12 oz total of kale and/or spinach, diced into small pieces
2 eggs (optional)
12 oz of carrots, diced
2 cups brown rice
4 oz blueberries
6 cups of dog-safe bone broth or water
1 Tbsp of coconut oil
2 Tsp Holistic Vet Blend® Icelandic Omega-3 Fish Oil
3 Tbsp Canine Regular Premix
Equipment:
Instant Pot
Directions:
1. Make sure you have all your ingredients portioned out and prepared first, as the Instant Pot heats up quickly.
2. Add coconut oil to the Instant Pot.
3. Turn on the sauté function.
4. Add the meat.
5. Add the kale and/or spinach. They will take up a lot of space at first but will reduce quickly.
6. Sauté for about 8-10 minutes.
7. Add eggs and mix in well. (optional)
8. Add carrots, blueberries, and brown rice.
9. Add bone broth or water.
10. Set Instant Pot to pressure cook for 23 minutes. Turn off the Keep Warm feature.
11. After the cooking cycle completes, allow a natural release (about 10 minutes).
12. Remove the pot from the Instant Pot and allow to cool. (you can add a couple of ice cubes to cool it faster)
13. Add the fish oil and vitamin premix.
14. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for later use.
Homemade Dog Food Recipe #3: Turkey and Carrots (Instant Pot)
Here’s another fast and easy recipe. The Instant Pot makes short work of cooking these wholesome ingredients, which contain all the protein, fat, carbs, and nutrients your dog needs.
Ingredients:
3 pounds of 85% lean ground turkey
2 Tbsp coconut oil
8 ounces kale diced with large stems removed (can substitute broccoli if needed)
1 pound carrots
2 cups uncooked brown rice
6 cups water or bone broth
2 Tsp Holistic Vet Blend® Icelandic Omega-3 Fish Oil
2 Tbsp/15 grams Canine Limited Premix
Equipment:
Instant Pot
Directions:
1. Make sure you have all the ingredients measured out and prepped, as the Instant Pot heats up quickly.
2. Turn the sauté function on.
3. Add 2 Tbsp coconut oil and allow it to melt.
4. Add the turkey and break it up into pieces.
4. Add the carrots, brown rice, kale, and water or broth. Do not stir as you do not want the rice to be on the bottom of the pot.
5. Cook on high pressure for 24 minutes.
6. Allow natural release and cool the recipe.
7. Remove the pot from the Instant Pot and allow it to cool. (you can add a couple of ice cubes to cool it faster)
8. Add the fish oil and vitamin premix and mix well.
9. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for later use.
Bonus Recipe: Easy Homemade Salmon Dog Treats
This recipe makes delicious homemade treats that are super soft, which makes them especially good for older dogs and those with trouble chewing.
Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 6 oz cans of salmon in water
1 cup of flour
Equipment:
Blender or food processor
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Oven
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Crack the eggs and add to the blender
3. Add salmon (with the water) to the blender or food processor.
4. Blend until combined.
5. Add the flour to the blender and blend to a nice puree.
6. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper
7. Spread the blended mixture out onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet until it’s about the size of a sheet of notebook paper. It should be about ¼” - ½” thick.
8. Bake at 250 for 25 minutes.
9. Allow to cool.
10. Cut into small squares. If you cut into 1” x 1” squares, you will get around 150 treats and each treat will have about 5 calories. (we recommend using a pizza cutter).
11. Freeze until needed.
Tips for success with homemade dog food
Before you get started, here are a few helpful tips from Dr. Dody:
- If your dog has a medical condition or is currently on a prescription diet, consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.
- Introduce homemade dog food gradually over 7–10 days to help avoid digestive upset and allow your dog time to adjust to the new flavors and textures.
- Consider preparing larger batches and freezing individual portions. Batch cooking can save both time and money while making fresh feeding more convenient.
- Remember that homemade feeding doesn't have to be all or nothing. Even incorporating fresh homemade meals a few times per week or using them as a topper can provide benefits for your dog.
Conclusion
Making homemade dog food doesn't have to be intimidating. With a few fresh ingredients, basic kitchen equipment, and veterinarian-developed recipes, you can prepare delicious meals that support your dog's health while giving you greater control over what goes into their bowl. And remember, homemade feeding doesn't have to be all or nothing. Even replacing part of your dog's current diet with fresh homemade food is a meaningful step that supports your dog's long-term health and wellbeing.
FAQ
Why do these recipes say to cook the food instead of leaving it raw?
Dr. Dody recommends gently cooked homemade dog food over raw food because it offers an excellent balance of nutrition, digestibility, and food safety.
Light cooking reduces the risk of harmful bacteria, and it makes the food easier for your dog to digest and absorb. Unlike the high-heat used in making many commercial foods, gentle cooking preserves the nutritional value found in fresh whole-food ingredients.
Why do these recipes include a vitamin premix and fish oil?
While fresh meats, vegetables, and natural carbohydrates like brown rice provide your dog energy and many important nutrients, they do not automatically supply every vitamin and mineral your dog needs.
Adding a veterinary-formulated vitamin premix ensures your homemade dog food provides your pup with complete and balanced nutrition. Without a premix, homemade diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies over time.
Dr. Dody also recommends adding fish oil to homemade dog food recipes because it provides beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. This supports healthy skin, coat, joints, immune function, heart health, and cognitive function.
How much of the food do I feed my dog?
Here is what Dr. Dody recommends:
FEEDING GUIDE (according to your dog’s weight in lbs)
weight in pounds = cups to feed*
5-10 = ½-1
11-25 = 1-3
26-50 = 3-5
51-75 = 5-7
75-100 = 7-10
over 100 = Consult Vet
*Every dog is unique, with some being more active than others. The above amounts can be more than they need per day. Monitor their weight and adjust accordingly.
Is homemade dog food healthier than commercial dog food?
Homemade dog food is naturally less processed than commercial dog food, uses fresh whole food ingredients, and gives pet parents control over the ingredients in their dog’s diet. should be prepared using fresh, high-quality ingredients. All these are advantages that can deliver health benefits to your dog. However, balance is key. A homemade diet should only be made using vet-approved recipes and vitamin premixes to make sure your dog gets all the vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and other nutrients they need to thrive.
Can dogs eat homemade food every day?
Yes. Dogs can eat homemade food every day as long as the recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced. Feeding plain meat, vegetables, or table scraps alone is not enough and can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time. That's why veterinarian-developed recipes and appropriate supplementation are critical when feeding your dog a homemade dog food diet.
Can I freeze homemade dog food?
Absolutely. Freezing is one of the easiest ways to make homemade dog food more convenient. Many pet parents prepare large batches and freeze individual meal portions for future use. Properly stored in airtight containers, frozen homemade dog food can maintain quality for several months. Thaw portions in the refrigerator before feeding and discard any leftovers that have been sitting out for extended periods.
