Providing your dog with the best nutrition possible isn't as easy as most people think. We want to give our dogs the best, but the better a product is, the more expensive the price tag. A healthy homemade diet for dogs isn't the cheapest option available, but it's a budget-friendly way to provide your pet with high quality meals that meet his needs.
Before changing your dog’s diet, always discuss the change with your veterinarian. Show them the recipe(s) that you would like to feed your dog, and get their advice on any additional supplements that may be needed. They may also have suggestions on ingredient substitutions that would make the recipe a better choice for your pup.
Remember that there is NO healthy homemade diet for dogs that's a perfect fit for every dog.
Homemade recipes can sometimes be a better choice than commercial diets. However, feeding homemade food can also be detrimental to your pet's health if you're not paying attention to the nutritional content of the meals and comparing them with the nutritional requirements for canines.
Healthy Homemade Diet for Dogs
While this recipe is made with relatively inexpensive ingredients and is a healthy option for most canines, it may not be a good fit for your dog. The best thing that you can do is consult your veterinarian and/or a canine nutritionist. They can help you to better understand your dog's unique nutritional needs and find recipes that will meet those needs.
Recipe: Healthy Homemade Diet for Dogs
The protein source in this recipe is ground beef, but you can substitute a different ingredient if your dog has trouble with beef. Chicken, turkey or venison would all be good options. You could even use fish, bison, ostrich or any other less common protein source that may be available in your region.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 10 cups of food 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 2 cups uncooked quinoa
- pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp. organic butter
- 1 tbsp. wheat germ
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. brewer's yeast
- 1 tbsp. calcium citrate
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 tbsp. flaxseed oil
- 2 tbsp. plain yogurt
- 1 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1 tsp. powdered turmeric
Instructions
Add the ground beef, quinoa, salt, butter, wheat germ, apple cider vinegar, brewer's yeast and calcium citrate to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the ingredients.
Allow the recipe to come to a boil, stir the ingredients together and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add the carrots, flaxseed oil, yogurt, ginger and turmeric. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: .9 grams
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 7.6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 23.9 grams
- Fiber: 2.9 grams
- Protein: 19.2 grams
- Cholesterol: 44 mg
How much to feed: I recommend feeding about 1 cup of food for every 30 pounds of body weight. This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. This is just a guideline. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many. It is extremely important to consult your veterinarian about the best serving size for your dog.
How to store: You can store the leftover healthy homemade diet for dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that this recipe includes no preservatives, so it won't last nearly as long as commercial dog food.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home-cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
