The best anti-inflammatory diet for dogs is one that consists of high-quality proteins, good fats, vegetables that are high in fiber, and nutrients with low levels of sugar and carbohydrates. This vet-approved, home made dog food recipe is full of inflammation-reducing ingredients that will nourish your dog from the inside out like quinoa, turnip greens, blueberries, and flaxseed.
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian's careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human grade food diet for your pup.***
Is homemade dog food better for dogs?
Our lives drastically changed in 2019 when our dog Hooch's blood levels showed indicators for stage 4 kidney disease. We were literally blindsided!
There were no signs like you would expect; No symptoms to make us suspect something sinister was happening inside his body. Just the signs of what we thought was old age setting in. Then the vet said the unfathomable - we likely only had 3 - 6 months left with him.
We just could not wrap our heads around it - his symptoms were very mild. So mild in fact we just associated them with aging. We left the clinic that day saddled with grief. Armed with only a massive vet bill, and a small bag of prescription diet food that cost about $100.
Upon returning home I did what any dog mom would do - I started pouring myself into research. How could I make the time we had left comfortable for him? How could I help improve his quality of life? Are there measures we can take to prolong his life and improve his health?
Turns out - there was a lot we could do! To our surprise, the changes that had the most positive health impact were actually quite easy lifestyle changes for us to make.
I'm happy to report that it has been 2 years and Hooch no longer shows markers for kidney disease whatsoever! In fact, he is happier, healthier, and more active than ever!
Homemade Dog Food recipe
It's a fact, feeding your pup a diet of 100% human-grade dog food is easy, cost-effective, and WAY better for them than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble!
Our easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground beef, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and tender herbs for a healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food that has given our senior dog a new lease on life!
Hooch no longer shows any indicators for kidney disease thankfully, but we have noticed the inevitable signs of age creeping up on him over the past few years. This is why we created this 100% human-grade anti-inflammatory, homemade dog food recipe that is also gentle on his kidneys.
What ingredients are needed to make this Anti-Inflammatory Home Made Dog Food recipe?
The recipe box below contains a printable version of our recipe for this anti-inflammatory homemade dog food, but let's go into each ingredient in detail.
Lean ground sirloin:
Lean ground sirloin contains omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation. However, ground chicken, ground white or dark meat turkey, & ground pork are all great options for your dog too.
Just be sure to make certain that any meat you feed your animals is free of seasonings when purchasing! Dog's living with a kidney disease diagnosis need meals that are lower in phosphorus - so for us a lean ground beef like ground sirloin is best the way to go!
Thoroughly washed quinoa:
Often used as an ingredient in high-quality dry dog foods, quinoa has a high protein content. Its strong nutritional profile makes it a healthy alternative to corn, wheat, and soy — other starches that are often used to make kibble.
If your dog has never eaten quinoa before, start by giving them a small amount. Though quinoa is generally a healthy food for dogs, some canines might have difficulty digesting it.
As quinoa grows, the plant produces a naturally occurring chemical called "saponin" to protect itself from insects. The amount of saponin found on quinoa is typically too small to create any health problems. But, it is possible that dogs' digestive systems are more sensitive to saponin than humans' digestive systems. A thorough wash of the quinoa before cooking it should remove most if not all of the saponin so you will no longer need to worry.
Eggs:
Eggs are high in protein, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out.
Carrots:
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A which is responsible for good vision, growth, immune function, and cell function. They also offer our dogs potassium, and fiber, among other vitamins.
Green beans:
Green beans are full of important vitamins and minerals, such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins B6, A, C, and K.
Turnip greens:
Turnips are helpful for dogs that suffer from kidney disease as they act as a natural diuretic. This means that they help create urine by increasing kidney filtration and stimulating kidney function. Turnips are also high in various antioxidants which are perfect for fighting inflammation.
Ground chia & flax seeds:
Chia is said to be an immune-system booster and is credited with supporting dogs' electrolyte balance. Flax is high in fiber, and both are high in anti-inflammatories.
Olive oil or another oil high in Omega 3's:
You will want to drizzle a few tablespoons of oil that are high in Omega 3's into each batch of dog food you make. I usually just stick with olive oil or safflower oil because I typically have them on hand and they are affordable. There are great Omega oil blends available on the market too that contain Omega's 3,6, & 9 but they tend to be a bit pricier.
How much 100% human grade food to feed your dog.
This will obviously vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 pounds your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
I know this seems like quite a bit compared to the amount of traditional kibble a dog would eat in a day, but this is because kibble has had all of the liquid cooked out of it. This condenses it down which means you need less of it to feed your pet. Real food like this is fully hydrated which means it takes more of it to feed your pup.
If you are concerned about how much you should feed your dog you should call and consult with your vet about transitioning your dog's diet and the amount of food your dog should eat each day.
Looking for more home made dog food recipes? We've got you covered!
We have noticed that our dogs thrive with a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diets. So, we developed this fall-inspired version below.
The Best DIY Dog Food with Turkey and Veggies
This 100% human grade home made dog food recipe utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dogs like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage. It's perfect for everyday feedings and does double duty as a really delicious holiday meal for your dog!
If you’ve made this Anti-Inflammatory Home Made Dog Food for your pups I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below!
I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours.
Want to be a part of our online community outside of the blog? It’s easy!! All you have to do is follow @THISMESSISOURS on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, or PINTEREST to see cooking demos, and peeks into our day to day life.
PrintAnti-Inflammatory Home Made Dog Food
To make prepping this homemade dog food a cinch and to save LOTS of time and dishes in the process I like to cook the hard-boiled eggs and quinoa in my Instant Pot!
I cook the eggs first, then while the quinoa is cooking in the Instant Pot, I brown the sirloin and get all of the fresh ingredients together. It really does help make the process of meal prepping homemade dog food so much easier! See recipe notes for Instant Pot cooking tips and times!
- Yield: 40 cups 1x
- Category: Dog food
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
½ cup chia seeds
½ cup hemp hearts
1 dozen eggs, hardboiled, peeled, and chopped
2 (12-ounce) packages or 4 cups uncooked quinoa, prepared
4 pounds ground sirloin, browned and drained
2 pounds (32-ounces) frozen green beans
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 (15-ounce) packages of frozen turnip greens
2 (10-ounce) packages of shredded carrots
6 tablespoons good quality olive oil or other oil that is rich in Omega 3's
Instructions
Place the chia seeds and hemp hearts in a blender or food processor and pulse to break down. Set aside.
Prepare the hardboiled eggs and quinoa in the Instant Pot as directed below.
When all of the ingredients that require cooking are ready combine everything in a large container and mix well. I find it easier to layer the ingredients in, adding a little of the olive oil with every layer. Then pop on a lid and give a big shake, it’s a whole lot easier than stirring.
Portion out into individual servings and freeze if desired.
Notes
Instant Pot Quinoa
It will take your Instant Pot about 15-20 minutes to come to pressure, but once it does cooking quinoa happens FAST!
4 cups uncooked quinoa, rinsed
6 cups water
Cook on 1-minute high pressure with 10 minutes slow release. Cool before mixing into other ingredients.
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs:
Place the metal trivet into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Add uncooked eggs on top of the trivet. Place the lid on top, lock to sealing, and cook high pressure for 5 minutes. Release pressure valve manually at the end of the cooking time and carefully remove the hard boiled eggs to a water bath to cool.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup per 10 lbs.
- Calories: 253
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Sodium: 46.6 mg
- Fat: 6.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 54.3 g
- Protein: 7.7 g
- Cholesterol: 55.8 mg
Looking for dog treat recipes? Keep scrolling for inspiration!
DIY Apple Kong Treat
This 2-ingredient no-cook dog treat is a BIG hit with our dogs and keeps them entertained for quite some too!
Easy Peanut Butter Dog Treat
10 minutes of hands-on time and only 4 ingredients stand between you and your dog's new favorite treat! This peanut butter dog treats recipe is simple to make, gluten-free, and full of good for your dog ingredients.
Frozen Blueberry and Yogurt Dog Treats
Blueberries are one of the best fruits that dogs can eat. This flavorful little superfood packs quite a nutritious punch loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Dhana Griffore says
Hello, I appreciate the effort you put into creating these recipes. I am eager to start preparing fresh food for my seven English bulldogs, each of whom has different health issues. One dog is dealing with cancer, and another has severe allergies that require $600 a month in medication. I am hopeful that I can successfully transition them all to this new diet.
I have a question about the fresh turnip greens I purchased. Should I cook them, and do you use the stems as well? Is it recommended to use the entire plant or only the leaves?
Sending warm regards from Arizona along with my bulldog family.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi! I am so sorry to hear about your dog's health issues, I hope this recipe helps them! Dogs can eat all of the turnip and turnip greens. Raw turnip greens can be difficult for dogs to chew and may cause digestive issues. Cooking makes them will make them easier to digest.
Sherry says
Just made this for my 9 and 10 year old toy Australian Shepherds.
Hope they love it! They’ve boycotted all dry dog food. I know this will be better for them. I’m hoping it helps my Bristol’s arthritis and allergies.
A quick tip for the eggs- crack the eggs in an InstantPot safe bowl. Put 1 cup water in bottom of IP, put the bowl on a rack and cook for 4 minutes. Be sure to spray the bowl with nonstick spray. You end up with a hard boiled egg loaf. No peeling necessary! Just chop it up. Such a time saver!
meg@thismessisours says
I hope they love it too!! I love your hard boiled egg loaf idea, that will make life so much easier as I find myself peeling a lot of eggs!
Sherry says
Bristol and Bentley love it! And Bristol has more spunk and pep in her step!
Cheryl says
Feeding instructions question. If my dog is 50lbs I would feed her 5 cups per day or 5 cups twice a day? Sorry, your response to someone else had me second guessing. I’ve been doing between 4 and 5 cups per day.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Cheryl! Great question! For a dog weighing 50 lbs, the amount of food can depend on a few factors, including the specific recipe you’re using and your dog’s activity level. Generally, if the total recommended daily amount is 5 cups, you would divide this amount into two meals, feeding 2.5 cups twice a day.
It’s always a good idea to monitor your dog’s weight and adjust portions as needed. If your dog seems to be maintaining a healthy weight and has good energy levels, you’re probably on the right track. However, if you’re unsure or if your dog has special dietary needs, consulting with your vet can provide more personalized guidance.
V says
Hi I came across this recipe when I googled homemade dog recipes for GI inflammation. It looks really good for my dog who has gut inflammation. I also want to prevent him from getting kidney disease. How long did it take to see results in your dogs with this recipe? I saw someone posted the protein content is too high, did you find that to be the case or did it seem fine? I'll let you know how my dog likes this recipe once I make it. Also, I see it's vet approved, did you have your vet look at it or did you use a vet nutritionist to help you come up with it? Thanks!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi! I’m glad you found the recipe! It’s wonderful that you’re taking proactive steps to support your dog’s gut health and prevent kidney disease.
In my experience, you might start seeing improvements in your dog’s condition within a few weeks of consistently feeding the recipe. However, results can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and your dog’s overall health.
Regarding the protein content, I’ve found that the recipe works well for most dogs, but it’s always important to adjust based on your dog’s specific needs. If you have any concerns about the protein levels, especially given your dog’s condition, discussing it with your vet or a vet nutritionist can provide additional reassurance and tailored advice.
The recipe was developed with vet guidance to ensure it meets general nutritional needs, but if you’re looking for a more personalized approach, a vet nutritionist can offer deeper insights specific to your dog’s health status.
Gail Littlefield says
Can I substitute other “meat” sources for the sirloin (ie, lean pork, chicken, canned fish like salmon or sardines, turkey)?
Is there a good substitution for hemp hearts? Flax seeds perhaps? Or possibly double the chia seeds?
My Golden was diagnosed with ITP (Immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia) a few days ago. She nearly died bleeding out from a massive flare. I intend to feed my Golden homemade, human-grade, immune supporting, anti-inflammatory dog food going forward. Do you find this recipe freezes well in small containers? I’d like to make two batches at once and freeze ahead. My dog is 70 poinds, so one batch won’t last long. Thanks so much for your recipe and sharing your experience.! 👣❤️🐾
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Gail! You can definitely substitute other protein sources for the sirloin. Lean pork, chicken, turkey, and even canned fish like salmon or sardines are great alternatives. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times as needed, especially for the different types of meat.
For the hemp hearts, flax seeds are a good substitution, and doubling the chia seeds could work as well. Both flax seeds and chia seeds provide excellent omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, so they’ll keep the recipe nutritious.
I’m really sorry to hear about your Golden’s diagnosis. It’s wonderful that you’re focusing on homemade, nutrient-rich food to support her health. This recipe does freeze well in small containers, so making and freezing in batches is a great idea. Just be sure to let the food cool completely before freezing to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Kathy says
Our 11 yr old pit chow mix recently went deaf. He had lost interest in everything, including food. We purchased several brands of food and looked at ordering so called fresh food for him, but the cost was prohibitive. I tried your recipe and he licks the bowl clean and begs for more! He is more like himself, running and playing and happy again. Thank you!
Vickie says
How do you balance the calcium to phosphorus?
Eliza Clendenin says
Great question! Balancing calcium to phosphorus is crucial for your dog's diet to ensure they maintain optimal health. In the homemade dog food recipe provided, the balance is achieved through a careful combination of ingredients. For instance, using bone meal or eggshells can help increase calcium levels, while ingredients like meats and vegetables contribute to phosphorus.
To be more precise, it’s important to follow the recommended guidelines for your dog's specific needs, as the ideal ratio can vary based on factors like age, size, and activity level. Consulting with your vet or a pet nutritionist can provide tailored advice and adjustments to ensure you're meeting your dog's unique nutritional requirements.
Becca says
My dog is presenting with symptoms of cushings; but, she’s an old girl and her quality of life is still pretty decent. One of the top things I’ve researched is the need to switch to human grade food. This recipe was extremely time consuming and I certainly underestimated the size of container I needed; but we did it! I was able to vacuum seal three day portions easily. She loves it and I’ve already seen a huge improvement. Her belly was enlarged, probably due to enlarged internal organs which is common symptom of cushings. Since changing her diet and using this recipe, WITHIN DAYS her belly has gone down almost halfway. Her mobility seems to have improved and the dryness of her nose and paws has gotten better. Highly recommend!!
Lorrie says
Hi I've got a 13yr old pug just diagnosed with kidney failure. She's at vets right now flushings out toxins. She had stopped eating so we took her in and that's what it is apparently. I don't understand cuz she ate raw her whole life with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. So she had a great diet. Any advice on changing her diet. And getting her to eat again. They are suggesting kidney kibble food which I don't think will do.much for her. Seems like a step backwards. Before diagnosis she was throwing up occasionally and still peeing and pooing fine. Then they put her on antinausea meds and she stopped eating and got dehydrated.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Lorrie!
I’m so sorry to hear about your pug’s recent diagnosis. Kidney issues can be really challenging, especially when you've worked so hard to provide a great diet for her. It’s clear you care deeply about her well-being.
While the kidney kibble might not seem ideal, it’s often recommended because it’s formulated to help manage the specific needs of dogs with kidney failure. That said, it’s always worth exploring options that might be a good fit for her, especially if she’s having trouble with the current food.
You might consider discussing with your vet the possibility of a home-cooked diet specifically tailored for kidney health. Some ingredients known to be gentle on the kidneys include lean proteins like chicken or turkey, and vegetables like carrots and green beans. Just be sure to check with your vet or a pet nutritionist to ensure any new diet supports her condition and provides the right balance of nutrients.
In terms of getting her to eat again, sometimes warming the food or adding a bit of low-sodium broth can help make it more appealing. You might also try small, frequent meals rather than larger ones, which can sometimes be easier on a dog’s stomach.
I hope this helps, and I wish your pug a speedy recovery. It’s clear you’re doing everything you can to support her during this tough time.
Jennie S says
My dog is 10 years old and I’m sure achy by the way he walks and struggles getting on & off furniture. He also has gone from a “maze bowl” to picking pieces of kibble out of his bowl (now a normal food bowl) and eating some, not necessarily all of it. We usually feed him twice a day. I saw the cup/weight ratio and was wondering if this is once or twice a day? He’s a big boy and I was gonna give him kibble in the morning & this in the evening… Thoughts?
Summer Dickerhoof says
Great question! Definitely double check with your vet to make sure this is the right diet for your pup, but I say 1 cup per 10 lbs (per meal if you are feeding twice a day).
Cindy says
My dog weighs 92 lbs , I find it very hard to believe that ge would eat 9 cups of food a day . That's absurd .
meg@thismessisours says
This food is not dehydrated and concentrated like kibble, so while it may sound absurd, I can assure you it is not. My dog weighed just over 80 and we fed him 8 cups per day for over 5 years until he finally succumbed to old age at almost 15yrs old.
Mel says
How long does the 40 cups last you for your dog? How long can this mixture be safely refrigerated? Do dogs balk at the flavor of all the veggies or does the meat flavor everything enough that they eat it easily?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Mel!!
Honestly, in our household 40 cups does not last long. It would only last us around 2 days with a little bit left over. Due to my dogs going through the food so quickly, we don't keep their food longer than a week.
Neither of our dogs balk at all of the veggies! They love them!
Maria says
So this is 1 cup per 10 pounds twice a day? So a 30 pound dog would need 6 cups per day?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Maria! The total recommended amount is 1 cup per 10 pounds of body weight per day. So for a 30-pound dog, that would be 3 cups total per day. You’d split this amount into two meals, so 1.5 cups per meal. If you have any concerns or need more personalized advice, consulting with your vet is always a good idea.
Pat Green says
Hi,
What did you feed when you first received the diagnosis of kidney disease? My golden is in stage 2. He also has had gut issues. It seems the protein in your current recipe is too high for active kidney disease.
Do the recipes meet AAFCO standards? How did you figure out the supplements?
My vet nutritionist is using Balance It recipes she is creating and I am wary of what is in the supplements. I feed only organic or non gmo food, but I have no idea what’s in the supplements.
Can I perhaps chat with you by email. or phone sometime. I feel there are better alternatives for him.
Thanks
Pat
Chanel Whitaker says
I’m really looking forward to making this for our little dude Ted. He just turned 1 and he’s giving us a run for our money with an abscessed molar, which was removed along with his neutering, which the mouth wound doesn’t manage to heal.
The dr got a culture of the wounded area and there is speculation it maybe cancer. 😭
We’ve given him canned food since mid December. And I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t aiding in the situation.
I just made him Golden Paste, and I’ll be making him this batch today!!!
Thank you for sharing and for being as passionate (if not more) about your fur baby!!!
Stephanie Greene says
Hi Chanel! So sorry to hear what you are going through. Did your little guy like this? I know it's only been a few days since you posted, but has it made a difference? Only asking because my little girl Penny is coming home today from the hospital with a massive infection in her mouth due to an abscessed molar (or two) and the infection has pushed its way up, pushing out her third eye lid. We can't give her an anti-inflammatory because the first vet we went to gave her rimadyl and prednisone too close, so now we have to wait 5 days to start on an inti-inflammatory. 🙁 So I am doing my research to find soft, homemade anti-inflammatory foods for her.
Kimberly Thompson says
Do you not cook the fruits and vegetables? Just mix them in with the quinoa and eggs?
Eliza Clendenin says
Right! We do not cook the fruits & vegetables, just add them in!
Michelle says
Can I use fresh veg instead of frozen ?
Eliza Clendenin says
Of course!
Jennifer says
I'm excited to try this for our dog. Her bloodwork came back that she has Valley Fever and her inflammatory levels are extremely high(she never got sick). We were extremely worried, stop and go for a while, but I think she's on the mend. At least her attitude and demeanor have perked up. This big girl could use more spoiling.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Jennifer!
Hope all is going well & that your pup loves the food!
Anabela Diaz says
I love to make this food to my pup, she’s a teacup Maltese, I took her to the Vet an she has collapsed traquea, they give me meds but I think if I star feeding her with good an right ingredients she’s going to be ok…
What you recommend to used instead of turnip greens? I can’t find it anywhere…
Can you help me with that?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Anabela, I am so sorry to hear about your pup!
Usually if we don't use the turnip greens we will go for frozen collard greens or frozen spinach.
I hope this helps!
Devon says
I’m so glad I ran across this! Our senior pup doesn’t have specific health issues, but lots of sensitivities so we are moving to home cooked. When you say 1 cup per ten lbs. that would be 7 cups of food for our guy. It seems like so much! Please tell me that is for the whole day? So we’d split it between his breakfast and dinner? 3.5 cups each meal? Thank you so much for sharing this!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Devon!
Yes, this would be for one whole day!
We typically give our dogs a few whole carrots throughout the day as snacks & then their dinner around the same time that we eat!
I hope that this helps!!
Eliza
Patty says
Can I use fresh instead of frozen ingredients? If so, should the turnip greens be cooked? My dog has cancer, heart murmur, bad teeth and extreme luxating patella. I think this would really help his inflammation.
Summer Dickerhoof says
You can! Though, I find it more affordable to use frozen.
Marie Harrigill says
Hi We have an old Boston Terrier who is over weight. We are concerned and want to make him healthy food do you have a recipe that is for over weight dogs?? Thanks
Summer Dickerhoof says
I don't have any weight loss diet food recipes, but check with your vet and see what the best option is for your pup!
Maree Sauvetre says
Hi,We live in the south of France and I am sooo grateful to have found all this information. We have just passed a very difficult year with our beautiful boy Ruben whom in November will turn 9. His digestion turned to a nightmare as he had been diagnosed with a heart murmur due to a value that does not close correctly. The pill that he was required to take had turned his digestive system into a bight yellow/green mess a secondary problem. Your recipe and advise has turned him into a wonderful heathy and when he knows that I am cooking his food very vocal boy! Our heartfelt thanks and our kindest thoughts to all your family. Maree
Summer Dickerhoof says
So happy to hear this!
Debbie Riomondo says
I can't find frozen turnip greens...what would a good substitute be?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi there Debbie!!
Whenever we can't find frozen turnip greens at our local grocery store we will use frozen spinach or frozen kale if your store sells frozen kale.
Hope this helps!
Eliza
Kiki says
I just made this recipe at the weekend for my two - a 12 year old chihuhua yorkie cross with Syringomyelia and a 2 year old pure chihuahua. They absolutely love it! I just have a question or two - when you say 1 cup per 10lbs, is this per day or per meal? I'm guessing per day... I have to feed mine 3 times a day because of the older ones medications. I've worked out for their weight (3.3kgs) that they should be on about 92.5 grams (I'm British sorry for strange measurements!) So I'm hoping this is correct.
I see you've answered my other question about steaming the veg above - i steamed everything but the carrots and blueberries - is this okay? I was concerned about giving them raw stuff because I've read that raw spring greens can make them gassy, also, I'm in the UK and the only spring greens I could get hold of were cabbage rather than turnip. Again hoping this is still nutritious for them, I know turnip has a lot of good stuff.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Eliza Clendenin says
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe for your adorable fur babies! I'm thrilled to hear that both your chihuahua yorkie cross and pure chihuahua loved it.
To clarify your questions:
The guideline of 1 cup per 10 lbs is intended as a daily amount, so you’re correct in assuming it’s per day. Since you’re feeding your pups three times a day, you’d divide the daily amount by the number of meals. For your 3.3 kg dogs (about 7.3 lbs), they should be getting roughly 3/4 cup per day in total, split across their three meals.
Steaming the vegetables is a great idea, and it’s perfectly fine to leave out the carrots and blueberries if that’s what works for you. Raw spring greens, like cabbage, can be a bit gassy for some dogs, but if your pups tolerate it well, it should be nutritious. Turnip does have some excellent nutrients, but cabbage is also quite healthy and should be fine.
If you have any more questions or need further adjustments to the recipe, feel free to ask. I’m here to help!
Kayla Bruce says
My 14 year old little gal has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease. I've looked over your recipes which I'm super excited about, but I have a question. The Anti-Inflammatory food is that one the one you made after yours had no signs of kidney failure? I'm trying to make sure I start with the right recipe.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hey Kayla! I am so sorry that you & your sweet girl have to go through this! Yes, we did create this recipe after he showed no signs of kidney failure. The recipe I would recommend starting out with would be our "Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe". I hope this helps & that your pup gets better!
Nigel the Wolfhound says
Hello -
I am a veterinarian with a special interest in nutrition and completely agree with the benefits of cooked food over kibble throughout life, but especially in the golden years. However, I did not see that the recipes listed recommend calcium/phosphorus balancing which is essential for overall health in the long term (greater than a month). The problem with missing this important component (and why companies like Open Farm and Just Food for Dogs are worth the investment) is that it is pretty challenging to test these deficiencies.
Very recently, I performed xrays on an older poodle whose human cooked for her for years and her jaw bones were almost transparent probably from nutritional deficiencies (hard to prove, but all other labwork was normal). I have also seen a kitty whose human was over-supplementing calcium and that was detectable (and dramatic) in labwork and physically.
Please know that I support your concept and the recipes look great, I just want to make sure that the optimum benefits are achieved.
Thank you,
Holistic Vet
Summer Dickerhoof says
Absolutely! I also have blogs about calcium supplements and more information about all of that.
Nicole says
Do the frozen items remain frozen when mixing this together?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Nicole!!
Yes, whenever we make a new batch of food for our dogs we mix the frozen ingredients in still frozen. After this, we just keep our container of food in the fridge.
I hope this helps!
Eliza
Jessica says
This looks great! I'm hoping to start my 3 big dogs on a homemade diet soon and finding recipes like this is inspiring.
I understand you're not a vet or a nutritionist, but can you tell me if you're trying to hit certain ratio metrics like % protein, % vegetables, % grains, and % fats? I have a 3yo, a 7yo, and a 12yo so I want to make sure I'm hitting the right percentages for each. No health concerns (aside from our old girl having some inflammation) or allergies to worry about.
meg@thismessisours says
We just discussed feeding each individual dog with our vet and what would work best for them. Our vet recommended 1 cup per 10 pounds of body weight and what probiotics, vitamins, supplements, etc. to give each dog.
Ian says
Could you make this recipe in a crockpot? Like, just put everything in and let cook together.
meg@thismessisours says
I have honestly never tried it in a crockpot - but if you do and it works out please let me know so I can add your notes to the recipe card.
Carol Wolske says
I really want to use your recipes for our 11 year old Dachshund. He has so many environmental allergies, frequent yeast infections, Cushing's disease and a heart murmur. We give him several meds and supplements recommended by our vet. I see the recommendation would be 2 cups for his weight of 21 #s. Do you recommend splitting this amount into 2 times a day?
Thanks
meg@thismessisours says
Oh, Carol - it sounds like you guys have been through it! I split our dog's meals - but that is just because it's easier for our senior dog's kidneys to process smaller meals multiple times a day. Our dog's usually get an apple for breakfast or a yogurt bowl, some lunch a mid-day snack of a carrot and some dinner.
Karen says
I have a small Bishun/poodle dog diagnosed with diabetes. Also on insulin twice a day. Do you have a recipe that would work for a diabetic dog. She is very picky. Spent lots of money on the diabetic canned and dry dog food only for her to refuse to eat it so now I am cooking her meals. I also want to know if you steam all the veggies like the carrots, peas etc. Your meals look so good and the pumpkin yogurt bowl also looks good. I am going to give this to my Lab as a treat he eats anything.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Karen,
I wish I had a diabetes-specific recipe to point you towards, but I do not. We haven't had to deal with that with our pets - so I have not researched it much. I will add it to my list of topics to look into and recipes to develop though.
I know your pain spending money on prescription foods only for your dog to turn their nose up at it. It is heart breaking and does a number on the wallet too.
I do not steam the veggies unless it is an ingredient like sweet potatoes. The carrots are either shredded or sliced raw, you can even use frozen, and the peas, green beans, and turnip greens we feed are all frozen.
I hope this helps!
Gayle kinsloe says
What wet recipes are low sodium for a congestive heart failure dog
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Gayle! We do not add any sodium to our recipes but have not done any in-depth research on food for dogs with congestive heart failure.
Pat says
Gayle,
If you're still on this site I'm happy to share info as my dog also has MVD, but not at the CHF yet. There are a few nutrition calc that measure sodium in recipes like nutritionvalue.org. My Cavalier (15 lbs) is stage B1 so I keep sodium to less than 200mg per day. CHF needs even less. Chicken has far more sodium than beef and you probably want to feed beef heart at least 2x per week plus up the Omaga 3 EPA & DHA ( I use salmon (fresh frozen) and sardines ( in water no salt) in every batch of food). Think high protein/low carbs.