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 only processed kibble. Our fresh dog food recipes are all easy to make, are loaded with protein, vitamins, and nutrients and according to our pups are all downright delicious!
***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. This post was updated 8/23/2022.***
We get asked a lot, "Why do you make all of your dog's meals?"
Making meals for our animals wasn't something I always did. This, like many lifestyle changes, came after a medical scare that opened our eyes and changed everything.
When people find out we make our dog's food at home they always ask us, "What about a raw diet?", so let's get that out of the way first...
There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet, especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet, however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right!
You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pup's gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you - if you get my drift.
Here is What To Give Dogs With An Upset Stomach!
Hopefully, your pup doesn't have many tummy issues as noted in the paragraph above, but if they do - this post is for you!
Click here to learn what we do should our dog have a stomach upset?
Of course, you don't have to go all in like we did; you can simply make a few wholesome treats or dog food toppers to increase the nutrient and yum factor of your dog's high-quality kibble too.
All of our pup's favorite Homemade Dog Food recipes are only a scroll away!
The Easiest Dog Food Recipe
My easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and tender herbs for a healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food!
Anti-Inflammatory Homemade Dog Food
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.
Healthy Turkey Dog Food Recipe
I developed a new 100% human-grade homemade dog food recipe that utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dog like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage!
Easy and delicious dog food toppers for boosting your pup's meals.
There are LOTS of healthy and delicious ways to top your dog's meals. From mixing in fresh berries or shredded carrots to pouring over a bit of bone broth to soften the food while increasing hydration, vitamins, and nutrient intake. There are lots of reasons dog food toppers are a great addition to your pup's daily mealtime routine.
The Best Easy Dog Food Toppers To Give Your Pup
The best way to change up your pup's meals is with easy dog food toppers that you can make from ingredients you probably already have!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning
I keep a BIG batch of this homemade dog food seasoning blend on hand at all times because it's fast and easy for me, but you don't have to go as big as I did. Simply combine equal parts of the herbs you are using in a jar and shake to combine. I use this on top of my 100% human grade homemade dog food, but you can also use it over kibble or canned food.
Calcium For Dogs: A Simple DIY Eggshell Supplement Recipe
If your dog eats homemade food, ensuring plenty of calcium in the diet is a must. A simple way to introduce more calcium is by making your eggshell supplement for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Bones? A Simple Dog-Friendly Bone Broth Recipe
Bone broth recipes for dogs, should be very different than those for humans! But, when the recipe is right you can boost your dog's immune system, improve liver health, support healthy digestion, and help to relieve joint pain by adding homemade bone broth to your dog's daily meals.
Is coconut oil good for dogs & should you give it to your dog?
Is coconut oil good for dogs? The answer is yes! According to certain holistic and naturopathic vets, coconut oil has properties that can help with a variety of illnesses.
What Fruit Can Dogs Eat? Nature's Dog Treats
Do you know what fruit dogs can eat? We love our dogs and love to pamper them as if they're our own kids. It's also fun to enjoy a handful of our favorite fruit with them, especially when they give you those adorable begging eyes. But as members of our family, we also have the
Our tried and true homemade dog treat recipes.
Once we had a solid dog food recipe that Hooch (and our vet) seemed to love we started toying around with dog treat recipes in the kitchen too. Now we have a literal library of dog treat recipes from frozen to bakes and everything in between. We have even now shared a few softer baked treats that both of our dogs love that are perfect for dogs with sensitive teeth and gums.
A Fast and Easy Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe
You and your dog are sure to love this 5-ingredient peanut butter dog treat recipe. These easy treats bake up fast, & are great for your pup!
Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Easy Banana Bread Dog Treat recipe
Ever wondered can dogs eat bananas? This simple 3-ingredient dog treat recipe for your furry friend is inspired by homemade banana bread. This recipe for soft dog treats is perfect for dogs that require a softer treat but are actually delicious enough that humans can eat them too.
Can dogs eat blackberries? A Soft Baked Blackberry Dog Treat.
Can dogs eat blackberries? The answer is yes! Blackberries are in fact a delicious, antioxidant-rich fruit that your dog will love.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes? A Simple Treat They'll Love!
If you've ever wondered if can dogs eat sweet potatoes? I've got the answer! Plus my secret one-ingredient treat your pup will beg for!
Can Dogs Eat Apples? A Simple No-Cook Apple Dog Treat
This 2-ingredient no-cook dog treat is a BIG hit with our dogs and keeps them entertained for quite some too!
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? A Sweet Summer Snack with Big Benefits!
Consider this a non-recipe recipe. If your dog is smaller you will use less melon; if your dog is larger you will use more.
The size of the mold you use to freeze the treats in will also change based on your dog's size.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? The Ultimate Canine Superfood
Can dogs eat blueberries? YES and they totally should! Blueberries are one of the most nutritious foods that dogs can eat.
Can Dogs Have Strawberries? A Berry Special Treat
This simple homemade strawberry treat will keep your dog cool and refreshed while providing an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.
Have a dog with food allergies? Check out the post below!
While our dogs thankfully do not have food allergies, some of our pal's pups do. I know the recipes below have been well researched and tested, so I am happy to share them here with you.
Allergen-friendly dog food recipe.
Elizabeth's sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things - even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascal's sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!
Vicky says
Hi- I have 2 dogs, somewhat similar size as yours. One has digestive issues and I’m researching making my own dogfood. The recipe you posted feeds your 2 dogs for about one day correct? In a week I would need to buy 14lbs of ground beef? This sounds expensive and time consuming. Are my calculations correct? Any time and money saving tips? Thank you in advance!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi there Vicky! Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you’re right – this recipe feeds our two dogs for about one day. If you have similar-sized pups and want to feed them homemade food daily, you’d be looking at roughly 14 lbs of ground beef per week. It can definitely add up!
Here are a few tips to help save time and money:
Buy in Bulk: Purchasing ground beef in bulk from places like Costco or Sam's Club can save money. You can also look for sales at your local grocery store and stock up when prices are low.
Mix in Some Veggies and Grains: Stretch out the protein by mixing in budget-friendly options like rice, oats, sweet potatoes, and green beans. These ingredients add nutrition and bulk up the meals without breaking the bank.
Meal Prep and Freeze: Prepare larger batches once a week and freeze portions. This approach saves time during the week and allows you to buy ingredients in larger, more cost-effective quantities.
Consider Cheaper Cuts: Instead of using ground beef exclusively, you can substitute with other protein sources like ground turkey or chicken, which are often cheaper. Just make sure to check with your vet to ensure it's suitable for your dog's dietary needs.
Look for Local Sources: Sometimes local farmers or butcher shops offer better deals on meats. It’s worth checking out if you have any nearby.
Mary Clare Garrity says
Hi, thank you so much for these recipes! I'm excited to get started making food at home for my dogs.
I'm curious if you have any recipes including fish? And also making fish skin treats (my dogs love fish skin cooked in the air fryer....so do I actually).
Thank you!
meg@thismessisours says
My dogs love fish skin treats also!! I do not currently have any recipes for dogs with fish, but have been researching myself. I will be sure to share a recipe should I land on one that works well for us.
Marianne stevens says
Hello,
My dog loves this recipe you created - thank you so much! I'm wondering if it's ok to use brown rice in this recipe as she's in stage 2 kidney disease? If it's not ok what are other alternatives to using white rice?
Thank you!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Marianne!
We are so sorry to hear about your pup! Our Hooch had kidney disease & he was able to eat brown rice without an issue. But before feeding her the brown rice you should check with your vet just to make sure!
Hope this helps!
Summer Dickerhoof says
Brown rice is a very common ingredient to use with dogs with kidney disease but is always good to check with your vet.
Sonia Pike says
Do you have any recipe suggestions for fish? Or can you add fish/salmon to
any of your recipes? I haven't seen a lot of recipes for fish/salmon, is this a bad
option?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Sonia!
We have not tried any fish in our recipes, but if you were looking to add fish make sure that it is fully cooked without the addition of any additional flavors, oils, or bones, and that it is not a species like tuna that is prone to high mercury levels!!
If you are wanting to add fish to your dogs diet, we highly recommend talking to your vet before doing so to make sure that it is best for your pup!
I hope this helps!
Mollie Mae says
Good afternoon,
Can these recipes be used for an overweight senior dog?
Thank you,
Mollie
Eliza Clendenin says
I highly recommend talking with your vet about feeding your dog this diet just to be safe! We don't want to tell you the wrong information!