[mv_video aspectRatio="true" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" doNotOptimizePlacement="false" jsonLd="true" key="luptb4xsoet9sqdm2w8g" sticky="false" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1597609031/mm9ter02xgiqcqdesvip.jpg" title="Homemade Dog Food Recipe" volume="70"]It's no secret that fresh herbs and spices are beneficial to a person's health and diet, but did you know that your dog's diet could benefit from them too!? In the summer months, it's easy to include green leafy herbs like curly parsley and basil into our homemade dog food because I have lots of them growing in the garden. But, when fresh herbs are sparse I turn to my spice cabinet where I keep a little jar labeled 'Homemade Dog Food Seasoning'.
When fresh herbs are not an option
This easy to make custom spice blend combines dried parsley, basil, dill, rosemary, and oregano. I sprinkle on a little of the seasoning blend at every feeding for added nutrition. I know I'm contributing to fresh breath, happy tummies, and better long term health benefits for both of our dogs!
***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. POST UPDATE 9/25/20 to add more information on ingredients. The original recipe is still the same***
Why we switched to homemade dog food
Recently, I shared a blog post about our dog's health issues and why we decided to make the switch to a diet that is made up of 100% human grade food.
In our experience, the switch was easy, cost effective, and so much healthier for our dogs than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble! The homemade dog food recipe that I make for our dogs combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs. This healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food has given our 11 year old dog, Hooch, a new lease on life!
Since making the switch 8 months ago I have been so inspired by the improvements we have seen in Hooch! It's pushed me to continue to research different ingredients that might help even more. I'm excited to share my first Homemade Dog Food Seasoning blend with you and your pup! I really hope you will benefit as much as we have.
There are 5 dried herbs in my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning blend, let's break down why I chose each of them....
Basil
This dog-approved leafy herb, well-known for its delicious role in pesto, has antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. We began incorporating basil into Hooch's food to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis because basil has a high concentration of beta-carophyllene, which also makes basil useful in treating inflammatory bowel disease. Other benefits of basil for dogs include lifting their mood, decreasing stress, and reducing anxiety.
While very rare, some dogs can be allergic to basil, so incorporate slowly into your dogs diet and work up from there.
Dill
Dill is part of the parsley family and a sprinkle of this delicious herb could benefit your dog in all sorts of ways! If your dog is a living vacuum cleaner like our Rebel – picking up any food they see that has fallen on the ground! Or if the garbage can is your dog's idea of a buffet line; it’s a good idea to keep some dill on hand. Dill is known to be a digestive aid, helping with gas, nausea, cramping and appetite. As an added bonus, dill works wonders as a doggie breath freshener too! According to Herbs for Pets by Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff, dill’s breath freshening action comes from its antibacterial powers that work well in the mouth for foul breath caused by bacteria and gingivitis.
Parsley
First and foremost, when it comes to parsley for dogs, you want to feed the curly variety whenever possible and watch those serving sizes, as parsley does contain a toxic compound called furanocoumarin which can be dangerous in excessive amounts. In smaller servings, however, parsley does your dog way more good than harm!
Believe it or not, dried curly parsley can be hard to find, here is a quick an easy way to dry curly parsley in your microwave at home...
DIY Dried Curly Leaf Parsley
Place 1 paper towel flat onto a microwave safe plate.
Lay out curly parsley bunches in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top.
Microwave 1 minute, then in 15 second increments until dry.
After the leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard the stems.
Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Parsley, an excellent source of flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamins, is often added to dog treats as a breath freshener and can be used to also soothe the stomach. Initially, I started incorporating parsley into our dogs food because I learned that it can help to relieve the swelling and pain from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. However, I wish I had started adding parsley into our dog's diets a long time ago as it also helps to flush toxins from the body which supports kidney health. As we discussed in my homemade dog food post, our 11-year old dog Hooch was diagnosed with kidney disease last December. I can't help but wonder if we could have avoided that diagnosis by switching him to a real food diet with ingredients like parsley much sooner in his life.
It is important to note, the positive effects that parsley can have on the kidney's is only preventative and will not reverse the progression of kidney disease if your dog has already been diagnosed. In fact, you should not be giving any parsley to a dog that is prone to developing kidney stones, because parsley contains high amounts of oxalates. Our Hooch does not have kidney stones, so we still incorporate small amounts of parsley at this time, but as his condition progresses we may opt to eliminate it from his diet.
WARNING: Spring Parsley (a member of the carrot family) looks almost identical to parsley but is toxic for dogs and cats.
Rosemary
There’s a reason rosemary essential oil is so often used as a natural preservative in dog food, it is a great pathogen-fighter against common food bacteria, meaning it can help keep food from spoiling! And those pathogen-fighting capabilities extend to your pet’s body too, where it can help fight against various bacteria and fungi! Since rosemary contains antioxidants it is a great ingredient to add to your pup's food to combat age-related illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
While big name dog food brands use rosemary essential oil, I personally only recommend using dried rosemary at home as essential oils are SUPER concentrated and can have adverse effects if not portioned correctly. Herbalist Gregory L. Tilford, co-author of Herbs for Pets wrote "Rosemary is generally safe when used appropriately, however, the essential oil, which is often used in very small amounts as a natural food preservative is very strong and concentrated. In small amounts it will lend a calming, relaxing effect, but if fed in too much abundance it can produce the opposite – a nervous system stimulant effect that may exacerbate nervous system disorders, like epilepsy. All said, as long as the oil is not used in concentrations greater than 1 percent of the entire composition of a food or supplement product, it can be used quite safely.”
Oregano
Feeding your dogs small amounts of oregano can help cleanse your dog’s body from toxins due to its strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Oregano packs more than 40 times the value of antioxidants found in apples and is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K coupled with Omega-3s, calcium, iron, manganese, and dietary fiber which are all essential in your dog's diet! Oregano is a key player in this Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend because it can help to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as alleviate pain and improve mobility in joints. All which is very important if I want my sweet Hooch to move around easier and still give me ten like the picture below!
How much Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend should I be adding to my dog's meals each day?
Start small by adding a little sprinkle (a pinch for small dogs, a ½ teaspoon for larger dogs) of these herbs to your dog’s food each day and work up from there. Adding dried herbs like these is a safe way to give your pups a little boost in nutrition, freshen their breath, and heck it probably will make their food a little more flavor-able too!
If you’ve made our Easy Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend for your pup 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.
PrintHomemade 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 over top of my 100% human grade homemade dog food, but you can also use it over kibble or canned food.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 10 tablespoons 1x
- Category: gluten free
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: Dog Food
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 tablespoons dried curly parsley
2 tablespoons dried dill
2 tablespoons dried orgeano
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried basil
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a small jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine.
Start incorporating small amounts of this seasoning blend into your dog's diet and work up from there. A small shake or two will be enough over a small dogs food and you can work up to feeing a tablespoon at each feeding for larger dogs like ours.
To check out our homemade dog food recipe that goes along with this seasoning blend, click here.
Carol Robbins says
Is Dillweed the same as Dill???
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Carol! Great question! Yes, dillweed and dill are related but slightly different. Dillweed refers specifically to the leaves and stems of the dill plant, while dill usually encompasses the whole plant, including the seeds. To season your dog’s food, dillweed (the leaves and stems) is commonly used and is a good choice.
rebecca hernandez says
Ok now it’s 2023 in March. Food prices have gone up considerably. There are a lot of fresh dog food companies out there now, thinking of making my own. But the cost is still a big factor. My dog does not have health ur allergies. Is there a cheaper way to make food? What about vitamins and minerals they require? 30 lb mini Aussie, food for a month, under $100 doable?
Summer Dickerhoof says
I find that making my own dog food with my recipes I have on the blog, as opposed to buying premade fresh dog food, is much more affordable.
Sid says
June 2024 I weighed all of the ingredients for the food and then did the math on the cost. We were using the farmer's dog for just one pup and was paying $247 a month. The basic recipe, which my dogs LOVE, costs us for a 40lb Aussie and a 15lb Yorkipoo are $54 a month, without buying in bulk. I'm looking to cut that a bit more now that I know the dogs love the food by buying herbs I used for cooking as well as this in bulk. Costco carries a very lean beef which you don't have to drain or ground turkey as well. Good luck on the budgeting it's way less than the canned food and pre-cooked offerings online.
Staci says
I should have added to my last comment that my herbs are freeze dried. And they are made by LiteHouse. Not McCormick. My apologies.
Staci says
Good morning! Thank you so much for all your recipes. I found you about a month ago when my 13 yo mixed breed(30lbs) became very ill with stomach issues and diarrhea. I knew then I wanted to make my own food. Little did I know then she would later be diagnosed with kidney issues. She loves the peanut butter treats, the yogurt bowls, and the homemade food!! My 14 lb mutt has been more of a struggle. Lol. She is picky!! My question is, can I use the McCormick herbs? And if so does that change the serving size?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Staci!
We are so happy that your dogs are loving the food, even if one is more of a struggle!
Yes you can use any the freeze dried herbs!!
Eliza
Sandie says
I'm sure it's ok to put 4 tablespoons of each together and mix well.. just finished dehydrating curly parsley and have 4 tablespoons ..
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Sandie!
Yes, that will be fine!
Eliza
kini says
what about fresh mint? I have tons of it as well as some of the herbs in your recipe.
Summer Dickerhoof says
Dogs can have a little bit of mint, but too much could cause digestive problems, so be careful.
Carolina Dalglish says
Hi Meg. I notice you stress the use of curly parsley, how do I know if when I am buying parsley flakes in a jar if it’s the proper type?
Summer Dickerhoof says
I would suggest buying fresh to know which type you are buying! Hope this helps.
Brooke O says
Hi! I'm making your seasoning blend this afternoon and wanted to ask a few things;
As well as dried herbs i also have the herbs listed in my garden and wondered if when possible could i finely cut up the same ratios you've listed but fresh to sprinkle through their meal?
I was planning on drying a bulk load of curly parsley as its almost impossible to find online or instore and expensive if you do find it on etsy. Whats the best way of doing this in the oven?
When you said you add this to their meals upon feeding is this once or twice daily?
Lastly i think it may be a typo but noticed in some comment replies you wrote about doing flat leaf parsley in the microwave, is this a typo or a safe way of giving your dog flat leaf instead of curly?
Really appreciate your time and recipe! My dog has slightly elevated creatinine levels (only) so i'm hoping this helps lower it or if you have any other suggestions im open 🙂
meg@thismessisours says
Hi there Brooke!!
Yes, you can add fresh herbs to their meals!! If you still want to dry them in the oven- Place herbs on a baking sheet, and place herbs in an open oven for 2-4 hours at a low temperature (less than 180 degrees F). Check if the leaves crumble easily to check if the herbs are dry. We usually only sprinkle it on their meals at night.
I am so sorry that must have been a typo! Definitely only use curly parsley!! Your dogs need to stay as hydrated as possible, I highly recommend only giving your dogs filtered water (it works wonders)! Also feeding them in smaller quantities multiple times throughout the day helps!
Michelle Anderson says
Thank you so much for sharing this info. I found you by searching what can I cook for my dog with kidney failure. Our Bentley is 12 and been diagnosed with renal disease. He doesn't want the canned special diet... I am cooking now and believe this may be the answer I have been looking for! Could you let me know how much pumpkin could I add to the mix to entice him with that.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Michelle,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm really glad you found the recipe helpful for Bentley. When it comes to adding pumpkin to his food, a little can go a long way. For a dish that serves a typical 2-cup batch of food, you can start by adding about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin. Pumpkin is great for dogs and can be very enticing, plus it’s beneficial for their digestion.
Since Bentley has kidney issues, it's always good to check with your vet about any new additions to his diet to ensure it's safe and appropriate for his condition. If he likes the pumpkin, you can adjust the amount slightly based on his preference and how well he tolerates it.
I hope this helps, and I wish Bentley all the best!
Jordan W. says
Cannot wait to try this and your homemade dog food recipe!!! I have a 5 month old American pit bull terrier mix and a 10 month old mutt! How long does this seasoning and the homemade dog food recipe last before it goes bad?? Maybe I missed this if you included it, but I thought I’d ask!
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!! I am so glad you are excited - the seasoning should last as long as your spices are fresh for. Mine usually have about a 12 month shelf life on the bottle when I have checked. The actual dog food needs to be frozen if you have more than 4-5 days worth. It won't keep any longer than that. Hope this helps!
Jordan says
Hello!!! I’ve looked at this and your homemade dog recipe, how long does this last? And do you mind me asking how long the homemade dog food lasts for?? I CANNOT wait to start feeding this to my pups! I have a 5 month old pit bull terrier mix that needs to gain weight (he got parvo when he was very young and has struggled with gaining weight) and a 10 month old German shepherd/Staffordshire (and probably every other breed on this planet) mix! Another question!! Are they too young to be fed these recipes???
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!! This is a great question. We fed this to our puppy Rebel starting at 4 months when we adopted her. We transitioned very slowly to as not upset her tummy and to make sure she was getting what a growing puppy needs. At 12 months with the blessing of our vet we weaned her completely from other food solely onto this. If your dog's don't have any issue with their kidney's you should consider adding some type of organ meat to the equation, it is very good for them. You can find dehydrated powders that you just add to their meal at not like the vitamins.
Shena Flores says
Hi. What was the green powder and oil you put in your fur baby’s food once it was in the bowl?? I have been researching homemade dog food including raw and I know they need adequate nutrition just as we humans do. I will be trying your recipe. Thank you
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Shena! The green powder is called "Dog Greens" the oil is an Omega Oil blend. We use both of these every day without fail along with 100% human grade food and have super healthy dogs.
Quynh says
Hi Meg, do you add pro and postbiotics to your dog food in addition to "dog greens" and omega oil blend?
Thank you!
meg@thismessisours says
Hi! We do add Native Pet's probiotic powder and we make our own calcium powder. We add them on top just like we do with the dog greens. I hope this helps!
Corinne says
I've got 3 Golden Retrievers, 5, almost 4 and 3. I am worried about cancer and we have hot spots and allergies and skin issues spread across them. Making food for 3 is pricey but I have just started making your food recipe and yesterday went and got the ingredients for this. I'll try to replace half the food and sprinkle this everyday. I hope to stop all the supplements I buy which seem to do nothing and cost too much. The 2 brothers also have coprophagia, so I hope this resolves that as well. I am adding some pumpkin to the food as well. So glad I found your blog.
meg@thismessisours says
So glad to have you here Corinne! Goodness you do have your hands full! Your pups are lucky to have you looking out for them. Keep me posted on how y'all are doing ok?
Sharon Jahelka says
Meg: I cook a chicken for my 16 year old dog. I wanted to know if it is possible to use fresh herbs to season my chicken ? I grow all the seasons except for parsley. Thank you Sharon
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Sharon - you can absolutely use the fresh versions of these herbs for your dog. It's a perfect choice!
Sharon Jahelka says
Do we need to dry these spices ? I cook a chicken for my 16 year old dog, and i would like to season it with these spices. I grow all but the parsley.... Thank you Sharon
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Sharon - you can absolutely use the fresh versions of these herbs for your dog. It's a perfect choice!
Diane Samantha says
I'd love to try this with my dog! Im particularly curious if you buy these herbs dried or dry them yourself, and if so, how? Thanks!
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Diane! I honestly just buy them dried, but have from time to time dried my own parsley in the microwave.Teh instructions for that are in the blog post above under parsley.
Ann says
Hi Meg, this is my first time on your site and I will be making tour recipes. I have 2 mini Golden doodles, 32 and 36 pounds. The 36 pounder is short and chubby and eats almost anything, so he needs a diet, and the 32 pounder is long, tall and lean, and very picky eater.( Our Vet says he is a perfect shape.) I currently cook for these guys and give them a mix of 1/2 cup Blue Kibble, 1/2 cup FreshPet Select, and 1/2 cup homemade. (I cook a mix of 1 pound ground beef, turkey, pork, or chicken breast or thighs and 2 cups cooked rice, either brown or white ). But I am only giving them about a total of about 2 cups a day including treats. And then twice a week they get lunch of 1 strip of Bacon and 1 1/2 Eggs each.
But if I am reading your recipe correctly I should be feeding them 3 cups a day. I am concerned this will make them fat. I will try your spice mix added to their dinner, and your yogurt/ pumpkin mix as breakfast, but am not sure if I am under feeding them or doing harm. What do you think.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Ann, yes the change in amount of food can be shocking, but remember that processed kibble (no matter the brand) is made up of lots ingredients compacted down into a dense kibble product. You need less of it to fill your dog than with 100% human grade food like ground meat and veggies. Our older dog has actually lost down to a healthy weight on this diet. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions!
Maggie says
Oh heck me again, Maggie, I am going to make your dried herbs for the pooch, but I am a bit confused .... do I use Curley parsley or flat leaf parsley please? I can see that you have mentioned both in the post .... thank yiu very much.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Maggie - my apologies for the delayed response, we had a tornado here 4 weeks ago and still do not have internet! Curly leaf parsley is what you want to use, flat leaf parsley should be avoided. It is harder to find dried curly leaf parsley is I included directions to dry fresh curly leaf parsley, quickly, in the microwave in the blog post.
Prachi Patil says
I m definitely going to try the seasoning for zazu(lab)..
he is diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia need a balanced diet to maintain his weight for his long life happy future ..can you plz suggest some food recipes for HD dogs .
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!! So sorry for my delayed response. We had an EF4 tornado come through our area 4 weeks ago and still do not have internet or decent cell service at our home. I will be sure to add researching more foods for dogs with HD to my future recipe research/development list. But, I do know that you can start by incorporating anti-inflammatory ingredients like celery, alfalfa, ginger, mango, papaya, blueberries, and kale into your dogs diet. Solid foods high in omega-3s, like salmon and chia seeds, also lubricate joints and foods high in calcium,like yogurt, also help strengthen bones and prevent further damage to joints, provided your dog isn't lactose intolerant. We give our dog's Pumpkin Yogurt Bowls and they LOVE them!!!
Cindy says
I just made this dog food recipe and I'm excited to see if Chole, my 7 lb Maltese, eats it. I'm sure she will, it actually tastes good to me. lol. Just getting the rest of the ingredients I didn't have to make the herb/spice mix. Can't wait to try that out as well. I've tried so many, but know for a fact fresh dog food is the best! Thank you for doing all the work!
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Cindy, you are the sweetest thank you for your comment. It made my day! I am so happy to know that Chloe loved it!
Shanna says
I had a dog named Hooch. Boy do I miss that big ol boy. He was Akita/mastiff mix. Any who thank you for this recipe. Making it tomorrow. I now have a blue heeler/ chihuahua mix and Shihtzu/Maltese mix. They are going to love this
rashmi says
Hi Cathy, I also feed homecooked meals to my 3 yr old portie. I switch between bison and lamb and occassionally feed him grass fed organic fed beef. I mix 3-4 kinds of veggies with either organic brown rice or pearled barley. I mix organic home made organic egg shell powder and some herbs and a home blended powdered sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds flax seeds I'm surprised that you use so much Rice! I read that the food should have more protein so i've been doing 70% meat, 15% grain and 15% veggies.
I'm going to try making the Herb blend with dill and basil I did not know these are good too. I'll also buy the green powder
Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Rashmi
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Rashmi! It really sounds like your pups are well fed and I love that! Thank you for sharing your recipe with me 🙂
Cathie says
I halved the recipe, and froze some in muffin tins for my boxer/sheepdog mix. He was by my side the whole time the meat was cooking. I let him lick the bowl 🙂 he loved it!
meg@thismessisours says
How sweet Cathie! I am so glad your pup approves!
Linda says
your store sells cute pet treat cutters and molds, but do you have recipes for healthy dog bones or other things (for the molds)?
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Linda!! sorry for my delayed response here - virtual homeschooling has had me buried underneath a mountain of work and I'm just working through comments. Ok, so I am working on a dog biscuit recipe currently now, so it will be coming very soon! I use those little molds to freeze plain Greek yogurt and canned pumpkin together for our dogs in the hotter months. It's a great treat for when they need to cool down! As soon as I share the dog biscuit recipe, I will be sure to add it to our comment here so you will be notified!
Kelly N. says
What vitamin supplements do you use and why do you like them? I’ve made up the herbs. Love them! Thank you! I found the Curley parsley at Natural Grocers. I dried it in my dehydrator. I appreciate all your hard work!
meg@thismessisours says
Hey Kelly! We use Dog Greens powder as a supplement for our dogs and have never looked back. I found it when I was doing a lot of research on kidney disease last year after our dog's diagnosis. It's easy to administer, sold on Amazon so I can be sure to get it when we need it, and it's organic. Our dogs are 11 years old and 1 1/2 and they are both thriving!!
Maggie says
The greens sound wonderful. I tried to get on Amazon but out of stock. Dorwest herbs in uk sell poss, not sure, similar stuff, but I tried to see what was in the green powder, looked at the picture, but could not. Please cld you look at your tin and maybe tell me? Many thanks for such a good blog. Will be trying yiur home cooked diet as soon as my pooch is better.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Maggie! The Dog Green's is a powdered plant based vitamin and mineral blend of organic and wild harvested greens. It contains barley grass, wheat grass, alfalfa, kelp, Irish Moss, Spirulina, and Chlorella. I hope your dog is feeling better!
Alice B. says
Going to make this dog food up today. What serving size do you suggest for small dogs. I have a 12 lb Yorkie/Maltese and a 15 lb Shitzu/Bischon mix.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Alice! Typically it is 1 cup per 10lbs of pup. So, I would start at a cup or a cup and a half at feedings if they seem hungry and go from there. Oh my goodness, our dogs are SO big compared to yours - our biggest eats 8 cups a day!
Ros Rodriguez says
It is an excelent teaching cooking course for a special companior at home. I decided to follow your advises and stop experimenting with all kind of processed foods. My concern is about the time Lucky needs to go to a kennel. I need to make sure they accepted refrigerated food. Thank you for sharing all this excellent information.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Ros! I totally understand your concern - our vet has no problem accommodating our special diet when we board our dogs as long as I clearly label and separate the feedings out individually. It is a bit of a time investment for me up front to make everything SUPER easy for them, but it is worth it!
Cindy Lawrence says
I have a 5 # chihuahua who is extremely picky and refuses to eat any kind of dog food. It is my fault for letting her eat human food sometimes and now that's all she wants. She would rather not eat than eat dog food. I am excited to find your recipe and am going to order the vitamin powder and then make this for Daisy Rose. I live in a tiny town in the midwest and have a hard time finding herbs. Can you recommend a place online that carries the herbs for your seasoning? Are you able to get the curly parsley online?
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
meg@thismessisours says
Hey Cindy!!! Sounds like your pup has good taste, I don't blame her! haha! You can get most of the herbs from Amazon honestly, just for ease of shipping and I know they ship most anywhere. Dried flat leaf parsley specifically can be harder to find as most places just sell the curly variety. It is SUPER easy to make in the microwave though if you want:
I have found that making dried flat leaf parsley is easy to do in the microwave though!
1. Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate
2. Lay out Parsley bunches in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top.
3. Microwave 1 minute, then in 15 second increments until dry. {mine are usually dried out and ready after a total of 2 minutes} If you have a larger bundle of parsley you are microwaving, you may need to add a little extra time.
4. After leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard stems.
Danielle Belknap says
I found your recipes after researching foods since my Australian Shepherd/Boxer would not eat anything resembling dog food after blood transfusions and meds. She was diagnosed with Immuno-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (Auto-Immune Disorder) and I’m trying to figure out if the herbs and diet change is going to be helpful. (Has anyone dealt with this?) thank you for your recipes!
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Danielle, I am so sorry about what you and your pup have been through! I have not personally had any experience with that auto-immune disorder, but I hope someone else that has sees your comment and can offer some words of wisdom!
Devin Theriot says
This is just what I’ve been looking for! I homecook for our two Aussiedoodles but have get like they need seasoning! So afraid to give them something that is not good for them.
So can you use typical seasoning out of the jar? Like dried parsley, dill weed etc just like we buy on the seasoning isle?
meg@thismessisours says
Hi! yay, I am so glad you found our recipe! You can use dried seasonings out of the jar, just note that dried parsley is often curly parsley. I have found that making dried flat leaf parsley is easy to do in the microwave though!
1. Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate
2. Lay out Parsley bunches in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top.
3. Microwave 1 minute, then in 15 second increments until dry. {mine are usually dried out and ready after a total of 2 minutes} If you have a larger bundle of parsley you are microwaving, you may need to add a little extra time.
4. After leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard stems.
Meredith moran says
Hi, Thank you so much for posting your recipe! I'm definitely going to try it. a couple of questions, my dog seems go get sick of the same flavor day after day. Is it OK to substitute any meat such as chicken thighs, lamb, or turkey? If so would the amounts be the same? Also, are the herbs just for taste or do they provide some other nutrients that Dog Greens- Organic and Wild Harvested Vitamin and Mineral Supplement don't provide. Thank you so much for your help
Meredith moran says
I actually see that you posted what the specific herbs do..so they should be used in addition to Dog Greens- Organic and Wild Harvested Vitamin and Mineral Supplement?
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Meredith, I use the homemade seasoning blend in tandem with the Dog Vitamins for our pups!
meg@thismessisours says
You can trade up the ground meat from beef to turkey or pork. Just make sure there are no seasonings added, they do that a lot with pork! The amount is the same though. I add the dried herbs on top of the vitamin blend for the added nutritional oomph, but you could just use the Dog Green vitamins and be fine.
Jacquelyn Boyd says
I am crockpotting on low Chicken thighs for my dog and broth for me what herbs & vegetables can I use in the broth? I've added some curly parsley some celery and celery leaf some fresh basil and carrots. No salt added
meg@thismessisours says
Yum!! I would use carrots, celery and fresh herbs like you. Avoid onion. Happy sipping!
Jessica W says
I made this for our 5 year old rescue girl. She was eating lamb kibble from previous owner, so I made this today with 1 lb of lamb and halved the recipe...I also didn't use the eggs for this evening, but will make some tomorrow. Anyway, she loved it and wanted more. I fed it with her kibble today to transition.
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness that is amazing Jessica, I am so glad she liked it and yay for you rescuing your pup! Both of our dogs are rescues and we wouldn't change a thing!
Lynn says
What do you have in between the 2 layers of green????
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Lynn, it is just a jar if the 5 layered herbs I talk about in the post. So, flat leaf parsley is the fluffier dark green and herbs like oregano, dill, rosemary, and oregano make up the other layers.
Sandi says
Our 15 year old poodle was diagnosed with early stage kidney disease a little over a month ago. I have made my own homemade dog food for several years now. My veterinarian preferred that I start her on prescription food for kidney disease. I started researching and found your recipe. She tolerates the canned prescription food but was not eating as much as usual. Well let me tell you, I made your recipe and she licked the bowl clean. I will be showing it to my veterinarian and hopefully gain his approval to at least substitute this recipe along with the prescription one. Thank you for shaing.
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Sandi!!! How amazing!! Your sweet pup should be able to enjoy meal time. I believe that as time goes on with kidney disease it is important to add more liquid to their food so its easier for teh kidney's to process so even with this recipe have a plan to add a liquid at some point. I like powdered goats milk reconstituted with a bit of water.
Kimberly Walker says
Hi! Looking to switch my dogs to your homemade dog food recipe - I have two with digestion issues .... i.e. IBS 🙁 - & wondered if you know of a brand of herbs that has curly leaf parsley? I’ve been all over the Internet looking & all I’ve seen is the Italian flat leaf variety. 🤷🏼♀️
thismess says
Hey Kimberly!! I am so excited for your pups - I think they will love it and I hope it helps their sensitive bellies!!! I agree, it is hard to find the dried curly leaf variety. I have resorted to drying my own in a low temp oven at times out of pure frustration, but I did find a great little herb shop on Etsy that sells specifically the dried curly variety: https://www.etsy.com/listing/860843998/dried-curly-leaf-parsley-petroselinum?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_e-home_and_living-food_and_drink-herbs_and_spices_and_seasonings-herbs_and_spices&utm_custom1=2db07a1c-f5df-49cd-ae7d-21dd37d41a60&utm_content=go_1844702805_75381303731_346364747985_pla-306107311649_c__860843998&utm_custom2=1844702805&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqrb7BRDlARIsACwGad6YP_w79kOhAcgBNqOYk9dvUipbekyvkp3i9rrwncrjWiWeQ9T-MuIaArPWEALw_wcB
You can always opt to just use the fresh curly leaf parsley and make a dried blend with the other herbs. I hope this helps!
thismess says
Kimberly, I just found this online - you can dry your own curly parsley in the microwave! I will go back an add it to the blog post today so it can help others too.
Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate.
Lay out Parsley bunches in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top.
Microwave 1 minute, then in 15 second increments until dry. ...
After leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard stems.
katie says
Is there a difference between dill and dill weed? i can only seem to find dried dill weed and the internet only wants to tell me the differences between dill weed and dill seed lol
thismess says
Hi Katie, great question! It is the same thing 🙂
Yvonne Silao says
Thank you for sharing your recipe, it looks amazing. I have been trying out different recipes for my dogs by trial and error for many years now. I finally hit upon a recipe that I like which while it is prepared differently than yours has many of the same ingredients. I cook the brown rice in a rice cooker with a little bit of olive or coconut oil and a sprinkle of turmeric and pepper which helps prevent inflammation. I'm very excited to give this recipe a try.
thismess says
Turmeric and pepper are so good for your dog Yvonne! It sounds like you have one lucky pup at your house. I hope they like our recipe as much as they do the other delicious foods you make for them!
Kate says
Can you tell me if there is a problem with flat leaf parsley? I just have lots of it growing in my garden...
thismess says
Hey Kate!! Well, here is what I know for sure, The ASPCA claims that both Hamburg and Italian parsley are toxic to dogs, but really this is only true in large amounts. Before I did a deep dive into herbs for dogs our homemade dog food included small amounts of fresh flat leaf parsley. We fed our dogs this way for 4 months with our vets knowledge without any negative side effects. I think working in small quantities is fine - but I wouldn't go overboard with it.