Homemade Dog Food
Recipes — Real Nutrition,
Farmer Approved
Wholesome, balanced, vet-approved homemade dog food recipes using real ingredients your dog will love and thrive on.
If you’re looking for homemade dog food recipes that are actually nutritionally balanced — this is the complete guide. Not just ingredient lists, but the exact ratios, the supplements your dog needs, the foods that are toxic and must be avoided, and a feeding guide by size.
These recipes are built on the same principles used by veterinary nutritionists: lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy vegetables, and essential supplements that fill the gaps homemade food can miss.
Why Homemade Dog Food?
What makes a homemade diet genuinely better — and what to get right from the start
🐾 The 4 Pillars of a Balanced Homemade Dog Diet
Lean Protein (40–50%)
Ground beef, chicken breast, turkey, or salmon. Protein is the foundation of every meal — it builds and maintains muscle, supports the immune system, and provides essential amino acids.
Complex Carbs (25–30%)
Brown rice, sweet potato, or oats. Provides sustained energy and dietary fibre that supports healthy digestion. Always cooked — never raw grains.
Vegetables (20–25%)
Carrots, green beans, peas, spinach, and broccoli. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. Always cooked and finely chopped for best absorption.
Supplements (Essential)
Calcium, fish oil, vitamin E, and a multivitamin. Homemade food alone cannot meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs — supplements fill the critical gaps.
Ingredients — Safe & Toxic
Know exactly what goes in and what must never go near your dog’s bowl
🟢 Safe to Use
- Ground beef or turkeyLean — ideally 85–90% lean. Brown fully before use.
- Chicken breastBoneless, skinless only. Never cooked bones.
- Salmon (cooked)Rich omega-3s. Always fully cooked — never raw.
- Liver (small amounts)Nutrient-dense organ meat — no more than 5% of diet.
- Brown riceFully cooked. Excellent digestible complex carb.
- Sweet potatoCooked and mashed. High vitamin A and fibre.
- CarrotsCooked or raw — both safe. Good for dental health too.
- Green beansCooked or raw. Low calorie, high fibre.
- PeasFresh or frozen — not canned (too much sodium).
- SpinachCooked — small amounts. High iron and antioxidants.
- BroccoliCooked only. High vitamin C. Small amounts.
- Beef broth (low sodium)No onion, garlic, or added salt — read labels carefully.
- Eggs (cooked)Excellent protein source. Always fully cooked.
- BlueberriesFresh or frozen. Antioxidant-rich treat.
- Coconut oilSmall amounts. Supports coat health and digestion.
🔴 Toxic to Dogs
- Onions & garlicAll forms — raw, cooked, powdered. Destroys red blood cells.
- Grapes & raisinsEven small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure.
- AvocadoContains persin — toxic to dogs, especially the pit and skin.
- Macadamia nutsCauses weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.
- ChocolateContains theobromine — toxic to all dogs in any amount.
- Xylitol (sweetener)Found in peanut butter, gum, and sugar-free products. Deadly.
- Cooked bonesSplinter and can perforate the digestive tract.
- Raw salmonCan contain Neorickettsia helminthoeca — cook fully always.
- Mushrooms (wild)Many wild varieties are severely toxic. Avoid all mushrooms.
- AlcoholEven small amounts cause serious liver and brain damage.
- CaffeineCoffee, tea, energy drinks — highly toxic to dogs.
- Salt in excessToo much sodium causes sodium poisoning and organ damage.
🐾 Build Your Dog’s Meal
Choose a protein, carb, and vegetable mix — your balanced recipe appears below with exact portions.
🐾 Your Dog’s Balanced Meal
Ingredients (makes 5 days / medium dog)
Method
3 Complete Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Vet-approved, fully balanced, with exact measurements — make in bulk and refrigerate
🥩 Ground Beef & Brown Rice Bowl
The most popular homemade dog food base — rich in protein, iron, and easily digestible carbs
Ingredients (Makes ~5 Days for Medium Dog)
- 500g (1 lb) lean ground beef (90% lean minimum)
- 1 cup (185g) brown rice, dry — cooked in low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup (130g) carrots, cooked and diced small
- 1 cup (150g) green beans, cooked and chopped
- ½ cup (80g) frozen peas, cooked
- 100g beef liver, cooked (5% of total — don’t exceed)
- 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium beef broth (no onion or garlic)
- 1 tsp fish oil supplement
- 1 calcium supplement (per vet recommendation)
Method
- Cook brown rice in beef broth — absorbs the broth for extra flavour
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat — cook fully, drain excess fat
- Cook liver separately in a small amount of water — 5–7 minutes until no pink remains. Dice small
- Steam or boil carrots, green beans, and peas until soft — dogs digest cooked vegetables significantly better than raw
- Combine everything in the pot — mix thoroughly
- Cool completely to room temperature before portioning
- Add fish oil and calcium supplement to each individual portion before serving — not during cooking
🍗 Chicken, Sweet Potato & Spinach
Gentle on the stomach — ideal for sensitive dogs, seniors, or as a transition-to-homemade recipe
Ingredients (Makes ~5 Days for Medium Dog)
- 500g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
- 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach, cooked down
- 1 cup (150g) green beans, cooked and chopped
- ½ cup (80g) peas (frozen, thawed)
- 2 large eggs, hard boiled and chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp fish oil supplement
- Calcium supplement as recommended by vet
Method
- Poach chicken breast in chicken broth — 15–18 minutes until fully cooked through
- Remove chicken, let cool slightly, then shred with two forks into small pieces
- Microwave or bake sweet potatoes until completely soft — scoop flesh and mash
- Cook spinach in a pan with 1 tbsp water until wilted — drain well
- Cook green beans and peas until tender — chop beans small
- Combine all ingredients including eggs and reserved poaching broth
- Mix well — consistency should be moist but not soupy
🦃 Turkey, Oats & Root Vegetables
High-protein, naturally low-fat — excellent for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight
Ingredients (Makes ~5 Days for Medium Dog)
- 500g (1 lb) ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 cup (90g) rolled oats, cooked
- 2 medium carrots, cooked and diced
- 1 medium courgette/zucchini, cooked and diced
- ½ cup (80g) peas
- ½ cup (15g) spinach, cooked
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
- Fish oil and calcium supplement
Method
- Cook oats in broth instead of water — adds nutrients and flavour
- Brown ground turkey in a pan with coconut oil over medium heat — cook fully until no pink remains
- Cook carrots, courgette, and peas until soft — about 10 minutes
- Wilt spinach in 1 tbsp water — drain well
- Combine everything in a large mixing bowl — mix until uniform
- Adjust consistency with extra broth if too dry
- Cool completely, portion, and refrigerate or freeze
🐕 Feeding Portions by Dog Size
Approximate daily portions — adjust based on your dog’s activity level, age, and ideal body weight.
Toy (under 10 lbs)
2x daily · Toy breeds have high metabolisms — feed twice daily minimum
Small (10–20 lbs)
2x daily · Adjust if gaining or losing weight over 2 weeks
Medium (20–50 lbs)
2x daily · The most common dog size — base recipes use this as standard
Large (50–90 lbs)
2x daily · Active dogs need the higher end of this range
Giant (90+ lbs)
2x daily · Giant breeds have slower metabolisms — don’t overfeed
Essential Supplements
Homemade food alone cannot meet all of your dog’s nutritional needs — these supplements are non-negotiable
Calcium
Dogs need calcium for bones and teeth. Without commercial kibble (which is calcium-fortified), you must supplement. Use bone meal or a vet-recommended calcium supplement.
Fish Oil (Omega-3)
Supports coat health, reduces inflammation, and supports brain and heart function. Use salmon or sardine oil — 1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight daily.
Dog Multivitamin
A daily dog-specific multivitamin covers trace minerals (zinc, selenium, iodine) that homemade food consistently misses. Use a vet-approved brand.
Vitamin E
An antioxidant that works with fish oil. If you’re using a lot of fish oil, Vitamin E prevents oxidative stress. Check your multivitamin first — it may already contain it.
Probiotics
Especially useful when transitioning from kibble to homemade food. Supports gut health and reduces digestive upset during the transition period.
🧊 Storage & Meal Prep Guide
Homemade dog food is best made in large batches — here’s exactly how to store it safely.
Cooking & Cooling
Always cool completely (2 hours max) at room temperature before refrigerating or freezing
Refrigerator
Sealed airtight container in fridge. Portion into daily servings before storing for easy scooping
Freezer
Freeze in individual meal-sized portions in zip-lock bags. Lay flat to freeze — saves space
Thawing
Move from freezer to fridge the night before. Never thaw on the counter or microwave in bulk
Serving Temperature
Warm slightly before serving — cold food is harder to digest and most dogs prefer it slightly warm
Pro Tips for Dog Food Success
Transition slowly
Switch from kibble to homemade over 7–10 days: start with 25% homemade, increase each week. Sudden switches cause digestive upset.
Always cook everything
All proteins and vegetables should be cooked — dogs absorb nutrients better from cooked food, and cooking kills harmful bacteria.
Watch body condition
You should be able to feel (not see) your dog’s ribs. Adjust portions up or down by 10% every 2 weeks based on body condition.
No added salt or spices
Never season dog food with salt, pepper, garlic, or onion powder. Dog food should always taste plain — to humans it will taste bland, and that’s correct.
Batch cook weekly
Make 5–7 days of food in one Sunday cooking session. Portion into daily amounts and refrigerate or freeze the rest.
Annual bloodwork check
Annual bloodwork lets your vet confirm your dog’s nutritional levels are balanced. It’s the most reliable way to verify your homemade diet is working.
