homemade dog food

The best way to know what goes into your dog's food is to make it yourself. Try one of these easy dog food recipes and watch your pup smile.



The best way to know what goes into your dog’s food is to make it yourself. With the recent pet food recall, many pet owners are doing just that. Though some experts argue that a homemade diet is best for dogs, this is best done temporarily until you can consult your veterinarian, as canines have definite nutritional requirements. Dietary changes should be done slowly to avoid digestive upsets. Recipes or ingredients may be rotated to ensure nutritional variety.

Do not feed your dog bones, especially cooked bones. Fragments can become lodged in the digestive tract. Canines in the wild who eat bones have the benefit of consuming hair and hide too, which have been found to ‘pad’ the bone fragments and aid in their passing. Other foods to avoid that are dangerous for dogs are chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.

Try one of these easy dog food recipes and watch your pup smile.

Doggy Hamburger Helper
1 cup hamburger meat, stir-fried in 1 tbsp canola oil

2 boiled eggs, chopped



½ cup cooked plain oatmeal

1 jar baby food green beans

1 jar baby food carrots

2 Tbsp cottage cheese

Combine all ingredients and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard any remains after 3 days.

Doggy Casserole
1 cup boiled poultry, chopped

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup boiled mixed vegetables

3 to 4 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth

(Note: Salmon may occasionally be substituted for boiled poultry, with chicken broth omitted.)

Stir together and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard remains after 3 days.