10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes (Vet-Approved)

Want to try your hand and learn how to make homemade dog food? The classic proportions are 50% protein (including meat or eggs), 25% vegetables, and 25% carbohydrates (like rice or oats). But which ingredients should you use, and how can you make sure your dog food recipe is healthy?

To help you find the best recipes, we’ve put together this list of 10 healthy dog food recipes to try today. Making dog food at home can save you money and give you more control over what your dog eats. Scroll down to try one of our favorite homemade dog food recipes! And if you have questions, take a look at our recipe tips at the end.

Top 10 Healthy Dog Food Recipes:

1. Beef, Herb, and Egg Dog Food Recipe

This recipe is so easy, it only has one step: combine the ingredients! Your pup will love the mixture of ground beef, protein-packed eggs, and dog-friendly herbs like parsley.

---

2. Turkey and Rosemary Dog Food Recipe

This is another incredibly simple recipe. You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen! All you need is a package of frozen vegetables, ground turkey, rosemary, and rice.

---

3. Simple Chicken and Vegetable

Here’s another healthy dog food recipe so beautiful we want to try it! This recipe from Damn Delicious combines vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and peas with lean ground chicken. It’s a beautiful and nutrient-packed mixture.

---

4. Instant Pot Dog Food Recipe

If you have an Instant Pot, you’ll love this simple recipe! You can cook everything in your pot, including rice or oats, lean ground meat, and vegetables of your choice.

---

5. Non-Allergenic Dog Food

If your pup has food allergies, this recipe might be just what you’re looking for. Nikki at Where’s the Frenchie? was inspired by her French Bulldog’s newly discovered allergies to create this straightforward recipe, which includes whole grains, pumpkin puree, and ground turkey.

---

6. Superfood Dog Food Recipe

This recipe from Emily’s Little Homestead combines pork and beef — plus unexpected superfoods like blueberries and kale. Throw the ingredients in a Crock-Pot while you’re at work and you’ll have a feast fit for a king — or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

---

7. Chicken and Bean Dog Food

Here’s another incredibly easy Crock-Pot recipe — that you could eat for dinner yourself! This delicious-sounding dog food recipe features chicken, kidney beans, butternut squash, and peas. Plus, Katie Crenshaw of A Fork’s Tale offers great suggestions for supplements and substitutions! Did you know that you could add eggshells or chicken livers to your dog’s food?

---

8. Turkey Macaroni Dog Food

Brought to you by The College Housewife, this dog food recipe substitutes macaroni noodles for the usual rice or oats — but still includes plenty of healthy protein and vegetables. Cook up your ground turkey, broccoli, and sweet potatoes, and you’ll have a delicious, human-grade dog entree.

---

9. Doggie Meatball Recipe

These meatballs may look mouthwatering, but they are intended for your dog! Best of all, you can use them to get your pup to take medications. Whip some up, sneak in a pill, and you’ll be the best dog parent ever.

---

10. Salmon and Quinoa Dog Food Recipe

If your dog is your mini-me, why not replicate a dinner that’s tasty and healthy for you? This dog food recipe from Yuna the Lab features baked salmon, quinoa, and vegetables like zucchini, squash, and carrots. What dog could resist?

Dog Food Recipe Tips

Trying new foods is fun for humans, but it can be hard on our pets’ stomachs. The most important thing to remember is to change your dog’s diet slowly. Veterinarians recommend mixing new foods with your dog’s previous food. Start with about 25% new food and 75% old food. Then gradually increase the amount of new food until you reach 100%. If you notice any changes in your dog’s digestion, you may want to stop the transition and talk to your veterinarian.

Like people, dogs can have food allergies. Common dog allergies include wheat, eggs, chicken, and beef. Keep in mind that some ingredients may be particularly toxic to dogs, like grapes, onions, and garlic. If you notice symptoms like gastrointestinal issues, you’ll probably want to consult your veterinarian about your dog’s ideal diet.

Storing Your Homemade Dog Food

These recipes are really simple, but you probably don’t have time to cook a full meal for yourself and your dog every night. An easy solution? Make a big batch and divide it into individual portions. Put each meal in a Ziploc bag in the freezer and pull it out at dinner time!

Making Your Own Dog Food: The Bottom Line

Now that you’ve learned how to make homemade dog food quickly and easily. We hope you’ve found your new favorite healthy dog food recipe. Cater to your furball’s specific dietary needs, learn a new cooking skill, and maybe even save a little money. Your dogs will love their upgraded diets!

Looking for more dog recipes? 

• 10 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes (Vet-Approved)
• 10 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Small Dogs (Vet-Approved)

---

Featured image credit: stockcreations, Shutterstock