Healthy homemade dog food recipe
Re-sharing this recipe for healthy homemade dog food because both dogs love it so much! I use We Feed Raw as the meat in this recipe, and you can use FITNESSISTA40 for 40% off! It saves me a trip to the farmer’s market, and is an amazing blend of meat and organs with no fillers or preservatives.
Hi friends! How are ya? I hope that your day is going well! Today, I’m off to the kids’ school to volunteer and am looking forward to some time in the sauna blanket after a workout. It should be a pretty low-key day!
For today’s post, I’m calling on all dog owners. I wanted to share our dogs’ obsession with you: homemade dog food. If you’re looking to upgrade what you feed your dog, this simple recipe is PACKED with nutrients, and both dogs goes crazy with it.
(See the crazy eyes?? She’s INTO IT.)
TBH, I always felt a little bad giving Maisey packaged dog food because this creature LOVES fresh food. She’s constantly begging for scraps of broccoli and bell pepper (her two faves), has stolen an entire brisket off the counter (and ate it on our new white couch..), a whole chicken breast (bones and all, and thankfully didn’t get sick), as well as ramen and curry. But can you blame her? Knowing her flavor profile, I would pour her kibble into her bowl and feel a little bad for the gourmet gal. To spice things up, we would put Fresh Pet on top from Whole Foods (SO expensive and still felt like a block of packaged meat), but I knew there had to be a better way.
I started researching a ton, and found a vet-approved recipe online that inspired me to finally make our own.
I’m excited to share all of the details with you! It’s less expensive than Fresh Pet, with certified organic, farm fresh, and wild-caught ingredients, and I love that I know everything that went into it. No preservatives or extra stuff. Friendly reminder: always talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist before changing your dog’s food. While this works for Maisey and Lola, it’s important to note that dogs can have different allergens, or may just be unable to tolerate certain things. It’s also helpful to gradually increase new foods so the transition is more gentle on their stomach.
*Little note that this post may contain affiliate links. They don’t impact purchase price but enable me to earn a small kickback that I use to keep this lil blog running. On that note, thank you so much to those of you who choose to shop with my affiliate links!
Healthy homemade dog food recipe
Benefits of Homemade Dog Food:
Making your dog’s food at home can have a ton of benefits, including:
Control Over Ingredients: By preparing your dog’s food from scratch, you have full control over the quality of ingredients used, ensuring that your furry friend gets only the best.
Avoidance of Sketchy Ingredients: Conventional dog foods often contain questionable ingredients such as fillers, artificial preservatives, and low-quality meats that can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Tailored Nutrition: Homemade dog food allows you to tailor your dog’s diet to their specific needs, whether they require a certain protein source or have allergies to certain ingredients.
Increased Digestibility: Whole, fresh ingredients are more easily digestible for dogs, leading to better nutrient absorption and overall health.
Ingredients and Their Benefits:
The recipe that inspired this one is Dr. Judy’s Puploaf. She has the full post here, and you can actually order it online! Since this is more of a topper, Maisey still gets some “I and love and you” Nude Super Food kibble (you can order it from Thrive Market) in her bowl—I didn’t have to be as specific with ratios of ingredients.
I’m also including a few extra ingredients that aren’t in the original recipe, but they’re just as beneficial and yummy for your dogs. Just like humans, dogs thrive on meat and veggies. (Just make sure to avoid garlic and onions.)
Ground Beef: An excellent source of protein and essential amino acids for muscle health. Bonus points if it’s lean ground beef!
Ground Turkey: Low-fat lean protein that is packed with essential nutrients. It’s also considered hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for pups with allergies.
Organ Meats (Heart, Liver, Gizzards, Spleen): Rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, vital for your dog’s overall health.
Butternut Squash: Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants to support immune function and digestion. (Sweet potatoes are a great alternative.)
Sardines: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat, reduce inflammation, and support joint health. Sardines are one of Maisey’s all-time favorite foods!
Leafy Greens: Provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, calcium, and folate, for overall health and vitality.
Green Beans and carrots: Great for providing vitamins, minerals, and a high dose of fiber. Green beans and carrots help with things like vision, the immune system, and bone health. I was surprised to learn how much Maisey loves certain vegetables!
Eggs: Rich in choline, protein, and essential nutrients. If you’re using farm-fresh eggs, you can also add the shell. Since I use organic eggs from the grocery store, I use the membrane inside the egg whenever I use this ingredient in my recipe.
Oysters: High in zinc and selenium, important for immune function and thyroid health.
Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants and beneficial for urinary tract health.
Broccoli: Contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C and calcium, for optimal health.
Bell Pepper: Provides vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants to support immune function and eye health.
Flax Oil: A source of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as joint support.
Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in digestion.
Brown Rice: A healthy addition to any diet because of its fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy homemade dog food recipe
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, organ meats, butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. You may find this easiest to blend in a food processor, but it’s personal preference.
I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a small amount before serving.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.
Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can freeze the rest in individual portions. I use Souper Cubes to feed our fur babies this super yummy meal until it’s time to make more! I just put them in the freezer.
Healthy homemade dog food recipe
This healthy homemade dog food recipe is based on Dr. Judy’s pup loaf recipe. It’s a great way to give your dog fresh food with tons of nutrients!
Ingredients
2 lbs organic grass-fed ground beef
1 cup of chicken hearts
Add in any other organ meats, like spleen, gizzards, or liver – we used a blend from a local farm that contained heart, spleen, and liver
2 cans of sardines in water
2 cans of mussels in olive oil
3 eggs (if farm fresh, use the shell. If from the grocery store, use the egg membrane on the inside of the shell)
1 cup butternut squash, chopped
1 cup of broccoli, chopped
2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped
a handful of leafy greens (I used chard), chopped
1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
1/2 c dried cranberries (make sure there is no added sugar, and no extra ingredients)
cold-pressed flax oil, to serve
Instructions
In a large bowl, stir the ground beef, organ meats, chopped butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a little before serving.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.
Notes
Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can freeze the rest in individual portions. I used Souper Cubes.
It feels so good to give our dogs fresh food that’s also packed with nutrients!!
So, tell me, friends: do you make your dog’s food? Are there any brands you love?
xo
Gina
More:
If you’d like to outsource the meat of this recipe, I use We Feed Raw + regular ground beef as the meat mixture in this. It’s perfect, and she goes crazy for it. You can check it out here and use FITNESSISTA40
Retry later
Is This recipe food topper or total food? if total food would i feed same amount of food?
I would follow dr. Judy’s recipe if you’re going to use it for total food to get the ratio just right. I do it as a topper on top of the I and love and you nude food kibble. She gets about half of each and a drizzle of flax oil on top.
I am very hard to please and my dogs are worse than I am. This recipe is the greatest. Ever. I have added some brown rice for a little carb. They lose their mind for it.
For Dr Judy’s recipe, is the pup load linked the one you would use as a full mean? We want to use a full fresh diet for our pups meals but I wanna be sure we use the right recipe
yes, I think that’s how she designed it to be. since I played with a ratios and ingredients a little, I wouldn’t use my own as a full meal. Maisey gets like half homemade dog loaf, half I and love and you nude superfood kibble
Homemade dog food is a fantastic way to ensure your pup gets wholesome ingredients! It’s great to see recipes that balance nutrition with flavors they’ll love. Plus, it allows you to tailor meals to your dog’s specific needs and preferences. Just remember to consult with a vet to ensure it meets all their dietary requirements. Happy cooking for your furry friend! Thanks for sharing.
Would I be able to substitute 2lbs of venison burger for the hamburger?
if your dog likes it, I don’t see why not!
Hi i am currently on Ollie for my dog. I am wanting to switch. Right now she is 55 lbs and she gets 707 calories. How much would you recommend feeding her morning and night? Would i go by pounds?
I would check with your vet to be sure! Maisey is about 25 lbs and she gets about a cup twice a day with kibble as well (I and love and you nude superfood)
If YOU aren’t a vet, why do you think you know enough to post this as healthy for a dog?
No way would I trust any old person on the internet posting random recipes for my pet. Everyone with a blog thinks they’re an expert.
It was inspired by a vet’s recipe and approved by our vet. You have to do what’s best for your dog
You are rude. No common sense, and not wise.
My dad and daughter made this together last night for our dogs. It was super easy to make and so far has been a success with 4 dogs and even the cat!
I’m so happy to hear they love it, too!
I couldn’t find flax seed and ginger but got everything else and added some potatoes and white rice and I’m freezing the rest. I don’t feed her (Luna) too much dry dog food because she’s very picky and doesn’t like the hard food. So this should be good with all the necessary vitamins and minerals? Or do I need flax and ginger? Please let me know!
Such a great recipe, I love how you’ve packed in veggies, organ meat and real nutrients for your dog! Thanks for making healthy dog food feel doable
Such a thoughtful and pinky-promise healthy recipe! I love how you keep it balanced with lean protein, veggies, and grains feels totally doable for making a doggo-friendly meal at home.
Such a feel‑good recipe! I love how you balance lean protein, veggies, and grains totally wholesome and doable for everyday home cooking.
This is such a thoughtful recipe, thank you for sharing! I love how you use real, whole ingredients (meat, veggies, organ meat) to make a nutritious meal instead of relying on processed dog food. The reminder to talk to a vet before switching was also very responsible. I’m definitely inspired to try making my pup’s food at home now especially the combos with veggies and fish. Thanks for putting this together!
This is such a thoughtful and wholesome recipe! I love that you’re using fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, meat, veggies, even organ meats and omega-rich sardines, nothing processed or “filler-ish.” I appreciate your honesty about needing to check with a vet and easing pets in when switching their food. I’m definitely going to try this for my dog, and it feels great to know exactly what’s going into her bowl. Thanks for caring so much and sharing!
Such a wholesome and nutrient-rich homemade dog food idea! I love how it uses real ingredients and lets you know exactly what’s going into your pup’s bowl very helpful for pet parents looking for healthy alternatives.
I’m super picky, and my dogs are even pickier. This recipe is hands down amazing. I add a bit of brown rice, and they go crazy for it.
I’m very picky when it comes to food, and my dogs are even tougher critics. This recipe is honestly the best. I add a little brown rice, and they can’t get enough.
This is such a thoughtful recipe. I really appreciate the reminder to consult a vet and ease dogs into new foods — that’s something many people skip. Love how you balance protein, veggies, and organ meats while keeping it simple. Thanks for sharing this!
What a lovely and wholesome recipe idea for pets! I really like the focus on fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients and the reminder to always transition food slowly and consult a vet when making diet changes. Homemade meals can be a great way to support overall pet wellness, digestion, and recovery, much like how nutrition supports human health.