Feeding your dog a homemade diet can be one of the best choices for their health.
While commercial kibble claims to be “balanced,” many pet parents—including myself—prefer knowing exactly what goes into their dog’s meals.
Homemade dog food allows you to provide fresh, wholesome ingredients without toxins or unnecessary fillers.
Recently, one of my readers asked me to create a blog post detailing what exactly needs to go into a homemade dog food recipe, and today I’m sharing all of it.
Whether your goal is better digestion, shinier coat, or simply a healthier lifestyle for your dog, this guide covers everything from proteins to essential vitamins.
I Recommend These Amazon Essentials for Homemade Dog Food.
1. High-Quality Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
I recommend these bowls for prepping and mixing your dog’s meals safely and efficiently.
2. Digital Kitchen Food Scale
I recommend this to measure ingredients accurately and ensure balanced portions for your dog.
3. BPA-Free Food Storage Containers
I recommend these containers to store homemade dog food safely and keep it fresh longer.
4. Dog-Safe Multivitamin Supplements
I recommend these to make sure your homemade recipes provide all essential nutrients.
5. Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
I recommend this for cooking dog-friendly meats, grains, and veggies with minimal effort.
Step 1: Choose High-Quality Protein
Protein is the foundation of any dog’s diet.
Dogs thrive on animal protein because it provides a complete amino acid profile that supports muscles, organs, and overall health.
For my recipe, I focus on lean meats such as:
- Ground turkey
- Lean beef
- Chicken
- Eggs
For example, I use one pound of ground turkey and add one to two eggs per batch.
Eggs are particularly beneficial because they provide a high-quality amino acid profile and support healthy growth and muscle maintenance.
Step 2: Add Healthy Carbohydrates
While dogs don’t strictly need carbohydrates, they can be a valuable source of energy, fiber, and nutrients.
For a homemade dog food recipe, consider nutritious carbs such as:
- Sweet potato
- White potato
- Brown rice
For this recipe, I use one cup of sweet potato, which provides:
- Fiber for digestion
- Vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex
- Potassium to support heart and muscle function
Step 3: Include Healthy Fats
Fats are essential for your dog’s energy, skin health, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Some great options include:
- Sunflower oil: Balanced omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, high in vitamin E
- Coconut oil: Supports skin and coat health, rich in vitamin E
A simple rule is to add one tablespoon of oil per pound of meat. This ensures your dog receives essential fatty acids for overall well-being.
Additionally, consider supplementing with omega-3s, like krill oil, at approximately 500 mg per 20 pounds of body weight daily.
These should be added after cooking for maximum effectiveness.
Step 4: Supplement with Calcium
If you’re not feeding bones, calcium must be added to maintain strong bones and teeth. I prefer using ground eggshells:
- Rinse an eggshell thoroughly.
- Roast in the oven for 10–15 minutes.
- Grind in a coffee grinder.
For each pound of meat, I add about ½ teaspoon of ground eggshell, providing roughly 1,000 mg of calcium per pound of food.
Step 5: Add Vegetables for Vitamins and Fiber
Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immunity and overall health. My favorite options are:
- Kale: Rich in vitamins A, C, calcium, zinc, potassium, flavonoids, and fiber
- Spinach: Packed with iron, vitamins, and minerals
For Tula’s recipe, I use one cup of chopped kale, lightly steamed. This adds both nutrients and fiber, keeping the gut healthy and digestion smooth.
Step 6: Include Additional Fiber
Fiber helps regulate digestion and keeps your dog’s gut healthy. Using vegetables like kale and sweet potato already provides fiber, but I also add ground flaxseed for extra benefits.
- Standard dosage: 1 teaspoon per cup of food
- Benefits: Provides omega-3s, antioxidants, and additional minerals
Step 7: Cover All Essential Vitamins and Minerals
A balanced homemade diet should include:
- Vitamin D: Naturally in egg yolks
- Vitamin E: Present in sunflower and coconut oil
- B Vitamins: Found in kale, sweet potato, and eggs
- Iron: From meat and kale
- Zinc: From animal protein and flax
- Iodine: Egg yolks provide iodine for thyroid health
- Potassium: Found in sweet potato
By combining these ingredients, you cover almost all essential micronutrients your dog needs.
Optional: Use a Canine Multivitamin
If you want extra assurance that your dog receives all nutrients, consider a supplement like Ultimate Canine Advanced Health Formula.
It’s a multivitamin and mineral supplement designed to support overall health, prevent deficiencies, and complement homemade diets.
Final Homemade Dog Food Recipe Summary
Here’s a simple, balanced recipe you can follow:
- Protein: 1 lb ground turkey + 1–2 eggs
- Carbs: 1 cup sweet potato (or potato/rice)
- Fats: 1 tablespoon sunflower or coconut oil
- Omega-3s: 1 krill oil tablet per 20 lbs of body weight (added after cooking)
- Calcium: ½ teaspoon ground eggshell per pound of meat
- Vegetables: 1 cup kale or spinach, lightly steamed
- Optional Fiber: 1–2 teaspoons ground flax
This combination provides a nutritionally complete, safe, and healthy homemade dog food that covers protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog a homemade diet doesn’t have to be complicated.
By focusing on high-quality protein, healthy carbs, essential fats, calcium, vegetables, and fiber, you can create a meal that is not only delicious but also supports long-term health.