10 Homemade Dog Food for Picky Eaters

Have you ever prepared a bowl of food for your furry friend only for them to sniff and walk away without eating?

This can be frustrating, and it’s a challenge that pet owners with picky dog eaters face every day.

What if we told you there is a way to prepare homemade foods that satisfy your picky canine friend?

Read on to discover our collection of 10 homemade dog food for picky eaters with simple recipes.

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What Can Dogs Eat

Before we jump into the recipe, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves of the foods our furry friends can eat.

This quick list covers many safe foods for dogs to help you identify which items make appropriate treats or healthy additions to their meals.

Proteins (Cooked and Unseasoned)

1.    Chicken

2.    Turkey

3.    Beef

4.    Lamb

5.    Pork

6.    Salmon

7.    Whitefish

8.    Sardines

9.    Eggs

10. Duck

Vegetables

1.    Carrots

2.    Pumpkin

3.    Sweet Potatoes

4.    Green Beans

5.    Peas

6.    Broccoli

7.    Cauliflower

8.    Zucchini

9.    Squash

10.     Bell Peppers

11.     Celery

12.     Cucumbers

13. Spinach

Fruits (Pits and Seeds Removed)

1.    Apples

2.    Bananas

3.    Blueberries

4.    Strawberries

5.    Watermelon

6.    Cantaloupe

7.    Pears

8.    Peaches

9.    Mango

10.     Cranberries

11.     Raspberries

12. Pineapple

Grains and Legumes (Cooked)

1.    Rice

2.    Oatmeal

3.    Quinoa

4.    Barley

5.    Lentils

6. Chickpeas

Dairy

1.    Plain Yogurt

2.    Plain Kefir

3.   Cottage Cheese

4. Low-fat Cheese

Other

1.    Peanut Butter (Must be Xylitol-Free)

2.    Coconut Oil

3.    Olive Oil

4.    Flaxseed

5.    Chia Seeds

6. Parsley

Check out our comprehensive guide on 36 things dogs can and can’t eat. We explain the foods here in detail and also cover what you should never give dogs.

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A Way to Win Over Your Fussy Eater

Having your dog sniff at their food bowl then walk away can be infuriating. You’ve bought new brands, tried new toppers, warmed their food up and wondered what else is there?

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If you’ve tried everything and your dog is still a picky eater, we recommend trying the ChefPaw dog food maker.

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10 Homemade Dog Food for Picky Eaters

1. Easy Chicken & Rice Picky Eater Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 medium chicken breast
• 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Tiny pinch of iodized salt (optional)

Preparation

1. First, place the raw chicken breast into a pot and add just enough water to make sure it’s completely covered.
2. Bring the water to a boil, then you’ll lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 – 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is opaque and cooked through, with no pink inside.
3. While the chicken is cooking, go ahead and prepare the rice according to the directions on the package. You can use plain instant rice or regular rice for this.
4. Remove the cooked chicken from the pot (you can discard the water) and let it cool down on a cutting board until it’s safe to handle.
5. Using two forks or your fingers, shred the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces that are easy to eat.
6. In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken you just made with the warm, cooked rice.
7. Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and, if you’re using it, add that tiny pinch of salt. For an extra aroma to tempt a picky eater, you can stir in a spoonful of warm, unsalted broth.
8. Mix everything thoroughly so the chicken and oil are distributed evenly through the rice. It’s best to serve this slightly warm.

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2. Slow Cooker Chicken & Apple Stew for Dogs

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless chicken breasts
• 1 large apple, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 1 cup green beans, cut into small pieces
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ½ cup dried parsley

Preparation

1. Place the chicken breasts, chopped apple, chopped carrots, and cut green beans directly into your slow cooker pot.
2. Now, pour the 3 cups of water evenly over all the ingredients in the pot. Put the lid on the slow cooker, set it to cook on LOW, and let it go for 6 hours.
3. After the 6 hours are up, the chicken should be tender and cooked through. Use two forks to shred the chicken right there in the pot, breaking it into small pieces.
4. The stew will still be very hot, so add the coconut oil and stir it in until it’s completely melted and mixed into the broth.
5. Next, stir in the frozen peas and the dried parsley. The heat from the food will be enough to warm them through.
6. Give everything a thorough mix to combine all the ingredients well.
7. You’ll need to allow the food to cool down completely to a safe temperature before serving. Serving it just slightly warm can often make it more appealing to a picky eater.

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3. Simple Dog Food Ideas for Picky Eaters

Ingredients

• 8 cups of water
• 4 cups dry brown rice
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 6 ounces broccoli, chopped
• 6 ounces riced cauliflower
• 6 ounces spinach (frozen or fresh)
• 8 ounces cottage cheese
• 7 ounces canned plain pumpkin
• 2 cans of mackerel in water
• ½ cup ground flaxseed

Preparation

1. Boil enough water, add the dry brown rice and the ground chicken. Be sure to stir it as you add it to help break up the meat.
2. Continue to cook, stirring it occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through (with no pink) and all the water has been absorbed by the rice.
3. Now, stir in the broccoli, riced cauliflower, and spinach. The video shows frozen veggies being used, but fresh ones are also perfectly fine.
4. Turn the heat down to low and let it cook for about 5 more minutes, just long enough to soften and warm the vegetables. Transfer the entire mixture into a large mixing bowl.
5. Next, add the cottage cheese, the plain pumpkin, and both cans of mackerel (make sure to pour in the water from the cans, too).
6. Sprinkle the ground flaxseed over the top of everything, and then stir it all together until it is well combined.
7. Allow the food to cool down completely before serving. You can also serve it slightly warm, because the strong aroma of the fish and chicken can tempt a picky dog eater.

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4.  Easy DIY Food for Picky Dogs

Ingredients

• 1-pound boneless chicken, cut into cubes
• 2 cups dry brown rice
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 16-ounce package of frozen mixed vegetables

Preparation

1. Place the cubed chicken, dry brown rice, water, and dried rosemary into a large skillet or a pot that has high sides.
2. Give the ingredients a stir and then bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. As soon as it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, put a cover on the skillet, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
4. After those 20 minutes are up, you’ll want to check that the chicken is cooked through and that the rice has absorbed most of the water.
5. Now you can stir in the package of frozen vegetables.
6. Keep cooking on low for another 5 minutes, or just until the vegetables are thawed and warmed through.
7. Take the skillet off the heat and let the food cool down completely before you serve it to your picky dog eater.

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5. Homemade Chicken & Liver with Squash

Ingredients

• Chicken muscle meat, chopped
• Beef liver
• Squash
• Assorted dog-safe vegetables
• A few fresh strawberries, grated
• A pinch of fresh, dog-safe herbs

Preparation

1. Spread the chopped chicken and beef liver out in a single layer on a baking tray.
2. Gently cook the meats in the oven just until they are cooked through. The warm aroma from this step is very enticing for fussy dogs.
3. While the meat is baking, you can peel and chop the squash. Steam it in a pot with a small amount of water until it becomes fork-tender.
4. In a separate bowl, finely grate your fresh vegetables and strawberries. Grating them this small is key, as it helps mix the flavors and prevents dogs from picking them out.
5. Now, transfer the cooked meat, the steamed squash, and all the grated items into a large mixing bowl.
6. Sprinkle in a small pinch of fresh, dog-safe herbs, which will help boost the aroma.
7. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly. As you mix, go ahead and mash the squash slightly, as this helps to bind everything together.
8. You can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to five days.

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6.  Chicken Thigh & Vegetable Rice for Dogs

Ingredients

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• Mixed vegetables
• A small amount of chicken or beef broth

Preparation

1. Place the chicken thighs into a pot and add enough water to cover them. You’ll bring this to a boil and then continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through, with no pink left inside.
2. While the chicken is on the stove, go ahead and prepare one cup of brown rice, just following the directions on the package.
3. You will also need to gently steam or heat the mixed vegetables until they are just tender.
4. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pot. Let it cool on a cutting board until it’s safe enough for you to handle.
5. Go ahead and dice or shred the cooled chicken into small, easy-to-eat pieces.
6. In a large bowl, you’ll combine the diced chicken, the cooked brown rice, and the warmed vegetables.
7. Add a small splash of unsalted, onion-free broth. This step adds extra flavor and moisture, which can be very helpful for tempting a picky dog.
8. Stir everything together thoroughly so that all the ingredients are well mixed.
9. You can store this food in the refrigerator. Just before you serve it, warm it up slightly to improve the aroma.

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7. Picky Dog Food Recipes for Seniors

Ingredients

• 1 cup boiled chicken
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 2 tbsp. plain yogurt
• ¼ cup cooked brown rice
• ¼ cup steamed carrots
• ¼ cup steamed green beans

Preparation

1. Before you get started, just make sure that your boiled chicken and the hard-boiled egg are both fully cooled down.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, go ahead and add the chopped chicken, the cooked brown rice, the steamed carrots, and the steamed green beans.
3. Next, add the mashed hard-boiled egg and the plain yogurt right on top of the other ingredients.
4. You’ll want to stir everything together very thoroughly until you can see that the yogurt and egg are evenly mixed in with all the rice, chicken, and vegetables.
5. This mixing step is important because it helps coat all the individual pieces, which can prevent a picky eater from trying to eat around the veggies.
6. Just be sure that all the pieces are chopped to a size that is appropriate for your specific dog.
7. You can serve this meal just as it is. For any long-term feeding, however, you’ll need to ask your veterinarian how to properly balance this food with the correct supplements for senior dogs.

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8. Homemade Food for Picky Dogs

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 cooked whole chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can carrots

Preparation

1. First, in a large skillet, cook the 2 lbs. of ground beef over medium heat. You’ll need to break it apart as it cooks until it’s fully browned and no pink remains.
2. In a very large mixing bowl, add the drained ground beef, the boneless chopped chicken, the cooked rice, and the mashed carrots.
3. Stir the entire mixture thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Now you can divide the food into portions that are appropriate for your dog.

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9. Beef and Barley Batch Stew Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs. beef
• 2 lbs. carrots
• 2 lbs. potatoes
• ½ bunch celery
• 1 lb. dried pearl barley
• 12 – 14 cups of water
• ¼ cup beef drippings (optional)

Preparation

1. You’ll need to get out a very large stock pot for this recipe. Begin by chopping the carrots, potatoes, and celery (or zucchini) into small, bite-sized pieces.
2. If you are using whole cuts of beef, rather than mince, chop the meat into small pieces as well.
3. Add the chopped vegetables, the beef, and the optional beef drippings right into your large pot.
4. Now, pour in 12 to 14 cups of water and give everything a stir to combine it. Place the pot on the stove over high heat. You’re going to let it cook for about one hour.
5. After the mixture has boiled for a bit, go ahead and stir in the dried pearl barley. Continue to cook the stew for another 30 to 35 minutes.
6. This is a great DIY dog food recipe to make in bulk. Once it is fully cooled, you can store portions in the refrigerator or freeze them for later.

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10.  Easy Dog Food Recipes for Picky Eaters

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups green or brown lentils
• 3 ½ cups water
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 2 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken
• 5 oz. spinach
• A small amount of olive oil (if needed)

Preparation

1. Add the rinsed lentils and the water to a saucepan, then bring the water to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, and just let it simmer until the lentils are tender.
2. While the lentils are cooking, place the chopped carrots and sweet potato into your food processor. Pulse it a few times until they are finely chopped, and then just set that bowl aside.
3. In a separate large pot, you’re going to cook the ground turkey over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat apart as it cooks, continuing until it’s no longer pink.
4. Now, add the finely chopped carrots, sweet potato, and spinach to the pot with your cooked turkey.
5. Sauté everything together for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables and spinach have softened up. You can add a small splash of olive oil here if the mixture seems too dry.
6. Once the lentils are finished cooking, add them to the large pot with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir everything together until it is well combined.
7. We advise you to let this food for picky dogs cool down completely before you serve or store it.
8. You can store any leftovers in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, or you can freeze them in portions for up to 3 months.

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How To Motivate Picky Dogs

Picky dogs are just so fussy in their eating habits that you may need to improvise some dog feeding solutions to get them to eat something.

But before you start correcting your picky dog eater, we recommend you take some time at your vet’s office to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Dogs who suddenly become finicky in their eating habits may be experiencing some discomfort, and that should be ruled out.

Once the vet clears your dog of any underlying condition, you can now move to help them eat better by behavioral fine-tuning.

One of the best dog feeding solutions is to establish a strict and predictable meal routine for your furry friends.

You can do this by offering your dog meals at the same time, once or twice a day, depending on their feeding guidelines.

This should be done without fail. Just put their food down, and pick it up 15 – 20 minutes later if it remains untouched.

Another strategy that can work is denying your furry friend snacks in between meals. This means no scraps, no treats, no dental chews, until the scheduled feeding time.

Doing this will help your dog anticipate their meals, and they’re more likely to build interest when you put that bowl down.

If you’re following a solid feeding routine, but your dog is still being fussy with food, your next strategy should move to making the meals more appealing,

One of the simplest picky dog eating tips we have for you is to enhance the homemade food’s aroma.

Gently warm the meal or add a splash of warm, unsalted bone broth to make that significant difference to a dog who is motivated by smell.

You can also mix in a small, high-value topper, like a spoonful of plain pumpkin, a bit of the best food for picky dogs, such as plain yogurt, or a high-quality canned or fresh food.

For dogs who seem less picky and more bored, adopting some creative dog food presentation techniques can work.

You can use a puzzle toy or a snuffle mat instead of a bowl to turn their boring mealtime into an engaging and rewarding game.

In some cases, however, the issue truly is the food’s core ingredients or texture. A dog may have a mild sensitivity or simply a powerful preference.

If your dog consistently refuses a specific food, a vet may help you narrow down the best dog food for picky eaters.

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Ensuring Complete Nutrition

When a dog consistently refuses their food, there’s a real risk they are also missing out on essential nutrients. Over time, those little omissions can create significant nutritional gaps.

This is why you need to add dog-specific supplements to their meals. They aren’t a substitute for a good meal, but they are a way to fill in the blanks that a picky dog’s habits might create.

Cooking for your dog with fresh, quality ingredients is a wonderful gesture of love, but a homemade meal is rarely complete and balanced on its own.

Commercial foods are legally required to be fortified with a very specific profile of vitamins and minerals.

That chicken and rice you prepared, however, is likely deficient in crucial nutrients like calcium, essential fatty acids, and a host of other vitamins.

Because every dog is an individual, you should consult your veterinarian before making a full transition to a homemade diet or adding a new dietary supplement.

Your vet is the only one who can properly evaluate your recipes and ensure they are providing all the dietary requirements your specific dog needs to thrive.

Canine Probiotics, for example, are a good addition to support a healthy gut, especially when you’re transitioning between different foods.

For dogs showing signs of a dull coat or dry skin, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement like salmon oil can be incredibly beneficial.

For senior or highly active dogs, supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin can help support joint health and mobility.

Have a chat with your vet if you’re unsure about how to make your homemade foods better for a picky eater.

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Conclusion

We hope these 10 homemade dog food for picky eaters recipes have given you an inspiring starting point for feeding your pooch.

That’s all we have for today, please let us know in the comment sections the recipes you went with and if your fussy easter loved it.

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See Also:

12 Homemade Dog Food Recipes