9 Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Ever thought of preparing a nutritious meal for your furry pal? We’ve got your back with 8 vet-approved homemade dog food recipes that will leave your pup begging for more.

Forget the store-bought stuff for a moment – it’s time to whip up meals in your kitchen that are not only delicious but also packed with natural nutritious goodness.

Get your cutlery ready and join us on this tasty adventure as we share simple, vet-approved recipes designed to keep your pup healthy and happy.

9 Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes

1. Slow-cooker homemade Dog Food Starter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3/4 to 1 pound of cubed, skinless, boneless chicken breast, thighs, lean beef, turkey, or fish
• 1 to 3 ounces of chicken liver, hearts, gizzards, or other animal livers
• 1 or 2 whole eggs (for healthy fats)
• 8 ounces of uncooked white or brown rice
• 16 ounces of green beans
• Bone meal powder, 1 teaspoon (about 1,500 mg) per pound of meat (necessary if this meal makes up over 10% of your dog’s daily intake)
• Water

Directions:

1. Place the chicken (or alternative protein), liver, hearts, gizzards, and eggs into a slow cooker.
2. Incorporate the bone meal, rice, and green beans.
3. Add enough water to submerge the ingredients, though they don’t need to be fully covered. Stir the mixture.
4. Secure the lid and set the cooker to low. Let it cook for 4 to 8 hours, or until the chicken easily shreds apart.
5. During cooking, adjust the water level by adding or draining to achieve your desired stew consistency.
6. Allow the stew to cool before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

*Note: Longer cooking times require additional water to compensate for evaporation. For example, if cooking for 14 hours, ensure enough water is added to prevent drying out.

Recipe from: thewildest

2.   Chicken with Rice and Vegetables

Ingredients:

For a 15-pound dog:

• 3 ounces of cooked dark chicken meat
• 1 1/3 cups of cooked white rice
• 1 tablespoon of cooked mixed vegetables
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• 1.5 black scoops of Balance IT Canine, a vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplement

For a 30-pound dog:

• 4.5 ounces of cooked dark chicken meat
• 2 cups of cooked white rice
• 1.5 tablespoons of cooked mixed vegetables
• 2 to 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• 2.5 black scoops of Balance IT Canine supplement

For 60-pound dogs:

• 8 ounces of cooked dark chicken meat
• 3.5 cups of cooked white rice
• 3 tablespoons of cooked mixed vegetables
• 3 to 5 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• 4.5 black scoops of Balance IT Canine supplement

Directions:

1. Ensure that all proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables are fully cooked, cooled, and then accurately measured.
2. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution. It’s crucial to evenly mix in the supplement to distribute its benefits throughout the meal.
3. This recipe is designed to cover one day’s worth of meals for your dog. Prepare it in the morning, divide it into the day’s portions, and keep it refrigerated until it’s time to feed your dog.

Recipe from: healthypawspetinsurance

3.   Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

This recipe is tailored for 20-pound dogs but can be adjusted to half for 10-pound dogs or doubled for 40-pound dogs.

Ingredients:

For a 20-pound dog:

• 1/4 pound of cooked, skinless chicken
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice
• 1/2 to 1 cup of peas and carrots
• 1 tablespoon of Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend (or another vegetable oil)
• 1/4 teaspoon of potassium chloride (used as a salt substitute)
• 250 mg of calcium citrate
• A daily multivitamin/mineral supplement (follow vet recommendations or use 1/4 of an adult human dose)

You may substitute the protein source with boned fish, lean ground turkey, beef, or lamb, and the carbohydrate with potatoes, yams, or pasta. The mentioned supplements are essential and should not be omitted.

Directions:

1. Ensure that all proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables are fully cooked, cooled, and weighed.
2. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients, ensuring the supplements are evenly distributed throughout the meal.
3. This recipe is designed to provide a day’s worth of meals. Prepare it in the morning, portion it out for the day, and keep it refrigerated until feeding time.

Recipe from: healthypawspetinsurance

4.   Homemade Food for Dogs with Kidney Disease

For a 15 lb Spayed/Neutered Dog:

Ingredients:

• Pork (fresh loin, tenderloin, lean only, cooked, roasted): 74 g or 2 5/8 oz
• Canola Oil: 36 g or 8 tsp
• Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Liquid: 6.7 g or 7.3 mL
• Morton Iodized Salt: 0.38 g or 1/16 tsp
• Wholistic Pet Organics Supplement: 3.3 g

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, blend all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed.
2. Portion the mixture into servings that are suitable for your dog’s size.
3. Offer the food to your dog either at room temperature or gently warmed.

Recipe from: beyondpets.com

5.   Turkey with Cooked Vegetables for Puppies

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. ground turkey
• 1 cup uncooked millet
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut oil
• 1 chopped carrot
• 1 chopped zucchini
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 chopped squash
• 1 chopped apple
• 1 tbsp. calcium powder

Instructions:

1. Prepare the millet as per the instructions on the package. Once done, set it aside to cool.
2. Using a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until it’s fully done, making sure to drain off any excess liquid.
3. To the same pot, incorporate the cooled millet, coconut oil, the chopped vegetables, apple, and calcium powder. Stir everything together until it’s evenly mixed.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool down completely. After cooling, transfer it to an airtight container for storage.

Recipe from: utopia.org

6. Gourmet Chicken, Rice, and Veggies

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Chicken or Turkey, cut into pieces
• 5 cups brown rice
• 4 cups mixed vegetables (such as carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes), chopped
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Daily Multivitamin in powdered form

Instructions:

1. Heat the coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken or turkey pieces to the pan and fry until fully cooked.
3. In a separate pot, cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
4. Once the rice is cooked, combine it with the cooked chicken or turkey in the pan.
5. Add the chopped vegetables to the pan with the chicken and rice mixture.
6. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are well combined and the vegetables are evenly distributed.
7. Sprinkle the powdered multivitamin supplement over the mixture and stir well to ensure it’s fully integrated.
8. Serve once the entire mixture is thoroughly blended and warmed through.

Recipe from: housethatbarks.com

7. Christmas Turkey with Oatmeal and Sweet Potatoes

This recipe can be conveniently prepared alongside your own meal or with leftover ingredients.

For serving sizes, consider 3/4 cup for small dogs, 1 1/5 cups for medium dogs, and 3 cups for large dogs. It’s best to consult with your Vetco Vet for the precise portion size for your pet. This recipe yields approximately 9 cups of dog food.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb of skinless turkey pieces, either light or dark meat (avoid bones)
• 1 cup of cooked oatmeal (prefer the regular type over instant for better texture)
• 1 lb of sweet potato, cubed (roughly 2 medium sweet potatoes)
• 2 tbsp of cranberry sauce (homemade is recommended, ensure it’s alcohol-free)
• 4 tbsp of turkey gravy or substitute with olive oil (ensure the gravy is onion-free)

Directions:

1. If using leftover turkey, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, roast the turkey specifically for this recipe.
2. Sweet potatoes can be roasted at 400°F for about 45 minutes or boiled for 20 minutes. They can be diced before or after cooking. Whole sweet potatoes may require more time.
3. Prepare the oatmeal as directed on the package. Opt for regular oatmeal as it offers a better consistency and usually cooks in 10-20 minutes, depending on the type.
4. Combine the diced turkey, cooked oatmeal, cubed sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce in a large mixing bowl. If opting for gravy or olive oil, add it at this stage and mix well to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.

Recipe from: vetconm.com

8. Raw Meat with Vegetables and Basmati Rice

This recipe caters to the nutritional needs of an 8kg dog for 3-4 days.

Ingredients:

• 250g beef or lamb, chopped and raw
• 1 cup carrots, chopped and raw
• 1 cup apple, chopped and raw
• ¼ cup peas, defrosted
• 1½ cups pumpkin or squash, chopped
• ⅔ cup brown or basmati rice (yields 3 cups cooked)
• 4 teaspoons sunflower oil
• 4g fish oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice and pumpkin/squash together until they are soft. Let the mixture cool down.
2. Stir the raw beef or lamb, carrots, apple, and peas into the cooled rice and pumpkin mix.
3. Serve the recommended daily portion, and store the rest in the refrigerator.
4. The prepared food can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe from: walkervillevet.com.au

9. Immune Boost Recipe by Dr. Hillary Wolfe, Veterinary Nutrition

Check out the below short video by Dr. Hillary Wolfe and learn how to do this immune boost recipe for your dogs.

Conclusion

And there you have it – 8 vet-approved homemade dog food recipes that will turn every mealtime into a tail-wagging session.

As you explore these tasty options in your kitchen, remember to introduce new foods slowly and keep an eye on your dog for negative reactions.

The best part about prepping your dog’s meal at home is that you can fulfill your pup’s needs while factoring in their allergies and sensitivities.

Related Reads:

9 Homemade Probiotics for Dogs

30 Homemade Dog Treat Ideas

Written By

Laura Nassoura

Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.