Dogs are part of the family. Simple as that. So shouldn’t the food you provide them be on par with your lifestyle? At the very least, shouldn’t the meals you give them be healthy and wholesome? It’s really not that difficult to make your own dog food (trust us, we’ve done our research). And in our research, we found just how unhealthy store-bought dog food can be. When you control your dog’s diet, you know exactly what goes into it, and that can be vital in sustaining your pup’s health. 

More than 130 pet deaths and more than 220 illnesses may be linked to eating brands of pet food manufactured by Midwestern food brand. The Food and Drug Administration linked these illnesses and deaths to a poisonous mold attached to one of the brand’s ingredients. 

The truth of the matter is store-bought dog food can be unpredictable, unsafe and potentially deadly. 

Preparing homemade food for your pup can feel a little challenging. They depend on you in making the right choices for them, their food included. But by making homemade food, you can ensure that your dog gets a variety of nutrients and they receive a planned and balanced diet that is essential for their growth and development and overall, their quality of life.

There are particular dietary nutrients that a dog can’t go without — protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water. 

One quick note before we dive in. While we've exhaustively researched this topic and read books from leading vets and experts, make sure to check with your veterinarian on the key nutrients your dog needs to lead a healthy lifestyle before following a recipe you find online.

Now, let’s look into the reasons why you should make the switch from store-bought to homemade dog food.

Benefits of Homemade Dog Food

There’s no easy way to say this — the meat in store-bought dog food is usually rendered, which is basically just random parts or pieces of any meat. In some cases, this type of meat may come from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals. The process of rendering includes lean meats being separated from fats. Since rendered meat refers to any random part of any meat, the manufacturer can just include the beaks and feet of a chicken, which can damage the dog’s small intestine. More than that, most dog foods use additives and preservatives to extend its shelf life and to avoid spoiling over.

Additives and fillers in store-bought dog food have essentially no nutritional value. And in a worst-case scenario, these foods can make your dog extremely sick. When you make your dog’s food, not only are you able to use nutritious and wholesome ingredients, you can also reduce your dog’s risk of getting sick. 

When making homemade dog food for your pet, you’re not only controlling the protein that goes into their diet, you also know the food is coming from somewhere safe — your very own kitchen.

The best pet food recipes will include very precise amounts of specific ingredients (e.g. 100 grams of boneless, skinless, baked chicken breast and 45 grams of baked, mashed sweet potato versus “1 cup of chicken or fish or pork and 1 cup of cooked vegetables”), and will include added sources of vitamins and minerals like calcium, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids. While a “whole foods” approach, where every nutrient comes from food, not supplements is appealing, it is nearly impossible to meet all of a pet’s nutrient needs without adding concentrated supplements.

Your dog’s nutrition determines every other aspect of its life, which is why you need to be careful when it comes to the food you provide your pet.

At the end of the day, commercial dog food can be extremely harmful for your dog. Preparing your dog’s food grants you peace of mind that your pet is getting everything it needs. 

Let’s dive into the ingredients you can’t go without when prepping your pets’ food, why it’s so important and how to make it. 

How to Make Homemade Dog Food 

Just like humans, every dog is different, so not every meal plan will fit every pup. Consider your dog’s size, weight and activity levels before picking out the perfect recipe to make. Generally speaking, there are six basic nutrients required for dogs to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. And those are protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. 

Protein is a must for pups. Whether it’s chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish or cooked eggs, this ingredient will aid in the growth of your dog.

Carbs keep your intestines healthy and also supply glucose for your dog. Carbohydrates are sources of various types of sugar, like glucose and fructose, which dogs can easily digest and are converted into usable energy. Think of ingredients like starches, fruits and vegetables. Try using potatoes, yams or yucca for your starch, or rice and lentils. Vegetables to include are carrots, peas, squash, pumpkin, broccoli, and cauliflower. Dogs get more nutrients from these vegetables if they’re chopped or pureed and are lightly steamed. Avoid potentially toxic ingredients like chocolate, grapes, avocado, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic. Fruits to include in your recipe can be anything from apples to bananas to blueberries to cantaloupe. Avoid fruits with pits and don’t forget to remove any seeds before serving. 

The fats come from oils in meats. It’s the primary form of stored energy providing twice as much energy as carbohydrates or protein. It also provides omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for skin, coat maintenance and membrane structure, while Omega-3 fatty acids help in blood clotting and in decreasing inflammation.

Minerals needed for any dog food recipe include calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron and zinc. These are important for a dog’s bones and teeth. Choosing and adding the right supplement is equally as crucial  to choosing healthy and safe ingredients. Since you’re giving your pet homemade food, it’s important to ensure that they are getting enough vitamin and mineral supplements for a balanced nutrition and growth. 

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K promote eye and skin health, as well as boost the immune system. 

And don’t forget the water. Every homemade meal pairs perfectly with a bowl of it.

To make food for anything that lives and breathes on this planet is to understand the importance of a balanced diet. Feeding fresh food to your dog enhances and prolongs its life. When creating a meal for your pet, you have to remember that a dog’s digestive tract is shorter and more acidic than a human’s, and they don’t chew things to mush before swallowing. Remember this when cleaning, cutting and processing the protein and vegetables. 

Some great sample dog food recipes

The Bark provided a great dry food recipe that can be completed in about an hour. Its key ingredients feature turkey and brown rice. 

If your pup is more of a fish-lover, The Dog Bakery has a fantastic fish recipe that you can whip up in under an hour.

If you’re looking for wet dog food to make, check out these recipes from Dog Backer. They were all designed to cook in a crock pot. But if you’re looking for something a little quicker, you should check out this recipe from Allrecipes. This turkey-based wet dog food can be made in just about 30 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to go to the store and buy commercial pet food!

Buying Guide

• If you’re wondering what recipes or meals your dog will like, you should speak to a veterinarian. Fuzzy Pet Health offers an online veterinary service so you don’t even have to leave your house. 

• Before you take the plunge of making your own dog food, The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh way to feed your pet. This subscription-based service provides fresh ingredients you need to make your dog food.

• Once you’ve decided to take the plunge for your pet and make its meals, you should probably invest in a food processor. That way, you won’t have to worry about your pup choking on a large piece of protein. 

• Thinking of expanding the meals to make? Christine Filardi wrote Home Cooking for Your Dog, a book chock-full of holistic meals your dog will love.

• The best way to get the food you need for your homemade recipes is by subscribing to Imperfect Foods. This delivery service sells perfectly edible food that would otherwise go to waste based on the way it looks.