The Scoop on Homemade Dog Food: Why Making Your Own is a Game-Changer
Fresh, tasty homemade meals filled with real ingredients keep your little mate healthy & happy
Today, I’ll walk you through the benefits of whipping up fresh, wholesome meals for your dog - and I’ve even got a simple recipe to get you started! Imagine meals so tasty they’ll make your dog’s tail go into overdrive, filled with real ingredients (no “mystery” meat stuff here!).
The first time my human made me a fresh, homemade dinner it was love at first bite. It was like I’d been promoted from “pet” to “dinner guest”. Once you start making these tasty meals, the only one giving you the side-eye will be the cat, silently judging from the counter, pretending not to be jealous.
Quick Sniffs
Full Control of the Ingredients
You get to decide what goes into our meals - fresh, wholesome goodness without any mystery fillers.
Balanced Nutrition
A well-crafted homemade diet can provide all the essential nutrients we need to stay healthy and happy.
Taste Variety
Mixing up ingredients keeps mealtime exciting. Goodbye food boredom, hello deliciousness!
Making your dog’s food at home gives you control over ingredients, ensuring they get a balanced, wholesome diet free from fillers or preservatives.
Digging Deeper: The Benefits of Going Homemade
Healthier Ingredients: Making food from scratch lets you skip the mystery ingredients and give us what we truly need to be happy, healthy, and ready to show off our zoomies. Plus, with homemade meals, there’s no filler – just pure goodness in every bite.
Better Digestion: Fresh, balanced ingredients can be easier on our tummies, keeping us energized and happy.
Shinier Coats: Real food packed with nutrients helps our coats look glossy and keeps our eyes bright.
Better Energy Levels: A fresh diet gives us natural energy and keeps us active.
Easily Customisable: It’s easy to rotate ingredients to offer a range of nutrients and keep meals interesting.
Allergy Control: Homemade meals allow you to avoid ingredients that may cause allergies or sensitivities.
Tail-Wagging Happiness: We know when we’re getting something special – homemade meals make us feel extra loved!
Whip up some homemade wellness and happiness :)
Truffle’s Favourite Recipe for DIY Doggy Dinners
So, here’s a simple recipe that you can use as a base. The beauty of this meal? You can swap out ingredients based on what you’ve got in your pantry or what your vet recommends. Just remember to keep it dog-safe (no onions, garlic, or spices), and you’re good to go! If you want to find out more about what and what NOT to feed your dog, get yourself a copy of The Doggo Cookbook & Wellness Guide (below).
This recipe is per 15 pounds of dog, by which I mean: if your dog weighs 15 pounds, the below is perfect as is. Double the amount for a 30-pound dog, times it by 4 for a 60-pound dog… you get the drift.
Ingredients
Protein Powerhouse
80 grams (about 3 oz) cooked dark meat chicken (or swap with beef, pork, lamb, tuna or eggs). Avoid cuts of meat that are too fatty or rich, or covered in garlic or seasonings. Remove excess fat and watch for poultry bones which can splinter. Don’t use meats like ham as they are usually high in salt and fat.
Carb Energy Boost
190 grams (1 1/3 cups) cooked white rice (other options: quinoa, sweet potato, oatmeal, or barley)
Pro Tip: Rice might not look exciting, but it fuels us for all those tail-wagging sprints.Veggie Goodness
15 grams (1 tablespoon) mixed veggies (like carrots, green beans, spinach, zucchini, peas, celery, cucumber, sweet potato, corn, and/or broccoli) Because yes, even us carnivores need our veggies!
Healthy Fats
1 tablespoon olive, flaxseed or coconut oil. You could also add some coconut milk. Adds that shiny gloss to our coats that even cats can’t help but envy.
Supplements (talk to your vet first)
Using an All-In-One Supplement can help fill in nutritional deficiencies.
Ingredients to Avoid
Almonds, avocados, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, garlic, grapes, onions, macadamia nuts, raisins, raw yeast dough, Xylitol and any other artificial sweeteners, and mushrooms are some of the ingredients to avoid.
Instructions
Cook Everything
Fully cook the protein and rice, and soften the veggies for easier digestion.
Mix It Up
Combine all ingredients well so I don’t just pick out my favourites (I mean, it’s tempting).
Portion and Serve
Keep portions measured for a balanced diet, aiming for about 300 grams total per 15-pound of dog! We don’t want to get carried away with the goodies (even if we would eat more!)!
Don’t leave portion control up us! We’ll eat what we can… (not sayin’ any more)
Nutritional Notes
Protein
Builds strong muscles for epic games of fetch.
Carbohydrates
Provides the energy we need to zoom around the yard and chase imaginary squirrels.
Fiber
Keeps our digestion running smoothly—no one likes tummy troubles.
Fats
Promotes a shiny coat that'll make all the neighbourhood dogs jealous.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate Leftovers
Store any extra food in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. After that, even we might turn our noses up at it!
Freeze for Future Feasts
If you've made a big batch, freeze portions for later. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheat Gently
Warm the food slightly to enhance the aroma, but make sure it's not too hot. We love tasty, not toasty!
If you’re feeling fancy, shape the mixture into little biscuits and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 20–30 minutes to make small homemade treats on the go.
Feel free to swap ingredients – ground turkey, quinoa, and even a bit of kale can make great substitutes. Just remember: no onions, garlic, spices, chocolate, or grapes – they’re bad news for us pups!
Keep an Eye on Health
Regular vet check-ups (2-3 times a year) are essential to ensure we're thriving on our new gourmet diet. If you notice any changes in weight, energy levels, or if we start eyeing off the cat's food (yikes!), it's time for a chat with the vet.
Making your own dog food is easier than you’d think, and the rewards? Unbeatable. With fresh ingredients, a little love, and some careful cooking, you’re giving your dog a healthy, delicious meal that’ll have them looking at you like the true hero you are.
So, go ahead – give this recipe a try, and watch your dog’s tail do a little happy dance. Grab that apron and let’s get cooking!
Truffle 🐾
Resources
Trending posts
About
Hi there, I’m Truffle (aka Truffbear, Truffito, Truffkin, Trufflenose, Baron von Truffy … and a million more. What can I say, my human loves me). I’ve been called a philosopher of sorts, with a keen nose for treats (did someone say chicken?) and a knack for solving the perplexing intricacies of canine-human relations.
Read more about me and…