In recent years, the trend of making homemade dog food has surged in popularity among pet parents.

This growing movement reflects a broader awareness of the impact diet has on health and wellness—both for humans and their four-legged companions.

While high-quality commercial dog foods can provide balanced nutrition, many dog owners are discovering that homemade options offer a level of customization and freshness that store-bought kibble simply can’t match.

I’m going to dive in a bit further about why homemade dog food is increasingly seen as the best choice for ensuring your dog’s health and happiness, but also what and why additional vitamins may be necessary to include.

Homemade Dog Food RECIPES ARE BELOW! 

The Benefits of Homemade Dog Food

There are really 4 big benefits that homemade dog food provides, which are: control over the ingredients, the freshness of the food and ingredients, customizing to meet your dogs specific dietary needs, and quality control for important sources like locally grown and organic.

Let’s look at each of these just a little bit more.

Control Over Ingredients

One of the primary advantages of homemade dog food is the control it provides over the ingredients. When you prepare your dog’s meals at home, you know exactly what goes into their food.

This means you can avoid artificial preservatives, fillers, and low-quality ingredients often found in commercial kibble. By selecting high-quality, whole ingredients, you can tailor the diet to your dog’s specific needs, whether they require low-fat, high-protein, or hypoallergenic options.

Freshness

Homemade dog food is fresh and free from the extended shelf life that comes with processed kibble. Fresh ingredients retain more nutrients and are less likely to lose their nutritional value during storage.

This means your dog is getting meals packed with the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they need to thrive.

Customization

Every dog is unique, with individual health needs and dietary preferences. Homemade dog food allows for complete customization. For instance, if your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, you can easily adjust their diet to exclude problematic ingredients.

Additionally, homemade meals can be tailored to specific life stages, such as adding extra nutrients for puppies or joint support supplements for senior dogs.

Quality Control

Homemade dog food provides peace of mind, knowing that the ingredients used are of high quality and sourced from reputable suppliers.

Unlike some commercial dog foods, which might contain questionable by-products or low-quality ingredients, homemade food lets you choose organic, human-grade components.

What’s The Difference Between Homemade Dog Food and Raw Diet

Homemade dog food is a mixture of cooked foods including meats, poultry, veggies and fruits.

A Raw Diet is a combination of whole foods, such as a raw egg, chunks of livers, whole uncooked chicken feet, yogurts, and fruits with a possible inclusion of homemade dog food or kibble bits along with supplements in the form of chews or powders.

The raw diet form is much more elaborate and and can be incredibly expensive.

If you are looking at testing this out, simply start incorporating some raw options a couple times a week with less expensive options to see what and how your dog responds.

You can start with:

• making your own homemade dog food
• include a raw egg
• the egg shell
• a beef liver from the butcher
• some plain yogurt
• blueberries

Bump this meal up to the next level by having it on a lick mat to provide stimulation and a chance for your dog to digest the food more slowly (because they probably will be very excited to scarf it all down quickly!)

 

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Check out these popular lick mats for dogs:

           

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Compare Raw Diet or Homemade Dog Food to Commercial Dog Foods

By now you probably already can see the benefits and why a homemade dog food or raw diet really is great for dog, but let’s just go over a basic comparison.

Many high-quality commercial dog food brands offer natural and nutritious options, however, homemade dog food often surpasses them in two ways:

1. Personalized Nutrition

Commercial brands, even the best ones, must cater to a wide range of dogs with varying needs. Homemade dog food, on the other hand, can be tailored to the specific health needs of your pet, providing a more personalized approach to nutrition.

2. Transparency

Homemade dog food eliminates the ambiguity that can come with commercial dog food labels. You can be certain about the quality and source of every ingredient in your dog’s meal.

Nutritional Gaps in Homemade Dog Food

Even with the best intentions, homemade dog food might not always cover every nutritional base. Commercial dog foods are formulated to be complete and balanced, often including a wide array of vitamins and minerals that can be challenging to replicate at home.

Here are some crucial nutrients that may be lacking:

1. Vitamin D: (ex fish, sardines, mackerel, liver, dairy and yogurt, organ meats, egg yolks) Dogs need vitamin D for calcium absorption and bone health. Unlike humans, dogs cannot synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. Therefore, they rely on dietary sources to meet their needs.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: (ex tuna, sardines or mackerel, fish oil) These are essential for skin and coat health, and they support cognitive function and reduce inflammation. Homemade diets might lack sufficient omega-3s unless you incorporate fish or fish oil.
3. Calcium: (ex eggshell powder, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, broccoli, beans, spinach) Essential for bone health, calcium might be inadequately provided in homemade diets unless you’re using bone meal or supplements.
4. B Vitamins: (ex fish, poultry, leafy greens, eggs) These are vital for energy metabolism, nerve function, and overall cellular health. Homemade diets might not always provide adequate amounts of B vitamins.
5. Probiotics: These support a healthy digestive system and can be beneficial in maintaining balanced gut flora. Homemade diets might not always provide the necessary strains of probiotics.
6. Iodine: (ex cod, kelp, seaweed, oysters, eggs)
7. Zinc: (ex beef, chicken, eggs, duck, salmon, fish oil, oysters, broccoli, spinach)
8. Vitamin A: (ex liver, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach, green beans, bell peppers and zucchini)
9. Manganese: (ex beef liver, mussels, blackberries, spinach, carrots, ginger, Brussel sprouts)

6 Notable Brands Offering Natural Dog Food Options

For those who prefer not to go entirely homemade but still want high-quality, natural options, here are 6 brands (in no specific order) that offer excellent alternatives:

     

• The Honest Kitchen: Known for its human-grade ingredients and minimally processed foods, The Honest Kitchen provides a range of dehydrated dog food options that retain nutritional value while being convenient for pet owners.
• The Farmers Dog: Formulated by nutritionists, The Farmers Dog food is praised by vets. have raised the bar on pet food safety and continue to partner with leading institutions to build the body of scientific research on dog nutrition and health. “One of the most exciting innovations in pet food, The Farmer’s Dog is a safe alternative to conventional brands.
• My Ollie: These vet-formulated meals by My Ollie are personalized to your dog’s unique needs. They deliver fresh, healthy dog food made with real, human-grade ingredients. Ollie makes clean, all-natural dog food with high-quality ingredients.
• Blue Buffalo: This brand focuses on high-quality, natural ingredients with no by-products or fillers. Their recipes include real meat and wholesome grains, catering to various dietary needs.
• Orijen: Orijen offers biologically appropriate dog food made from fresh, regional ingredients. Their formulas are designed to mimic the natural diet of dogs, with a high meat content and minimal processing.
• Wellness Core: Known for grain-free, high-protein recipes, Wellness Core is a good option for dogs with specific dietary needs. Their formulas include high-quality meats and vegetables.
• Petful: Offer the most complete list of FDA recalls since 2007 including retracted ones. Passionate about pet food safety, animal welfare and helping pets live happier, healthier lives.

 

Adding Canine MultiVitamins and Supplements into Homemade Dog Food

Making the switch to homemade dog food can be a fantastic way to ensure your furry friend gets high-quality, wholesome nutrition. However, creating a balanced diet at home isn’t always straightforward.

While homemade meals offer numerous benefits, they can sometimes fall short of providing all the essential nutrients your dog needs.

This is where multivitamins and supplements come into play.

Supplements Are Essential

While homemade dog food can be nutritious, it often requires supplements to ensure completeness.

Here’s a look at some highly-rated supplements that can help fill in the gaps:

• Nutri-Vet Multi-Vite Chewables: These multivitamins are vet-approved and offer a comprehensive blend of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
• Zesty Paws Multi-Vitamins: These chewables provide a balanced formula of essential vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants to support your dog’s health.
• VetriScience Laboratories Canine Plus Multivitamin: This supplement provides a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a good choice for a balanced diet.
• Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet: A high-quality fish oil supplement that provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, supporting skin, coat, and joint health.

My top multivitamin supplement picks for our dogs include:

• Pet Honesty 10-in-1 Multivitamin
• Purina Pro Plan Fortiflora Probiotic Supplement
• Stella & Chewy Bone Broth topper or Solid Gold Bone Broth topper
• Chew + Heal Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
• Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Multivitamin Bites
• BONUS: PetLab Co. ProBright Dental Powder

One more thing to consider for making your own homemade dog food, is their age and stage of life.

Age and Stage-Specific Needs

Different life stages of your dog may require varying nutritional support:

1. Puppies: Growing puppies need higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals for proper development. For instance, calcium and phosphorus are crucial for bone growth, while DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) supports brain development. Supplementing with a puppy-formulated multivitamin can be beneficial.
2. Adults: Adult dogs require balanced nutrition to maintain health and energy levels. Supplements that support joint health, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, and those that provide antioxidants can help keep your dog in optimal condition.
3. Seniors: Older dogs may benefit from supplements that support joint health and cognitive function. Senior dogs often need additional support for arthritis, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and for cognitive decline, like antioxidants and B vitamins.

Remember to Add Necessary Nutrients!

Homemade dog food can be a wonderful way to provide your pet with high-quality nutrition, but it’s important to recognize and address potential nutritional gaps. By incorporating well-chosen multivitamins and supplements, you can ensure your dog receives all the essential nutrients they need at every stage of life.

Always consult with your veterinarian before adding new supplements to your dog’s diet to tailor the choices to their specific health needs.

With the right balance of homemade food and supplements, you’ll be giving your furry friend the best of both worlds—delicious, nutritious meals and comprehensive health support.

In order to be balanced, you’ll need to add sources of:

• Calcium (eggshell powder)
• Iodine (kelp)
• Zinc (oysters)
• Vitamin A (liver)
• Vitamin D & Omega 3’s (sardines or mackerel)
• Manganese (ginger)

To make life alot easier, you can just use dog multivitamins or dog supplements, such as:

• probiotics for dogs such as Petlab Probiotics Chews
• dog multivitamin supplement like Balance IT canine or Dog Child’s Essentials mix
• dog vitamins
• salmon oils for dogs
• Fortiflora for dogs
• Cosequin for dogs
• Glucosamine for dogs
• Denamarin for dogs
• Joint supplements for dogs
• Omega-3 for dogs

Some other useful daily chews and pills include canine melatonin, joint supplements, and calming chews.

 

Make Your Own – Prioritizing Your Dog’s Health

Making homemade dog food is a growing trend that reflects a broader understanding of pet health and nutrition. By preparing your dog’s meals at home, you gain unparalleled control over their diet, ensuring they receive the freshest and most nutritious food possible. While high-quality commercial brands offer excellent options, homemade dog food allows for a level of customization and freshness that can better meet your dog’s unique needs.

Whether you choose to fully embrace homemade meals or complement commercial options with homemade treats and supplements, the key is to prioritize your dog’s health and well-being. With the right ingredients and a thoughtful approach, homemade dog food can be a rewarding and beneficial choice for you and your beloved pet.

 

 

 

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Easily Make Your Own Simple Dog Meals

Here are the steps to create your own simple dog meals at home using ingredients you most likely already have in the kitchen! Use the chart below to easily follow!

1. Start with a kibble base
2. Add watter or bone broth
3. Add 1 protein item from the first column (chicken, canned tuna, dried fish, eggs)
4. Add 1 wet item from the second column (cottage cheese, greek yogurt, applesauce, wet dog food)
5. Add 1 veggie item from the third column (carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, broccoli or beans)
6. BONUS add a fruit to top it off!

*HEALTH TIP: 

• Use FRESH or FROZEN veggies with no added salt or preservatives.
• Limit the amount of dairy to about 1 tb for dogs 20lbs or more.

 

 

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My Favorite Dog Meal Recipes

Full Mix with Fruit Homemade Dog Food

• Ground beef
• ground chicken
• beef liver
• ground turkey
• sweet potatoes
• apple
• broccoli
• peas
• carrots
• banana
• blueberries
• strawberries
• quinoa

I top her food with a multivitamin as well. 🤞🏻

 

 

Chicken & Kale Homemade Dog Food

• 1.5 kilo chicken mince
• 265g lentils
• 240g chickpeas
• 300g butternut squash
• 100g kale
• 1tbsp turmeric
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 75g mushrooms
• 3 large carrots
• 1 apple

I have chia seeds and sardines as toppers once the food is cooked and boiled eggs if needed. To make portion sizes of 480g each for xl bully x 2 daily. He also has raw bone during the week.

 

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