50 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Homemade dog food recipes are one of the more controversial topics among pet owners and veterinarians. Depending on who you ask, you may hear that homemade dog food is a waste of time and no more nutritionally beneficial than commercial diets or that the best homemade dog food recipes can have an extremely positive effect on your dog's health and well-being.

And we can actually hear some good points from both sides, as well as a lot of anecdotal and/or statistical examples. That’s because both sides have quite a bit of merit – a lot of low-quality commercial dog foods should really be avoided, while at the same time it’s very easy to mess up a homemade recipe and feed your dog poorly.

A while back a study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Association analyzed 200 homemade dog food recipes from veterinary textbooks, by board certified veterinary nutritionists, and from different pet-related websites. In the end, of the 200 recipes, only 9 met the NRC’s requirements for a high-quality dog food.

The conclusion?

Whenever you read or hear about the best homemade dog food recipes, always double- and triple-check it with more than one veterinarian. Dog food recipes are great when they are cooked properly, but can lead to health problems when the recipe isn’t up to par.

So, the real question shouldn’t be “Commercial vs homemade dog food”, but simply – “How should I make my dog’s homemade dog food in the best possible way?” and “Which are the best commercial dog foods?”

I've made my fair share of homemade dog food recipes here on Top Dog Tips. So today, I’ll answer the first of those two important questions by giving my list of the 50 best homemade dog food recipes, which I'm sure you and your dog will enjoy.

It's beyond the scope of this article to go into great detail for every single recipe I mention below. Therefore, for the sake of conciseness I’ll give you very brief directions for each recipe. For more cooking details and videos, check out the recipes section above.

Also, keep in mind that each of these best homemade dog food recipes requires additional supplements such as zinc, choline, vitamin D and E, copper, calcium or others, depending on your dog's nutritional needs. The reason I haven’t listed them is that the correct dosages depends on the age, breed, size and pre-existing health conditions of your dog – you really must consult with a vet or canine nutritionist about these things.

50 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes

10 Overall Best Dog Food Recipes

I’ve broken my Top 50 list of best homemade dog food recipes into five different Top 10 sections. Let me start with my recommendations for what I personally consider some of the overall best dog food recipes, which are the ten recipes I’d recommend more than all others for standard, non-specific situations.

1. Chicken Casserole:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, green beans, potatoes, broccoli)
• 1/4 cup of rolled oats
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• frying oil

Directions: Cook the chicken, rice and veggies separately. Once they are ready, pour them into a large bowl and stir till ready.

2. Doggie Meat Loaf:

• 3 cups of meat
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of chopped or grated vegetables
• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats

Directions: Mix everything and roll into a loaf. Put it in a roasting pan with potatoes and bake it for 80 minutes at 175 degrees.

3. Chicken and Rice:

• 1/4 pound of cooked, skinless chicken
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 1 cup of peas and carrots
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of potassium chloride

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

4. Turkey and Vegetable Dinner

• 1 pound turkey meat
• 1 cup of cooked brown or white rice
• 1/2 cup of green beans
• 1/2 cup of carrots
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

5. Simple Raw Dog Food

• 1.5 cups of raw meat (whichever your dog prefers)
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (carrots, romaine lettuce, squash, Brussel sprouts, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil
• 1 tablet supplement
• 2 tablespoons of bone meal or another calcium supplement

Directions: Simply mix the ingredients together and serve.

RELATED: 20 Pros and Cons of Homemade Dog Food Recipes

6. Raw Fish Dinner

• 2 pounds of fish fillets
• 1 can of pink Salmon
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons of parsley
• 2 tablespoons of oregano
• 1 tablespoons of bone meal
• 1/2 cup of cooked rice

Directions: Simply mix together and serve.

7. Doggie Beef Stew

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 1 small potato
• 1 small sweet potato
• 1/2cup of chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of white flour
• 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

8. Homemade Veggie Smoothie

**Note: this is not an every-day main course, since dogs can’t live on an all-veggie diet. It’s a great recipe for once every other day, however.

• 1/4 cup of combined carrots, squash, zucchini, green beans, spinach, collards
• 1/4 cup of apples, peaches, pears, bananas
• 1/4 cup of fruit juice (not grape juice)
• 4 tablespoons of yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of cream cheese

Directions: Simply mix together like a regular smoothie.

9. Fish Patty Dinner

• 1 can of salmon
• 1 carrot
• 1 potato
• 1 egg
• 1 stalk of celery
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• frying oil

Directions: Drain and fry the salmon with flour and the egg. Once the patties are done, remove them from the oil and stir the veggies in it for 5-8 minutes. Mix, let it cool off, and serve.

10. Basic Dog Food Recipe

• 1 cup ground meat
• 1/4 cup of liver (chicken or beef)
• 1/2 cup of cooked rice
• 1/4 cup of vegetables
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

RECOMMENDED: 10 Best Natural Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipes

10 Best Homemade Dog Treats

Because dogs love treats and it's an essential part of training and living with your dog, I'm including these among my best homemade dog food recipes as well. A homemade dog treat may be more nutritious and healthy for a Fido.

1. Basic Dog Biscuits

• 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour (or oats if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
• <1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of Beef or chicken broth or bouillon
• 1/2 cup of hot water

Directions: Mix everything into a dough, roll it and cut it into pieces. Cook for 30 minutes.

2. Cheesy Dog Biscuits

• 2.5 cups of wheat or oat flour
• 1/2 cup of chicken or beef stock
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of cream cheese and bacon bits

Directions: Mix into a dough, cut into biscuit forms, and bake for 30 minutes.

3. Leftovers Trail Mix

• 1 pound of meat (Turkey, chicken, lamb – not seasoned)
• 1 pound of potatoes
• 1 pound of other vegetables (no onions)
• 1/2  pound of fruit (no grapes or raisins)

Directions: Cut everything into pieces and dry them in a dehydrator or a 200-degree oven.

4. Bacon Cookies

• 1 pound of uncured bacon
• 1-2 tablespoons of low-sodium chicken or Beef broth or bouillon
• 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour or oats

Directions: Mix everything into a dough, roll it, cut it into pieces/cookies, and bake for 30 minutes.

5. Healthy Pumpkin Balls

• 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin
• 4 tablespoons of molasses
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour or oats
• 1/4 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1/4 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions: Mix everything into a dough, roll into small balls, and bake for 25 minutes.

RECIPE VIDEO GUIDE: Limited Ingredient Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats

6. Elvis Biscuit

• 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour
• 1/2 pound of bananas
• 1 cup of peanut butter

Directions: Roll into a dough, cut into a bone-shaped pieces, bake for 20 minutes.

7. Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Dog Treats

• 32 ounces of vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup of peanut butter

Directions: Melt the peanut butter and combine it with the yogurt. Pour the mixture into cupcakes forms and put it in the freezer.

8. Meaty Cheese Bones

• 1 tablespoon of cream cheese
• 1 pound of meat (not seasoned, turkey, lamb, chicken or other)
• 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour or oats

Directions: Mix everything into a dough, cut into pieces and shape them like bones, bake for 25 minutes.

9. Apple Crunch Cupcake

• 2-3 cups of water
• 1/4 cup of applesauce (non-sweetened)
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1/8 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1 medium-sized egg
• 4 cups of whole wheat flour or oats
• 1 cup of dried apple chips (non-sweetened)
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder

Directions: Mix everything into a dough, cut into pieces and shape them like bones, bake for 25 minutes.

10. Carrot Chia Pet Treats

• 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour or oats
• 1/2 pound of carrots, beef or chicken bouillon
• 2 tablespoons of Chia

Directions: Roll into a dough, cut into bone-shaped pieces and bake for 25 minutes.

RELATED: All-Natural Easy Dog Treat Recipes for Healthy Dogs

10 Best Low-fat Dog Food Recipes

Regular dog food recipes are not always applicable, and oftentimes your dog needs to go on a low-fat diet due to various possible health complications. Here are my Top 10 low-fat best homemade dog food recipes.

1. Homemade Beef Dinner

• 5 pounds of ground beef (cut the fat)
• 2.5 cups of cooked brown rice (or lentils, oatmeal or quinoa)
• 3 cups of mixed vegetables

Directions: Cook the meat and rice together and add the veggies just before the meat is done.

2. Homemade Chicken Dinner

• 5 pounds chicken (cut the fat)
• 2 cups of red cabbage
• 2 skinned apples
• 2 cups of spinach
• 5 cooked eggs
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions: Can be either cooked together or mixed raw. If the meat has bones, it should be raw.

3. Ground Beef Recipe

• 1 cup of lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup of beef kidney (trim the fat)
• 1/4 cup of kale
• 1/2 cup of yellow crookneck squash

Directions: Boil separately and combine. Add a cup of uncooked oatmeal.

4. Doggie low-fat dessert

• 2 pounds of chopped up cooked chicken (cut the fat)
• 3 cups of mixed fruit
• 3 cups of cooked brown rice (or oatmeal, lentils, or quinoa)

Directions: Simply mix and serve

5. Homemade Fish Dinner

• 2 pounds of fish fillets
• 1 or 2 cans of pink salmon
• 3 cups of diced vegetables
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice (or oatmeal, quinoa or lentils)

Directions: Cook fish and veggies separately and then mix and cool.

SIMILAR RECIPE: Low-Fat Homemade Dog Food Recipe

6. Doggie Chili

• 4 cooked chicken breasts (remove the fat)
• 1 cup of drained kidney beans
• 1 cup of drained black beans
• 1 cup of carrots
• 1/2 cup of tomato paste
• 4 cups of chicken broth

Directions: Mix together and cook for 10 minutes.

7. Mixed Meat Goodness

• 3 pounds of cooked whole wheat macaroni
• 2 pounds of chicken thighs (remove fat)
• 1 pound of lean ground beef
• 1 pound of broccoli stalks
• 1 pound of red leaf lettuce
• 1/2 pound of chicken liver
• 1/2 pound of beef heart
• Egg white from 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons of eggshell powder
• 1 tablespoon of kelp meal
• 10+ drops of vitamin E

Directions: Cook together with the veggies added last, 10 minutes before the meat is ready.

8. Cheesy Beef with Rice

• 1 cup of cooked lean ground beef (remove the fat)
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice
• 1 cup of non-fat cheese
• 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli
• 1/2 cup of cooked squash

Directions: Cook separately and then mix.

9. Chicken with Broccoli and Rice

• 5 pounds of diced chicken (cut the fat)
• 5 cups of cooked brown rice or oatmeal, lentils or quinoa
• 3 cups of chopped broccoli
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions: Cook the meat separately and then add the broccoli in the end.

10. Raw Chicken Dinner

• 6 ounces of chicken necks and thighs (remove the fat)
• 1 pound of baked sweet potato
• 1/2 pound of broccoli stalks
• 3 ounces of chicken liver
• 1/4 tablespoon of iodized salt
• 2 to 5 drops of vitamin E

Directions: Cook together with the veggies added last, 10 minutes before the meat is ready.

PODCAST: Who Benefits From Homemade Dog Food the Most?

10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food Recipes

Certain ingredients in both commercial and homemade dog foods are known to bring the risk of an allergic reaction. Things such as gluten, soy, corn, and even beef should be avoided if you’re afraid of an allergic reaction in your dog. Here are some of the best homemade dog food recipes for pets with allergies or sensitive stomachs:

1. Basic Chicken plus Rice recipe

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups of chopped vegetables (broccoli or cauliflower, for example)
• 1/2 cup of brown rice
• 3 cups of chicken broth

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

2. Sweet Chicken

• 2 pounds chicken
• 1 cup of red cabbage
• 1 skinned apple
• 1 cup of spinach
• 2 cooked eggs
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Directions: Can be cooked or raw (if the chicken is with bones).

3. Chicken and Potato Recipe

• 1/2 cup of cooked chicken breast
• 6 cups of boiled potatoes
• 4 tablespoons chicken fat
• 3 calcium carbonate tablets
• 1 multiple vitamin mineral tablet

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

4. Turkey With Veggies

• 2 pounds of turkey meat
• 2 cups of cooked brown rice (or oatmeal, lentils, or quinoa)
• 1 cup of green beans
• 1 cup of carrots
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

5. Eggs and Cheese Mild Homemade Recipe

• 6 scrambled eggs
• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice

Directions: Mix and cook together.

ASK A VET: Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Really Work and Why?

6. Fish-Veggie Patty

• 2 cans of Salmon
• 2 potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 2 cooked eggs
• 2 stalks of celery
• 5 tablespoons of flour

Directions: Drain and fry the salmon with flour and the egg. Once the patties are done, remove them from the oil and stir the veggies in it for 5-8 minutes. Mix, let it cool off, and serve.

7. Homemade Kibble Recipe

• 4 beaten eggs
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1 cup of cooked cream of whole wheat

Directions: Mix and spread on baking sheet. Bake for 50 minutes, let it cool off, and freeze it.

8. Ground Round Dog Food

• 2 pounds of ground round meat, sautéed in olive oil
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice
• 4 boiled eggs
• 1 package of cauliflower
• 1 package of chopped carrots
• 4 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons of bone meal

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

9. Cheese and Chicken Dinner

• 3 cups of cooked chicken meat (remove the fat)
• 3 cups of cooked brown rice (or oatmeal, quinoa, or lentils)
• 3 cups of cream cheese
• 1.5 cups of cooked broccoli
• 1.5 cups of cooked squash

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

10. Doggie Peanut Butter Delight:

• 1.5 of water
• 1/4 cup of oil
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons of vanilla
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of corn flour
• 1/2 cup of oats

Directions: Roll into a dough, cut into cookie pieces, bake for 20 minutes.

PODCAST: Debunking 8 Common Homemade Dog Food Myths

10 Best Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs

Just like puppies, older dogs need a change in their diet in order to lead the healthiest possible lives. These 10 best homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs will help you out with that:

1. Doggie’s Stew

• 5 pounds of boneless chicken breasts and thighs
• 5 ounces of chicken livers
• 5 ounces of chicken gizzards
• 5 pounds of carrots
• 1 pound of green beans
• 1/2 pound of pumpkin
• .5-1 pound apples
• 1-2 big sweet potatoes

Directions: Cook together on 250 degrees and process with a hand blender.

2. Scaled down Doggie’s Stew

• 2 pounds of boneless chicken breasts and thighs
• 1 pound of whiting or catfish
• 1/4 pound of chicken livers and/or gizzards
• 1/2 pound of carrots
• 1/2 ounce of green beans
• 1/2 cup of pumpkin
• 1 apple
• 1 small sweet potato

Directions: Cook together on 250 degrees and process with a hand blender.

3. Chili Goodness

• 2 cooked chicken breasts (without the fat)
• 1/2 cup of drained kidney beans
• 1/2 cup of drained black beans
• 1/4 of a cup of tomato paste
• 1/2 cup of carrots
• 2 cups of chicken broth

Directions: Mix and cook for 10 minutes.

4. Dried Sweet Potato Chews

This is not only one of the best homemade dog food recipes, it's also one of the simplest! Just cut some sweet potatoes into pieces, place them on baking paper and dry/bake them!

5. Chicken Soup Cookies

• 1 cup of ground high-quality dry dog food kibble
• 2 cups of Bisquick baking mix
• 1 18.8 ounce can of chicken soup

Directions: Mix, put into cookie sheets, and bake.

WATCH: Grain Free Homemade Dog Food Recipe

6. Beef Delight

• 2 pounds of ground beef (cut the fat)
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice (or lentils, oatmeal or quinoa)
• 1 and a half cups of mixed vegetables

Directions: Cook together with the veggies added last.

7. Veggies and Chicken

• 2 pounds of chicken (without the fat)
• 2 cups of cooked rice (or oatmeal, lentils or quinoa)
• 1 cup of chopped broccoli
• 1 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions: Cook together, with the veggies added last.

8. Frosty Paws

• 32 ounces of vanilla yogurt
• 1 large mashed banana
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons of honey

Directions: Blend together and freeze in small portions.

9. Oldie but Goldie

• 2 cups of ground chicken meat
• 1/2 cup of chicken liver
• 1 cup of cooked rice
• 1/2 cup of vegetables
• 2 cooked eggs
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil

Directions: Cook together, adding the vegetables last, before the meat is ready.

10. Raw Fish Delight

• 4 pounds of fish fillets
• 2 cans of pink salmon
• 3 eggs
• 4 tablespoons of oregano
• 8 tablespoons of parsley
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice

Directions: Mix and serve together.

In conclusion

There you have them – the 50 best homemade dog food recipes for all dogs and many situations. And again, while I put in quite a lot of research into these lists, you should still consult with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist (or both) for their approval and the exact dosages of the food supplements you should add to these recipes.

Remember to take a look at our Homemade Dog Food Recipes section for more details of every recipe, videos and instructions on serving, prices and more.

WATCH NEXT: How To Make Homemade Dog Food – An Instructional Video Guide