Homemade Dog Food Recipes

If you’re out of stock or it’s time to celebrate, you can make some great homemade dog food. In this article, we will introduce you to a series of practical and easy-to-cook recipes. You can make them without complications and using simple ingredients that are certainly already present in your cupboards and shelves.

Before you get down to business, we remind you that pets cannot eat the same things as humans. Indeed, there are ingredients that must absolutely be banned, as they could compromise their health and, in severe cases, trigger dangerous intoxications. Are you ready to make succulent  homemade dog food ?

Also keep in mind that food allergies are quite common in these pets. Therefore, all “cooking experiments” must always be done under the supervision of your trusted veterinarian.

The black list

If you are planning on making homemade dog food, you should never include onions or garlic. Neither grape, pomegranate, chocolate, whole milk or natural peanuts. Your pets shouldn’t even taste avocado or alcohol.

Other foods not recommended for these pets are shrimp and popcorn (corn in general). Celery, cherries, almonds, peppers and marshmallows are also on the prohibited food list.

On the other hand, pineapple, potatoes, mushrooms or tomatoes must be included in the diet in very moderation. The same goes for watermelon, cheese, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, apples and bread.

The white list

In the list of “allowed” foods, we certainly recommend some vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and carrots, as well as some fruits such as pear and melon. Beef is a dog’s favorite food. Some ingredients such as fish or well-cooked rice can be included in your four-legged friend’s menu.

Making homemade dog food

These recipes will be great as snacks or to reward good behaviors, or even to replace commercial foods (this idea should be discussed with your vet to avoid nutritional imbalances). Below, we will show you three possible recipes, based on meat, oatmeal and chicken. You could try all three, and then repeat the one your beloved dog likes best:

Meat croquettes

Ingrediants:

• 250 grams of lean meat cut into pieces
• 3 cups of meat broth
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup of lactose-free milk
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Put all the ingredients in a large container. Mix well until you get a soft and moldable preparation. If necessary, add more broth until you get the right consistency.
2. Roll out the dough on a previously greased tray. With a knife or a pizza cutter, divide it into small croquettes.
3. After preheating the oven, bake at a temperature of 180 ° C for about an hour.
4. After this time, take the croquettes out of the oven and wait for them to cool and harden.

To keep them well, you need to put them in a closed container with a lid in the freezer. They can be stored for a maximum of two weeks.  Remember to remove them from the freezer at least 20 minutes before giving them to the pet, so that they can be eaten at room temperature.

Oatmeal croquettes

Ingrediants:

• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 1 medium potato, cut into pieces and well done
• ½ cup of lactose-free butter
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder

Preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large container until you get a thick mixture.
2. Roll out the dough on a smooth surface. Cut into small biscuits (for example in the shape of small bones).
3. Put the croquettes on a greased tray and keep them in the oven at a temperature of 180 ° C for 30 minutes.
4. Let them rest until they are cold and crunchy.

To store them, place them in a closed container or bag with an airtight seal, in a cool, dry place (no need to store them in the fridge). They must be consuming before a week.

Chicken nuggets

Ingrediants:

• 250 grams of boneless chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 beaten egg
• 100 grams of wholemeal flour
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Mix the flour and oats with the egg, until you get a homogeneous mixture.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and shape with your hands.
3. Roll out the dough on a smooth surface. Cut it with a knife into small portions, with the desired shape.
4. Bake at a temperature of 180 ° C for about 20 minutes.
5. Let stand until they cool and become crunchy.

To store these croquettes, you need to put them in a tightly closed container and keep them in the refrigerator. If frozen, they can last for three weeks. You will need to remember to take them out of the fridge or heat them in a double boiler before offering them to your dog.