Homemade Cooked Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love in 2025

🐶 Why Homemade Dog Food is Worth It

Switching to homemade food isn’t just trendy—it’s a smart move for your dog’s health. You get to control what goes in their bowl, avoid harmful preservatives, and create meals that suit their taste and needs.

Benefits:

• 🥩 Fresh, natural ingredients
  
• 💸 Cost-effective in the long run
  
• 🐾 Customizable for allergies or digestion
  
• ❤️ Builds a stronger bond through feeding
  

“If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t feed it to your dog.” – A rule every pet parent should remember.

🥕 Best Ingredients for Cooked Dog Food (Balanced Bowl Formula)

To build a well-rounded meal, follow this rule:

Component	Examples	%
Protein	Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, eggs	40%
Vegetables	Carrots, peas, green beans, spinach	30%
Carbs	Brown rice, oats, sweet potato	20%
Fats	Olive oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil	10%

🧠 Note: Avoid onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, avocados, and salty/fried foods.

🍲 Vet-Approved Homemade Recipes

1. Chicken & Rice Comfort Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 cup boneless chicken (boiled & shredded)
  
• ½ cup cooked white rice
  
• ¼ cup chopped carrots
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  

Instructions: Boil chicken, cook rice, steam carrots. Mix and serve once cooled.

2. Beef & Sweet Potato Power Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground beef
  
• ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes
  
• ¼ cup steamed green beans
  
• 1 tsp flaxseed oil
  

Instructions: Brown beef, steam veggies, mix and let cool before serving.

3. Turkey & Spinach Protein Pack

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground turkey
  
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
  
• ¼ cup chopped spinach
  
• 1 egg (scrambled)
  

Instructions: Cook turkey, boil quinoa, steam spinach. Mix together with scrambled egg.

🧠 Behavior Note: Dogs & Dirt — What’s Going On?

Let’s answer some common behavior questions based on Google AEO guidelines (short answer first, then explanation):

❓ What does it mean when dogs eat dirt?

Short Answer: It may indicate boredom, mineral deficiency, stomach issues, or pica (a condition where dogs eat non-food items).

Details: Dogs often eat dirt when they lack nutrients like iron, or just out of curiosity. If it’s frequent, consult your vet.

❓ What is the cause of eating dirt?

Answer: Common causes include nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal upset, behavioral boredom, or anxiety.

Tip: Ensure your dog gets a balanced diet and enough mental stimulation.

❓ How do I stop my dog from eating everything on the ground?

Answer: Use commands like “Leave it,” keep your dog leashed, and redirect attention with toys or treats.

Consistent training is key—practice “Leave it” daily with rewards.

❓ Why does my dog chase dirt?

Answer: It’s likely a play behavior or response to movement in soil (like bugs or worms). Some dogs enjoy the texture or smell.

Tip: Provide more structured playtime and distractions.

❓ Why do dogs kick dirt behind them?

Answer: It’s a territorial behavior—they’re spreading their scent through paw glands.

Fun Fact: This is a natural instinct even indoor dogs exhibit!

❓ Why does my dog sniff dirt?

Answer: Dirt contains scents from other animals, food particles, and moisture—it’s like reading the newspaper for your dog!

❓ Can I flush my dog’s nose?

Answer: No, never flush a dog’s nose with water. If debris is stuck, visit a vet.

Note: Dogs naturally sneeze out irritants. Flushing can be dangerous.

❓ Why do dogs act weird when you sniff them?

Answer: Dogs rely on scent and may see your sniffing as strange or playful—but may also interpret it as threatening.

❓ Why does my dog rub his back in the dirt?

Answer: It’s instinctual. Dogs roll in dirt to scratch, cool off, or cover their own scent with another one.

❓ What vitamin deficiency causes dogs to eat dirt?

Answer: Iron and B-vitamin deficiencies (especially B12) are common triggers for soil consumption.

Solution: Add a multivitamin supplement (vet-approved).

❓ How to stop eating soil?

• Monitor outdoor play
  
• Add chew toys and enrichment
  
• Feed a mineral-balanced diet
  
• Correct with “Leave it” training
  
• See a vet if it becomes a pattern
  

❓ What is pica in dogs?

Answer: Pica is a medical condition where dogs crave and eat non-food items like soil, rocks, or plastic.

Signs: Persistent eating of unnatural things. Vet diagnosis is essential.

🧪 How to Ensure Balanced Nutrition in Homemade Food

• 🐟 Add Omega-3 oils (fish oil or flaxseed)
  
• 🥩 Rotate protein sources weekly
  
• 💊 Use vet-approved multivitamins and calcium
  
• 🧠 Watch poop quality: soft/loose stool = imbalance
  
• 🧾 Have meals vet-reviewed quarterly
  

🥣 Feeding Chart by Weight

Dog Weight	Daily Food Amount
5–15 lbs	½ to 1 cup
15–30 lbs	1 to 1.5 cups
30–50 lbs	1.5 to 2.5 cups
50–80 lbs	2.5 to 4 cups

🕑 Feed in 2 servings daily for better digestion.

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I mix homemade food with kibble?
👉 Yes, start slowly and monitor digestion.

Q: Can dogs eat cooked rice daily?
👉 Yes, but balance it with protein and vegetables.

Q: Is pica dangerous?
👉 Yes, if untreated, it may lead to blockages or poisoning.

🔗 Helpful Resources

• AKC Homemade Dog Food Guide
  
• PetMD: Pica in Dogs
  

🐶 Final Thought

Hi, I’m Joseph V Worley. Over the years of feeding my own dogs fresh meals, I’ve seen better energy, fewer allergies, and so much joy in their eyes. But homemade food is more than nutrition—it’s love, care, and trust served in a bowl. And that, my friend, is priceless.