Cooking Dog Food at Home - Homemade Dog Food Recipes

A healthy, pet dog is an integral part of most dog-loving families. Food, bath, walk, and regular visits to the vet are essential to good dog health. Except for food, many dog owners are able to take wise decisions for their pets. While some rely heavily on commercial food, some stick strictly with food cooked at home. "What is the right diet for the dog?", is one of the most common queries, a vet is asked. In March 2007, the recall of many dog food brands created widespread fear among dog owners, about the viability of canned dog food. While, it is not right to blame the entire dog food industry, it is best that one starts cooking dog food at home. Following are a few homemade dog food recipes that you can try.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Meatloaf

Ingredients

• meatloaf mix, 1¾ pounds
• oatmeal, 1 cup
• beaten egg, 1
• carrot, diced and peeled, 1
• celery, 1 rib (diced)
• ketchup, 1 tbsp
• water, ¾ cup

Preparation

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add carrot and celery to it, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and let it cool. In another large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Place the ingredients on foil-lined, greased baking sheet, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, until done. Remove from oven and let it cool on the wire rack.

Beef Treat

Ingredients

• tender beef, 2½ ounces
• beef broth, 1/3 cup
• cracked wheat, ½ cup
• whole wheat flour, ½ cup
• rye flour, ½ cup
• rice flour, ½ cup
• powdered milk, ½ cup
• egg, 1
• honey, 2 tsps
• olive oil, 5 tbsps

Preparation

In a large bowl, mix egg, honey, powdered milk, olive oil, beef broth and beef. Add in rye flour, cracked wheat, whole wheat flour and rice flour, and knead to form a dough. Keep the dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Roll out the dough at least ½-inch thick and cut out small pieces with a cookie cutter. In a pre-heated oven, arrange the pieces on the baking pan and bake, until done. Cool and serve.

Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• skinless chicken breasts, 3 6-ounce boneless pieces
• skinless chicken thigh, 3 boneless pieces
• chicken broth, 32 ounces
• sweet chopped potatoes, 2
• baby carrots, 1 pound
• apple cider, 1 cup
• whole peppercorns, 4
• cloves, 2
• bay leaf, 1
• salt to taste

Preparation

In a large saucepan, combine the broth, cider, peppercorns, cloves and bay leaf. Cover, bring to a boil, and let it simmer over low heat. Add the chicken breast and thigh pieces, sweet potatoes and carrots. Simmer the stew until chicken is cooked and potatoes and carrots are tender. Take out the peppercorns, bay leaf and cloves, and season with salt. Cool it slightly, before serving to your pet dog.

Veggie and Chicken Broth

Ingredients

• ground chicken, 5 pounds
• boiled vegetables, 8 cups (you can use carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, sweet potatoes, spinach, beets, lettuce and tomatoes)
• kidney beans, 2 cans
• quick cooking oats, 40 ounces
• canola oil, ¾ cup
• garlic, 5 cloves
• molasses, ½ cup
• eggs, 1
• water, 32 cups

Preparation

In a large pot, heat canola oil, brown garlic and ground chicken. Add water when cooked, and bring to boil, then add all the boiled vegetables. In the meantime, cook beans in another pot, until done. Add cooked beans to the chicken broth mix. Add oatmeal, and keep stirring continuously, to avoid the broth from getting sticky and lumpy. Remove from heat, and cool. Make batches and serve with brown rice or brown bread, alternately.

Raw Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients

• raw meat, ½ cup
• pureed vegetable, ½ cup
• bonemeal powder, 1 tsp
• kelp powder, ¼ tsp
• minced garlic, ¼ tsp
• oil mix, (canola, flax and wheat germ oil), 1 tsp

Preparation

Just combine all of the above ingredients, and serve it your pet.

One can try any of the above home-cooked dog food recipes for some healthy and lip-smacking nutrition for your dog. Cooking dog food at home is easy, and one can make large quantities (to last up to a week), and freeze it in small batches. While cooking and feeding the dog, one should keep in mind its size, weight, breed, and all the food allergies the dog may have. It is best to consult a veterinary, for some your-dog specific homemade dog food recipes.