Healthy Dog Food Recipes

Just like the food you put into your body, what’s inside of the dog food you feed your pup can significantly impact their health. And sadly, a lot of store-bought dry dog chow is full of ingredients that can cause health problems down the road. That’s why many dog owners are starting to switch to cooking their furry friends healthier meals at home. If you are interested in trying this, the best place to start is by checking out some dog food recipes from fellow dog owners!

The Harmful Ingredients In Store-Bought Dog Food

As mentioned in the introduction, the ingredients in store-bought dog food can lead to physical health issues for your furry friends. Many brands’ most common harmful ingredients include artificial preservatives, harsh dyes, sugar substitutes, and hydrogenated fats. These may make the food look and taste appealing to dogs, but the long-term side effects on the dog’s physical health can be significant.

Dogs fed these foods for long periods are at higher risk of developing food sensitivities, allergies, or even liver or kidney damage. It can be challenging to monitor what goes into dogs’ diets when purchasing commercial products, so cooking at home with organic, wholesome ingredients is often the best way to ensure your furry companion stays in tip-top shape!

Healthy Dog Food Recipes

To help you and your furry friend avoid the pitfalls of store-bought dog food, Puppies and Pooches has compiled a list of some of the best healthy recipes for your pup! These are easy to make and incorporate ingredients that pack a nutritional punch!

Turkey And Wild Rice Mix

Like humans, dogs can benefit from the high protein content found in turkey. This recipe blends lean, organic turkey with wild rice and other healthy veggies to create a meal that is both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
• 1/4 pound of organic turkey breast, cut into bite-size chunks
• 1 grated carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 3 tbsp. olive oil

Instructions:

1. Combine the wild rice, turkey chunks, and veggies in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil and garlic.
3. Pour the oil mixture over the food in the large bowl, and toss to combine.
4. Place the contents of your bowl into a slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
5. Let cool before serving.

Sweet Potato And White Fish Mix

This recipe is an excellent example of how changing up the ingredients in a dog food recipe can help avoid harmful ingredients. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and minerals to keep your furry friend feeling their best, while white fish is full of healthy Omega-3s and protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of organic white fish (ideally, cod or haddock)
• 1 large cooked sweet potato, chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped green beans
• 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• A small dash of salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed.
2. Transfer the contents of your bowl to a slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
3. Let cool before serving.

Chicken And Gravy Veggie Mix

Another simple and healthy dog food recipe is this one, which uses lean chicken and a tasty mix of veggies to create a delicious dish that your pup will love! It also adds a bit of quinoa to the mix, a great dietary fiber and protein source.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white rice
• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A dash of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed.
3. Transfer the mix to a 9×13 inch baking dish, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Let cool before serving.

Dog Chow Chili

Depending on what ingredients you have, this hearty chili can be a great way to add some variety to your dog’s diet. Plus, with plenty of protein and healthy veggies in every bite, it will surely keep your pup feeling its best!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• A dash of salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey or chicken over medium-high heat until browned.
2. Add the cooked brown rice, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet, and stir to combine.
3. Stir in the kidney beans, frozen corn kernels, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper until everything is well mixed.
4. Transfer your mixture to a slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.

Homemade Crunchy Kibble

This crunchy kibble is a delicious and healthy dog food recipe that will give your dog that satisfying crunch they love. And with its high amount of protein and wholesome vegetables, you can feel good about giving them this tasty meal any time.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked and cooled white rice
• 1/2 cup cooked turkey
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of water

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the cooked rice, cooked turkey, peanut butter, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Add the water and mix until the ingredients are fully combined. The mixture will be sticky.
4. Using your hands, form the mixture into small kibble-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Give Some Of These Healthy Dog Food Recipes A Try!

Looking for a healthy and tasty way to feed your dog? Try one of these delicious homemade dog food recipes packed with protein, wholesome veggies, and flavorful seasonings. Whether you’re looking for something simple or an extra-hearty dish that will satisfy your pup’s cravings, there is sure to be a recipe here that your dog will love! So why wait? Start whipping up some delicious, healthy dog food today!