Sharing a recipe for healthy homemade dog food!
Hi friends! How are ya? I hope that your day is going well! Today, I’m off to the kids’ school to volunteer and am looking forward to some time in the sauna blanket after a workout. It should be a pretty low-key day!
For today’s post, I’m calling on all dog owners. I wanted to share Maisey’s latest obsession with you: homemade dog food. If you’re looking to upgrade what you feed your dog, this simple recipe is PACKED with nutrients and she goes crazy with it.
(See the crazy eyes?? She’s INTO IT.)
TBH, I always felt a little bad giving her packaged dog food because this creature LOVES fresh food. She’s constantly begging for scraps of broccoli and bell pepper (her two faves), has stolen an entire brisket off the counter (and ate it on our new white couch..), a whole chicken breast (bones and all, and thankfully didn’t get sick), as well as ramen and curry. But can you blame her? Knowing her flavor profile, I would pour her kibble into her bowl and feel a little bad for the gourmet gal. To spice things up, we would put Fresh Pet on top from Whole Foods (SO expensive and still felt like a block of packaged meat), but I knew there had to be a better way.
I started researching a ton, and found a vet-approved recipe online that inspired me to finally make our own.
I’m excited to share all of the details with you! It’s less expensive than Fresh Pet, with certified organic, farm fresh, and wild-caught ingredients, and I love that I know everything that went into it. No preservatives or extra stuff. Friendly reminder: always talk to your vet before changing your dog’s food. While this works for Maisey, it’s important to note that dogs can have different allergens, or may just be unable to tolerate certain things.
*Little note that this post may contain affiliate links. They don’t impact purchase price but enable me to earn a small kickback that I use to keep this lil blog running. On that note, thank you so much to those of you who choose to shop with my affiliate links!
Healthy homemade dog food recipe
Benefits of Homemade Dog Food:
Making your dog’s food at home can have a ton of benefits, including:
Control Over Ingredients: By preparing your dog’s food from scratch, you have full control over the quality of ingredients used, ensuring that your furry friend gets only the best.
Avoidance of Sketchy Ingredients: Conventional dog foods often contain questionable ingredients such as fillers, artificial preservatives, and low-quality meats that can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Tailored Nutrition: Homemade dog food allows you to tailor your dog’s diet to their specific needs, whether they require a certain protein source or have allergies to certain ingredients.
Increased Digestibility: Whole, fresh ingredients are more easily digestible for dogs, leading to better nutrient absorption and overall health.
Ingredients and Their Benefits:
The recipe that inspired this one is Dr. Judy’s Puploaf. She has the full post here and you can actually order it online! Since this is more of a topper, Maisey still gets some “I and love and you” Nude Super Food kibble (you can order it from Thrive Market) in her bowl—I didn’t have to be as specific with ratios of ingredients.
I’m also including a few extra ingredients that aren’t in the original recipe, but they’re just as beneficial and yummy for your dogs.
Ground Beef: A excellent source of protein and essential amino acids for muscle health. Bonus points if it’s lean ground beef!
Ground Turkey: Low-fat lean protein that is packed with essential nutrients. It’s also considered hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for pups with allergies.
Organ Meats (Heart, Liver, Gizzards, Spleen): Rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, vital for your dog’s overall health.
Butternut Squash: Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants to support immune function and digestion.
Sardines: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat, reduce inflammation, and support joint health. Sardines are one of Maisey’s all-time favorite foods!
Leafy Greens: Provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, calcium, and folate, for overall health and vitality.
Green Beans: Great for providing vitamins, minerals, and a high dose of fiber. Green beans help with things like vision, immune system, and bone health.
Eggs: Rich in choline, protein, and essential nutrients. If you’re using farm fresh eggs, you can also add the shell. Since I used organic eggs from the grocery store, I use the membrane inside the egg whenever I use this ingredient in my recipe.
Oysters: High in zinc and selenium, important for immune function and thyroid health.
Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants and beneficial for urinary tract health.
Broccoli: Contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C and calcium, for optimal health.
Bell Pepper: Provides vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants to support immune function and eye health.
Flax Oil: A source of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as joint support.
Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in digestion.
Brown Rice: A healthy addition to any diet because of its fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy homemade dog food recipe
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, organ meats, butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. You may find this easiest to blend in a food processor, but it’s personal preference.
I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a small amount before serving.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.
Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can freeze the rest in individual portions. Instead of serving Maisey cups of food for dinner, I used Souper Cubes to feed her this super yummy meal until it’s time to make more!
PrintHealthy homemade dog food recipe
Print RecipeThis healthy homemade dog food recipe is based on Dr. Judy’s pup loaf recipe. It’s a great way to give your dog fresh food with tons of nutrients!
Ingredients
2 lbs organic grass-fed ground beef
1 cup of chicken hearts
Add in any other organ meats, like spleen, gizzards, or liver – we used a blend from a local farm that contained heart, spleen, and liver
2 cans of sardines in water
2 cans of mussels in olive oil
3 eggs (if farm fresh, use the shell. If from the grocery store, use the egg membrane on the inside of the shell)
1 cup butternut squash, chopped
1 cup of broccoli, chopped
2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped
a handful of leafy greens (I used chard), chopped
1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
1/2 c dried cranberries (make sure there is no added sugar, and no extra ingredients)
cold-pressed flax oil, to serve
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, organ meats, chopped butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a little before serving.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.
Notes
Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can free the rest in individual portions. I used Souper Cubes.
It feels so good to give Maisey fresh food that’s also packed with nutrients!!
So, tell me, friends: do you make your dog’s food? Are there any brands you love?
xo
Gina
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