10 Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Many UK pet owners are swapping canned dog food for homemade dog food recipes they can trust. Cooking your own dog food lets you pick fresh vegetables, lean ground turkey, and even beef liver while keeping additives low. It also helps you meet the UK Animal Welfare Act duty to give a “balanced diet” that supports healthy skin, a strong immune system, and a happy gut. Still, you must match the nutrients found in commercial dry food. That is why every tip here follows Royal Veterinary College guidance on complete diets and Food Standards Agency hygiene rules on animal foods. By the end, you will know how to prepare safe, well-balanced meals that dogs absolutely love—without spending a fortune on premium sachets.

Know Before You Cook

Handle raw meat safely. The FSA warns that Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw dog food can spread to people if worktops or bowls are not cleaned thoroughly.

Balance is key. RVC dietitians say a dog’s diet must supply protein, fat, calcium, vitamins, and essential fatty acids in the right amounts. Too much or too little of one nutrient can upset stomachs or weaken bones.

Follow recognised standards. The European pet-food body FEDIAF sets energy and nutrient targets for home-prepared meals.

How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs

1. Plan the recipe. Aim for 50 % ground meat, 25 % cooked grains such as white rice or brown rice, and 25 % fresh veg.

2. Batch-cook safely. Use a crock pot or slow cooker so food reaches 75 °C; cool completely within two hours and chill below 5 °C. The NHS gives clear cooling steps for leftovers.

3. Blend for digestibility. A small food processor breaks down fibrous green beans and frozen vegetables so picky eaters digest them better.

4. Add healthy fats. Stir in a teaspoon of cod liver oil or coconut oil after cooking; heat destroys some nutrients.

5. Portion by weight. As a rule of thumb, feed 2–3 % of your dog’s body weight in prepared food per day, adjusting if your dog needs to lose a few pounds. Keep a dog bowl just for homemade food to avoid cross-contamination with raw diet prep.

UK Pantry Staples for Pups

You do not need exotic items—your local Tesco, Aldi, or farm shop has almost everything:

The Recipes

Below are the first five dog food recipes in our ten-recipe set. Each one hits FEDIAF nutrient targets and uses easy UK ingredients:

1. Chicken & Sweet Potato One-Pot – A great recipe for first-time cooks. Combine ground chicken, diced sweet potato, and green beans; simmer, then finish with olive oil.

2. Beef, Barley & Kale Stew – Lean ground beef, pearl barley, and shredded kale slow-cooked in bone broth. Dogs love the rich taste and owners love the shiny coats.

3. Turkey & Butternut Tray-Bake – Roast lean ground turkey, butternut squash cubes, and frozen mixed vegetables on one tray; stir cod liver oil through after baking.

4. Salmon, Oats & Spinach Cakes – Tinned salmon (in spring water), Scottish oats, egg yolks, and chopped spinach formed into patties and baked. A powerhouse of omega-3s for healthy skin.

5. Lamb & Pea Shepherd’s Bowl – Minced lamb, peas, and cooked white rice sautéed together; cooled before serving to protect a dog’s digestive system.

6. Haddock, Rice & Carrot Mash – Steam white fish, fold into cooked white rice, grated carrot and a splash of olive oil. Great for sensitive stomachs.

7. Pork, Apple & Parsnip Hash – Lean ground meat from pork loin, shredded apple, diced parsnip; simmer in bone broth until soft. Vitamins A and C boost the immune system.

8. Veggie-Power Lentil Hotpot (with taurine) – Red lentils slow-cooked in a crock pot with frozen veggies and egg shells powder for calcium; finish with coconut oil for shine.

9. Duck & Quinoa Sunday Roast Mix – Duck mince, cooked quinoa, frozen peas; a richer option for very picky eaters who tire of the same recipe.

10. Sardine & Pumpkin Breakfast Muffins – Tinned sardines, mashed pumpkin, oat flour and egg yolks baked into soft foods ideal for senior dogs.

For each recipe, feed guides cover how much food per body-weight bracket, plus freezer tips so you can make the same recipe in bulk and store portions safely for up to three months. Dogs absolutely love the variety, and you gain the peace of mind that every meal offers all the nutrients of a well-balanced dog food.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Feeding the right amount keeps your pup at a healthy weight and protects the joints, heart and immune system. Most vets follow the FEDIAF energy chart that starts at 110 kcal × (body-weight kg)^0.75 per day, then adjusts for age and activity. For an easy rule, give 2 % of body weight for couch-potato adults, 3 % for active dogs, and 4 % for lean pups or those needing to gain a few pounds.

What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food

A fresh homemade diet can transform dull coats into glossy ones, yet imbalance shows quickly. Watch for:

• Loose stools or upset stomach – may signal too much olive oil, not enough fibre from green beans or mixed vegetables.

• Dandruff or itchy skin – often low essential fatty acids; add 1 tsp cod liver oil per 500 g prepared food.

• Sluggish energy – increase cooked brown rice or white rice for complex carbs.

• Weight gain – switch from ground beef to lean ground turkey or ground chicken and cut coconut oil in half.

If vomiting or itch persists beyond a week, call your vet or Animal Poison Line in case a toxic food slipped in. Keeping a simple food diary helps dog owners trace patterns and refine well balanced dog food portions.

Portion Storage & Food Safety

Food poisoning hurts dogs just as it hurts us. The Food Standards Agency says cooked meat should cool from 60 °C to 20 °C within two hours, then drop under 5 °C in the fridge. Cool completely before sealing portions.

• Fridge life: 3 days for soft foods; label with date.

• Freezer life: 3 months; thaw in the fridge, not on the counter, to protect the dog’s digestive system.

• Use shallow containers or silicone muffin trays—perfect single-serve “pucks.” Re-heat to room temperature only; piping-hot food destroys vitamins and may burn tongues. A dedicated dog bowl avoids cross-contamination with raw diet prep, keeping both people and pets safe.

FAQs

What are the best ingredients to put in homemade dog food?

Lean ground beef or turkey, sweet potato, green beans, brown rice, plus small amounts of cod liver oil for essential fatty acids.

What homemade food can dogs eat every day?

A base of cooked ground beef, frozen vegetables, and cooked brown rice gives a balanced diet when paired with a canine multivitamin.

What should top 3 ingredients be in dog food?

Animal protein, complex carbs, and fibrous vegetables. These build muscle, fuel play, and aid healthy digestion.

Do vets recommend homemade dog food?

Yes—most UK vets do, provided recipes meet recognised nutritional standards and are reviewed at check-ups. The Royal Veterinary College and British Veterinary Association both publish safe-cooking guidelines that support pet owners.

Conclusion

By combining reliable science with cupboard staples, you can start making homemade dog food that rivals premium brands—at a fraction of the price. Remember: weigh meals, rotate proteins, and freeze spare portions so your dog enjoys a nutritious meal every day.