How to Make Nutritious Homemade Dog Food: A Complete Guide

Hello, and welcome back to my channel! If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Andrew Jones, and in today’s video, I’m going to show you exactly what ingredients need to go into a homemade dog food recipe. Many pet parents often ask me what they should include, so I thought I’d dedicate this video to that very question.

Before we dive in, I want to thank one of my subscribers for the suggestion to do a video about the key ingredients needed for homemade dog food. This is for you! Many people are concerned about creating a nutritionally balanced homemade pet food, and rightfully so. There’s so much information out there, especially from veterinarians, emphasizing the importance of a nutritionally balanced diet. Often, people are told that if they’re unsure, they should rely on commercial kibble, which is said to be “balanced.”

But in my experience, homemade dog food can be far healthier. You get to choose fresh ingredients, ensuring there are no toxins or contaminants, and you know exactly what goes into your dog’s meal.

1. Start with High-Quality Protein

Protein is the foundation of any good dog food recipe. You want to focus on lean meats that provide a balanced amino acid profile. Good sources of protein include lean beef, chicken, turkey, and eggs. I usually recommend ground turkey for its excellent protein content, and for this recipe, I suggest starting with 1 pound of ground turkey and adding 1-2 eggs. Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and provide the most balanced amino acid profile.

2. Healthy Carbohydrates for Energy

While carbohydrates aren’t essential for a dog’s diet, I prefer to include a healthy carb like sweet potato, rice, or potato. For today’s recipe, I’m using sweet potato. Not only is it a healthy carb, but it’s also rich in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins such as A, C, E, and B vitamins. Sweet potato is also high in potassium. For this recipe, I’m adding 1 cup of cooked sweet potato.

3. Healthy Fats for Overall Health

Fat is a crucial ingredient that should never be left out of your dog’s diet. It provides energy, supports the immune system, and promotes healthy skin and coat. I recommend using sunflower oil, which offers a balanced omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio. Sunflower oil is also packed with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that supports your dog’s overall health. A tablespoon of sunflower oil per pound of meat is a good rule of thumb. For this recipe, I’m adding 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil.

Coconut oil is another great option for healthy fats and is also rich in vitamin E. Feel free to use either sunflower oil or coconut oil, depending on what you have on hand.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Joint and Coat Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for joint health, reducing inflammation, and promoting a shiny coat. I suggest adding krill oil, which is an excellent source of omega-3s. The general dosage is 500 mg per 20 pounds of body weight daily. For this recipe, one krill oil tablet would be sufficient for my dog, Tula. This is added after cooking the food.

5. Calcium for Strong Bones

If you’re not feeding your dog bones, you’ll need to add calcium as a supplement. I prefer using ground eggshells, as they are inexpensive and easy to incorporate into your dog’s food. To make ground eggshell, rinse out the eggshells, bake them at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, and then grind them in a coffee grinder. For every pound of meat, you’ll need about 1,000 mg of calcium, which equals half a teaspoon of ground eggshell. Add this after the meat, sweet potato, and veggies have been cooked.

6. Vegetables for Nutrients and Fiber

Dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are nutrient-dense and should be a regular part of your dog’s diet. These veggies are rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, zinc, and potassium, which are all important nutrients. For this recipe, I recommend adding 1 cup of chopped kale, lightly steamed. Kale also contains flavonoids and other beneficial compounds that promote overall health.

Fiber is also essential for healthy digestion. If you’re already using kale, sweet potato, and spinach, you’ll have a good amount of fiber. However, I also like to add ground flaxseeds, which are an excellent source of fiber. One to two teaspoons of ground flax per cup of food fed daily is an ideal amount. For Tula, I usually add 1-2 teaspoons a day.

7. Vitamins and Minerals for a Balanced Diet

Homemade dog food can be nutritionally balanced by using the ingredients mentioned above. However, some key vitamins and minerals are often overlooked. Here’s how to make sure your dog gets everything they need:

• Vitamin D: Found in egg yolks, which are included in this recipe.
• Vitamin E: Found in sunflower oil and coconut oil.
• B Vitamins: These are important for brain health and are found in kale and sweet potato.
• Iron: Present in the meat and kale.
• Zinc: Found in animal protein and flaxseed.
• Iodine: Essential for thyroid health, and egg yolks are a great source of iodine.
• Potassium: Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, so you’ve got that covered.

8. Make It Even Easier with My Supplement

If you want to make sure your dog gets a perfectly balanced diet without worrying about every single nutrient, I recommend my Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Health Formula. It’s a comprehensive multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement that fills in any gaps and helps keep your dog healthy naturally.

Thank you for watching this video! I’ve included specific descriptions of all the ingredients I’ve discussed in the video, and I encourage you to sign up for my new webinar: How to Stop Common Dog Problems at Home with Pet Food Supplements and Natural Remedies. You can click the link below for more information and to sign up.