Homemade Dog Food & Treats

Understanding the nutritional needs of a dog is the key to making healthy, tasty food at home. According to the Gourmet Sleuth website, dogs are omnivorous creatures requiring a balance of meat, carbohydrates and vegetable-based foods in their diet. Homemade pet food chefs must understand that there a several foods which are toxic to a dog including: raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate and artificial sweeteners. Be sure to cook all meat dishes carefully as dogs are susceptible to salmonella, E. coli and other food-borne illnesses.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 pounds of ground meat (beef, chicken, liver, etc.)
  • Large skillet
  • Stove
  • 4 cups of rice
  • 9 cups water
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Dutch oven or saucepan
  • Spoon
  • 1/2 cup low-fat milk
  • 2-1/2 cups vegetable blend
  • 1/2 cup measuring cup
  • Cookie sheet
  • Plastic food storage containers
  • Large bowl
  • 2-1/2 cups whole wheat flower
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • 1 tablespoon wheat germ
  • 1 teaspoon ground beef bouillon cubes
  • 1/3 cup meat drippings (turkey, chicken, beef, bacon, etc.)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup ice water
  • Rolling pins
  • Cookie cutters
  • Basting brush
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
Show More

Instructions

  1. Homemade Dog Food

    • 1

      Brown 3 lbs. of ground meat in a large skillet.

    • 2

      Place 4 cups of rice, 9 cups of water, 1/4 cup of oats and 1 tsp. of salt in a large Dutch oven of sauce pan and bring to a boil.

    • 3

      Add 1/2 cup of low fat milk, 2-1/2 cup of frozen vegetables and cooked meat to the Dutch oven pan. Cook on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed. Stir consistently.

    • 4

      Remove cooked mixture from the heat and allow it cool until it a comfortable temperature to handle.

    • 5

      Scoop cooked mixture into 1/2 cup measuring cup. Press the mixture together. Flip the cup upside down on to a cookie sheet. Tap gently to release the 1/2 cup servings of dog food. Store food in plastic storage containers in the refrigerator.

    • 6

      Serve dogs a 1/2 cup serving per 30 lbs. of dog's weight.

    Homemade Dog Treats

    • 7

      Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 8

      Mix together 2-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup powdered milk, 1 tbs. wheat germ and 1 tsp. beef bouillon cube granules in a large bowl.

    • 9

      Stir in 1/3 cup of meat drippings and one egg.

    • 10

      Use a tablespoon to add in water, one spoonful at a time. Keep adding water until the dough begins to stick together.

    • 11

      Lightly flour the cooking surface. Roll out dough using a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Press cookie cutters into the dough to create the biscuit shapes. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are firm. Allow the cooked biscuits to cool before serving to the dog.