How to Make Homemade Dog Food with Deer Meat

Feeding a dog is a necessary part of proper pet ownership. Dog food is made in a wide variety of styles, from dry kibble to soft canned patties. Many dog owners are moving away from commercially produced kibble and making their own dog food at home, although purchasing meat from the store can be costly. Hunters are often willing to give away deer meat they are not going to eat themselves, and venison is a lean, healthy alternative to kibble.

Things You'll Need

  • Deer meat
  • Knife
  • Plastic storage bags
  • Permanent marker
  • 1 lb. broccoli
  • 1 lb. carrots
  • 1 lb. apples
  • 1 lb. cabbage
  • 1 lb. green beans
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • Food processor
  • 1/2 cup size storage containers
  • Dog bowl
  • 2 tbsp. flax seed
  • 2 tbsp. canine vitamin powder
  • 2 tbsp. fish oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay your deer meat on a flat surface, cutting it into 1-inch thick steaks. Place each steak in a freezer bag and label the bag with the date and type of meat. Deer will remain edible for up to a year in the freezer.

    • 2

      Chop the apple and vegetables in your food processor, slowly adding the vinegar and blending until smooth. Fill each storage container with the mixture, dating each before freezing. This raw puree adds additional fiber and nutrients to the dog's diet.

    • 3

      Remove one bag of meat and one container of vegetables from the freezer and thaw in the sink. Lay the meat in the dog bowl, spreading the puree over the venison. Coating the deer with the vegetable mixture prevents the dog from eating the meat and not the puree.

    • 4

      Add the flax seed, canine vitamins and fish oil to the top of the vegetable puree. Flax seed is safe for dogs and full of omega 3 fatty acids, which are necessary for dogs' brain health and tissue development. The vitamin powder adds nutrients to the dog's diet while fish oil adds fats that help keep the coat shiny and healthy.