Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Written by the Pawkeen editorial team | Reviewed by Hazel, BVSc | April 2026 IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Homemade dog food can be nutritionally complete — but only if formulated correctly. The most common cause of nutritional deficiency in dogs in Australia is home-cooked diets prepared without professional nutritional guidance. Every recipe in this guide has been reviewed for balance, but we strongly recommend consulting a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) before switching fully to homemade feeding, especially for puppies, pregnant/lactating dogs, seniors, or dogs with health conditions.

The appeal of cooking for your dog is understandable. You know exactly what’s in it, you control the quality, and — let’s be honest — cooking for your dog feels good. But the reality of homemade dog food is more complicated than most internet recipes acknowledge.

Dogs have very specific nutritional requirements. They need precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, adequate levels of specific amino acids (like taurine and methionine), proper vitamin and mineral supplementation, and appropriate caloric density. Most online ‘complete’ homemade recipes fail at least one of these criteria.

This guide gives you recipes that are actually balanced — but also explains what to add (and why) to make them work nutritionally. We’ve included both cooked and raw-adjacent options, and flagged the supplementation required for each.

THE TRUTH ABOUT HOMEMADE DOG FOOD

THE PROBLEM WITH MOST INTERNET RECIPES: A 2013 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science reviewed 200 internet dog food recipes and found that 95% were deficient in at least one essential nutrient, and most were deficient in multiple nutrients. The most common deficiencies were zinc, copper, iodine, Vitamin D, and calcium.

This doesn’t mean homemade food is bad — it means it requires more care than most resources suggest.

WHAT DOGS ACTUALLY NEED (simplified):

• Protein: 18–25% of calories from complete animal protein (all essential amino acids)
• Fat: 10–15% of calories — omega-3 (EPA/DHA) especially important
• Calcium: 1–1.8% DM — critically important (too much or too little causes bone disease)
• Phosphorus: 0.8–1.6% DM — must be in correct ratio to calcium (1:1 to 1.8:1)
• Vitamins: A, D, E, B12, folate, thiamine — most need supplementation in cooked food
• Iodine: Almost always deficient in homemade recipes — requires added iodised salt or kelp supplement

THE SOLUTION: Add a complete vitamin-mineral supplement designed for homemade dog food. Balanced Blends, Balance IT (US), or a mix prescribed by your vet nutritionist are the most common Australian options.

RECIPE 1: CHICKEN, RICE & VEGETABLE (COOKED)

THE BEGINNER’S BALANCED BOWL — Best starting point for new homemade feeders

Ingredients (for a 10kg adult dog, ~2 cups per day):

• 400g chicken thigh, diced (skin on for fat)
• 150g brown rice (dry weight — increases to 300g cooked)
• 100g sweet potato, cubed
• 50g broccoli, finely chopped
• 50g spinach, chopped
• 1 egg (excellent amino acid profile + biotin)
• 1 tbsp cold-pressed salmon oil (omega-3 supplement)
• 1/4 tsp iodised salt
• 1 scoop Balance IT or equivalent vet supplement

Method:

1. Cook rice until fully soft. Drain.
2. Boil or steam sweet potato and broccoli until soft. Do NOT overcook — retains vitamins.
3. Cook chicken through completely. Allow to cool.
4. Combine all ingredients, mix with supplement.
5. Store in fridge up to 3 days, or portion and freeze.

Nutritional notes:

• Protein: ~28% DM (adequate) from chicken + egg
• Fat: ~15% DM — boosted by salmon oil for omega-3
• Calcium: SUPPLEMENT REQUIRED — this recipe is low in calcium without supplementation
• This recipe is NOT complete without the vet supplement

Cost estimate: ~$5–7/day for a 10kg dog (vs $2–4 for quality dry food)

RECIPE 2: BEEF & LIVER POWER BOWL (COOKED)

HIGH-PROTEIN, HIGH-NUTRIENT — For active adult dogs

Ingredients (for a 25kg adult dog, ~4 cups per day):

• 600g lean beef mince (85% lean)
• 150g beef liver (do NOT exceed 5% of diet — liver is rich in Vitamin A, excess causes toxicity)
• 200g white rice or quinoa
• 100g green beans
• 100g carrot
• 50g kale
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp iodised salt
• 1 vet-recommended supplement

Method:

1. Brown beef mince in pan, drain excess fat.
2. Dice and lightly cook liver (do not overcook — destroys enzymes).
3. Cook rice until soft.
4. Steam or boil vegetables.
5. Combine all, add oil and supplement when cooled.

Nutritional notes:

• Liver is a nutritional powerhouse: Vitamin A, B12, iron, zinc, copper — but LIMIT to 5% of total diet
• Beef provides high-quality complete protein
• This is one of the more nutritionally dense homemade recipes available
• Calcium supplement still required

RECIPE 3: FISH & SWEET POTATO (COOKED)

OMEGA-3 RICH — Ideal for dogs with skin conditions or allergies

Ingredients (for a 15kg adult dog, ~3 cups per day):

• 500g white fish (barramundi, flathead, whiting — skin on)
• 200g sweet potato
• 100g zucchini
• 100g frozen peas
• 50g sardines in spring water (not brine — sodium)
• 1 tbsp sardine oil or salmon oil
• Vet supplement

Method:

1. Bake fish at 180°C for 20 mins. Remove all bones carefully.
2. Bake or steam sweet potato until soft.
3. Steam zucchini and peas.
4. Combine and add supplement when cooled.

Nutritional notes:

• Fish is one of the most bioavailable protein sources for dogs
• Sardines provide additional omega-3 EPA/DHA — excellent for skin and coat
• REMOVE ALL BONES before serving
• Do not use raw fish (parasite risk unless previously frozen)
• Avoid high-mercury fish: swordfish, tuna (limit), shark

RECIPE 4: TURKEY & QUINOA (NOVEL PROTEIN)

ALLERGY-FRIENDLY — For dogs with suspected chicken or beef intolerance

Ingredients (for a 10kg adult dog):

• 400g ground turkey
• 150g quinoa (cooked — complete amino acid profile, lower GI than rice)
• 100g pumpkin (supports digestion)
• 100g green beans
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp coconut oil (MCT for energy)
• Vet supplement with calcium and iodine

Nutritional notes:

• Turkey is a true novel protein for most dogs — useful for elimination diets
• Quinoa is unusual in that it’s a complete protein source — better than rice for amino acids
• Pumpkin (plain, not pie filling) is excellent for digestive health at 1–2 tbsp
• This recipe is useful for 6–8 week elimination diet trials

RECIPE 5: RAW BARF STARTER RECIPE

BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE RAW FOOD — For owners ready to commit to raw feeding

IMPORTANT: Raw feeding carries bacterial risk (Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter). Handle raw meat with food-safe hygiene. Not suitable for households with immunocompromised people, young children, or pregnant women without strict protocols.

BARF ratio (per meal):

• 70% muscle meat (chicken thigh, beef, lamb)
• 10% raw meaty bone (chicken necks, chicken frames — must be raw, never cooked)
• 10% organ (5% liver + 5% other organ: kidney, heart, spleen)
• 10% plant matter (blended: leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, berries)

For a 20kg adult dog: approximately 400–500g total per day (2% body weight is starting point)

Must-add supplements for BARF:

• Fish oil (EPA/DHA — omega-3)
• Vitamin E (important antioxidant for raw-fed dogs)
• Kelp (iodine source)
• Nutritional yeast (B vitamins)
• Probiotics for first 4 weeks

Transition timeline:

• Week 1: 75% current food, 25% raw
• Week 2: 50/50
• Week 3: 25% current food, 75% raw
• Week 4: Full raw

FOODS TO NEVER FEED YOUR DOG

TOXIC — Can cause death or severe illness:

• Grapes and raisins — acute kidney failure (mechanism unknown, even small amounts)
• Macadamia nuts — neurological symptoms
• Onions, garlic, leeks — haemolytic anaemia (garlic especially toxic)
• Chocolate — theobromine toxicity
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener) — severe hypoglycaemia
• Cooked bones — splinter, cause intestinal perforation
• Avocado — persin toxicity
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Raw dough/yeast — ferments in stomach, alcohol production

CAUTION — Feed only in small amounts or avoid:

• ️ Raw salmon (without prior freezing) — Salmon Poisoning Disease risk
• ️ Raw eggs (occasionally) — biotin deficiency with excessive feeding
• ️ Liver — Vitamin A toxicity if overfed
• ️ Salt — kidney strain in excess