Are you considering switching your Labrador Retriever to homemade dog food? You’re not alone. Many lab owners look for healthier and more customizable meal options for their dogs.
Whether your dog has specific dietary needs, allergies, or you simply want to know exactly what’s in their bowl, homemade dog food can be a fantastic solution.
But before you run to the kitchen to start cooking, there are a few things that you need to be aware of so that you can make sure your dog’s meals are both nutritious and safe.
Why Look for Homemade Dog Food Recipes?
There are many reasons dog owners may opt for homemade food:
- Control Over Ingredients: When you prepare your dog’s meals, you have complete control over the ingredients. This means you can choose fresh, whole foods and avoid preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors commonly found in commercial pet foods.
- Customization for Allergies and Sensitivities: Dogs with allergies or sensitivities to ingredients like chicken, wheat, or soy can benefit greatly from homemade diets. By making their meals at home, you can eliminate allergens and focus on safe, nutritious alternatives.
- Addressing Specific Health Needs: Homemade food is a great option for dogs with medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or gastrointestinal disorders. You can tailor recipes to suit their unique needs, providing meals that are easier to digest and more supportive of their overall health.
- Bonding and Enjoyment: Cooking for your dog can also be a rewarding experience. Many owners find that their dogs enjoy fresh, homemade meals much more than commercial kibble, leading to happier mealtimes and a closer bond.
The Benefits of Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food offers a range of benefits beyond just controlling ingredients:
- Freshness and Nutrient Quality: Freshly prepared meals can be packed with nutrients that may degrade over time in commercial foods. When you cook at home, you can choose fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, giving your dog a nutrient-rich meal.
- Variety: Dogs, like people, can get bored eating the same food every day. Homemade recipes allow you to rotate different proteins, vegetables, and grains, keeping your dog’s diet interesting and balanced.
- Transparency: With homemade meals, you know exactly what goes into each bowl, providing peace of mind that your dog is not consuming unnecessary fillers or low-quality ingredients.
The Risks of Homemade Dog Food: What You Need to Know
While homemade dog food can be beneficial, it’s important that you approach it with caution. Unfortunately, not all recipes found online or in books are nutritionally complete, and feeding an unbalanced diet can have serious consequences for your dog’s health. Here’s what to look out for:
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Studies have shown that most homemade dog food recipes are deficient in one or more essential nutrients. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association evaluated 200 recipes and found that 95% were lacking in key nutrients like calcium, zinc, and certain vitamins. This is a significant concern, as dogs require a carefully balanced diet to maintain healthy bones, muscles, and organs.
- Supplements Are Often Necessary: Many homemade recipes will not provide all the essential nutrients on their own. If a recipe does not explicitly list supplements like a multivitamin, fish oil (for omega fatty acids), or calcium, you should assume that it is not balanced. Always look for vet-approved recipes that incorporate these important supplements. Alternatively, consult your veterinarian to determine which supplements your dog needs based on their age, breed, and health status.
- Raw Diets Have Their Own Unique Risks: Besides the risk of being incomplete diets for dogs and unsuitable for long term feeding without supplements, raw diets have their own risks. Food poisoning by salmonella, e. coli and listeria are not uncommon. You can read more about those risk in our article on raw food diets found here.
Assume Incompleteness Without Evidence: If a recipe does not include supplements or provide clear evidence that it meets the complete nutritional needs of dogs (like referencing a vet’s approval or nutritional analysis), it should not be relied upon as a long-term solution. Feeding an incomplete diet can lead to deficiencies that may cause health problems such as weakened bones, compromised immune function, or muscle deterioration.
Cautionary Notes: How to Safely Incorporate Homemade Dog Food into Your Lab’s Diet
- Start with Vet-Approved Recipes: Whenever possible, choose recipes that have been reviewed and approved by a veterinarian or a certified animal nutritionist. These experts ensure that the recipe includes all the necessary nutrients and is safe for your dog to eat.
- Consider Supplements Carefully: Even with a balanced recipe, supplements are often needed to fill nutritional gaps. Common ones include multivitamins designed for dogs, calcium powder or bone meal for strong bones, and fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids. Your vet can recommend the appropriate supplements based on your dog’s specific needs.
- Avoid Long-Term Feeding Without Professional Guidance: If you decide to use homemade dog food for the long term, regular veterinary check-ups are essential to monitor your dog’s health and adjust their diet as needed. This way, you can catch any deficiencies early and make necessary changes.
How Much to Feed a Labrador Retriever
Growing lab puppies typically need between 80 to 100 calories per pound of body weight daily, gradually decreasing as they grow. By the time they are 8 weeks old (about 10 lbs) and ready to wean, they should be getting about 650 calories a day.
Active adult labs require less on a per pound basis, needing about 40-50 calories per pound of body weight daily. If your lab is obese, or older and less active, they should be getting no more than 30 to 35 calories per pound and even less if you want them to lose weight.
Many of the recipes on this list provide calorie counts or feeding recommendations. Of course, you should always be monitoring your pet’s weight and adjust their food intake up or down as needed, and consult your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Recipes for Homemade Dog Food
Now that you know what to look for in a homemade dog food recipe, and the risks that come with feeding poorly balanced diet, lets have a look at 19 different dog food recipes that you can make at home for your own pooch.
Slow Cooker Homemade Chicken & Quinoa Dog Food Recipe – Vet Approved
The Slow Cooker Homemade Chicken & Quinoa Dog Food Recipe is a vet-approved, balanced meal that includes chicken breast, quinoa, sweet potato, kale, broccoli, and bone broth. It’s easy to prepare, requiring just a slow cooker to lock in nutrients over 8 hours.
The recipe also includes an essential nutrient mix or a DIY option to ensure it’s complete and suitable for long-term feeding. This is a great choice for pet owners seeking control over ingredients and the assurance of a vet-approved balanced diet.
Lamb & Brown Rice Dog Food Recipe
The Lamb & Brown Rice DIY Dog Food Recipe is a balanced, vet-approved meal featuring ground lamb, lamb liver, brown rice, vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, spinach), and blueberries.
It includes essential oils like safflower and fish oil and uses a nutrient blend to ensure the recipe meets all of a dog’s dietary needs. This recipe is a great choice because it provides a wholesome, nutrient-rich diet, is easy to prepare, and supports long-term health.
Slow-Cooker Homemade Dog Food Starter Recipe
The Homemade Dog Food Recipe features a slow cooker preparation using chicken, rice, green beans, and a calcium supplement (bone meal).
While the inclusion of a calcium supplement is helpful for bone health, it’s important to note that calcium alone is not enough to guarantee a fully balanced diet. To ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients, you should consider adding a daily doggie supplement.
Always consult with a vet to ensure your homemade dog food meets your pet’s specific needs.
Homemade Dog Food with Turkey and Veggies
This Homemade Dog Food Recipe features ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and broccoli cooked in chicken stock, making it a nutritious option for dogs.
However, it does not incorporate any supplements, which are crucial for a balanced diet. If you plan to feed this long term, it’s important to add a daily supplement to ensure your dog receives all the necessary nutrients.
Always consult a vet to ensure your dog’s diet is fully balanced.
Apple and Pork Nutritionally Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipe – Vet Approved
The Apple and Pork Homemade Dog Food Recipe is a vet-approved, nutritionally balanced recipe featuring ground pork, apples, raspberries, and vegetables. It offers a complete meal when paired with the Dog Child Essential Nutrient Mix, ensuring your dog gets the necessary vitamins and minerals.
This recipe is an excellent choice because it’s made with fresh ingredients and tailored for long-term health. The inclusion of the nutrient mix helps guarantee a balanced diet, making it a healthy and flavorful option for your dog.
Vet-Approved Homemade Puppy Food Recipes
These three vet-approved puppy food recipes include:
- Pork & Bean Recipe for Large Breeds – Nutrient-dense for big-breed puppies, focusing on strong muscle and bone development.
- Novel Protein Recipe (Tilapia) – Ideal for puppies with allergies to traditional proteins, featuring fish and sweet potato.
Each recipe is a good choice because they are nutritionally tailored, and they clearly include the caveat that “vet-approved” means that a proper nutritional supplement is fed alongside the homemade diet.
Balanced Homemade Dog Food
The Balanced Dog Food Recipe includes lean ground beef or poultry, sardines, eggs, hempseed, kelp powder, and vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and bell pepper. This recipe is a great choice for its emphasis on high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients that promote healthy coats, teeth, and digestion.
However, ensure that you consult a vet about adding any needed supplements to guarantee long-term nutritional balance.
Homemade PupLoaf
Dr. Judy Morgan’s Homemade PupLoaf recipe features lean beef, beef heart, liver, vegetables, eggs, and sardines, making it a nutrient-dense, wholesome option for dogs. This recipe aims to eliminate the need for many costly supplements by using whole foods to provide essential nutrients, and it’s versatile enough to accommodate different proteins based on your dog’s needs.
Veterinary designed and backed, it’s one of the few diets on this list that I would consider complete, balanced and truly “vet approved’. It’s a great choice for those seeking a balanced, vet-approved homemade dog food.
Homemade Dog Food with Turkey, Rice, and Vegetables
This Homemade Dog Food recipe combines ground turkey, brown rice, vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, and rosemary. It’s a simple, healthy meal for dogs, providing lean protein and fiber from vegetables. This recipe is a good choice because it’s easy to make and includes wholesome ingredients.
However, it’s important to note that it does not include supplements, so it will require additional nutrients for long-term feeding. Always consult a vet for a balanced diet.
30-Minute Stovetop Homemade Dog Food
The 30-Minute Stovetop Dog Food Recipe includes ground turkey, coconut oil, vegetables (zucchini, spinach, carrots), turmeric, egg, and rice. It’s an easy-to-make, nutrient-rich recipe that provides essential protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
This recipe is a great choice for those looking for homemade dog food made from recognizable, wholesome ingredients. However, with no supplements added to the mix, it is important to consult with a vet regarding supplements you can give your dog to ensure she receives a fully balanced diet.
DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipe
This DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipe includes ground turkey, brown rice, spinach, carrots, zucchini, and peas. It’s a great choice because it offers a simple, nutrient-dense meal that provides protein, fiber, and essential vitamins from vegetables.
This recipe is easy to prepare and is cooked on the stovetop in one pot, making it convenient for busy pet owners. However, you should consult a vet about adding supplements to ensure a balanced diet for long-term feeding.
Easy Crockpot Dog Food
The Easy Crockpot Dog Food Recipe includes ground chicken, butternut squash, brown rice, peas, carrots, and spinach. This recipe is a great choice because it’s slow-cooked, which preserves nutrients and flavors, making it easy to prepare with minimal effort. The ingredients offer a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamins.
However, as with most homemade dog food, it’s important to consult your vet about adding supplements to ensure complete nutritional balance for long-term feeding.
Anti-Inflammatory Home Made Dog Food Recipe
The Anti-Inflammatory Homemade Dog Food Recipe features ingredients like ground sirloin, quinoa, eggs, carrots, green beans, blueberries, and flaxseed. These anti-inflammatory ingredients promote better joint health, support immune function, and help reduce inflammation.
Although the authors label their recipe as “vet approved”, the vet approval is based solely on the fact that they are feeding this diet to their own dog under their vet’s supervision. While the diet itself is an excellent choice for dogs with inflammatory issues, the lack of nutritional supplements concerns me. If you choose to use this recipe, make sure you do so with your vet’s oversight and approval.
Three Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Here we find three different recipe options designed specifically for dogs with kidney disease. These diets help reduce kidney strain while still providing essential nutrients:
These recipes are easy to prepare and offer a balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. However, you must still consult with a vet to ensure that additional supplements are provided for long-term nutritional balance.
- Chicken and Rice Recipe – A low-phosphorus meal with chicken, rice, and canola oil, aimed at reducing kidney strain.
- Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe – Uses ground beef and sweet potatoes, offering a nutritious, kidney-friendly balance.
- Fish and Potato Recipe – Features white fish and potatoes for a low-phosphorus, high-protein meal.
Homemade Grain-Free Dog Food
The Homemade Grain-Free Dog Food recipe includes ground chicken, chicken livers, eggs, carrots, apples, spinach, and sunflower oil. This recipe is a good choice because it provides high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and a variety of vitamins.
It’s also grain-free, making it suitable for dogs with grain sensitivities. However, to ensure a balanced diet for long-term feeding, make sure you consult your vet about additional supplements.
Finding the Right Balance
Switching to homemade dog food is a big decision that requires careful planning. If you’re committed to making your dog’s meals from scratch, always seek guidance from your vet and prioritize recipes that are balanced and supplemented appropriately.
Remember, while homemade dog food offers numerous benefits, it must be done right to avoid the risks associated with nutritional imbalances.
By following these guidelines and working with your vet, you can make homemade dog food a positive and nutritious part of your dog’s life.
