Cooking Canine Cuisine: Essential Tips for Homemade Dog Food Success
We all want to do what’s best for our families, dogs and other animal family members included. Lately, there has been a lot of controversy on social media about manufactured foods, illnesses and recalls. While this article won’t get into those details, what I have noticed is a major influx of dog guardians turning to homecooked and raw foods for their furry family members.

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The trend is not just about indulging our furry friends; it reflects a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition in their overall well-being. If you’re considering venturing into the realm of cooking canine cuisine these essential tips will not only make your homemade dog food nutritious but also ensure your furry friend eagerly anticipates mealtime.
I am not an expert and consider myself to be on the learning journey in home cooking. However, we have been doing it for a few years for our current girls and also did it for about a year when our old boy started getting older and sick. I’ve picked up many tricks and tips along the way and am looking forward to sharing some of the lessons we have learned.
This article will not cover balanced diets or provide any specific diet plans. For a diet plan or nutritional advice, I would encourage you to seek the help of a canine nutritionist or talk to your vet if they are knowledgeable about non-manufactured food.
Understanding Canine Nutrition
Before you embark on your journey of cooking for your dog, it’s crucial to understand their nutritional needs. Dogs require a balanced diet comprising proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. A well-balanced diet contributes to their energy levels, overall health, and even their longevity.
Avoiding common nutritional pitfalls is the first step to ensuring your homemade dog food meets these requirements. For a diet plan or nutritional advice, I would encourage you to seek the help of a canine nutritionist or talk to your vet.

Why We Switched
I don’t remember where I heard the quote or who said it, but it really struck home for me:
Raw food, a 10,000 year old fad diet.
author unknown
I feel like that quote is pretty apt. For whatever reason, many people will not give their dogs any human food. I suspect that you, my reader, are not one of those since this blog contains mostly dog-friendly recipes! However, there are still lots of people who refuse to give their dogs anything that is not marketed as “for dogs” specifically.
As I’ve gone through my own diet struggles, I have learned more about portioning and how to read labels and healthy ingredients. Does that mean I listen? No, not necessarily. But I do try to for my dogs. I guess it’s easier to make sure their food is good because they can’t tell me what they’re craving!
We made the change for our dogs because with the health issues they’ve been going through, they needed to be on canned food, and it was also how we were feeding them their medications, hidden within the wet food. The canned food we were buying was around $5 Canadian a can, and we were going through a lot of it! With the current inflation, the cost is more like $7 or $8 a can. We were also buying kibble. We fed about half wet and about half kibble. It was expensive and they clearly didn’t love it.
Willow was so picky that she would often turn her nose up at the canned food. It was really hit or miss what she would actually eat, and she would often starve herself until she was super hungry and eat both her breakfast and dinner at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, she still does this sometimes, but it’s way less frequent with home-cooked food. It was clear that she was not enjoying the canned food.

Benefits of Home Cooking or Raw Feeding
These are just some of the benefits we have experienced with our two dogs:
- We control the ingredients and know exactly what goes into their food
- We’ve found it to be cost-effective compared to the canned foods we were purchasing (we even grow some of their food!)
- Our dogs LOVE their home-cooked meals!
- They are happier and more energetic
- They are healthy, their coats look great, and they are both healthy weights (while Sienna was once very heavy)
Overall, it’s a choice that we’re proud of and happy with. All of the dog professionals we work with (which if you have read any of our Medical Adventures you will know is many) can see the difference in our dogs physically and mentally. Even our regular vet, who years ago was not onside with our homecooked meals for our old dog, is impressed by how well they are doing!
How We Currently Feed
After doing a lot of research and listening to a lot of opinions, I’ve tried to do what is easiest and also cost-effective for us. That means that we have a couple of cans of wet food in the cupboard in case we run out of homecooked, and we also still feed kibble usually daily (probably about 10-20% of their daily food). The majority of their food and treats are home-cooked.
That’s just what works for us. We feel good about feeding gently homecooked food and providing variety, and we still have the ease of some kibble for training and we also have it on hand if Willow decides it is one of her hungry days. It’s always a hungry day for Sienna, being a lab mix she will eat until she’s sick.
We have discussed going raw, but my husband is not comfortable with the possible bacteria and contamination (even though I have tried to assure him that from everything I have read and heard it is perfectly safe for dogs! They don’t digest things the same way we do). So we’ve settled on a mostly home-cooked diet.
Feeding options
There is no right way for everyone. Unfortunately, there is a lot of controversy and shaming around feeding our dogs. While some methods are certainly better than others, you need to do what’s right for you and your dogs. What you can reasonably manage to do and what you can afford.

There are many options:
- Feed manufacturer kibble or canned food only – even within this category there are countless options. Whenever possible, opt for the highest quality food you can. There are also many smaller manufacturers coming to market which offer less processed, healthier kibbles and interesting options such as air-dried minimally processed kibbles
- Feed a mix of homecooked or raw to supplement kibble – In their book The Forever Dog, Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib mention that if you cannot feed entirely homecooked or raw, try to add in fresh or gently homecooked foods where you can. Every little bit helps make a difference to your dog’s health and longevity. Some people who cannot afford or cannot dedicate the time to cooking prefer to create meal mixers or food toppers to ensure their dogs are getting some fresh whole foods with their diet
- Feed mostly homecooked or raw with a little manufactured food – this is what we are currently doing. We feel good about the variety, cost and convenience we can manage with this option
- Feed entirely homecooked or raw – this is probably the most costly and time-consuming option, but if you’re doing it right it can also be the healthiest!
What you need to know
It’s not easy and it’s not cheap. I haven’t actually done the math, but I am certain we are saving money compared to the canned food we were buying. It takes time, and if you want to go completely homecooked or raw you need to make sure that it is balanced. That’s really important for their long-term health.

Cooking Techniques for Canine Meals
The way you cook your dog’s meals can significantly impact its nutritional value. Opt for cooking methods that preserve the nutrients in the ingredients. Steaming, boiling, baking at low heat and slow-cooking are excellent choices. Additionally, pay attention to portion control and avoid overcooking, as this can lead to nutrient loss.
Enhancing Flavour and Palatability
Just like us, dogs appreciate a delicious meal. Experiment with flavours your dog loves, such as using broth for added taste. We regularly make a batch of homemade bone broth or even a vegetable broth like mushroom broth to add to our pup’s meals. Not only does this help our dogs enjoy it more and improve the nutritional content, but it also helps add more water to our dog’s diet.
Alternatively, we sometimes add yogurt or kefir to our dog’s meals, both of which are a great probiotic.
Addressing picky eaters might involve incorporating their favourite ingredients or gradually introducing new flavours, making mealtime enjoyable and contributing to a happy and healthy dining experience.
Choosing Quality Ingredients
The foundation of any great meal lies in the quality of its ingredients. This holds true for canine cuisine as well. Selecting high-quality, fresh ingredients is paramount. Look for lean proteins, healthy fats, and a variety of vegetables to create a well-rounded meal. Sourcing ingredients responsibly not only benefits your dog but also supports ethical and sustainable practices.
When possible, look beyond the grocery store, or stock up when you catch a good sale. We regularly purchase vegetables when they are in season and on sale and process them for the freezer until we need to use them. See the Homemade Dog Treats section under Supplementary Recipes for ideas on what you can make and freeze ahead. For meats, we are lucky to have a raw pet food store very close to us that carries human-grade meats at reasonable prices. If you’re in the greater Toronto area, Heronview Raw and Natural is worth the drive. They carry an extensive number of quality meats in a variety of forms, including all of the offal and organ meats you need to craft healthy meals.
Additionally, we have started a small container garden for our dogs and are expanding it this summer. The money we will save growing healthy vegetables for both us and out dogs is worth it, and we can ensure that they are organic, fresh and free of harmful chemicals.

Tips for cooking
When you start cooking, it can be a bit daunting. The first meal we made took us a very long time. It got quicker and quicker every time we did it, as we learned more and got more comfortable with the process. We definitely find it easier to cook in bulk. Usually, we set aside a day once a month or so and make several different recipes.
Here are some additional tips we’ve learned along the way:
- Vary your cooking methods. While Dr. Judy Morgan’s Puploaf is a fantastic (and fully balanced!) recipe, many dogs (Willow included!) get bored with the same textures and cooking methods. We often do a mix: one recipe as a stew, one recipe as a meatloaf and one small recipe lightly sauteed or more like a stirfry, just for variety.
- Invest in the right tools. When we first started, we were cutting everything by hand. It took a lot of time! I decided to ask for a food processor as a gift, and instead, my Mom let me borrow her 30+-year-old one to try out. What a difference! It cut our prep time by more than half. We recently invested in a new Ninja IQ food processor when they had a great sale over the holidays. We can definitely notice the difference in the newer model.
- Treat the food with care. Whether you’re cooking or feeding raw, follow the same hygiene practices you would if you were cooking for yourself. Make sure you wash your hands frequently and disinfect any surfaces that raw meat has touched.
- If possible, prepare some foods between batches. For example, we will do a batch of bone broth in the slow cooker between food batches or will buy a large bag of apples (or squash, or sweet potatoes, or any veg we find on a good sale!), roast them, mash them and freeze them so that when it’s time to make the next batch of food we can just pull it out of the freezer and add it to the batch

Tips for feeding
- Provide variety in your ingredients. Diversity in your dog’s diet is important and is one of the reasons we continue to provide a bit of kibble as well. Vary your meats, veggies and other ingredients that you provide. This will also help to keep the food interesting! After all, would you want to eat the same meal every single day twice a day?
- Practice good hygiene! Would you eat off of dirty dishes? Hopefully not. Your dog’s dishes should be cleaned at least daily as well. To make these easier for us, we purchased a pack of lunch-sized plates, on clearance, so that we could have dog-specific plates and easily be able to throw them in the dishwasher after every meal
- Pay attention to your dog’s preferences. I’m sure you have a preference for how your carrots are prepared. Guess what, your dog does too! As an example, Willow will pick out carrots that are julienned or sliced but gobbles them up when they are diced or grated. She likes almost all her vegetables in small pieces, as do many picky eaters
- Won’t eat vegetables? Chop it small, grate it, or run it through a food processor and cook it WITH the meat so that it absorbs all that yummy flavour!
- While a dog’s diet needs to be balanced, that does not mean that every individual meal needs to be balanced! I’m sure that not every meal you eat is balanced either. It’s more important that the diet is balanced over time, whether that be a few days or a week or so.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Maintaining the freshness of homemade dog food is crucial. Store meals in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on the quantity. Efficient meal preparation and planning can save you time and ensure a steady supply of nutritious meals for your pup.
Many people who feed homecooked or raw have a separate freezer dedicated to dog food. This is the option we have chosen, however, even with a separate freezer you will never have enough freezer space! In my personal opinion, a dedicated freezer is the best option if you want to be able to prepare large batches and manage it efficiently.
Of course, along with this, you will need lots of freezer-safe containers. Some people use a food sealer or freezer bags, however, I would recommend investing in containers that can be reused and will be more cost-effective in the long run, while being more environmentally friendly.

Transitioning to Homemade Dog Food
Transitioning your dog to homemade food should be a gradual process. Start by mixing small amounts of homemade food with their regular diet and monitor their response. Gradually increase the proportion over time. Be patient and observant, making adjustments as needed.
Training and Treats on Home-Cooked Dog Food
There is no reason that you can’t continue to use kibble or store-bought treats for training if that’s what you prefer. We also have tons of good recipes on our blog under the Homemade Dog Treats section, and there are plenty of other options out there if you are interested in making your own treats as well.
Think outside the norm and consider alternative options like freeze-dried or cooked meats, dog-safe meatballs or even a blended mix put into a silicone squeezy tube!
Vet Approval and Regular Check-ups
Consulting with a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist is a non-negotiable step in ensuring your homemade dog food meets your pet’s specific dietary needs. Regular check-ups allow you to monitor your dog’s health and make any necessary adjustments to their diet. Your vet’s guidance is invaluable in providing the best possible care for your furry friend.
Additional Reading
I would encourage you to be cautious of the recipes you find on social media as many of them will not be a nutritionally balanced meal. If you’re using these as a meal topper or meal mixer and ensuring that the rest of the meal is balanced, that’s fine. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring your dog’s meals are appropriately balanced. That does not mean that every single meal needs to be balanced, but their diet definitely needs to be balanced overall.
To learn more about homecooked and raw feeding, here are some great resources:
- The Forever Dog – Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib have written 2 books together, The Forever Dog and The Forever Dog Life. Both are great reads and definitely helpful on your whole foods journey. Their website also has many free nutritional recipes
- Dr. Judy’s Morgan’s Naturally Healthy Pets – Dr. Morgan is another leader in dog nutrition. Her website has many healthy and nutritionally balanced recipes, including the popular Puploaf! She also has several books available. My personal favourite is Yin and Yang Nutrition for Dogs. Having one dog who is Yin deficient, and one who is Yang deficient, I can honestly say I have noticed a difference since becoming aware of the heating and cooling properties of foods
- Balance.It – Balance.It is an online database to help you create healthy, nutritionally balanced recipes at home
- The Dog Nutritionist – this website, from a certified canine nutritionist, provides helpful advice and tips. They also offer consultations and have a recipe eBook available
There are lots of other online resources available, these are just a few of my favourites. Again, when looking at a recipe online or on social media, make sure that it is from a reputable, qualified source and always consult your own dog nutritionist or vet with any questions you may have.
Conclusion
Cooking canine cuisine can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. By understanding their nutritional needs, choosing quality ingredients, and following essential tips for meal preparation, you’re on your way to creating a menu that promotes your pet’s health and happiness. Remember, every dog is unique, so feel free to tailor these tips to suit your furry friend’s preferences and dietary requirements. Here’s to delicious and nutritious meals that will have tails wagging with delight!
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