Make Your Own Dog Food

Give Your Best Friend The Best Food!

Thinking of making your own dog food? You absolutely can—and your pup will thank you for it. When we adopted our Min Pin, I was shocked by what passed as “food” in those brown canned globs. That’s when I decided to cook something better.

Quick Answer: How do I make dog food at home?
Homemade dog food starts with real meat like chicken or beef, fresh veggies, and safe seasoning—no onions! In Make Your Own Dog Food, Susan Gast shares two core recipes, vitamin tips, and dehydrating advice so you can prep nutritious meals your dog will love.

Make Your Own Dog Food shares my go-to recipes—Chicken Chow and Bow Wow Beefy Chow—made with real meat, fresh vegetables, dog-safe stock, and a short list of vitamins for total health. Available in both paperback and ebook, this book walks you through everything, step by step.

Make Your Own Dog Food! (cover)
Buy Now on Amazon - Make Your Own Dog Food!

What’s Really in Canned Dog Food?

I read an article online that said the stench from a pet food processing plant will turn your stomach. You'd be amazed at what is thrown into the canned processed brown slop. Don’t take the risk anymore. When we adopted our Min Pin back in 2008, there was a scare with pet-food poisoning.

And on that rather sad note, I knew it was time to make my own doggie dinners. Yes, just make your own dog food.

My Miniature Pinscher was a bit of a picky eater which I discovered when I tried to feed her the canned brown slop. Guess what? She absolutely LOVES her homemade chicken chow—even on a daily basis!

On a recent nail-trimming visit, our vet said “She glows.” I smiled inwardly, knowing it was because of her diet. Our dog is lean, (but not mean), has a lovely shiny coat, and bright eyes.

Our Chicken Chow has the protein of real chicken (or beef) with added millet and quinoa. The recipe book has both the chicken version: Chicken Chow and the beef version: Bow Wow Beefy Chow.

Ingredients That Make This Dog Food Special

Make Your Own Dog Food ~ Fido

In Make Your Own Dog Food, we add fresh veggies such as carrots, celery, and sweet potatoes! And for added deliciousness: Wide egg noodles.

Make sure the chicken stock you use is “onion-free” as onion is poisonous to dogs.

Our Make Your Own Dog Food book tells you which is the best stock to buy to ensure your dog's safety (i.e. no onions!) but the brand of stock I always use (and love) is "Better Than Bouillon". Their Roasted Chicken Base does not contain onion, according to their list of ingredients.

The 4 Key Vitamins We Add for Canine Health

vitamins ready to stir for dog food
vitamin powder ready for dog food

We show you the four simple vitamins we add to the mix to ensure your dog’s good health. Just be careful stirring up the mix—I accidentally created a huge vitamin cloud the first time out!

Homemade “Chicken Nuggets” for Your Pup

When you’ve made your batch of Chicken Chow, put spoonfuls of the mixture on your dehydrator trays. Full information on dehydrating food safely is in Easy Food Dehydrating and Safe Food Storage paperback on Amazon.

They make excellent chicken nuggets. This food is so good that even YOU can eat it!

Get the Book – Paperback + eBook Options below:

By dehydrating your blobs of chicken chow mix, you can easily add water to them to make them back into a wet food!

Why dehydrate blobs in the first place? Well, our doggie enjoys them as a "chew," but the main reason is so that you've got spare food put away - just in case of an emergency.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade: Let’s Talk Dog Food

No doubt you've seen a ton of TV ads regarding buying pre-made dog food in packets. I've absolutely nothing against that - I love the look of "The Farmer's Dog" to be honest. I also love the way they print your dog's name on the food packages!

Their plans start at $2 a day depending on the size of your doggie. So that's a minimum of $60 a month.

Honestly? I can make a batch for half that cost, but I'm not knocking the principle behind their product. Dogs (and cats) need proper nutrition, just like humans do!

I guess it depends on how much time you have to cook for your dog. It takes me around an hour and a half, on a monthly basis. All you need is a good large saucepan, and a pressure cooker. Full deets are in the book!

Common Questions About Homemade Dog Food

Is this recipe safe for all dog breeds?

Yes! As long as your dog doesn’t have unique allergies, this recipe is safe for all breeds. The book also shows you which ingredients to avoid—like onion and garlic.

What kitchen tools do I need?

Just a large pot and, optionally, a pressure cooker. For long-term storage, I also include tips on using a dehydrator.

How long does it take to make?

About 90 minutes per batch. Most people prep once a month and freeze or dehydrate the extras.

You Can Do This—And Your Dog Will Thank You

Making homemade dog food doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. With one batch a month and a few ingredients you trust, you can give your dog meals that are good enough for you to eat. And if you want to take it further, I show you how to dehydrate chicken nuggets to store long-term.

Whether you're switching for health reasons, cost savings, or peace of mind—this book is for you. Your dog deserves real food, and you deserve to feel confident in what you’re serving.

Blue Leaf gif

You Might Like These