Anyone have experience with making and feeding homemade dog food? My lab has such a sensitive stomach I thought I would try a simple recipe of turkey, brown rice, and a few veggies, which is what I've seen online. I will of course check with my vet before I make the switch, but I wanted to hear about your experiences.

Rule #1:

I do, but because our dog was recently diagnosed diabetic and I can make food that is better and cheaper than the prescription food our vet recommended. I'll post the most recent recipe when I have a chance in a bit. We just started doing this so I've been iterating. Once I have it all dialed in I'll make a huge batch and freezer pack it. Right now I make about enough for one week at a time.

I've done it many times using the powdered nutrients and recipe from Just Food for Dogs. There are several available off of Amazon. Dogs have always loved them, even the picky eaters. I make double or even triple batches, then vacuum pack and freeze, thaw out when another is needed.
https://www.amazon.com/JustFoodForDogs-Yourself-Nutrient-Blend-Beef/dp/B07FZ5JW7Y/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2YB05VK5IJOT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KcK646ZgFzXbcoWhXTR7RvsTSJBkZDPFployOxkl2SlEh8ELgls86zH1HKUznlh81mGgPI-JfY5PjjcbJ4Ikvwf2m3Pimqdurs7__ySadreVW24WNVLHVIqt8vSJaqh6BUM7AtwwXNf4I1p66LjL43HAdiqbSPK-6FEM1ghNqAmfdll4f-f09E46BDzWo9hoGtT6dK941OXjzz4OZv7vZiPf2RWjmTwuoxtMRsxv7BmkHXHaIWA-InKAoKGdX28Ery0dpFO9VRZgyCFe3BIiSX2VpmaFJLnakam-8G4MMuE.hgg75myQTHnb0JSXY6mpfuZHRhVSnfKSBATrA8naRDk&dib_tag=se&keywords=just%2Bfood%2Bfor%2Bdogs&qid=1749687709&rdc=1&sprefix=just%2Bfood%2Bfor%2Bdogs%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-9&th=1

There are 4 different recipes based on what you want to make.

I now use A Pup Above because I got lazy, but the cost is significantly more doing it this way.

Our Lab had some skin and stomach issues years ago until we put him on Purina pro plan sport- sensitive skin and stomach- Salmon and rice formula.
He's 8 now and no problems since we started the Purina.

I live overseas where most people just feed scraps and bones to their dogs, so we have to make it for ours. we usually do a simple mixture of 50/50 black lentils and rice and then add some carrots and chicken to it with a little salt.

Been doing brown rice, frozen mixed vegetables, and boiled chicken thighs for years for our two labs.

Curious as to how you figure out portions for do it yourself food?

Have you tried dog foods without rice? I have a GSD who has a very sensitive stomach. It turns out she isn't allergic to chicken or salmon as we thought; she is allergic to rice. The sensitive stomach lamb and oatmeal flavor of Purina Pro-Plan has been a lifesaver. We even have to find treats that don't have rice or rice flour as an ingredient.

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. It was the encouragement I needed to get started and make a first batch. I'll begin mixing it in with his kibble for now. I've made my first batch pictured below. It looks gross but I tasted it and would eat if I had no other options.
Here's my recipe if anyone is interested:
3 lbs ground turkey
6 cups water
3 cups brown rice, uncooked
1 lb. Frozen green beans.
1 pound frozen carrots
Combine turkey water and rice in a large stock pot. Stir to break up the turkey and bring to a boil and then reduce to low cover the pot and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Add the vegetables, return to a boil and cook until they are soft. This took me about 15 minutes . Let cool completely and freeze in one cup portions.

Absolute said:

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Curious as to how you figure out portions for do it yourself food?

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I'm planning on trying 2 cups of the recipe I made above twice a day based on suggestions for large breeds.

Are these just extra nutrients to add to the fresh food you cook? This would give me a lot of confidence to add in. Also, I've thought about bone meal as well. My fella already does a joint supplement so I wonder if that's overkill.

Girlhowdy said:

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Thank you for the replies and suggestions. It was the encouragement I needed to get started and make a first batch. I'll begin mixing it in with his kibble for now. I've made my first batch pictured below. It looks gross but I tasted it and would eat if I had no other options.
Here's my recipe if anyone is interested:
3 lbs ground turkey
6 cups water
3 cups brown rice, uncooked
1 lb. Frozen green beans.
1 pound frozen carrots
Combine turkey water and rice in a large stock pot. Stir to break up the turkey and bring to a boil and then reduce to low cover the pot and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Add the vegetables, return to a boil and cook until they are soft. This took me about 15 minutes . Let cool completely and freeze in one cup portions.

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Haha! I got this same recipe from ChatGPT.

Girlhowdy said:

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Are these just extra nutrients to add to the fresh food you cook? This would give me a lot of confidence to add in. Also, I've thought about bone meal as well. My fella already does a joint supplement so I wonder if that's overkill.

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Yeah, they are just to make sure the pooch has all the nutrients and micro nutrients that might be missed by feeding just fresh cooked food. Each powder is mixed in and you know that everything needed is in there. Made me feel safe knowing I wasn't missing anything needed. The dogs loved it, and I enjoyed making for over a year, but then got lazy and switched to the frozen A Pup Above, and they love it too. Might start back up doing it again, and if so, I'll go back to the Just Food For Dogs powder and recipe.

Exactly?? That's crazy. I just fine tuned a recipe I found online, but all I found were very similar to this. I used 3 lbs ground turkey because that's the size package that is available at HEB.

Only difference was oats instead of rice. I also add flax meal.

This is what we use. In the recipe, we use turkey, quinoa, split the portion of veggies between carrots and green beans, and use chicken bone broth instead of water. A lot of our friends use this recipe, and it has been fed to a range of ages, sizes, and health conditions.


Ingredients:
1.5 lbs lean protein (ground turkey, lean pork, or fish fillets)
1 cup quinoa or lentils
1.5 cups dog-safe vegetables (carrots, green beans, zucchini, spinach)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 cups low-sodium bone broth or filtered water

Instructions:
1. Layer ingredients in the crockpot: Add protein first, followed by quinoa/lentils and chopped vegetables.
2. Pour in bone broth or water.
3. Cook on High for 3-4 hours (or LOW for 6-8 hours), stirring occasionally if possible.
4. Once cooked, mix in coconut oil, ground flaxseed/chia, and turmeric.
5. Cool completely before serving or storing. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze in portions.

Serving Size:
1 to 1.5 cups per day, split into 2 meals. (Depends on size of dog)