UC Davis homemade dog food recipes are delicious and nutritious for your pet. Start with a well-balanced recipe, then change it up to suit your dog’s preferences.
And don’t worry, these recipes are for healthy dogs, not for puppies or adult dogs with high-fat content. Mature dogs need lots of proteins, and high-fat meals can be hard on their digestive systems.
Before you begin cooking, please ensure your dog’s diet meets the recommendations of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
It is important to feed a quality diet, and a homemade dog food recipe should be balanced. Balanced meals provide your pet with all the nutrients it needs in a palatable, complete food.
It is also important to feed a diet that is low in starch and high in protein and fat. Quality homemade dog food recipes have the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids (EFAs).
Don’t forget the fiber, too! Dry dog food should be fed every day if possible, and should always be fresh.
How can prepare UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
Preparation Time:
Minimum 15 minutes
Cooking Time:
Minimum 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- 5 cups (1.25 liters) of water
- 1/4 cup (½ oz, or 20 g) oatmeal (optional)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Equipment:
- 2 quart (2 liters) saucepan
- 1 quart (1 liter) cooking pot
- Medium-sized bowl
- Large spoon
- Bowl for placing cooked food in
- Small baking tray
Directions:
Step 1: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain off fat.
Step 2: Add garlic, onion, and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes. Add water, if necessary, to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Bring mixture to a boil. Add oatmeal.
Step 4: Lower the heat to the lowest possible setting. Simmer for 30 minutes
Step 5: Remove from heat. Cover with a lid and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Step 6: Serve hot, with your dog’s favorite dishes, and offer water as needed.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Nutrition value of UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
- Calorie: 433 kcal
- Fat: 17.5 g
- Protein: 23.5 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 41.5 g
- Iron: 0.9 mg
- Calcium: 31.4 mg
- Sodium: 202.4 mg
- Potassium: 491.9 mg
- Vitamin A: 14 IU
- Vitamin B6: 0.016 mg
- Vitamin C: 2.5 mg
- Vitamin E: 0.6 mg
- Vitamin K: 3.2 µg
Benefits of eating UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
1. Homemade dog food recipes are convenient and healthy.

2. It’s very easy to prepare, and any type of meat can be used.
3. It’s an affordable way to feed your dog, as there is no need for over-priced commercial pet foods.
4. You can add vegetables, fruits, and herbs to create a complete diet you and your dog like.
5. It is never harmful to give it to your pet as it is not able to eat harmful foods or harmful food for them
6. It is easy to prepare and tasty, so it would be easier to get your dog to eat it.
7. It is always fresh, as you can buy meat in bulk and freeze or store it.
8. It provides your dog with all the nutrition it needs as well as protein, fat, and vitamins (although some dogs need more of some nutrients).
9. Eating homemade dog food recipes can boost a dog’s immune system. Such diets are important for dogs with chronic health problems, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
10. Homemade dog food recipes are a cheaper option than commercial pet foods because of the savings on ingredients.
11. They are 100% safe for your dog and not harmful to their health
Disadvantages of eating UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
1. They are not appropriate for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
2. It is important to follow the feeding schedule and recommendation of AAFCO to keep your dog healthy.
3. They are more expensive than pet food bought at the store because you have to purchase fresh ingredients.
4. Homemade dog food recipes do not have preservatives or artificial additives, so they should be kept refrigerated and may spoil over time.
5. They are not always convenient, and can take up a lot of your time.
6. You should not feed your dog homemade dog food recipes all the time, as it can be hard on their digestive system and can cause them to become malnourished
How Can Make More Delicious?
You can use brown rice or quinoa instead of oatmeal to increase the nutritional value of this recipe. Brown rice and quinoa are great sources of fiber for your dog.
Both grains are high in carbohydrates, which are necessary for a balanced diet. You can also add yogurt to this homemade dog food recipe, as it adds calcium and healthy bacteria to your pet’s diet.
Yogurt is an important source of protein and fats for your pet, as well as many other vital minerals and vitamins.
How can Store UC Davis homemade dog food recipes
1. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
2. Store in a freezer-safe container, defrosted and refrozen as needed, for up to two months.
3. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
4. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to one week.
Conclusion
Homemade dog food recipes are a perfect choice for healthy dog food. Like people, dogs require balanced and nutritious meals to remain happy and active.
Planning a homemade dog food recipe, however, is more than just shopping for the ingredients and mixing them all. It takes time and patience to create a balanced meal.
By researching the nutritional aspects of dog diets, you can create homemade raw or cooked meals that will benefit your pets in many ways.
Thank you for reading this article about homemade dog food recipes.
After you achieve success with your dog, then you can share this article with your friends and family. We hope you enjoy homemade dog food recipes!