You want to make homemade dog food but your dog prefers the crunch of kibble and is not too happy about cooked rice and vegetables with his meat. Fortunately, making homemade dry kibble takes only a few steps and can be added to cooked foods or made alone as a balanced meal.
Basic Kibble as Supplement
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Combine 6 cups of flour with 1 cup powdered milk. In another bowl, combine three large eggs, 1/3 cup oil and 2 1/2 cups meat broth or water. Mix wet and dry ingredients together to create thick dough similar to bread.
Spread the dough onto a cookie sheet. The dough should be 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick depending on the size of your dog. Using a pizza cutter or knife, lightly cut the desired kibble sizes into the dough but do not go all the way through. This will make it easier to break it into kibble pieces when cooking is complete.
Place in the oven for about one hour. Dough should be brown and beginning to harden. Remove and allow cooling and hardening. Break kibble into desired pieces. Place into an airtight container until feeding time.
Balanced Kibble
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place 3 1/2 to 4 cups cooked lean meat into a food processor or blender and puree. Add a small amount of oil if needed to puree the meat. Consider meats such as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb or rabbit. If your dog is allergic to certain meats, cottage cheese, yogurt or cooked eggs also may be used.
Place 4 to 5 cups of cooked vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, greens beans or carrots, into a food processor and puree. Place in a large bowl and combine with the pureed meats.
Add flour 1/2 cup at a time until you create a bread dough consistency. Roll onto a cookie sheet and score with a pizza cutter or knife. Bake for one to three hours depending on thickness. Kibble should be brown and just starting to harden. Remove from oven. Allow for cooling and hardening before breaking into kibble pieces. Store kibble in an airtight container.
Tips
The basic kibble recipe should be served as a supplement to cooked meats and other foods. A dog's diet requires a large amount of protein and this does not contain much.
Making homemade dog food is a trial and error process. Keep trying different combinations until you find one that your dog enjoys.
If you are just looking for a crunchy addition to homemade meals, consider making dried sweet potato bites. Cut a sweet potato into bite-sized pieces or disks and place on a baking sheet. Place in a 250-degree oven for three hours. Allow to cool.
If your dog suffers from wheat allergies, substitute rice flour or rolled oats for the flour.
Warnings
Before changing your dog’s diet, talk with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. If you are planning to make homemade kibble, the main part of your dog’s diet, you will need to make sure you are providing balanced nutrients for your dog’s specific needs. The veterinarian or nutritionist will be able to go over your dog’s medical history, allergies and possible weight issues and advise you on an ingredient ratio.
Do not add foods like chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins, garlic or salt to your dog’s food. These foods can be toxic and cause health issues.
Warnings
Before changing your dog’s diet, talk with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. If you are planning to make homemade kibble, the main part of your dog’s diet, you will need to make sure you are providing balanced nutrients for your dog’s specific needs. The veterinarian or nutritionist will be able to go over your dog’s medical history, allergies and possible weight issues and advise you on an ingredient ratio.
Do not add foods like chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins, garlic or salt to your dog’s food. These foods can be toxic and cause health issues.
Tips
The basic kibble recipe should be served as a supplement to cooked meats and other foods. A dog's diet requires a large amount of protein and this does not contain much.
Making homemade dog food is a trial and error process. Keep trying different combinations until you find one that your dog enjoys.
If you are just looking for a crunchy addition to homemade meals, consider making dried sweet potato bites. Cut a sweet potato into bite-sized pieces or disks and place on a baking sheet. Place in a 250-degree oven for three hours. Allow to cool.
If your dog suffers from wheat allergies, substitute rice flour or rolled oats for the flour.
Items You Will Need
- 6+ cups of any flour variety
- Powdered milk
- Eggs
- Oil (corn, canola, sunflower, etc.)
- Chicken or beef broth
- Variety of cooked meats
- Vegetables (sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, etc.)
- Fruit (apples, berries)
- Food processor or blender
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Large mixing bowls
- Cookie sheets with raised sides
References
Resources
Tips
- The basic kibble recipe should be served as a supplement to cooked meats and other foods. A dog's diet requires a large amount of protein and this does not contain much.
- Making homemade dog food is a trial and error process. Keep trying different combinations until you find one that your dog enjoys.
- If you are just looking for a crunchy addition to homemade meals, consider making dried sweet potato bites. Cut a sweet potato into bite-sized pieces or disks and place on a baking sheet. Place in a 250-degree oven for three hours. Allow to cool.
- If your dog suffers from wheat allergies, substitute rice flour or rolled oats for the flour.
Warnings
- Before changing your dog’s diet, talk with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. If you are planning to make homemade kibble, the main part of your dog’s diet, you will need to make sure you are providing balanced nutrients for your dog’s specific needs. The veterinarian or nutritionist will be able to go over your dog’s medical history, allergies and possible weight issues and advise you on an ingredient ratio.
- Do not add foods like chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins, garlic or salt to your dog’s food. These foods can be toxic and cause health issues.
Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.