Homemade Dog Food: What it is & How to Make it [2025 Guide]

Are you considering making homemade dog food for your furry friend? While preparing meals at home can give you more control over the ingredients that go into your dog’s food, homemade dog food is generally challenging due to the complexities that go into ensuring a complete diet. 

In this article, we’re going to go over what exactly homemade dog food is, obstacles to consider, and how you can reap the benefits of homemade dog food, minus the risk, with KOHA limited ingredient diets.

 

What is Homemade Dog Food? 

Homemade dog food refers to meals prepared at home for dogs using ingredients typically found in human food. It aims to avoid allergens and harmful additives present in some commercial dog foods. But without professional guidance, homemade dog food often falls short in providing all the essential nutrients that dogs need for optimal health. 

 

Limitations of Homemade Dog Food

While there can be some benefits to homemade dog food, there can be barriers due to the time-consuming preparation, nutritional deficiencies, and ingredient imbalances. Here are some of the most common challenges and risks when it comes to homemade dog food. 

Time-Consuming

Preparing homemade dog food can be incredibly time-consuming, requiring careful planning and cooking. Without professional guidance, there's a risk of nutritional imbalances, which can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients, affecting your dog's overall health. Common risks include inadequate protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can result in weakened immune systems, poor bone health, and other issues. 

For less time-consuming alternatives that don’t sacrifice on quality, check out KOHA’s range of bland diet dog food such as the chicken and white rice recipe and beef and white rice recipe, designed to meet your dog's nutritional needs while saving you time and effort in the kitchen.

Nutritional Deficiencies 

As we’ve already mentioned, homemade dog food can easily miss essential nutrients dogs need. Without proper knowledge, it’s challenging to meet their specific dietary requirements.

Mineral imbalances, especially with calcium and phosphorus, are common risks and can lead to bone weakness, fractures, and kidney damage. Dogs also need vitamins like A, D, E, and B-complex. Deficiencies can cause vision problems, poor bone development, and muscle weakness. 

Ingredient Imbalances 

Mistaking which ingredients and the amounts to include is another common issue with homemade dog food, as some human-superfood ingredients are actually toxic for your pup. An imbalance in ingredients or inaccurate quantities can lead to health problems, including obesity, malnutrition, and other diet-related illnesses.

KOHA’s formulas are carefully crafted to meet your dog's dietary needs, providing a balanced mix of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Their high-quality, ready-to-serve meals are designed to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrition without the complexities and risks associated with homemade diets.

 

Best Ingredients for Homemade Dog Food Recipes 

While homemade dog food is not generally recommended due to the risks and challenges in balancing nutrition, here are some key ingredients to consider if you are going to try it. Ensuring your dog eats a balanced diet is crucial, and KOHA’s bland diets can be a helpful reference or supplement to homemade recipes. 

Meats and Proteins 

Be sure to include beef and animal proteins such as chicken and turkey. These should be cooked thoroughly to eliminate any harmful bacteria. Novel proteins like rabbit and duck are also ideal, as they are less likely to trigger adverse reactions or allergies in your pup. 

Try KOHA novel proteins like rabbit, pork, and duck for a healthy, delicious meal your pup will love.

Vitamins 

Incorporate vegetables and fruits like carrots, spinach, and blueberries into your dog's diet. Carrots offer a variety of essential vitamins, spinach provides key nutrients like vitamins A, C, and folate, and blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. These nutritious additions help create a balanced and healthy diet for your dog.

Carbohydrates 

Include a source of carbohydrates in your dog’s diet to provide them with the essential energy needed for daily activities. Carbohydrates are crucial for fueling your dog's body, supporting their active lifestyle, and maintaining overall health. 

Fats and Fatty Acids 

Include healthy fats such as fish oil or flaxseed oil to support your dog's skin and coat health. Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and promote a shiny coat, while flaxseed oil offers a plant-based alternative with similar benefits.

Fiber

Incorporate fiber-rich foods like pumpkin and chickpeas to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy digestive tract. Pumpkin is excellent for regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation. If you’re looking for top-quality dog foods with pumpkin, try KOHA limited ingredient bland diet recipes. 

 

Ingredients to Avoid in Homemade Dog Food 

When preparing homemade dog food, it is crucial to avoid certain ingredients that can be harmful or toxic to your dog. These ingredients can cause a range of health issues, from mild digestive upset to severe, life-threatening conditions.

• Onions and garlic
• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Avocado
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

If you accidentally feed these ingredients to your dog, contact a veterinarian immediately. 

 

More About Homemade Dog Food

To help you better understand the intricacies of homemade dog food, here are additional insights and further guidance for those considering homemade meals for their dogs.

What are the best ingredients to put in homemade dog food?

The best ingredients for homemade dog food include a variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits. Always ensure they are safe and properly cooked.

Here are some examples of the best ingredients, which you can also find in KOHA dog food:

• Animal proteins: Beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit, duck, and salmon
• Vegetables: chickpeas, carrots, lentils, spinach, and broccoli
• Fruits: Blueberries, apples (without seeds), bananas, pumpkin, watermelon (without seeds)
• Healthy Fats: Fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil

By prioritizing these ingredients, you can create a nutritious and balanced diet for your dog. Always consult with a veterinarian to ensure the diet meets your dog's specific nutritional needs.

Is homemade food for dogs better? 

Many vets often suggest caution with homemade dog food. Creating a balanced diet at home without professional guidance is challenging and often results in deficiencies of essential nutrients. 

While limiting ingredients and avoiding junky fillers is beneficial, you can instead opt for high quality dog food, like KOHA dog food, which offers nutritionally balanced, minimal ingredient diets that are both convenient and healthy for your dog.

How much homemade dog food should you feed your dog? 

Determining the right amount of homemade dog food to feed your dog can be challenging because it depends on factors such as size, age, and activity level. However, due to the difficulty in ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet, it may be best to avoid homemade dog food altogether unless otherwise recommended by your vet. Instead, consult with a vet to choose a commercial dog food that meets your dog's specific dietary needs.

 

Find the Best Dog Food for Your Pet 

For those seeking a balanced and minimal ingredient diet for their dogs, KOHA bland dog food diet is a fantastic, hassle-free option. It offers both the convenience and nutritional assurance that homemade dog food often lacks. 

If you’re looking for the benefits of a minimal ingredient bland diet for your dogs, check out delicious KOHA recipes to find the best diet for your pet.