{"id":9649,"date":"2026-04-15T11:28:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/?p=9649"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:17:24","slug":"cooking-homemade-dog-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/cooking-homemade-dog-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooking Homemade Dog Food: A Chef\u2019s Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_small width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>Follow a Simple Foundation<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_auto width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p class=\"styled-paragraph\">As a chef, cooking for my dog isn\u2019t very different from cooking for myself or my family. I don\u2019t overcomplicate it\u2014I follow a simple foundation and adjust based on what I have, what\u2019s in season, and what I\u2019m trying to achieve that week.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the real mindset shift. It\u2019s not about creating one perfect recipe with 15 ingredients. It\u2019s about building balanced, homemade dog food over time using real, fresh ingredients.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Start with a Simple Formula<\/h5>\n<p>Every meal I make follows the same basic structure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A liquid<\/li>\n<li>A grain or carbohydrate<\/li>\n<li>A protein<\/li>\n<li>Vegetables<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That\u2019s it. Once you understand that foundation, everything else becomes flexible.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_small width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Rotate, Don\u2019t Repeat<\/h5>\n<p>One of the biggest misconceptions about homemade dog food is that every single meal has to be perfectly balanced. In reality, balance happens over time.<\/p>\n<p>Some weeks I\u2019ll use beef; other weeks, chicken or turkey. I also rotate in fish like salmon, cod, sardines, or mackerel for added omega-3 fatty acids. Occasionally, I\u2019ll switch things up with duck or bison.<\/p>\n<p>The same goes for grains\u2014white rice, brown rice, barley, quinoa\u2014and vegetables, which change depending on what\u2019s fresh or available.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no different than how we eat. You wouldn\u2019t eat the same exact meal every day for the rest of your life\u2014even if it\u2019s healthy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_auto width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Use What You Already Buy<\/h5>\n<p>One of the easiest ways to make homemade dog food sustainable is to use the same ingredients you\u2019re already buying for your family.<\/p>\n<p>If I pick up a beef shoulder, I\u2019ll portion some out for my dog and save the rest for a stew. If I\u2019m cooking broccoli, I\u2019ll use the florets for us and the stems\u2014where many nutrients are\u2014for my dog.<\/p>\n<p>The same applies to vegetables like asparagus and cauliflower. It\u2019s about being efficient, reducing waste, and getting more value out of what you already buy.<\/p>\n<p>When I cook eggs during the week, I save the eggshells, rinse them, dehydrate them in the oven at 185\u00b0F for about 10\u201320 minutes, then crush them. It\u2019s a simple way to add natural calcium back into your dog\u2019s diet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_small width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Ingredients Are Flexible<\/h5>\n<p>You don\u2019t need anything complicated to get started.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Liquids:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Water works perfectly, or you can rotate in bone broths like chicken, beef, or pork. Even vegetable broth works\u2014as long as it doesn\u2019t contain ingredients dogs are sensitive to, like onions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Grains &amp; Add-Ons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rice, barley, bulgur, or quinoa are all great options. You can also add nutrient boosters like crushed hemp seeds or chia seeds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Proteins:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, bison, and fish like salmon, cod, sardines, and mackerel all work well. You can also include organ meats like liver and kidney, or nutrient-rich muscle meats like hearts and gizzards.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vegetables:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A mix is ideal:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Root vegetables: carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes<\/li>\n<li>Greens: spinach, broccoli, peas, kale<\/li>\n<li>Squash: pumpkin, calabaza, butternut<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These provide fiber, vitamins, and digestive support.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_auto width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Finish Strong: Add Nutrients at the End<\/h5>\n<p>As a chef, I like to finish meals with ingredients that don\u2019t need to be cooked. This helps preserve their nutritional value.<\/p>\n<p>After cooking, I\u2019ll mix in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blueberries<\/li>\n<li>Nutritional yeast (not baker\u2019s yeast)<\/li>\n<li>A drizzle of olive oil or walnut oil<\/li>\n<li>Ground eggshells<\/li>\n<li>A high-quality vitamin supplement to help fill nutritional gaps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These small additions help round out the meal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/wagtritious-canine-supplements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">essential vitamins, minerals<\/a>, and healthy fats.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_small width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>It\u2019s Just Meal Prep &#8211; Now for Your Dog<\/h5>\n<p>At the end of the day, this is just meal prep\u2014now you\u2019re doing it for your dog.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a little prep upfront, but it pays off. I usually prepare enough for 2\u20133 batches at a time. I\u2019ll cook one batch, give the unit a quick rinse, then move on to the next.<\/p>\n<p>Once everything is done, I chill the food, portion it into two-day servings, and freeze the rest.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re not cooking every day\u2014you\u2019re typically preparing enough to last 2\u20133 weeks.<\/p>\n<p>That means you always have fresh dog food ready to go, you know exactly what went into it, and you know when it was made.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-html\"><hr color=\"#6cb33f\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_auto width_custom\" style=\"--site-content-width:1000px;\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>The Hard Part Isn\u2019t Cooking &#8211; It\u2019s Consistency<\/h5>\n<p>Cooking for your dog isn\u2019t difficult. The real challenge is staying consistent.<\/p>\n<p>Using multiple pots, grinding, and mixing\u2014it all adds up. That\u2019s where most people fall off. Not because they don\u2019t want to do it, but because it becomes too time-consuming.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_734c0f1a height_medium with_shape\"><div class=\"l-section-shape type_tilt pos_top\" style=\"height:5vh;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 8\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\">\r\n\t<path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M64 7.9 L64 10 L0 10 L0 0 Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/div><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"g-cols wpb_row via_grid cols_2 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\" style=\"--columns-gap:3rem;\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Where Total Pet Kitchen Comes In<\/h5>\n<p>That\u2019s exactly why we created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Total Pet Kitchen<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It takes everything I just described and simplifies it into one streamlined process. Just add your ingredients, and the unit gently cooks, mixes, grinds, and dispenses the meal.<\/p>\n<p>No multiple steps. No extra equipment. No guesswork.<\/p>\n<p>It allows you to cook the way a chef thinks &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/pet-nutrition-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">simple, flexible, and ingredient-driven<\/a> &#8211; but in a way that actually fits into your daily routine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-image us_custom_d1173f34 align_center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/\" aria-label=\"tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650\" class=\"w-image-h\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Total pet Kitchen\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1.png 650w, https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1-70x70.png 70w, https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tpk-main-800x800-1-650x650-1-60x60.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"g-cols wpb_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\" style=\"--columns-gap:3rem;\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h5>Keep It Simple<\/h5>\n<p>At the end of the day, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/how-it-works\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cooking homemade dog food<\/a> should feel natural.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use real, fresh ingredients<\/li>\n<li>Rotate proteins, grains, and vegetables<\/li>\n<li>Finish with nutrient-rich additions<\/li>\n<li>Focus on balance over time\u2014not perfection in one bowl<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>That\u2019s how I cook. And with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Total Pet Kitchen<\/a>, it\u2019s something any pet parent can do.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p><em>By George Cruz<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-socials color_brand shape_square style_default hover_fade\"><div class=\"w-socials-list\"><div class=\"w-socials-item facebook\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61570236676323\" class=\"w-socials-item-link\" aria-label=\"Facebook\"><span class=\"w-socials-item-link-hover\"><\/span><i class=\"fab fa-facebook\"><\/i><\/a><div class=\"w-socials-item-popup\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-socials-item instagram\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJrrmHlppS7\/\" class=\"w-socials-item-link\" aria-label=\"Instagram\"><span class=\"w-socials-item-link-hover\"><\/span><i class=\"fab fa-instagram\"><\/i><\/a><div class=\"w-socials-item-popup\"><span>Instagram<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-socials-item tiktok\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@sapperhausrottweilers\/video\/7549931609571577118\" class=\"w-socials-item-link\" aria-label=\"TikTok\"><span class=\"w-socials-item-link-hover\"><\/span><i class=\"fab fa-tiktok\"><\/i><\/a><div class=\"w-socials-item-popup\"><span>TikTok<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-socials-item youtube\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TotalPetKitchen\" class=\"w-socials-item-link\" aria-label=\"YouTube\"><span class=\"w-socials-item-link-hover\"><\/span><i class=\"fab fa-youtube\"><\/i><\/a><div class=\"w-socials-item-popup\"><span>YouTube<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a chef, cooking for my dog isn\u2019t very different from cooking for myself or my family. I follow a simple foundation and adjust based on what I have, what\u2019s in season, and what I\u2019m trying to achieve that week. &#8230; It\u2019s not about creating one perfect recipe with 15 ingredients. It\u2019s about building balanced, homemade dog food over time using real, fresh ingredients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,7,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dog-food-recipe","category-from-scratch-to-bowl","category-home-cooked-pet-food"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9649"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9667,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9649\/revisions\/9667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.totalpetkitchen.com\/fresh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}