Introducing Homemade Fresh Food To Your Pet
(Please check with your veterinarian before beginning any dietary change for your pet.)
At Total Pet Kitchen (TPK), we believe that fresh, homemade food is the key to a happy, healthy pet.
With TPK, pet parents can prepare balanced meals using proteins, vegetables, grains, and liquid—all in a single appliance. In about an hour, you can batch-cook meals for the entire week, ensuring your pet gets high-quality, species-appropriate nutrition at an affordable cost.
TPK automatically cooks ingredients to perfection. It uses liquid to create steam, gently cooking the food while preserving essential nutrients. Built-in temperature sensors prevent overcooking and maintain a warm cycle until serving time.
Making the Transition to Homemade Pet Food
Every pet is unique, so transitioning to fresh food should be gradual. Consult with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist to ensure your pet’s dietary needs are met. A smooth transition plan might look like this:
- Days 1-3: 25% TPK food, 75% current diet
- Days 4-6: 50% TPK food, 50% current diet
- Days 7-9: 75% TPK food, 25% current diet
- Days 10-14: 100% TPK food
What amount of fresh homemade pet food should I feed my pet?
The amount of food a pet should consume is based on body weight, age, and activity level. The general guideline of fresh pet food a dog needs is 2.5% of their body weight per day. Chart below is for guidance:
| Pet Weight | Guideline: Amount to Feed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | OZ | OZ | LB | CUP |
| 10 | 160 | 4 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| 20 | 320 | 8 | 0.50 | 1.00 |
| 30 | 480 | 12 | 0.75 | 1.50 |
| 40 | 640 | 16 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| 50 | 800 | 20 | 1.25 | 2.50 |
| 60 | 960 | 24 | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 70 | 1,120 | 28 | 1.75 | 3.50 |
| 80 | 1,280 | 32 | 2.00 | 4.00 |
| 90 | 1,440 | 36 | 2.25 | 4.50 |
| 100 | 1,600 | 40 | 2.50 | 5.00 |
Other Options for Using Fresh Food From TPK
If you’re not ready for a full switch, use TPK meals as a topper on your pet’s current food for an easy nutritional boost. You can also make your own kibble with the TPK, giving you complete control over ingredients while still providing a familiar texture.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
After making a batch of TPK recipes, we recommend portioning out enough for a few days and storing it in the fridge. The remaining food should be packaged in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags and frozen for later use. Quick freezing locks in freshness, ensuring your pet enjoys nutritious meals throughout the week or month.
For large dogs, you may need to make 2-3 batches at a time to keep up with their meal plan. Also, keep in mind that portion size is crucial—since TPK recipes are more nutrient-dense, your pet may require smaller servings compared to traditional pet food.
Customize Meals for Variety and Savings
To maintain a healthy, balanced diet, it’s important to follow the portion sizes and ingredient ratios in our recipes. However, you can substitute proteins and vegetables based on availability and preference. For example:
- Swap beef for beef and lamb
- Use chicken with salmon or pork for variety
- Replace broccoli with string beans when they’re in season and more affordable
Complete Nutrition with Smart Supplementation
While TPK meals provide fresh, whole-food nutrition, adding a multivitamin ensures your pet receives all essential vitamins and minerals. Like their humans, dogs often need vitamin and mineral supplements (commonly vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K) along with macronutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
This is why we recommend Wagtritious Supplements for those pets that need nutritional supplements.