Homemade dog food recipes and why what you feed your dog matters
As someone deeply passionate about women’s health and wellbeing, I have always believed that what we put into our bodies matters.
At Zing Wellbeing, we focus on nourishing ourselves with wholefoods, quality ingredients and balanced nutrition because we know food can impact how we feel every single day.
From energy and gut health to mood, sleep and overall wellbeing, nutrition plays such an important role in our lives.
And honestly? I started thinking more and more about why we often do not apply the same thinking to our dogs.
Our dogs are family and mine are called Maxie and Frankie
They rely on us completely for their nutrition, health and wellbeing, yet so many commercial pet foods are highly processed and filled with ingredients most of us would never choose to eat ourselves.
That is why I have become increasingly interested in homemade dog food recipes and paying closer attention to what goes into my dog’s bowl.
Why more people are questioning commercial dog food
In recent years, there has been a huge shift towards more mindful eating for humans.
People are reading labels more carefully.
They are becoming more aware of additives, preservatives and ultra-processed foods.
They are focusing more on gut health, wholefoods and quality ingredients.
And naturally, that same conversation is now happening around pet nutrition too.
Many pet owners are starting to ask:
- What is actually in my dog’s food?
- Is my dog getting real nutrients?
- Could food be impacting their energy, digestion, coat or overall wellbeing?
- Are there healthier options available?
Just like us, dogs thrive on balanced nutrition and quality ingredients. Nutrition plays an important role in supporting overall pet wellbeing, including digestion, energy levels, skin health and maintaining a healthy weight.
Why I questioned commercial dog food
One of the biggest reasons I personally started questioning commercial dog food was when I actually began reading the ingredient labels properly.
As someone who is incredibly conscious about what I put into my own body, it suddenly made no sense to me that I had never looked closely at what I was feeding my dog. Many commercial dog foods are heavily processed and often filled with inexpensive fillers, refined carbohydrates, artificial flavours, preservatives and ingredients that can be difficult to even pronounce.
A lot of them are surprisingly carb-heavy and lower in quality protein than many people realise, despite dogs naturally thriving on protein-rich diets. I also became concerned about the amount of additives and chemicals included simply to extend shelf life or improve taste and appearance.
The more I researched pet nutrition, the more I realised that just like humans, dogs benefit from real, nourishing food made from quality ingredients rather than ultra-processed products designed for convenience.
And it was this research that led me to launch Healthy Active Pet back in 2022 which as since been bought by an amazing Aussie freeze dried raw dog food company called Frontier Pets (they are based in QLD)
The benefits of homemade dog food recipes
One of the biggest benefits of homemade dog food is knowing exactly what your dog is eating.
When you prepare meals yourself, you have far more control over the ingredients, quality and freshness.
Some potential benefits of homemade dog food can include:
- fresher ingredients
- fewer unnecessary fillers
- more variety
- the ability to tailor meals to your dog’s needs
- supporting healthy digestion
- helping manage portion sizes
- reducing heavily processed ingredients
Many homemade dog food recipes focus on wholefood ingredients like lean proteins, vegetables, rice, sweet potato and healthy fats.
And honestly, when you look at some homemade dog meals, they often look healthier than what many humans are eating.
Ingredients worth including in homemade dog food
While every dog is different and nutritional needs can vary, many vets and pet nutrition experts recommend focusing on balanced wholefood ingredients.
Some commonly used ingredients include:
- lean chicken
- turkey
- salmon
- eggs
- pumpkin
- carrots
- sweet potato
- brown rice
- oats
- peas
- spinach
- blueberries
Healthy fats like omega-3s are also important for dogs and may support skin, coat and overall wellbeing.
Ingredients to avoid feeding your dog
It is also incredibly important to know that some human foods can be harmful to dogs.
Foods to avoid include:
- chocolate
- grapes
- raisins
- onions
- garlic
- xylitol
- alcohol
- macadamia nuts
Always check with your vet before making major changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has existing health concerns or sensitivities.
And if you want the benefit of raw dog food with the convenience of dried food then check out Frontier Pets - all made in Australia and all the benefits of raw feeding with the raw dog food freeze dried for convenience.
An easy homemade dog food recipe
If you are curious about getting started, here is a simple homemade dog food recipe idea many dogs love.
Chicken, rice and veggie bowl for dogs
Ingredients:
- 500g lean chicken mince
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 carrot grated
- 1 cup pumpkin diced
- 1 handful spinach chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Method:
- Cook the brown rice according to packet instructions.
- In a large pan, cook the chicken mince thoroughly.
- Steam or boil the pumpkin and carrot until soft.
- Stir through the spinach until wilted.
- Combine all ingredients and drizzle with olive oil.
- Allow to cool before serving.
Store portions in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Why this conversation matters
I think one of the biggest mindset shifts happening right now is that people are starting to see pets differently.
Dogs are not just pets anymore.
They are companions, emotional support, walking buddies and very much part of the family.
And because of that, more people are prioritising their dog’s health and wellbeing in the same way they prioritise their own.
Research continues to highlight the importance of nutrition, healthy weight management and overall wellbeing for pets.
Small changes can make a big difference
I am not saying everyone needs to completely overhaul their dog’s diet overnight.
But I do think it is worth becoming more aware.
Just like we have become more conscious about what we feed ourselves at Zing Wellbeing, I believe it is worth taking a closer look at what we are feeding our dogs too.
Even small changes can make a difference, including:
- reading ingredient labels
- choosing better quality food
- adding fresh wholefoods
- reducing overly processed treats
- focusing on balanced nutrition
Because when we nourish ourselves well and care for the wellbeing of the animals we love, everybody benefits.
You can check out Aussie made freeze dried dog food here
