Notice that your dog is becoming bored with the everyday, store bought kibble? Does your pup have a history of tummy issues or allergies from eating overly processed food? Turns out, there’s an alternative! Whole foods can make for a healthy and happy dog, and dogs ca benefit from a little home cooking every now and then!

We’ve talked about good and bad for your dog. Now it’s time to take those new found goodies and put them to good use! Remember though, if switching your dog to a whole food diet, it is best to consult with a vet to make sure your dog is getting all of its essential nutrients. 

Here’s a short list of great recipes for treats, meals, and even a dessert!

DOG TREATS:

Chicken Jerky

Simple, chewy, protein packed alternative to raw hides.

Ingredients

• 2 to 4 chicken breasts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove any excess fat from the chicken. Turn the chicken breast on its side and use a paring knife to slice the chicken breast into 1/8 inch thick strips.
3. Set the strips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.
4. Check the chicken before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy. Allow the chicken to cool completely before serving.
5. Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

NOTE: Substitute sweet potatoes or other veggies in recipe for vegetarian alternative!

Frozen Yogurt Pops for Dogs

Great low fat treat for your pup on a hot day!

Ingredients

• 6 oz. container of plain, non-fat frozen yogurt
• 1 cup of no-sugar added fruit juice
• 1/2 cup of carrots, minced

Directions

1. Add the yogurt, fruit juice, and carrots into a medium-sized bowl. Stir until the ingredients are smooth and well-blended.
2. Drop the mixture into the ice cube trays by spoonful.
3. Freeze until the ingredients are solid.

DOGGIE DINNERS:

Store bought foods can be filled with fillers and additives, and honestly be very boring for dogs. Cooking your own dog food can take a little while, but I like that both of these recipes can be frozen and kept for up to a week. (And hey, they’re pretty good if you want to have some, too!)

Turkey and Vegetable Dinner

Simple recipe for your poultry friendly diet. Rich in lean protein and veggies for a balanced diet!

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 2 cups of brown rice
• 1 cup of carrots, chopped
• 1 cup of green beans, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil (optional)

Directions

1. Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.
2. Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook an additional 15 minutes, or until the rice is soft and tender.
4. Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Allow to cool before serving.
6. Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days.

Beef Stew

Gravy! Little more labor intensive, but a rich beef flavor and veggies pack a tasty punch!

Ingredients

• 1 pound of beef stew meat
• 1 small sweet potato
• 1/2 cup of carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup of green beans, diced
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Cook the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside.
2. Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks, about the size of a nickel.
3. Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done.
4. Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings.
5. Dice the sweet potato.
6. Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy.
7. Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.
8. Cook until the carrots are tender – about 10 minutes.
9. Serve cool.
10. Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days.

DOGGIE DESSERT:

Because even Fido deserves to indulge once in awhile! For a fresh take on dessert, layered fruit parfaits are great (fruit, non-fat yogurt, repeat). But I like the iea of making a cake for your dog. Here’s a great recipe for, I don’t know, their birthday?

Dog Birthday Cake:

Ingrediets

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup honey (optional)
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup whole wheat or white flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 6 cup ring mold.
2. Combine the egg, peanut butter, oil, vanilla, and honey, if desired, in a large bowl; blend well. Stir in the carrots and mix thoroughly. Sift together the flour and baking soda and fold into the carrot mixture. Spoon cake batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes; then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

(Candles on top are optional!)

Hope you ad your pup can get some use out of these recipes! If you have any favorites that you’d like to share, please visit our Facebook and Twitter pages!