What Do Vets Recommend for Homemade Dog Food? Real Tips for Saving, Simplicity, and Your Dog’s Health

Why Even Go Homemade?

If you’ve ever eyed those massive bags of dog food and nearly choked at the price, you’re not alone. I mean, how many dollars can a 20-pound bag of crunchy brown bits really be worth? It’s enough to make you wonder—can I just… cook my own? Would my dog even eat it? And wait, what do vets recommend for homemade dog food, anyway?

Chances are, if you’re already a frugal type (I salute you, coupon clippers and sale-rack foragers), you’ve thought about making food at home for your dog. Not just because you want to save a few bucks (though, honestly, that’s a big chunk of the motivation for most of us), but also because you want to know exactly what’s going in your furry friend’s bowl.

Let’s jump right in, because there are a LOT of ways to get this right—and, truthfully, a few ways to mess it up. Don’t worry, we’re in this together.

Frugal Wins (and Fails) of DIY Dog Meals

Is Homemade Dog Food Really Cheaper?

Let’s get the money talk out of the way early. Does going homemade actually save cash? For most of us—yes. Especially if you have a small dog, or you’re clever about bulk-buying ingredients. I’ve compared, measured, and even whipped out the calculator on a lazy Sunday to see if making food for my scruffy rescue mutt made sense for my wallet. If you don’t mind spending a little time, it 100% does.

(*Supplements help round out nutrients… more on those in a sec.)

What Can Go Wrong?

This is where things get sticky. Here’s the deal: If you just feed your dog chicken and rice, they might seem happy—until, months later, you realize their coat is dull, their nails brittle, and their energy… well, meh. I once tried to “wing it” and ended up with a vet bill that made the “savings” feel like a cosmic joke. (Don’t do what I did!)

Personal Side Note

I learned the hard way that mixing in fun veggies from my fridge—broccoli, peas, a scoop of peanut butter—sounds healthy, but doesn’t mean it covers all your dog’s needs. Dogs need specifics: calories, protein, certain fats, vitamins, and minerals we humans never really think much about. Turns out, what do vets recommend for homemade dog food starts and ends with balance.

What Do Vets Actually Recommend?

Vet-Approved Basics—Keep It Simple, Balanced, and Safe

Vets and animal nutritionists always start with this annoying advice: “Consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet.” But honestly, after reading up on expert tips (and some harsh realities about online recipes!), I get why. Most homemade recipes floating around online miss vital stuff dogs need—especially calcium, some amino acids, the right types of fat, and the right vitamins. You don’t want to wing it when it comes to your dog’s bones or immune system.

Here’s what most vets agree on for homemade dog food:

• Protein first – Dogs need lots of animal-based proteins: chicken (no bones or skin), turkey, lean beef, eggs, fish (like salmon), and sometimes lamb. Don’t skip organ meats like beef liver—nutrient goldmines, apparently! (veterinarian approved recipes)
• Carbs & fiber – Brown rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and some oats are go-tos. They keep tummies full and digestion working smoothly.
• Veggies – Carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, broccoli. Cook or steam them—raw can cause issues for some pups. (Skip onions, avocado, grapes… the vet’s “no-go” list is important!)
• Healthy fats – Some coconut or olive oil, a bit of fish oil for omega-3s, or the fats from eggs and chicken skin (in moderation). Shiny coats and happy joints, here we come.
• Calcium supplement – This one is huge. Most homemade diets miss calcium. Crush eggshells (bake first to kill bacteria) or grab a dog-specific supplement like Balance It or a veterinarian blend online. Your dog’s bones literally depend on it. (fresh dog food how-to)

For a step-by-step on small-batch, budget-friendly recipes, peek at these Simple homemade dog food ideas for small dogs.

Who Should Skip Homemade?

Don’t hate me for saying it, but if you’ve got a puppy under a year old, or a pregnant or nursing mama dog, DIY isn’t the best option—at least not without a legit animal nutritionist helping you out. Puppies and new moms have super specific requirements for growing bones and making milk. Vets warn this is NOT the time for experimenting in your kitchen.

For healthy adult dogs, though, you’ve got flexibility—and honestly, peace of mind, knowing what you feed is totally under your control. If you ever get stuck, the Easy homemade dog food ideas for small dogs guide is a lifesaver for inspiration (and sanity) when you get “menu fatigue.”

The Best Ingredients on a Budget

Protein Tips from My (Occasionally Messy) Kitchen

Let me drag you into my reality for a moment… my local grocery always marks down chicken thighs, turkey on clearance, beef on “last chance” for the day. That’s my time to buy, batch cook, and freeze. Eggs? Well, I always say: “If it works for breakfast, it’ll work for the dog, too.”

Oh, and organ meat: Toss a half pound of liver into a big batch. It’s cheap, nutrient-rich, and dogs go nuts for it. My dog—usually suspicious of anything green—literally drools when there’s liver in the mix.

Balancing Carbs and Veggies (Not Just Plain Rice!)

Brown rice is my standby, but sometimes I’ll switch in sweet potato or old-fashioned oats. Don’t be afraid to swap and match with what’s on sale. My most frugal friends swear by saving veggie trimmings from family meals (think carrot ends, broccoli stems), steaming, and mixing them right in.

Here’s a no-fuss, vet-inspired “base” I use for a week’s worth of meals (serves one medium dog, adjust for size):

• 3 pounds ground turkey or chicken (or whatever protein is cheapest this week)
• 2 cups brown rice
• 1.5 cups chopped carrots, green beans, or peas (whatever’s on hand)
• 1 tablespoon fish oil or a spoon of coconut oil
• Half cup chicken liver or beef liver, finely chopped (optional, but so good!)
• 4 cups water
• Crushed baked eggshells or a store-bought supplement for calcium

Cook everything in a big pot until it’s no longer pink and the rice is soft, then stir in your oil and cooled eggshells. Done. Freeze portions. Mix with kibble if you’re nervous about jumping in 100%.

(If you’re feeling fancy, add a scoop of pumpkin puree—great for digestion. For more, check out these Easy homemade dog food ideas for small dogs where batch-cooking is king.)

A Few Pitfalls and How to Dodge Them

Common Homemade Dog Food Mistakes… And How Not to Repeat Mine

Ever mixed up a batch of food, only to have your pup turn up their nose, or worse, get the digestive zoomies? Happens. But usually it’s one of these common flubs:

• No calcium supplement? Your dog’s body will literally borrow calcium out of their bones if you skimp on this. Learn from me… my vet gave me “the look.”
• Forgetting variety: Mixing up proteins and veggies keeps things balanced—and your dog interested.
• Adding unsafe foods: Anything with garlic, onions, raisins, or chocolate is a hard pass. Keep that stuff far away.

My favorite hack? Occasionally swap in tinned salmon (bones removed) for a dose of omega-3s. And when in doubt, go plain and simple. Your dog doesn’t need “gourmet.” They just want love—in a bowl. Want to go even thriftier? There are recipes built for tiny appetites: Simple homemade dog food ideas for small dogs is packed with portion-friendly tips.

Supplements: The Quiet MVPs of Frugal Dog Food

Don’t Skimp Where It Matters

Let’s have a heart-to-heart: You can do all the right things and STILL come up short if you skip supplements. Most experts (and, trust me, enough exasperated vets to fill a conference room) agree calcium and some trace minerals just don’t show up in enough quantity from people-food alone. Bite the bullet and add a supplement—your pup’s future self will thank you.

• A crushed eggshell, baked and ground, about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of meat, is a free hack for calcium. (I keep a jar beside the stove. You’re welcome!)
• If you want “set-and-forget” nutrition, Balance It or other vet-blend supplements are great, not crazy expensive, and cover those tricky-to-fill gaps.

Want to see how the pros do it? Real-life recipes from Dr. Karen Becker’s veterinarian approved formulas echo this—simple proteins, one veg, a few supplements, that’s it.

Real-Life Frugal Stories

Friends Who’ve Made It Work (and a Few “Oops” Tales)

A friend of mine tried feeding his goldendoodle only chicken, peas, carrots, and rice for months. The savings were great—until the dog started itching like mad. Turns out, variety (and a fish oil supplement) fixed it. He never looked back. Another neighbor’s chihuahua turned dinner into a staring contest, refusing anything green. Adding a tablespoon of shredded cheese did the trick and suddenly… dinner disappeared in a flash.

Lots of people start out worried it’s fancy or time-consuming. I always say, try a week. Start with partial batches or freeze meal portions. Your grocery receipts—and your dog’s wiggling little butt—will show you the payoff in no time. If you feel stuck, there’s no shame in copying templates from Easy homemade dog food ideas for small dogs to build out your own “menu rotation.”

Let’s Wrap This Up, Friend

Stepping into homemade dog food is like switching from instant coffee to a fresh cup. It takes a little extra effort—but hot dang, the flavor and savings are worth it. The big lesson in what do vets recommend for homemade dog food? It’s all about balance. Mix up your proteins, choose a couple budget-friendly carbs and veggies, toss in a bit of oil or fish, and don’t—seriously, don’t—skip that calcium supplement.

Start small if you want. Try mixing homemade food half-and-half with kibble to ease your dog into the new menu. Keep an eye on energy, weight, and that tail-wagging enthusiasm. Adjust as you go. Talk to your vet if you’re making a big switch or have a pup with special health needs. And share your wins! There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re saving cash, getting creative in the kitchen, and giving your four-legged goofball something made with love.

Take a chance, try a batch, and let me know—what did your dog think? Did you end up saving more than you hoped? What delights or disasters did you hit along the way? I’ll be cheering for every perfectly licked-clean bowl.