Just like you would follow a recipe for your family dinner, your pup will appreciate a home-cooked meal as well; probably even more than your kids. A raw diet for your pet is a commitment, especially if you’re preparing from scratch. Recipes to follow are super helpful and keeps the prep work and your dog’s meals exciting, fresh, and creative.

Make sure to check with your vet so you can feel confident your dog’s getting balanced and nutritious meals. Many recipes are going to give you different measurements and reasonings behind them, but remember every dog’s not the same breed, age, or weight.

There are endless recipes that your dog will love and we’ve scoured the internet so you don’t have to. Here are five recipes that check all the balanced and nutritious boxes so you can feel great about what’s in your dog’s bowl.

All these recipes can be served fresh or frozen. Remember not to leave raw meat out too long and always wash out your pet’s bowl to prevent the spreading of bacteria.

Recipe #1:

This first recipe comes to us care of DogsNaturallyMagazine.com and is very simple. It’s a good one to start with if you just recently put on your raw food diet chef’s hat.

• Chicken thighs or breasts (35%-50%)
  • Easy to purchase at your local supermarket
  • Meat that you most likely already have in the house
  • Full of protein and a staple for your dog’s balanced diet
• Chicken hearts and liver (10%-30%)
  • You most likely do not have this lying around 
  • Build a relationship with your butcher to supply what you need
  • Compared to regular cuts of muscle meat, organ meats are more densely packed with just about every nutrient, including heavy doses of B vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
• Ground chicken bone (12%-15%)
  • Easier than you think to make
  • You can also purchase pre-grinded animal bone online
• Raw or lightly boiled chicken eggs (5%)
  • Something easy to grab from the fridge
• Organic carrots (5%-20%)
• Organic green beans (5%-20%)

Recipe #2:

This next recipe comes to us from Topdogtips.com. They call this one “Chicken and turkey with a fish twist”. Are you getting hungry yet?

• Ground chicken and turkey bones (12%-15%)
  • Again, easy to do on your own or can be bought pre-made
• Herring (35%–50%)
  • A wonderful source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and essential oils
  • Great for people too
• Chicken and turkey hearts and liver (10%–30%)
  • Ask your butcher to supply these muscle meats as they are an important factor in your dog’s raw diet
• Lightly boiled chicken eggs (5%)
  • This protects against Salmonella
• Organic spinach (5%–10%)
  • Just like Popeye, your dog will get strong with this high vitamin and mineral vegetable
• Chickpeas or garbanzo beans (5%–10%)
  • You probably have a can or two in your pantry already
  • They provide a large amount of natural fiber

Recipe #3:

Thank you to Runningtothekitchen.com for this great recipe and for sharing tips on recipe portions and best practices.

• Ground Beef (2 ½ pounds)
  • Easy enough to purchase or find at home
• Chicken livers (4 ounces)
  • If you like chopped liver or liver and onions, this will be familiar to you
  • If not, just ask your butcher
• Chopped carrot (1)
• Small cored apple (1)
  • Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide and should not be consumed by pets or humans
• Baby spinach (1/2 cup)
• 2 whole eggs (including shell)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Recipe #4:

This Grandma's Meatloaf recipe comes to us from Lovetoknow.com. Now when your pup stares at you with those big brown eyes to try and snag some meatloaf off the table, you can make him his very own loaf, raw style.

• Ground beef or beef chuck (50%)
  • Again, easy to buy at your local supermarket
• 10% Beef hearts and livers (10% )
  • Give your butcher a ring
• Chicken necks (10% )
  • You can use bone meal powder if you don’t want to grind yourself 
• Coconut, olive, or flaxseed oil (10%)
  • Healthy fats give your pup energy
• Green beans (10%)
• Peas (10%)
• Egg (1)

Recipe #5:

This recipe is the most important one of all as we saved the best for last. Your recipe for raw diet prep success is going to vary, as everyone prefers different ingredients. With this particular recipe below, the components are essential and the foundation for your raw diet journey.

• Love (25%)
  • No explanation needed
• Knowledge (25%)
  • It may take a while to get in the raw diet groove but you’ll get there
  • Do your research, talk to your veterinarian, and learn as much as you can about the raw diet culture
• Support (15%)
  • Join raw diet support groups
  • It’s always nice to surround yourself with a community of like-minded pet parents you can lean on for advice, recipe ideas, and solutions
• Guts (5%)
  • Yours, not an animal’s
  • A raw diet is not for the faint of heart, so great job for trying something that’s anything but appetizing for you to ensure your dog thrives
• Patience (15%)
  • It will take time to figure out what works best for your dog’s health
  • It will take time to find the best resources for your raw ingredients
  • Some recipes may be an absolute failure while others will become your pet’s favorite meal
• Rules (15%)
  • From how to handle raw meat to a balanced diet, know the rules of the raw diet world

You’ll notice that different recipe sources have different theories, percentages of fat, calories, vitamins, and other vital ingredients. Watch your dog closely for signs they may not be thriving and always utilize your vet for guidance. Most importantly, have fun with recipes, trying your own combinations, and creating health and wellness for your pet.

Hope You Enjoyed the Read!