We recently made the switch to feeding Benny homemade dog food! He was previously on puppy chow, but as he gets older we want to be sure he is getting the best possible nutrition and ingredients we can give him. He is our SON after all ;). I’ve seen a ton of people sharing how their dog lived a longer, healthier life due to eating homemade dog food. It makes sense, considering how most dog food is made with preservatives and fillers in order to keep it from going bad. We are still weening him off of his puppy chow, by adding a little more homemade dog food into his meal each time he eats. I don’t want him getting the runs so we are taking it slow LOL. Here is the recipe I used below, and I plan to tweak it from time to time to make sure he is getting a well rounded and balanced diet.

*Keep in mind this is not dietary advice - make sure to check with your vet before making any major changes to your pet's diet.

This meal plan is formulated for a 24lb golden retriever puppy. It makes just over a week’s supply - granted Benny eats 3 meals a day as he is a growing puppy. You can double the recipe as needed. I keep up to 4 days worth of his meals in the fridge, and the rest in the freezer until I need them.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground turkey (or lean ground beef)

• 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as carrots, green beans, sweet potato, and broccoli)

• 1 cup of cooked brown rice

• 1 tablespoon of fish oil

• 1 multivitamin supplement formulated for puppies

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is fully cooked.

2. While the turkey is cooking, steam the mixed vegetables until they are tender.

3. Combine the cooked turkey, steamed vegetables, and cooked brown rice in a large mixing bowl.

4. Add the fish oil and multivitamin supplement to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine.

Another cooking option is to just throw all of the meat, vegetables, and rice into a crockpot with 2 cups of water and cook on high for 6 hours. After its cooked, add the multivitamin powder and fish oil.

We also give Benny the occasional healthy snack - he loves apples, celery, carrots, and canned pumpkin.

More information:

Protein: 25% of the diet should consist of protein from sources like lean meats such as chicken, turkey, beef, or fish. Make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly and free from bones.

Vegetables: 50% of the diet should consist of vegetables such as carrots, green beans, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. Vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that your puppy needs.

Grains: 25% of the diet can consist of whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, or oats. These provide carbohydrates and fiber that your puppy needs for energy and digestive health.

Fats: You can add healthy fats such as fish oil, flaxseed oil, or coconut oil to your puppy's diet to support their coat and skin health.

Supplements: You may want to include a multivitamin supplement that is formulated for puppies to ensure they are getting all of the essential nutrients they need.