Homemade Dog Food: 7-Day Meal Plan With Shopping List

Ever caught your pup giving you those sad eyes while you’re cooking dinner? I have, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. After years of pouring kibble into a bowl, I decided to try my hand at homemade dog food—and holy cow (or should I say holy chicken?), the difference was incredible! My furry friend went from politely accepting dinner to doing actual happy dances around the kitchen.

But I get it—making dog food sounds like yet another chore to add to your never-ending to-do list. That’s why I’ve put together this super practical 7-day meal plan with a shopping list that’ll make the whole process painless. Trust me, your dog will thank you with extra tail wags and sloppy kisses.

Why Homemade Dog Food? Is It Really Worth It?

Let’s cut to the chase—homemade dog food isn’t just some fancy trend for pet parents with too much time on their hands. There are some serious benefits:

Complete control over ingredients: Ever actually read the ingredient list on commercial dog food? Some of that stuff sounds like it belongs in a chemistry lab, not your dog’s dinner bowl. When you make food at home, you know exactly what’s going into your pup’s tummy.

Customization for your dog’s specific needs: Got a dog with allergies? A senior pup with joint issues? A chunky boy who needs to slim down? You can tailor homemade meals to address specific health concerns.

Fresher, more nutrient-dense food: Commercial dog food can sit on shelves for months (or even years—yikes!). Fresh food = more nutrients and better health.

Stronger bond with your pup: There’s something special about preparing food for someone you love—even if that someone has four legs and terrible breath.

Of course, there’s a catch (isn’t there always?). Making dog food requires some understanding of canine nutrition. Dogs need specific nutrients in specific amounts to stay healthy. Don’t worry, though—I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!

The Nutritional Basics: What Your Dog Actually Needs

Before we dive into the meal plan, let’s talk basics. Your dog’s food needs to have:

Protein: This is the big one. Dogs are primarily carnivores (though not strictly), and they need plenty of animal protein. We’re talking chicken, beef, turkey, fish—the good stuff.

Complex carbohydrates: While dogs don’t absolutely need carbs, moderate amounts of complex carbs like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oats provide valuable energy and fiber.

Healthy fats: Fats aren’t the enemy! Your dog needs them for energy, cell structure, and nutrient absorption. Think fish oil, coconut oil, and the natural fats in meat.

Vitamins and minerals: Just like us, dogs need their vitamins and minerals. This is where fruits and veggies come in—they’re nutrient powerhouses!

Calcium and phosphorus: Crucial for bone health. This is often the most overlooked nutrient in homemade diets and can lead to serious health issues if neglected.

A quick heads-up: I’m not a veterinary nutritionist (shocking, I know), so before making any dramatic changes to your dog’s diet, have a chat with your vet. This is especially important for puppies, seniors, or dogs with existing health conditions.

The 7-Day Meal Plan: Tasty, Balanced, and Dog-Approved

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! Here’s a week’s worth of homemade dog food recipes. Each day provides a balanced meal that you can adjust based on your dog’s size and needs.

Day 1: Classic Chicken & Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped green beans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, cook ground chicken until no longer pink.
3. Add chopped vegetables and continue cooking until veggies are soft.
4. Mix in cooked rice and olive oil.
5. Allow to cool completely before serving.
6. Add calcium supplement right before serving.

This meal is super gentle on sensitive tummies and great for dogs transitioning from commercial food. My pup literally does circles when he smells this cooking—it’s his absolute favorite!

Day 2: Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 1 apple, cored and cubed (no seeds!)
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef in a large pot until browned.
2. Add sweet potato cubes and enough water to cover.
3. Simmer until sweet potato is tender (about 15 minutes).
4. Add apple and spinach, cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Stir in ground flaxseed.
6. Cool completely before serving.
7. Add calcium supplement before serving.

This stew is packed with antioxidants from the spinach and apple. Plus, the sweet potato provides great fiber for digestive health.

Day 3: Tasty Turkey & Quinoa

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
2. In a separate pan, cook ground turkey until no longer pink.
3. Add zucchini and cook until tender.
4. Mix in cooked quinoa and coconut oil.
5. Once cooled, stir in fresh blueberries.
6. Add calcium supplement before serving.

Quinoa is a complete protein and much easier for dogs to digest than wheat. The blueberries add a powerful antioxidant punch that helps with brain health. My dog was skeptical about the blueberries at first but now he gobbles them up like treats!

Day 4: Fish & Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds white fish fillets (cod or tilapia work well)
• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1 tablespoon fish oil
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Bake fish at 350°F for about 20 minutes until flaky.
2. Meanwhile, boil sweet potato cubes until tender.
3. Steam kale and peas until soft.
4. Mix all ingredients together, flaking the fish.
5. Add fish oil.
6. Cool completely before serving.
7. Add calcium supplement before serving.

This recipe is amazing for dogs with skin issues or allergies. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish work wonders for coat health. Fair warning: this one’s a bit smelly during preparation, but your dog will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.

Day 5: Lamb & Lentils

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground lamb
• 1 cup red lentils (uncooked)
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped broccoli (stems only, no florets)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook lentils according to package instructions.
2. In a separate pan, cook ground lamb until browned.
3. Add carrots and broccoli stems, cooking until tender.
4. Mix in cooked lentils and olive oil.
5. Cool completely before serving.
6. Add calcium supplement before serving.

Lamb is a great option for dogs with chicken or beef allergies. Lentils provide plant-based protein and tons of fiber. Just a heads-up—some dogs might get a little gassy when they first try lentils. You’ve been warned! 🙂

Day 6: Pork & Pumpkin

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground pork
• 2 cups canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!)
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 apple, cored and cubed
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook ground pork until no longer pink.
2. Mix in cooked brown rice, pumpkin, and apple cubes.
3. Stir in ground flaxseed.
4. Cool completely before serving.
5. Add calcium supplement before serving.

Pumpkin is a digestive superstar for dogs. It helps with both constipation and diarrhea (weird, right?). This meal is my go-to whenever my dog’s tummy seems a little off.

Day 7: Chicken & Oats

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup steel-cut oats (uncooked)
• 1 cup chopped green beans
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon calcium supplement

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken thighs in the oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes.
2. Cook steel-cut oats according to package instructions.
3. Steam green beans until tender.
4. Dice cooked chicken into small pieces.
5. Mix chicken, oats, and green beans together.
6. Add coconut oil and mix well.
7. Once cooled, mix in blueberries.
8. Add calcium supplement before serving.

Oats are fantastic for dogs who need help maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. The chicken thighs provide a bit more fat than breast meat, making this meal extra satisfying for active dogs.

Portion Sizes: How Much Should You Actually Feed?

Ever tried to decipher the feeding instructions on commercial dog food? “Feed 1/4 to 3 cups depending on your dog’s size, activity level, and the current phase of the moon.” Super helpful, right? 🙄

Here’s a more practical approach to portion sizes for homemade dog food:

Small dogs (under 20 lbs): About 1/2 to 3/4 cup per meal, twice daily Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): About 1 to 2 cups per meal, twice daily Large dogs (50-100 lbs): About 2 to 3 cups per meal, twice daily Giant breeds (over 100 lbs): About 3 to 4 cups per meal, twice daily

These are starting points! Watch your dog’s body condition and adjust accordingly. You should be able to feel (but not see) your dog’s ribs. If you’re noticing your pup packing on pounds, reduce portions slightly. If they’re looking a bit skinny, increase them.

The Ultimate Shopping List

Alright, let’s make this super practical. Here’s your shopping list for the entire 7-day meal plan:

Proteins:

• 4 pounds ground chicken
• 2 pounds chicken thighs
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 pounds white fish fillets
• 2 pounds ground lamb
• 2 pounds ground pork

Carbohydrates:

• 2 cups brown rice
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 4 sweet potatoes

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 2 cups carrots
• 2 cups green beans
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup zucchini
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 apples
• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 cup broccoli stems
• 2 cups canned pure pumpkin

Fats and Supplements:

• 1 bottle olive oil
• 1 jar coconut oil
• 1 bottle fish oil
• Ground flaxseed
• Calcium supplement (crucial – don’t skip this!)

Pro tip: You can often find better deals on meat when you buy in bulk. I usually stock up when things go on sale and freeze portions for later use. The frozen meat sections sometimes have better deals than the fresh meat counter, too!

Storage and Meal Prep: Make Your Life Easier

Let’s be real—you probably don’t want to cook fresh dog food every single day. I sure don’t! Here’s how to make this sustainable:

Batch cooking: I typically make 3-4 days’ worth of food at once. Portion it out into daily servings and refrigerate.

Freezing: You can freeze portions for up to 3 months. I use silicone muffin trays to freeze individual portions—perfect for smaller dogs!

Storage containers: Glass containers work best for refrigerated food. They don’t hold odors like plastic does.

Defrosting: Move frozen portions to the fridge 24 hours before you need them. Never microwave frozen dog food—it heats unevenly and can create hot spots that burn your pup’s mouth.

Safe handling: Treat your dog’s food with the same food safety precautions you use for your own meals. Wash hands before and after handling, don’t leave food out for more than an hour, and keep preparation surfaces clean.

Transitioning Your Dog: Don’t Rush It!

Excited to start? I get it! But hang on a second—switching your dog’s food too quickly is a recipe for digestive disaster. Trust me on this one; I learned the hard way (and had to clean up the evidence).

Here’s a safe transition schedule:

Days 1-2: 75% current food, 25% homemade food
Days 3-4: 50% current food, 50% homemade food
Days 5-6: 25% current food, 75% homemade food
Day 7: 100% homemade food

Watch for signs of digestive upset like vomiting or diarrhea. If you notice any issues, slow down the transition. Some dogs (especially those with sensitive stomachs) might need up to two weeks to fully transition.

Common Concerns and Questions: Let’s Address Them

“Is homemade dog food really better than premium commercial food?”

It depends! High-quality commercial foods are nutritionally complete and super convenient. Homemade food gives you control and freshness but requires more work to ensure it’s balanced. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.

“Will this be more expensive than buying dog food?”

Probably, yes. Quality ingredients cost money. However, many pet parents find that improved health means fewer vet bills in the long run. It’s about priorities and what works for your budget.

“What about supplements? Are they really necessary?”

Absolutely! The calcium supplement in particular is non-negotiable. Without it, your dog could develop serious bone problems over time. Multivitamins designed for dogs can also help ensure you’re covering all nutritional bases.

“Can I substitute ingredients my dog doesn’t like?”

Of course! Just make sure you’re substituting within the same food group—protein for protein, veggie for veggie, etc. If your dog hates sweet potatoes, try regular potatoes or butternut squash instead.

“Is raw food better than cooked?”

That’s a whole different article! Both have pros and cons. Raw diets can preserve certain nutrients but carry more risk of bacterial contamination. For beginners, I recommend starting with cooked food, which is what this meal plan features.

The Bottom Line: Is Homemade Dog Food Right for You?

Making your dog’s food isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally fine! It requires time, research, and commitment. But if you’re:

• Concerned about pet food quality and recalls
• Dealing with a dog who has specific health issues or allergies
• Willing to put in some extra time for your furry best friend
• Interested in strengthening your bond with your dog

…then it might be worth giving homemade dog food a try.

Start with this 7-day plan and see how it goes. You might find that you want to do a hybrid approach—homemade food a few days a week, high-quality commercial food the rest of the time. That’s what I did when I first started, and it worked great for both me and my pup.

Remember, the best diet for your dog is one that keeps them healthy AND fits into your lifestyle. Because a stressed-out, overwhelmed pet parent isn’t good for anyone—especially your dog.

Now go on and get cooking! Your furry friend is waiting for their gourmet meal, and those puppy dog eyes are hard to resist. Let me know in the comments how your homemade dog food journey goes—I’d love to hear about your experiences!