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Home-Made Broth for Dog Food

  How to Make Homemade Broth for Your Dog’s Food Many dog food recipes do not include broth as a necessary ingredient. You don't   have  to make homemade broth for your dog food, but I personally found that if I wanted Dezzzzi to eat the rice and vegetables portion of the food, I needed to do everything in my power to make them as delectable as possible.  Once I started cooking them in homemade broth, she started cleaning her plate. Before, she would either pick out the vegetables or rice as best as she could, or she would only eat half of the meal and leave the rest (hoping I would add something special to convince her to eat the rest). While I am definitely not stingy with treats and toppings, I didn't feel good about her eating food that had been sitting out all day.  It was my experimentation with different ways of cooking her food to get her to eat all of it (cause the nutrients!) that let me to making broth at home and using it to add more flavor....
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Homemade Dog Food: Benefits, Nutrition Tips, and Why It Might Be Better for Your Dog

If you’ve ever questioned what’s really inside commercial kibble, you’re not alone. Over the years, I have been surprised by how many pet-owners I've met that swear by home-made food as the reason for their pet's health and longevity. Nowadays, with the rise of microplastics, I no longer question it! 

Not all commercial dog foods are created equal. While some brands are high quality, others use lower-grade ingredients to reduce costs. Don't just take my word for it, though. Do a search yourself using the keywords "canine AND processed food" and see what you find (be sure to check for conflicts of interest the author(s) may have).

Within just 5 minutes, I found:

This isn't to villainize commercial pet food companies. In fact, we still include store-bought dog food as part of our feeding routine.  As a consumer, you just have to be informed about the products you purchase and make sure you're making the best choices you can to fit your needs. 

For us, the desire to incorporate more whole, nutrient dense foods into Dezzzzi's diet, decrease the amount of microplastics from the processing process, improve the taste, and cut down on costs while accommodating our time and storage needs led us to choose a 1/2 and 1/2 approach. 

To understand why we made this choice, let’s look at the benefits of homemade dog food and what you need to know so you can make the best choice for your family.

1. You Control Every Ingredient

One of the biggest benefits of homemade dog food is transparency. When you make your own dog food, you know exactly what’s in your dog’s bowl. There are no artificial preservatives, no mystery byproducts, and no fillers you can’t identify.

Instead, meals can include:

  • Lean meats like chicken, turkey, or beef

  • Fresh vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and green beans

  • Whole grains like brown rice

  • Healthy fats from fish oil or flaxseed

This level of control is what gives me some piece of mind. For humans as well as dogs, if you put good in, you get good out. 

2. Higher Ingredient Quality

The Veterinary Cancer Society reports cancer as the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs, especially in older dogs. While I'm sure the causes are multifactorial, I am also confident that contaminants, such as pesticides and microplastics, also play a large part in health issues. 

With homemade dog food, you choose the quality. You can:

  • Select fresh, whole ingredients

  • Buy organic if preferred

  • Avoid highly processed additives

  • Choose human-grade meats

Better ingredients often mean better digestion and nutrient absorption. Dr. Duncan Houston has an amazing post detailing how natural food has increased bioavailability in animals. 

3. Customized Nutrition for Your Dog

Every dog has different dietary needs. Age, breed, weight, activity level, and medical conditions all matter.

Homemade dog food allows you to tailor meals for:

  • Food allergies or sensitivities

  • Weight loss or weight gain

  • Senior dogs with joint issues

  • Puppies with higher protein needs

  • Dogs with digestive problems

For example, if your dog has frequent itching or ear infections, you can eliminate common allergens and monitor improvements. If your dog needs to lose weight, you can control calories more precisely than with many commercial options.

That said, homemade meals must be balanced. Dogs require proper levels of protein, fat, calcium, vitamins, and trace minerals. Always consult a veterinarian or canine nutritionist before switching diets. We created my go-to recipe for Dezzzzi's home-made dog food by combining information I found in several books written by canine nutritionists and online sources written by veterinarians. 

Even though we add mineral and vitamin supplements to her food, the fact that we include 1/2 a serving of high quality commercial dog food hopefully ensures Dezzzzi is getting all the nutrients she needs. 

4. Fewer Food Allergies and Sensitivities

We had switched to Grain-Free dog food at one time because we thought it was better. Turns out legumes were giving Dezzzzi heart issues! Thankfully our veterinarian figured it out and her issues abated after we eliminated legumes from both her commercial food AND her home-made food (that included quinoa!). 

Food sensitivities are, unfortunately, common in dogs. Symptoms often include:

  • Excessive scratching

  • Hot spots

  • Digestive upset

  • Chronic ear infections

Many commercial dog foods contain common allergens or unnecessary additives. By making your own dog food, you can eliminate problem ingredients and introduce new foods slowly.

This controlled approach makes it easier to identify triggers and create a diet that works.

5. Improved Taste and Appetite

Some dogs are picky eaters. Freshly cooked meals usually smell and taste better than dry kibble. Not only that, but by switching up the vegetables and proteins, you can add variety to your dog's culinary life. 

If your dog regularly skips meals or needs toppers to eat kibble, homemade dog food may solve that problem.

6. Potential Long-Term Health Benefits

While every dog is different, owners who switch to healthy homemade dog food often report improvements such as:

  • Shinier coats

  • Healthier skin

  • More stable weight

  • Better digestion

  • Increased energy

Whole, minimally processed ingredients may support overall wellness when properly balanced.

Keep in mind that homemade does not automatically mean healthier. A poorly balanced recipe can lead to deficiencies. Planning is essential.

7. Stronger Bond Through Care

Cooking for your dog adds an intentional element to their care. Preparing weekly meals becomes part of your routine. I can't speak for all dogs, but Dezzzzi really does seem to appreciate the extra effort we put into her health and its rewarding in itself just to see her clean her plate every day.

I batch cook her meals once a month.  It requires time, but it also reinforces the responsibility and connection I have with my pet (let's be real, she's more than a pet; she's family).


Things to Consider Before Making Homemade Dog Food

Before switching, consider:

  • Time required for meal prep

  • Proper storage and refrigeration

  • Cost of quality ingredients

  • Nutritional planning

Never feed only chicken and rice long term. Dogs need calcium, essential fatty acids, and specific micronutrients to stay healthy.

Consult your veterinarian for a complete and balanced recipe tailored to your dog. If you have a great veterinarian, s/he will be willing to take a look at your recipe and provide you with some feedback. 

I am planning to write a post detailing my recipe sources and documenting my process step-by-step for those interested in my personal routine. Stay tuned! For my chicken broth recipe, click here.


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