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Writer's pictureKarley

How to Make Just Food for Dogs DIY Homemade Food

If you’re anyone like me, you hear DIY homemade dog food and you may run in the opposite direction. Doesn’t it take forever? I would rather spend the extra money for convenience. What if I mess it up and they end up malnourished?


In truth, DIY homemade fresh dog food can actually be simple.  


You don’t need to overcomplicate things with doing Ph.d. level research on what is best for your dog’s needs to be able to make the most nutritious meals for your dog. Just Food for Dogs has an easy-to-use guide for purchasing ingredients and making the recipe that can last you for months.  


According to the Just Food for Dog’s website, they boast that “We make cooking at home for your dog easy! You supply the whole-food ingredients, we supply the recipe and shopping guide, the nutritionally balanced nutrient blend, and easy-to-follow cooking instructions.” 

Just Food for Dogs product description for homemade DIY recipe meals

The website offers 6 dog food recipes to choose from: chicken and rice, beef and potato, turkey and macaroni, fish and potato, lamb and brown rice, and venison and squash.  


Speaking from experience, I would recommend trying the macaroni and turkey recipe first if this is your first time DIYing food or if this is your dog’s first time having fresh food. My dogs and foster dogs seem to have the best transition with turkey and macaroni, but I have heard of success with other fosters in using the chicken and rice recipe first. Both are easy to digest and offer the best nutrients for adult dogs.  


For those who are more experienced and looking for something new, the fish recipe is great for dogs trying to lose weight and the lamb recipe is good for picky eaters.  


Where to begin? 


Use Just Food for Dog’s Feeding Calculator or browse their products under “Shop”. They

Just food for Dogs feeding calculator to determine which recipe is best for the dog

have a few tabs that help guide your choice on what meal you want to prepare for your dog. Be it Venison & Squash for skin + coat support, Fish & Sweet Potato for weight management, or Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni for picky eaters, they have designed each recipe with a health goal and stage of life in mind.  


Once you have determined which recipe you want to make, you can purchase the base vitamin pack on their website and you can buy the fresh ingredients from the store or butchery. Essentially, you just need to cook the meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates to then store it in your freezer until it is ready to be consumed.  


It is also recommended to buy the nutrient blend and omega supplement to ensure your dog is getting all the nutrients it needs to be happy and healthy. Think of it like taking a daily vitamin when you add in their nutrient blend and omega supplement.  

Just food for dogs nutrient blend and omega plus bundle at a low cost to give your dog the best homemade fresh food

 

For a small batch, you’ll need 2 pounds 8 ounces of ground turkey (85% lean/15% fat), 1.25 ounces of turkey liver, 1 pound 4 ounces of whole wheat macaroni, 2.5 ounces of carrots, 2.5 ounces of zucchini, 2.5 ounces of broccoli, 1.25 ounces of cranberries, 2.5 teaspoons of Just Food for Dogs Omega Plus Fish Oil, and 3.75 teaspoons of Just Food for Dogs Macaroni and Turkey DIY Nutrient Blend.  


Preparation 

  1. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but if one or two items are purchased frozen (may add as is), make sure there are no added ingredients such as salt or sugar. 

  1. Prepare a one-quart ice bath. Once the macaroni is cooked, the ice will be used to cool it and to stop the cooking process, so it retains its texture. 


Cooking 

  1. In a nonstick skillet, brown the turkey and turkey liver over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Add carrots, zucchini, broccoli and cranberries while turkey is still slightly pink. Continue to cook until turkey is fully cooked and vegetables are soft. Do not drain. Let the mixture cool until it is warm to the touch. 

  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Once cooked, add ice to stop the cooking process and drain. Let cool. 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all cooled ingredients, including Omega Plus Fish Oil. Slowly sprinkle in DIY Nutrient Blend until fully incorporated. 

  1. Portion into individual serving sizes and store in the freezer or refrigerator. Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months. 

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