It turns out our dogs have gotten quite attached to life while we’re quarantined. They’ve become so used to us being home that they throw literal tantrums when we step out, even if it’s just to check the mail. Meanwhile, Zack has used this time to master the art of making homemade dog food for Ruby, and she’s truly loving it. Howard, on the other hand, is all about his kibble, so we let him be.
Now, Ruby absolutely needs fresh food for her health, and while it might seem a bit over the top, it’s essential for her. Ruby Tuesday is a three-year-old French Bulldog, and if you’ve ever been around a Frenchie, you know they’re not your typical dog. Not only are they very emotional, but they also come with their share of health challenges. Ruby was unfortunately born with severe skin allergies and spent the first few months of her life covered in hives. We tried everything from special vet food to creams, but switching her to a fresh food diet was the game changer for her skin.
For the past three years, we’ve been feeding her The Farmer’s Dog food, which helped keep her skin healthy. However, it was incredibly expensive, and while we felt the cost was worth Ruby’s comfort and happiness, it often felt like we were being overcharged. This is when Zack decided to start making Ruby’s food himself.
Let me be clear: this has been Zack’s project from the start, and I had no part in it. But he kindly agreed to share his process so you can try it out for your furry friends too. He invested time in research, ordered various supplements, and fine-tuned the recipe to perfection. Amazingly, it’s quite simple and costs just a fraction of what we previously spent, not to mention that it’s fresher than anything you can buy.
**Ruby’s Homemade Dog Food Recipe**
Note from Zack: This recipe yields about 11 pounds of food, which equals 5,310 calories. We often make half portions because we don’t have freezer space for 11 pounds.
The recipe is tailored to address Ruby’s skin issues, using fish as a beneficial protein. Feel free to swap the protein based on your dog’s needs, but do your homework and consult your vet if your dog has specific health conditions.
**Essential Kitchen Tools:**
– Instant Pot (optional, but highly recommended)
– Kitchen scale
**Ingredients:**
– 4 lbs 8 oz raw Pacific cod
– 3 lbs 3 oz sweet potatoes with skin, chopped small (use ripe ones without any green)
– 3 lbs 3 oz russet potatoes with skin, chopped small (use ripe ones without any green)
– 6 oz green beans, finely chopped
– 6 oz broccoli, finely chopped
– 1 cup organic pumpkin (great for digestion)
– 5.75 oz safflower oil
– 1 tbsp Animal Essentials seaweed calcium
– 6 tsp Just For Dogs ‘do it yourself’ nutrient blend powder
– 1 tsp Just Food for Dogs ‘Omega Plus’ fish oil per serving (add with her morning meal)
**Instructions:**
1. Start with the fish. Bake raw cod on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, ensuring an internal temperature of 145°F. Let it cool.
2. While the fish cooks, wash and chop all fresh veggies (do not use frozen). Chop potatoes into bite-size pieces and finely chop the green beans and broccoli.
3. If you have an Instant Pot, place all chopped veggies inside, add 1 cup of water, set to “manual” with the steam locked, and cook for 14 minutes. Without an Instant Pot, steam or boil the green beans and broccoli until soft, and boil the potatoes and sweet potatoes until soft.
4. In a large bowl, mix the cooked veggies, potatoes, and fish. Add the pumpkin, safflower oil, seaweed calcium, and nutrient blend powder.
5. Divide the mixture into individual servings in Tupperware containers. Store one batch in the fridge for 3-4 days and freeze the rest, defrosting as needed.
6. Add 1 tsp of fish oil with the morning meal, especially beneficial for Ruby’s skin.
**Feeding Guidelines:**
The general rule is to feed your dog 2-3% of their body weight. For instance, a 25 lb dog would eat up to 12 ounces daily, but adjust according to your dog’s requirements. Ruby is an active, three-year-old Frenchie, so we nearly double that amount between breakfast and dinner to maintain her ideal weight.
When starting a fresh diet, watch your dog’s weight closely. If there’s a noticeable change, adjust the portions accordingly. And don’t forget to consult your vet if you have any concerns! Our vet approved this homemade recipe before we started feeding it to Ruby.