This week’s homemade meal for my two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Louie was his first recipe that included whole grains. Until now, all of his homemade food had been grain-free, so adding rice felt unfamiliar and required careful planning.
I initially planned to use long-grain brown rice, but only organic medium-grain rice was available, so I adjusted the recipe accordingly. The main challenge was balancing energy density while keeping carbohydrates relatively low. In this recipe, I chose to increase fat slightly rather than pushing protein higher, while closely monitoring how Louie’s digestion responded.
1. Ingredients
Protein and fat sources
Ground beef (10%) – 294 g
Chicken breast – 168 g
Egg yolk – 56 g
Plant-based and carbohydrates
Brown rice (medium grain) – 70 g
Quinoa – 28 g
Cabbage – 56 g
Carrot – 56 g
Button mushrooms – 42 g
Cauliflower – 42 g
Asparagus – 28 g
Bok choy – 28 g
Okra – 28 g
Powders and extras
Sprouted chia & flaxseed – 3.5 g
Broccoli sprouts – 1/3 tsp
Supplements
Seaweed calcium – 4.9 g
Lecithin – 7 g
Iron – 0.35 capsule
Zinc – 0.63 capsule
Copper – 1.05 capsule
Manganese – 0.11 capsule
Vitamin B12 – 0.07 capsule
Vitamin D3 – 1.75 drops
Vitamin E – 0.14 gel
Plaque control supplement – 3.5 scoops
Omega-3 – 0.5 gel
Antinol Rapid – 0.5 gel
Brown rice and quinoa should be cooked separately and added at their measured weight. If steamed together with proteins, use half the listed raw weight.
2. Nutrition Overview
Total energy: approximately 163 kcal
Designed for a 3.24 kg dog needing gentle weight recovery
Compared to previous meals, carbohydrate content is lower, protein is slightly higher, and fat is noticeably increased. This reflects the decision made during recipe planning to maintain energy density without relying heavily on grains.
3. Cooking Method
Beef, chicken, egg yolk, soaked brown rice, and quinoa are placed in the Instant Pot with enough water to fully cover the ingredients. Steam mode is used rather than porridge mode, as soaked brown rice cooks sufficiently without excess water.
4. Vegetable Preparation and Supplements
Vegetables are lightly cooked and finely chopped. Because this was Louie’s first grain-inclusive recipe, the vegetables were processed more thoroughly to support digestion.
Supplements are carefully measured, mixed evenly, portioned into cubes, and frozen for storage.
5. Final Result and Feeding
The finished food may appear quite moist, but Louie prefers meals with higher water content. Despite this being his first exposure to brown rice, he showed no hesitation and ate well.
One noticeable change since fully transitioning to homemade food is how much Louie looks forward to mealtime. His feeding routine has become calmer and more consistent, without the need for constant encouragement.
Reflections
This recipe was less about achieving a final formula and more about observing response. Louie tolerated brown rice without obvious issues, though occasional stool firmness changes appeared. Based on that, the next recipe will slightly increase rice while adjusting fat downward.
Homemade dog food is not about perfecting one recipe. It is an ongoing process of adjusting ingredients, ratios, and preparation methods while watching the dog’s response. This meal serves as a reference point for Louie’s first introduction to grains, rather than a permanent solution.