What can I cook for my dog?

Many pet owners want to supplement their dog's kibble with home-cooked meals, whether to provide more variety, more hydration, or simply because they enjoy cooking for their pets. This can be done safely, but there are important precautions to consider. In this article, we explain what you can cook, how to do it correctly, and what you should always avoid.

Why home-cooked food needs care

Unlike cats, dogs are omnivores, which gives them more dietary flexibility—they can benefit from nutrients in animal protein, as well as from carbohydrates and vegetables. Still, this doesn't mean any home-cooked meal will do. An unplanned home-cooked diet tends to be unbalanced in essential calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and minerals, especially if it doesn't include a calcium source equivalent to that found in commercial kibble. Therefore, any home-cooked diet used regularly, and not just as an occasional supplement, should ideally be planned with the support of a vet or animal nutritionist.

Safe foods to cook for your dog

Chicken, turkey, and beef, boneless and well-cooked, are among the most common and well-tolerated options. Fish can also be included occasionally, always well-cooked and boneless. Cooked eggs are a good source of additional protein and can be offered a few times a week.

Regarding carbohydrates, cooked white rice, sweet potato, and common potato (always cooked, never raw) are well-tolerated and easy to digest. Vegetables like carrots, peas, pumpkin, and green beans, boiled and cut into small pieces, can be included as a supplement, but never as the base of the meal.

How to cook correctly

Always cook meat without salt, seasonings, or any type of sauce. Do not use garlic or onion in any quantity. Make sure the meat is well-cooked and boneless—unlike raw diets, cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, creating a serious risk of perforation or intestinal obstruction.

Always let the food cool down before serving, and cut the meat and vegetables into pieces appropriate for your dog's size. Portions not consumed immediately should be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of two to three days, or frozen in individual portions.

Supplements that are usually necessary

The biggest gap in home-cooked diets for dogs is usually calcium, as meat alone has very little, and commercial kibble is formulated to compensate for this. If home-cooked food is used regularly, and not just occasionally, it is usually necessary to supplement calcium (for example, with calcium carbonate or crushed eggshell, always with dosage indications from the vet) and, sometimes, also fish oil for omega-3.

Without this supplementation, a home-cooked diet used long-term can lead to deficiencies that only become visible months later, through bone or joint problems. If you use this type of food as a supplement to kibble, you don't need to worry.

Foods you should never give your dog

Onion, garlic, leeks, and shallots, cooked or raw, are toxic to dogs and can damage red blood cells. Chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, raw yeast dough, alcohol, and caffeine are equally dangerous, even in small amounts. Also avoid giving cooked bones, due to the risk of splintering, and always season your dog's food without salt, as excess sodium is not suitable for the canine body.

When to talk to the vet before changing the diet

Before partially or completely replacing your dog's kibble with home-cooked food, talk to your vet, especially if your dog is a growing puppy, a senior, or has any diagnosed health condition, such as kidney or pancreatic problems. A vet or animal nutritionist can help calculate the correct proportions of each ingredient and confirm which supplements are necessary to ensure a complete and balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my dog cooked chicken every day? Yes, cooked chicken without bone, skin, and seasoning is one of the safest options and can be part of a dog's regular diet, as long as the diet as a whole is balanced and, if it is the main food source, supplemented.

Does home-cooked food completely replace my dog's kibble? It can replace it, but only if it is correctly planned and supplemented, usually with the support of a veterinary nutritionist, to ensure the dog receives all essential nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus in adequate proportions.

Can I give my dog bones if they are cooked? No. Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, creating a serious risk of injury to the mouth, esophagus, or intestines. If you want to give bones, seek veterinary advice on safe options.

Can dogs eat rice or sweet potato? Yes, cooked and unseasoned, they are well-tolerated by most dogs and can be part of a meal, but they should not replace animal protein as the base of the diet.

Why is calcium so important in home-cooked diets for dogs? Because meat alone has very little calcium, and commercial kibble is formulated to compensate for this deficiency. Without adequate supplementation, a home-cooked diet used long-term can lead to bone deficiencies, especially in growing puppies.

Can I give my dog my food scraps? It is not recommended as a regular practice, as food prepared for humans usually contains salt, seasonings, onion, garlic, or other ingredients harmful to dogs. Prefer to prepare separate, simple, and unseasoned portions specifically for your pet.