Recipes

Beef burgers for dogs: homemade dog food recipe

Homemade dog food recipe are all the rage these days!

A lot of people are making their own dog food because they want to know exactly what is going into their pet’s food. Not only does this ensure that your pup is getting the best possible nutrition, but it can also be a whole lot cheaper than buying commercial dog food.

If you’re looking for an easy homemade dog food recipe, we’ve got you covered. Our recipe is simple and straightforward, and it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. Plus, your pup will love the taste!

I know that humans are used to frying their burgers and that’s perfectly fine. On the other hand, dogs should stay away from fried food as much as possible. These beef burgers for dogs were made by baking the patties which is such a healthy option for your dog. Also, the smell that comes out of the oven will be heaven for that good boy or girl. 🙂

The ingredients used in this recipe are dog-friendly and nutritious. Let’s talk about them for a second and also answer some common questions (that I had and you might too) before making this recipe:

Ground beef and Liver give your dog protein: 

You can always substitute the liver for ground chicken or other types of meat. Just make sure you always choose meat with the least amount of fat.

Rolled oats are great for dogs (and not just humans):

Oats are a great source of fiber for your dog, but the key here is moderation. I only included ½ of a cup for the entire recipe, meaning you shouldn’t go overboard when feeding oats to your dog. A safe measure would be 1 tbsp of oats per serving for a 20 lb dog.

Are blueberries safe for dogs?

If you’re hearing about blueberries for dogs for the first time you might be a bit skeptical, I know I used to be. After talking to my vet and consulting various sources it turns out they are perfectly safe and should be used regularly in your pup’s diet.
Blueberries are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. This is where your dog will get their vitamin K that is responsible for healthy bones.
Another important note: If your dog is wounded blueberries help blood coagulation which makes the wound heal faster. Aside from blueberries, most other berries are toxic for dogs so please do your research before adding anything new to their diet.

Carrots and broccoli in a dog’s diet:

If you wish to keep your dog happy and healthy do include veggies in their diet. Carrots are good for dogs because they contain fiber and vitamin A. Broccoli also contains fiber and vitamin C. You can also opt for spinach, green beans, cauliflower, sweet potato, zucchini, or pumpkin.

Eggs for dogs – with or without a shell?

The first time I saw my neighbor use a whole egg for his dog I was left speechless. The first thing that ran through my mind was the question – are eggshells safe for dogs? The answer is yes but you will have to blend them or ground them due to their sharp edges. Eggs shells are a great source of calcium for your dog and they support healthy teeth and bones. They are also a better option than a bone meal because they do not store impurities inside of them (like bone meal does).

Safe herbs for dogs:

In my homemade dog food recipe, I decided to use basil because my girl Nela has been kind of anxious after her neutering and this herb has calming properties. Feel free to include other herbs to this recipe like rosemary, thyme, oregano, curly parsley or dill.

List of ingredients:

  • – 2 lb (500 gr.) lean ground beef
  • – 1 lb (500 gr.) livers
  • – ½ cup of fine rolled oats
  • – 1 cup (125 gr.) blueberries
  • – 2 cups (250 gr.) carrots 
  • – 2 cups (250 gr.) broccoli
  • – 2 large eggs (with or without a shell)
  • – 2 tbsp of dried basil (the same spice we use for human meals)

Step by step instructions 

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F (200° C) or gas mark 6.

Step 2. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 3. Wash the carrots and broccoli thoroughly. You don’t have to peel the carrots but do remove any parts that might have discoloration or dark spots. 

Step 4. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. The final product will be slightly liquid.

Step 5. Scoop the beef mixture with ½ of a cup and drop it onto the parchment paper. You might have some of the beef mixture left, set it aside for freezing.

Step 6. Bake the patties in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. You will notice a golden crust when you pull them out.

Step 7. Remove the baked burger patties from the pan with a slotted spoon and place them on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then serve them to your excited dog.

Step 8. Freeze the rest of the burger mixture for up to 3 months. Makes sure you label the food and add the date, before placing it in the freezer.

Note:
Each Burger Pattie is a single-serving for a 20 lb dog. If your dog weighs 40 lb a single-serving would be 2 patties and so on.

Bon appétit!

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