Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Weight Gain

When Toby needed to gain weight after an illness, I quickly learned that just “feeding more” wasn’t enough.
It was about giving him calorie-dense meals that were also nutritionally balanced — protein to build muscle, healthy fats for energy, and digestible carbs for steady fuel.

Here are three of my go-to homemade recipes that helped Toby regain his strength — and his sparkle.

Recipe 1: High-Calorie Chicken & Rice Weight Gain Meal

Best for: Gentle digestion, post-recovery weight gain

Ingredients (makes 4 servings):

• 2 cups cooked white rice (soft and easy to digest)
• 1 lb cooked, shredded chicken breast or thighs
• 2 tbsp chicken skin (cooked, finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp fish oil or coconut oil
• 1/2 cup cooked carrots, diced small

Instructions:

1. Cook rice until very soft.
2. Shred chicken and mix with rice.
3. Stir in carrots and oil.
4. Cool before serving.

Why it works:
The white rice is gentle on the stomach, while chicken and added healthy fats give a calorie boost without upsetting digestion.

Learn more about healthy fats for dogs and how to add them naturally.

Recipe 2: Salmon & Sweet Potato Power Bowl

Best for: Skin and coat health during weight gain

Ingredients (makes 4 servings):

• 1 lb cooked salmon (boneless)
• 2 cups cooked sweet potato, cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil or salmon oil
• 1/4 cup spinach (lightly steamed, chopped)

Instructions:

1. Bake or poach salmon, removing all bones.
2. Mash sweet potato lightly and mix with salmon.
3. Add spinach and drizzle oil before serving.

Why it works:
Salmon delivers high-quality protein and omega-3s, while sweet potato provides fiber and slow-burning carbs.

For more on balancing nutrients, see Balancing Protein, Fat & Carbs: Dog Nutrition Decoded.

Recipe 3: Beef, Egg & Oatmeal Energy Boost

Best for: Active underweight dogs needing steady energy

Ingredients (makes 4 servings):

• 1 lb lean ground beef (cooked, drained)
• 2 scrambled eggs (no seasoning)
• 1.5 cups cooked oatmeal (plain)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or beef drippings
• 1/4 cup peas (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook beef thoroughly, drain fat.
2. Scramble eggs separately.
3. Mix beef, eggs, oatmeal, and peas.
4. Stir in oil or drippings for extra calories.

Why it works:
Packed with protein, healthy fats, and slow-digesting oats for endurance.

This pairs perfectly with the advice in How to Fatten Up a Dog Safely & Naturally.

Feeding Tips

• Introduce new foods gradually over 4–7 days.
• Adjust portion size based on your dog’s size and activity level.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Final Thought

Homemade weight gain meals aren’t just about calories — they’re about care.
Every ingredient you choose is a way to love your dog back to health.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the weight… it’s about the wag.