Homemade Meatloaf for Your Dog That’s Easy & Healthy
Dogs love comfort food just as much as we do, and this homemade meatloaf is the perfect nutritious meal for your dog. And I promise it’s as easy and convenient as homemade can get! It uses simple pantry staples like ground meat, pumpkin puree, and peas, plus a boost from rice cooked in bone broth (optional). The result is a nutrient-rich loaf that stretches into multiple servings so you’re not constantly scrambling to cook. My dog Zoe has been enjoying this version, and I love knowing she’s getting wholesome ingredients with every bite.
📌 Don’t forget to save or print this recipe so you always have it handy for meal prep.
Why Make Homemade Meatloaf for Your Dog?
- Healthier ingredients – There are no additives, salt, or artificial preservatives.
- Customizable – Use whichever ground meats you have on hand.
- Bulk & balance – Rice cooked in bone broth adds both nutrition and volume, but you can swap the rice for rolled oats if you like.
- Budget-friendly – Big-batch cooking keeps costs down.
- Convenient – It’s easy to portion and freeze so you always have meals ready.
Ingredients
- Ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or lamb)
- Pumpkin puree for moisture and fiber
- Peas and eggs for protein and binding
- Rice cooked in bone broth for extra bulk and nutrition
- A dog-safe mineral supplement for balanced nutrients (I use this brand, but please check with your vet on what supplement is best for your pet.)
- Optional herbs like parsley, thyme, and turmeric for extra health benefits
(See the recipe card below for full measurements and step-by-step instructions.)
My Process
For this easy dog food recipe, I like to use my own homemade bone broth for dogs as the liquid for cooking the rice. It adds flavor and joint-supporting nutrients. I also cook the rice in the Ninja Foodi instead of on the stovetop. It’s quicker, more consistent, and uses less broth since the steam is contained.
Check out this article by Keeping the Peas if you need more detailed information about cooking rice in a pressure cooker.
How to Make Homemade Meatloaf for Your Dog
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the rice in bone broth for added nutrients.
- Mash peas (optional), then stir in eggs, supplement, and herbs.
- Add pumpkin and rice for bulk and moisture.
- Mix in the ground meat thoroughly (hands work best here).
- Divide into loaf pans, containers, or shape on a roasting pan.
- Bake until the loaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Cool completely, then slice into meal-sized portions or cubes.
Serving & Storage Tips
I bake the meatloaf in four 32 oz glass meal-prep containers with snap-on lids, which makes it easy to slide them all into the oven on a single baking pan. I find this pan perfect to hold all four glass containers at once. Once cooled, the lids go straight onto the class containers for fridge storage.
- Portions: Zoe weighs about 55-60 lbs. So she gets 16 servings out of this recipe with the other food and treats we provide. This number of servings is enough for the week with an extra day for buffer so I’m never rushed to make more.
- Freezing rice: I cook extra rice in bulk (2-4 cups dry at a time), then freeze it in 1-2 cup portions to thaw later for Zoe’s meals or for family cooking.
- Batch convenience: Freezing meal-sized squares or cubes of meatloaf makes it easy to grab and serve later.
Free Printable for Homemade Meatloaf for Your Dog
Download a free freezer-friendly feeding label from my Freebie Library to make storing and portioning this healthy homemade dog food even easier. You can jot down batch dates, portion sizes, and ingredients at a glance.
🐾 Want even more? This label is also included in my Complete Dog Care Kit – a bundle of printables designed to simplify every part of dog care. It comes with food lists, sitter notes, treat
FAQ
Can I use different meats?
Yes! Beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb all work. You can even mix them.
Why add rice cooked in bone broth?
It bulks up the loaf, provides healthy carbs, and the bone broth adds joint-supporting nutrients dogs benefit from. Whether buying from the store or making your own, just be certain the bone broth doesn’t have any additives that can be harmful to dogs. (Need a quick reference on safe and unsafe foods? Download my free Dog-Safe Foods printable to keep handy in your kitchen.)
Do I need to add herbs/spices?
Optional. For a dog-friendly meatloaf, stick to dog-safe herbs and spices like parsley or turmeric. Never add onion, garlic, or high-sodium seasoning.
How do I know how much to feed?
Portion based on your dog’s size and activity level. Always check with your vet to make sure the serving size and nutritional balance are right for your pup. This loaf can serve as a full meal or as a topper with kibble. The texture is very similar to canned dog food once it cools.
Easy Homemade Meals for Dogs: Final Thoughts
This homemade meatloaf for dogs is a healthy, make-ahead recipe that keeps mealtime simple. With nourishing ingredients and freezer-friendly portions, it’s an easy way to keep your pup happy and healthy at the dinner bowl. For other hearty homemade meals for dogs, check out my Slow Cooker Dog Stew. It’s perfect for adding variety to your dog’s meal plan.
Give Us a Shout Out! Like this recipe? Please rate it below and leave us a comment with your thoughts. And if you love it, pin it for later so other dog parents can find it too!
⚠️ Note: I’m not a veterinarian. This recipe is based on what I feed my own dog Zoe. Please check with your vet before changing your dog’s diet or adding supplements to ensure it’s right for your pup’s needs.
Homemade Meatloaf for Your Dog
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground meat beef, turkey, chicken, or lamb
- 2 cans pumpkin puree 100% pumpkin, no additives (15 oz cans)
- 1 can sweet green peas no salt added, no other additives besides water (15 oz can)
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup brown rice cooked in bone broth
- dog mineral supplement quantity per package instructions
- ½ tsp dried thyme optional
- 1 tsp dried parsley optional
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric optional for inflammation in joints
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the rice in bone broth for added nutrients.
- Mash peas (optional), then stir in eggs, supplement, and herbs.
- Add pumpkin and rice for bulk and moisture.
- Mix in the ground meat thoroughly (hands work best here).
- Divide into loaf pans, containers, or shape on a roasting pan.
- Bake until the loaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Cool completely, then slice into meal-sized portions or cubes.
Notes
- Meat options: Use any lean ground meat (turkey, chicken, beef, or lamb). Calorie content will vary slightly by meat type.
- Rice tip: I cook the rice in bone broth for added flavor and joint-supporting nutrients. You can use water instead if you prefer.
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s 100% pumpkin with no additives, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Veggies: Peas add bulk and fiber, but you can swap in green beans, carrots, or other dog-safe vegetables if needed.
- Mineral supplement: The grey powder in the photos is a dog-safe mineral supplement — add per your package instructions. Always check with your vet before adding supplements.
- Batch size: This recipe makes about 16 portions for a medium/large dog. Adjust serving size based on your dog’s weight, age, and activity level.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze in 1–2 meal portions for easy thaw-and-serve convenience.
- Avoid: Do not use onions, garlic, leeks, chives, raisins, grapes, or added salt — these are toxic to dogs.
