Best dog food cookbooks and treat recipe guides to buy
In our article on the best dog training treats, we looked at some of the best commercial dog treats available in the market to stimulate and motivate the pet during treats. The market is filled with commercial dog treats and specially formulated dog food to diversify your pet’s daily diet.
In addition to these commercial products and human food leftovers, there are quite a few homemade treats and chow that you can make for your furry friend.
In this article, we look at some of the best dog food cookbooks and homemade treat guides available in the market. These cookbooks and recipe guides would help you prepare some excellent delectable, healthy snacks for your canine to add some variety to your pet’s meals. Some of the recipe books that we have listed also work for felines as well.
Most of the options we share are also available in Kindle format as indicated in the list. We will also share our favorite picks and list some of the best online resources for homemade dog treat recipes. So, buckle up and read on!
Do not forget to check out our article on the best dog training guides for some additional resources and information.
Best dog food cookbooks and treat recipe guides list
Some of the best dog food cookbooks and dog homemade treat guides are listed below:| Picture | Product | Editions | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Feed Your Best Friend Better | Kindle Paperback | - This best-selling homemade dog food guide is authored by Rick Woodford, popularly known as the "Dog Food Dude". - In 220 odd pages, the book covers raw dog food diet along with 85 vet-approved dog treats and meal recipes. Each recipe is supplemented with accurate nutritional information and portion size calculator. - In addition to the recipes, the book has some excellent information on how to pick the best commercial food products and manage mealtime behavior issues with pets. - The current edition was published in April, 2012. | |
  | Home Cooking for Your Dog | Kindle Hardcover | - This dog food primer is one of the most popular holistic food guide for dogs and authored by Christine M. Filardi, a certified holistic chef for animals and the founder of BowMeowRaw. - In 150 short pages, this illustration-rich book includes 75 easy-to-follow recipes for cooked meals, treats, and raw food diet. - Each recipe is presented with nutritional information, cooking tips and even some interesting anecdotes. - The current edition was published in September, 2013. | |
  | Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook | Hardcover Paperback | - This beginner homemade dog treat guide is compiled by Eric and Jessica Talley of the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company, a gourmet dog biscuit company. - The updated edition has over 100 healthy and wholesome dog treat recipes with very simple and easy to follow instructions, spread across about 200 pages. - All the recipes presented in the book are free of wheat, corn, soy or any other fillers and artificial flavors and colors. - The current second edition was published in April 2014. | |
  | Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs | Kindle Paperback | - This dog food guide for raw and homemade meals is authored by Dr. Lew Olson, a world-renowned authority on pet nutrition and an AKC and UKC dog show judge. - This detailed guide presents a definitive view of setting up a healthy raw and home-cooked diet for dogs of all ages. At 300+ pages, it is one of the most detailed holistic dog food guide in the market. - The book presents homemade dog food recipes with easy-to-follow instructions, ingredient and supplement suggestions and portion calculator. - The current revised edition was published in August, 2015. | |
  | Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs | Kindle Paperback | - This recently published homemade dog food guide is authored by renowned author, speaker, and holistic veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan and Hue Grant. - In 250 long pages, the book covers all aspects of providing a raw, natural, healthy homemade diet to the canine using the Traditional Chinese food therapy. - The current edition was published in November, 2017. | |
  | The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook | Kindle Hardcover Paperback Digital | - This popular dog treat cookbook is authored by award-winning pet author Liz Palika, with some funky illustrations from Troy Cummings. - This traditional treat cookbook has 50 vet-approved homemade dog food recipes based on easy-to-find ingredients, spread over 150 odd pages. - The colored illustrations and nutrition information makes it an excellent read. - The first edition of this book was published in September, 2005. | |
  | The Healthy Hound Cookbook | Kindle Paperback | - This dog recipe cookbook is authored by Paris Permenter and John Bigley, of the popular DogTipper.com website. - In 160 short pages, the book presents 125 nutritious, all-natural recipes for dogs of all ages, including raw diets, grain-free treats and baked biscuits. - Each recipe listing also has a portion calculator to help you pick the right portion size for your pet. - The current edition was published in April, 2014. | |
  | Dinner PAWsible | Kindle Paperback | - This pet recipe cookbook is authored by Susan Thixton, founder of the popular TruthaboutPetFood.com website, and Dr. Cathy Alinovi, a famous pet veterinarian. - In 200+ pages, the book covers over fifty cat and dog food recipes, including some exotic ones especially suitable for pets on limited ingredient diets. - The current edition was published in May, 2015. | |
  | Dr. Becker's Real Food For Healthy Dogs & Cats | Kindle Paperback | - This dog food compendium based on the ancestral diets of cats and dogs, is authored by Dr. Karen Baker, world-renowned pet veterinarian and Beth Taylor. - In 180 odd pages, the book provides somewhat dense information on setting up a homemade food program for your beloved pet. Most recipes are meat-based with fruits and vegetables as supplements. - The current 4th edition was published in May, 2013. | |
  | The Whole Pet Diet | Paperback | - This pet diet cookbook, authored by Andi Brown, is tailored towards providing a holistic homemade diet to dogs and cats without using any commercial products. - The book is especially useful for pet owners who have obese, aging or unhealthy pets. - In 220 odd pages, the book presents an eight-week program with 25 easy homemade recipes with natural vitamin and mineral fortifications, along with some practical advice on general pet health. - The current edition of the book was published in September, 2006. |
Top picks for dog food cookbooks and treat recipe books
Feed Your Best Friend Better – Best dog food cookbook
The best-selling, Feed Your Best Friend Better book is one of the most popular homemade dog food guide and our top recommendation for pet owners who are looking to transition their pets from all-commercial diets to a combination of commercial products and homemade dog meals. (though the book would also help in a complete transition to the holistic homemade dog food).
The Feed Your Best Friend Better cookbook is authored by Rick Woodford, popularly known as the “Dog Food Dude” and founder of the erstwhile Dog Stew dog food company. In 220 odd pages, the book contains 85 vet-approved dog snack and meal recipes. Each recipe is supported with accurate nutritional information and portion size calculator to help you manage the right amounts as per the number of pets, their age, size and breed.
The recipes and supplements are extremely easy to make in not more than a few minutes on a stovetop or oven. Some recipes are tailor-made for dogs with allergies or other serious health issues (in fact it was the detection of cancer in the author’s dog that got him started on this path). As the author puts it – “It’s not gourmet, it’s gourmutt!”
And that is not all. The book also has a healthy collection of totally raw diet that can be fed to the dog without any cooking. Furthermore, the book has some excellent information on how to pick the best commercial food products and manage mealtime behavior issues with pets.
The current edition of the book was published in April 2012. The book is available in both paperback and Kindle editions, so you can pick the specific format as per your preference.
Here is what a popular canine magazine has to say about this book:
- “We highly recommend checking it out for its inspiring, easy, super-healthy, vet-approved recipes your dog will adore.” – Modern Dog magazine
Home Cooking for Your Dog – Best dog food cookbook
The Home Cooking for Your Dog by Christine M. Filardi is another popular home-cooking guide for pet owners who are looking to embark on the journey of holistic, healthy home-made dog food. Christine is a certified pet chef and founder of BowMeowRaw, a company that coaches dog and cat owners on transitioning their pets to a holistic lifestyle.
The book is around 160 pages and presents 75 vet and canine-approved recipes divided into three broad sections – raw food recipes, meal recipes and cooked snacks. Most of the recipes presented in the book use only 4-6 ingredients, making them pretty easy to plan for and simple to make.
Each recipe is presented with useful nutritional information on the ingredients, cooking tips. And to make things a little more interesting, the book also has some interesting anecdotes based on the author’s personal experiences with her pets. Moreover, the book is full of clear color photos and illustrations.
Here is what some experts and pet publications have to say about this book:
- “For those who have grown weary of mass-produced dog food, Home Cooking For Your Dog contains healthy recipes and diet advice for dogs.” – LA Times’ Jacket Copy blog
- “Get your puppy the gift of a nutritious, homemade meal.” – Ladies’ Home Journal
Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook – Best dog treat cookbook
If you are looking for some beginner homemade dog treats that are both delicious and healthy and do not require a lot of cooking effort on your part, then the Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook is a perfect dog treat cookbook for you.
This cookbook is authored by Jessica and Eric Talley, founders of the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company, a gourmet dog biscuit company that specializes in high-quality, all-natural dog treats. The authors have poured all their experience of formulating new and tasty organic dog treats in this 200-page book with over 100 simple-yet-delectable homemade dog snacks. All the recipes presented in the book are free of wheat, corn, soy or any other fillers and artificial flavors and colors.
The book is extremely easy to follow, and each recipe is presented with a simple and to-the-point ingredient list, portion size and cooking instructions. The book has both veggie and meat-based treat recipes including oatmeal biscuits, cheesy bread, turkey jerky and tuna melts. Most of the recipes use ingredients which are readily available, though authors do recommend the use of fresh, organic ingredients. The book also has supplemental information on the ingredients used and how they are nutritious to the pets.
The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook is available in Hardcover and Paperback editions.
Here is what some experts and pet publications have to say about this book:
- “A pleasure to read, and includes a wonderful variety of both recipes and information.”– The Bark magazine.
- “Spoiling your pooch with treats is one of the great joys of sharing life with a dog. With this book from the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company, you’ll have more than 100 ways to do it…” – The Times (Indiana)
How to pick the best dog cookbooks and dog treat recipe books?
Picking the best dog food cookbook is not much different from picking up any other cooking or recipe book. The best dog food or treat recipe book is the one which fulfills most of your requirements, is filled with information that is easy to read and follow.
Just like any other pet training materials, no single book may be sufficient, and you may need a combination of resources- both online and offline to try out some delectable homemade dog treats for your pooch.
Without going into too much detail, the major factors you should consider while picking the best dog treat cookbook or dog food recipe guide are listed below:
- Primary Purpose and Type of Content
- Level and format of the book
- Popularity, reviews and ratings
- Publication year of the edition
Primary Purpose and Type of Content
The primary purpose of the cookbook is an important factor as it governs the type of content you should look in a book.
If you are looking for a detailed guide to establish a holistic, home-made food regimen for your dog with a combination of raw diet and home-cooked meals, then you need a reference resource such as the Feed Your Best Friend Better , which covers these aspects along with some excellent home-cooked recipes.
On the other hand, if you are just looking for some simple recipes to diversify your pet’s daily diet then you can check out the dog treat books such as our favorite – Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by Bubba Rose Biscuit Company.
Level and format of the book
The level and format of the book is also something to check out.
If you are someone, who is a master around the kitchen, then you would find advanced recipe books such as the Dinner PAWsible: A Cookbook by Susan Thixton et.al. more suitable. This book has some really exotic recipes to go with some easy ones.
On the other hand, if you are looking for just the basic home cooking recipes then you can check out the Home Cooking for Your Dog or Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook as great beginner options.
The format of how the recipes and related information are presented in the book is also something to check out. Almost all the books that we have listed above have an easy-to-follow style filled with illustrations and break-down of ingredients and cooking steps to follow, along with nutrition analysis and portion calculators. You would not have any issues with following the recipes or suggestions presented in our selection. Still, you can utilize the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon website to get a preview of the book or check for excerpts in Google online bookstore to determine if the presentation style is suitable for you.
Furthermore, if you prefer digital editions, then check if the book is available in Kindle format for easy access. Kindle editions are generally cheaper too and also available with the Kindle Unlimited service.
Popularity, Reviews and Ratings
The popularity of the author, publisher, and book is often a great indicator of how the book would turn out to be. Most of the books listed above have been written by authors and edited by publishers with considerable experience in the field of cooking. But as one size does not fit all, you should look at the reviews, especially by other experts and authors in the field. Check out the reviews on Amazon and platforms such as GoodReads by other readers to determine its suitability.
Publication year of the edition
When it comes to homemade cooking, the publication year of the current edition is probably not as important as in the case of other pet training guides. After all, the basic ingredients and the cooking mediums have not changed over the years. Still, if you want to consider something that replicates the need of fast, quick instant cooking using latest cooking mediums such as mixers, food processors and dehydrators, you can check the publication year of the books and see that none of them are from the previous century.
In addition to the information presented above, checkout this excellent informational video on homemade pet food by Dr. Karen Becker.
Additional Resources
In addition to the best dog food cookbooks listed above, there are some other excellent canine-focused websites that list some easy to follow recipes for dog treats and meals. Some of our favorites are listed below:
- Cesar’s Way Quick and Healthy Dog Treats: Well-known dog trainer, behaviorist and TV personality – Cesar Milan and other experts share some healthy dog treats with nutritional details and easy-to-follow instructions. Explore further for additional useful information on pet nutrition and tips and tricks to keep your pet hale and healthy.
- AllRecipes Pet Treats: The AllRecipes portal is one of the most popular recipe sharing websites in the world and it has a full section dedicated to healthy and sumptuous pet recipes for dogs, cats and other pets. Do not forget to sign up for the latest updates.
- Chewy DIY Pet Recipes: The pet parenting blog section of the popular US pet product retailer also has an excellent collection of dog treat recipes. The instructions are detailed enough and easy to follow.
Dog Treat Cookware
If you have read this article through here, chances are you are determined to try out some homemade treats and meals for your pooch. While you would be able to utilize most of the cookware in your kitchen, we would want to remind you to consider those interesting, cute dog cookie cutters to make the homemade treat a lot more tempting to the pooch.
Some of the best-selling dog treat and biscuit cookie cutters to consider are:
- Ann Clark Dog Bone/Dog Biscuit Cookie Cutters: A set of 5 different bone-shaped stainless-steel cookie cutters for homemade baked pet treats. Best-selling, made in the US, dog biscuit cutter in the market.
- Fox Run Brands Copper Dog Bone Cookie Cutter Set: A set of three copper cookie cutters with a reusable storage tin. Costlier than stainless steel cookie cutters.
- R&M International Dog Cookie Cutters: A set of 7 cookie cutters with four unique shapes – house, fire-hydrant, paw and bones.
Final thoughts on the best dog food cookbooks
Home-cooked dog meals and homemade dog treats are an excellent way to add some variety to your canine’s daily meals. Cooking meals for your beloved canine companion is also a perfect way to establish a strong bond with your pet and also help you save some money!
In this article, we listed the best dog food cookbooks and dog treat guides that would actually help you in preparing some delectable home cooked snacks for your furry friend. Authored by some of the best pet chefs, dieticians and experts in the field, these books provide some homemade dog food recipes with detailed ingredient lists, nutritional information and easy-to-follow instructions. We also listed out our top three picks based on the quality of the all-round information that these books provide.
We hope that you found this article useful. Do let us know your feedback by commenting below. Until next time, happy cooking!!
Image credits:Amazon.com