Homemade Croquettes for Your Dog

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 18 November, 2023

Whenever you run out of food or are going to celebrate a special occasion, then making homemade croquettes for your dog can be fun. There are some really easy and practical recipes which only require ingredients that most people normally have at home.

Remember that not all human food is suitable for dogs. Although dogs seem to eat everything, there are some foods which they should definitely not eat.

It’s also important to bear in mind that food allergies are common in pets. Therefore, whenever experimenting with your pet’s food, you should ask your dog’s vet if you have any doubts.

The Black List

If you’re thinking about making some homemade croquettes for your dog, you should never use onions or garlic. Grapes, pomegranate, chocolate, whole milk, peanuts, and avocados should also be avoided. Not to mention, your dog should never drink alcohol.

At the same time, dogs shouldn’t eat prawns and popcorn (corn in general), celery, cherries, almonds, peppers, and marshmallows.

Pineapple, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes should be included in your dog’s diet in moderation. Likewise, this is also true for watermelon, cheese, broccoli, cranberries, strawberries, apples, and bread.

The Green List

When it comes to foods that are safe for animals, your dog can eat vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and carrots, as well as some fruits like pears or melon. Beef is one of favorite foods for canines. You can also include things like well-cooked fish or rice into your dog’s diet.

Homemade Croquettes Options for Your Dog

Here are some homemade croquettes options for your dog. You can use them as snacks, rewards for good behavior, or as a substitute for commercial foods (always check with your dog’s vet to make sure his dog food meets his nutritional needs).

Meat Croquettes

Ingredients

• 250 g of lean beef chopped into small pieces
• 3 cups of meat stock
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup of lactose-free milk
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Put all the ingredients into a large bowl. Mix them well until you get a smooth and soft mixture. You might need to add more stock to get the right consistency.
2. Stretch out the dough on a greased tray. Cut it into some croquettes using a knife or a pizza cutter.
3. Place the tray in a pre-heated oven, at 180 °C, for an hour.
4. After this time, take it out of the oven and let the croquettes cool down and harden.

Keep them in a container in the fridge. You can refrigerate them for up to two weeks. Remember to remove them from the fridge 20 minutes before giving them to your dog so that they can warm up to a more suitable temperature.

Oat Croquettes

Ingredients

• 2 cups of oats
  
• 1 medium-sized potato, chopped into pieces and well-cooked
• ½ cup of lactose-free butter
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large container, until you get a dense mixture.
2. Spread the dough over a smooth surface. Cut it into small biscuits (maybe little bones).
3. Put the croquettes on a greased tray and place them in the oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
4. Let it sit until cool and crispy.

To store them, put them in a sealed jar or in a see-through bag, and leave them in a cool dry place. (You don’t need to keep them in the fridge). They’ll stay well for up to a week.

Chicken Croquettes

Ingredients

• 250 g of de-boned chicken chopped into small pieces
• 1 beaten egg
• 100 g of whole grain flour
• 1 cup of oat flakes
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Thoroughly mix the flour and oats with the egg.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and knead with your hands.
3. Stretch the dough over a smooth surface. Cut into small pieces, in whatever shape you want.
4. Place in the oven at 180°C for 20 minutes.
5. Let it sit until cool and crispy.

To store these croquettes, you need to put them in a see-through container inside the fridge. They can remain good for up to three weeks. Remember to take them out of the fridge a little while before you give them to your dog, so they can warm up a bit.