From My Wok to My Dog’s Bowl: Homemade Dog Food Recipes from a Chinese Cook

From My Wok to My Dog’s Bowl: Homemade Dog Food Recipes from a Chinese Cook

By: Li Wei, Home Cook and Dog Lover

(Li Wei with his dog in the kitchen)

As a Chinese cook, my kitchen is filled with the aromas of ginger, garlic, soy, and five-spice. But in recent years, another delightful aroma has joined the mix—the savory scent of homemade dog food. What began as a necessity for my aging Shiba Inu, Baozi, who had become sensitive to commercial dog food, has turned into a passion: creating healthy, balanced, and delicious meals for dogs using traditional Chinese cooking principles.

In China, we believe food is medicine. We pay attention to how ingredients affect balance in the body, how meals are prepared to preserve qi (life force), and how temperature (yin vs. yang) in food affects health. These principles have guided my approach to feeding Baozi—and now, I’m sharing them with you.

This article explores how traditional Chinese culinary wisdom can inspire nutritious, homemade meals for your dog. You'll learn about safe ingredients, recipes, preparation methods, and how to ensure a balanced diet. Whether you are of Chinese heritage or simply curious about cross-cultural canine cuisine, I invite you to join me in this journey—where cooking for your dog becomes as joyful and respectful as cooking for your family.

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Why I Started Cooking for My Dog

The idea came when Baozi developed itchy skin and digestive problems. After multiple vet visits, we narrowed the cause to food allergies—likely preservatives and fillers in store-bought kibble. I looked at the ingredients: cornmeal, soy protein concentrate, “meat byproducts.” It wasn’t food I would eat—so why was I feeding it to him?

In Chinese homes, even pets are part of the family. My grandmother once fed her cats steamed fish and rice every morning, carefully deboned with chopsticks. That memory inspired me: if I could make food that nourished Baozi’s body and soul, using fresh ingredients and centuries of culinary wisdom, I should.

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The Basics: Understanding Canine Nutrition

Before diving into recipes, it’s important to understand dogs’ dietary needs. Unlike humans, dogs require:

• Protein: the foundation of their diet—chicken, beef, pork, fish, or eggs.

• Fat: for energy and coat health—found in meats and oils like fish oil.

• Carbohydrates: not essential but useful for energy—rice, sweet potatoes, or oats.

• Fiber: helps digestion—pumpkin, carrots, leafy greens.

• Vitamins and minerals: critical for overall health—can be found in organ meats or added through supplements.

Always consult your vet before switching your dog’s diet, especially for puppies, pregnant dogs, or dogs with health conditions.

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Chinese Principles Applied to Dog Food

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), food is categorized into yin (cooling) and yang (warming) properties. For example:

• Yin foods: duck, tofu, spinach, watermelon—cooling and good for inflammation.

• Yang foods: lamb, chicken, ginger—warming and energizing.

Baozi tends to “run hot”—he pants even in mild weather and scratches frequently. I include more yin foods like duck and spinach in summer and switch to warming yang ingredients like chicken and oats in winter. Balance is key.

Also important is the five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent. While not all are suitable for dogs, understanding flavor balance helps me create variety that Baozi actually looks forward to.

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Safe Ingredients for Dogs (with Chinese Cuisine in Mind)

Proteins:

• Chicken (lean breast or thigh, boiled or steamed)

• Pork (lean cuts, no bones or fat)

• Beef (ground or stew meat, cooked well)

• Duck (skinless)

• Fish (salmon, sardines, steamed and deboned)

• Eggs (cooked, not raw)

Carbohydrates:

• White rice (easy to digest)

• Brown rice (more fiber)

• Sweet potatoes

• Pumpkin

• Oats (good for dogs with wheat sensitivity)

Vegetables:

• Carrots

• Bok choy

• Spinach

• Cabbage

• Green beans

• Shiitake mushrooms (small amounts, cooked thoroughly)

Fruits (in moderation):

• Apple (peeled, no seeds)

• Asian pear

• Watermelon

• Blueberries

Oils & Supplements:

• Fish oil

• Flaxseed oil

• Calcium (ground eggshells or pet supplement)

• Taurine (especially for dogs on high-carb diets)

Foods to Avoid:

• Onion, garlic, chives (toxic to dogs)

• Grapes, raisins

• Chocolate

• Excessive salt or sugar

• Spicy sauces and soy sauce

• Alcohol or caffeine

• Cooked bones (splinter hazard)

  
  

  
  (Li Wei’s dog eating)

  
  

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Three Balanced Homemade Recipes

1. Baozi’s Chicken Congee (粥) for Sensitive Tummies

A gentle, warm porridge inspired by the classic Chinese congee, perfect for dogs recovering from illness or with digestive issues.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice

• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water

• 1 boneless chicken thigh

• ½ cup shredded carrot

• ½ cup chopped bok choy

• 1 tsp fish oil (added after cooling)

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear.

2. Add rice, broth, and chicken to a pot. Bring to boil, then simmer for 1 hour until rice is soft and porridge-like.

3. Remove chicken, shred finely, and return to pot.

4. Add vegetables in the last 10 minutes.

5. Cool slightly, then add fish oil before serving.

TCM Notes: Warming (yang) meal. Good for winter or dogs who are easily fatigued.

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2. Duck and Sweet Potato Stir “Fry”

This meal is inspired by traditional stir-fries but made safe for dogs by using water or low-sodium broth instead of oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground duck or finely chopped skinless duck meat

• 1 small sweet potato, diced

• ½ cup chopped spinach

• 1 tbsp crushed egg shell powder (for calcium)

• 1 tsp flaxseed oil (added after cooling)

Instructions:

1. Steam sweet potato until soft.

2. In a nonstick pan, cook duck with a splash of water until browned.

3. Add spinach and sweet potato. Stir well.

4. Mix in calcium and oil after cooling.

TCM Notes: Cooling (yin) meal, suitable for dogs with skin inflammation or in hot weather.

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3. Pork and Oats Longevity Bowl

Inspired by “longevity noodles,” this version skips the noodles and focuses on nourishing, slow-burning oats and nutrient-rich organ meats.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup lean ground pork

• ¼ cup cooked pork liver (finely chopped)

• ½ cup steel-cut oats

• ½ cup chopped cabbage

• 1 boiled egg, chopped

• Optional: pinch of ginger (tiny amount for digestion)

Instructions:

1. Cook oats in water until soft.

2. Cook pork and liver thoroughly in a separate pan.

3. Add cabbage to pan and cook until wilted.

4. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well.

5. Cool, then serve.

TCM Notes: Warming and nourishing. Good for active dogs or those recovering from illness.

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Batch Cooking and Storage Tips

• Cook in large batches and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

• Freeze in single-serving portions for up to 2 months.

• Use glass or BPA-free containers.

• Avoid seasoning or spicy marinades—your dog doesn’t need salt or soy sauce!

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Transitioning from Kibble to Homemade

Don’t switch overnight. Gradually replace a portion of your dog’s kibble with homemade food over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.

Sample transition plan:

• Days 1–3: 25% homemade, 75% kibble

• Days 4–6: 50% homemade

• Days 7–9: 75% homemade

• Day 10 onward: 100% homemade (with vet approval)

Watch for changes in stool, energy level, or skin.

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Closing Thoughts: Cooking with Love, Tradition, and Respect

For many Chinese families, cooking is an act of love. We show care through effort, through steaming buns by hand, simmering bone broths for hours, or adjusting the flavor of a dish to suit our guests’ health.

Why should our dogs deserve any less?

Cooking for Baozi brought me closer to him. I see the wag of his tail when I open the rice cooker, the way he waits by my feet when I chop vegetables. He trusts me—and I honor that trust by feeding him food made with the same care I give my family.

Homemade dog food doesn’t need to be complicated. With a little knowledge, cultural inspiration, and a lot of heart, your kitchen can become your dog’s favorite restaurant.

Whether you’re Chinese or not, I hope this article inspires you to cook not just for your dog, but with them in mind—using the same principles of balance, freshness, and respect that define Chinese cooking.

Happy cooking, and give your pup an extra scratch behind the ears from me.