Did you know that your dog’s bowl might be missing a key source of energy? While many pet owners debate the benefits of a grain-free diet, recent studies suggest that whole grains can actually be a healthy, fueling addition to your pup’s homemade meals. Choosing the right ingredients for your furry friend is a big responsibility, and the sheer amount of conflicting advice online often leaves dedicated owners feeling overwhelmed and confused.
The pet food aisle is filled with marketing buzzwords, making it difficult to figure out which grains are safe, digestible, and nutritious. You want the best for your dog, but you are likely worried about potential allergies or digestive upsets. It is easy to feel stuck when you simply want to provide a balanced, wholesome diet without the guesswork.
In this guide, we will clear up the confusion surrounding grains in canine nutrition. You will learn which specific grains provide the most vitamins and fiber, how to prepare them properly for easy digestion, and which options you should avoid entirely. By the end of this post, you will feel confident choosing the perfect grain to complement your dog’s homemade recipes. Let’s look at the best options to keep your dog happy, healthy, and full of energy.
Top Grain For Homemade Dog Food Recommendations
- COMPLETE & BALANCED MEAL SOLUTION: Just add warm water to provide a convenient and nutritious meal or topper for your dog's favorite dry food in just 3 minutes. A 10 lb. box makes 40 lbs of food.
- HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like free range chicken, organic oats,& banana. Produced in a human food facility where our whole food are gently dehydrated for flavor and nutrient retention..
- FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: This complete and balanced dog food serves the nutritional needs of all breeds & sizes, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation), making it a versatile choice for families with multiple pets & specific dietary requirements
- NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY: We prioritize your pet's health by saying no to feed grade ingredients, meat meals, and artificial preservatives. Our human grade chicken dog food is crafted to provide only the best nutrition without compromise
- SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLY SOURCED: The Honest Kitchen is a certified B Corporation committed to high environmental and social standards. Choosing our dehydrated dog food helps support a brand dedicated to positive community impact
- MAKES 8 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm water for a wholesome & delicious meal that rehydrates to 4x its weight. A 2 lb Bag makes 8 LBs of fresh food! Serve alone as a complete easy homemade meal, or use as a topper to dry food.
- HUMAN GRADE, RANCH RAISED BEEF: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like ranch-raised beef, oats, & apples. It's produced in a human food facility where our whole food ingredients are gently dehydrated for flavor & nutrient retention.
- SUITABLE FOR ADULT & SENIOR DOGS: Complete & balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes including adult and senior dogs.
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to have a positive impact on our employees, communities and the environment.
- Human Grade Dehydrated Dog Food, Real Food Made Simple: The Honest Kitchen Wholemade is human grade dehydrated dog food made with whole, recognizable ingredients. Just add warm water, mix, wait 3 minutes, and serve a fresh, homemade-style meal — ready in just 3 minutes. Each 2 lb box makes about 8 lbs of wholesome food — shelf stable, compact, and cost-effective. Suitable for puppy & adult dogs of all breeds & sizes.
- An Ingredient List You Can Pronounce: The #1 ingredient is cage free chicken, packed with recognizable whole foods like carrots, oats, and bananas — not mystery fillers. No meat meals, no feed-grade by-products— just quality nutrition your dog can actually use. Supports overall wellness, digestion, and skin & coat in every serving of this wholesome, homemade-style human grade dog food. Real ingredients your dog can taste.
- Real Food Nutrition, Shelf Stable & Travel Ready: Wholemade dehydrated dog food gives you the quality of real, fresh food in a compact, shelf-stable format that's ready wherever life takes you. No refrigeration needed — just add warm water, mix, wait 3 minutes, and serve a fresh, homemade-style meal your dog will love, whether you're at home, on the road, or at the campsite. Lightweight enough to pack, nutritious enough to feel great about serving, every single day.
- Supports Skin, Coat & Digestive Health: Gentle dehydration plus fiber-rich ingredients like oats and carrots support healthy digestion — ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Just add warm water and you've created a hydrating meal packed with beneficial fats that work together to support a soft, shiny coat and healthy skin from the inside out. Real food nutrition your dog's body can feel.
- We're Picky So You Don't Have To Be: Every batch is formulated without GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, or soy fillers, meat meals, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The same care that goes into human food goes into every serving of Wholemade dehydrated dog food. Made with simple ingredients and honest nutrition, it can be served as a complete daily meal or used as a topper for wet dog food.
- COMPLETE NUTRITION FOR ADULT AND SENIOR DOGS: The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Whole Grain Beef Dog Food offers balanced nutrition made from ranch-raised beef, oats, and carrots to support the health of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- HUMAN GRADE, RANCH RAISED BEEF: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like ranch-raised beef, oats, & apples. It's produced in a human food facility where our whole food ingredients are gently dehydrated for flavor & nutrient retention.
- HUMAN GRADE: Unlike traditional pet food, our dehydrated meals are 100% human grade, crafted with high-quality, human grade ingredients and produced to the same standards of quality and safety as the food you eat.
- NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY: We prioritize your pet's health by saying no to feed grade ingredients, meat meals, and artificial preservatives. Our human grade dog food is crafted to provide only the best nutrition without compromise
- SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLY SOURCED: The Honest Kitchen is a certified B Corporation committed to high environmental and social standards. Choosing our dehydrated dog food helps support a brand dedicated to positive community impact
- Nutrition You Can See and Smell! Canine Health is a base mix used to effortlessly create balanced, homemade meals for your dog as a whole food alternative to kibble. Feeding your dog a whole food, nutrient dense diet has been shown to improve digestion, increase energy, help improve itchy skin, and produce firmer, less smelly stools. (You'll thank us later!)
- Canine Health is 100% Human Grade. This base mix is packed with real whole foods, including 9 dehydrated vegetables, crushed eggshells for calcium, and 6 organic grains. There are zero fillers, preservatives, dyes, or synthetic ingredients.
- Ready in minutes. Simply rehydrate the base mix with hot water, let sit for 8 minutes, and add the protein of your choice and a healthy oil of your choice for healthy fats. (Try our fish oil!)
- Why choose a base mix? Pet parents who feed their dogs a base mix like Canine Health love that they have control over the type, quality, and quantity of meat that their dog eats. If you'd like an option with meat included, try our line of Complete Foods!
- This Trial Size bag of dehydrated whole foods only makes 1 - 3 meals (when combined with a protein of your choice) and is intended to allow you to try the food with your dog without the risk of choosing a larger size bag. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) - 9%, Crude Fat (min) - 3%, Crude Fiber (min) - 5%, Calorie Content (Calculated) - 3098 kcal ME/kg; 83 kcal ME/scoop
- Human Grade Fruit & Veggie Base Mix — Just Add Protein: The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Grain Free Base Mix is human grade dehydrated dog food made with real, whole food fruits and vegetables — just add warm water and your choice of protein for a fresh, homemade-style meal in minutes. Gently dehydrated to maintain maximum nutrients and great taste. Each 3 lb box makes about 12 lbs of wholesome food base. Suitable for adult dogs of all breeds & sizes.
- An Ingredient List You Can Pronounce: This grain free base mix is packed with recognizable whole foods like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, bananas, and spinach — not mystery fillers. No meat meals, no feed-grade by-products — just quality fruit and veggie nutrition made with real, recognizable ingredients you can trust. Simply add your choice of protein and warm water for a wholesome, homemade-style human grade meal in minutes.
- For Adult Dogs Of All Breeds & Sizes: The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Base Mix is formulated for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes — just add your choice of raw or cooked protein and warm water for a fresh, homemade-style meal packed with real whole food nutrition. A wholesome, human grade base that gives you the flexibility to feed the protein your dog loves most, every single day.
- Perfect For Everyday Feeding, Traveling & Busy Days: Wholemade Base Mix is endlessly versatile — mix with any raw or cooked protein you have on hand to create a custom homemade-style meal. Ideal for everyday feeding, travel, or as a reliable backup on busy days. Shelf stable and compact, it goes wherever your dog goes. One box, endless meal possibilities — and the peace of mind of human grade whole food nutrition in every bowl.
- We're Picky So You Don't Have To Be: Every batch is formulated without GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, or soy fillers, meat meals, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The same care that goes into human food goes into every serving of Wholemade dehydrated food. Made with simple ingredients and honest nutrition, it can be served as a complete daily meal or used as a topper for wet dog food.
- A Human Grade Whole Food Base Mix — Just Add Your Protein: The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Whole Grain Base Mix is a wholesome, gently dehydrated base mix for adult dogs made with real grains, vegetables, and fruit. Simply add warm water and your choice of raw or cooked protein to create a fresh, homemade-style meal your dog will love. Each 7 lb box makes about 28 lbs of base mix — shelf stable, compact, and ready in minutes.
- An Ingredient List You Can Pronounce: The #1 ingredient is oats — joined by flaxseed, barley, and quinoa for a wholesome whole grain base, alongside pumpkin, carrots, parsnips, apples, cranberries, green beans, broccoli, kale, and dried kelp. No mystery fillers, no feed-grade by-products — just real, recognizable whole foods you can actually read. Gently dehydrated to preserve maximum nutrients and delicious flavor. Add your protein of choice and serve a fresh, homemade-style meal in minutes.
- For Adult Dogs Of All Breeds & Sizes: The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Base Mix is formulated for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes — just add your choice of raw or cooked protein and warm water for a fresh, homemade-style meal packed with real whole food nutrition. A wholesome, human grade base that gives you the flexibility to feed the protein your dog loves most, every single day.
- Perfect For Everyday Feeding, Traveling & Busy Days: Wholemade Base Mix is endlessly versatile — mix with any raw or cooked protein you have on hand to create a custom homemade-style meal. Ideal for everyday feeding, travel, or as a reliable backup on busy days. Shelf stable and compact, it goes wherever your dog goes. One box, endless meal possibilities — and the peace of mind of human grade whole food nutrition in every bowl.
- We're Picky So You Don't Have To Be: Every batch is formulated without GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, or soy fillers, meat meals, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The same care that goes into human food goes into every serving of Wholemade dehydrated food. Made with simple ingredients and honest nutrition, it can be served as a complete daily meal or used as a topper for wet dog food.
- Nutrition You Can See and Smell! Canine Health is a base mix used to effortlessly create balanced, homemade meals for your dog as a whole food alternative to kibble. Feeding your dog a whole food, nutrient dense diet has been shown to improve digestion, increase energy, help improve itchy skin, and produce firmer, less smelly stools. (You'll thank us later!)
- Canine Health is 100% Human Grade. This base mix is packed with real whole foods, including 9 dehydrated vegetables, crushed eggshells for calcium, and 6 organic grains. There are zero fillers, preservatives, dyes, or synthetic ingredients.
- Ready in minutes. Simply rehydrate the base mix with hot water, let sit for 8 minutes, and add the protein of your choice and a healthy oil of your choice for healthy fats. (Try our fish oil!)
- Why choose a base mix? Pet parents who feed their dogs a base mix like Canine Health love that they have control over the type, quality, and quantity of meat that their dog eats. If you'd like an option with meat included, try our line of Complete Foods!
- This 5 pound bag of dehydrated whole foods makes 33 one-pound meals when combined with a protein of your choice. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) - 9%, Crude Fat (min) - 3%, Crude Fiber (min) - 5%, Calorie Content (Calculated) - 3098 kcal ME/kg; 83 kcal ME/scoop
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Grains for Homemade Dog Food
More dog owners are cooking meals at home today. You want the best nutrition for your furry friend. Grains can be a healthy part of a dog’s diet. They provide energy, fiber, and important vitamins. This guide helps you pick the right grains for your homemade recipes.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for grains, look for “whole” grains. Whole grains keep the entire kernel intact. This means your dog gets more nutrients. Always check the label for clear sourcing. You want grains that are easy to digest. Dogs do best with grains that are cooked until soft. Soft grains are much easier for their stomachs to process.
Important Ingredients and Types
Not all grains are equal. Here are the most popular choices for dogs:
- Brown Rice: This is a great source of fiber. It is very gentle on the stomach.
- Oats: Oats provide plenty of B vitamins. They also contain linoleic acid, which helps skin stay healthy.
- Quinoa: Many people call this a “superfood.” It is packed with protein and essential amino acids.
- Barley: This grain is very filling. It helps keep your dog full for a longer time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality matters for your pet’s health. Buy organic grains whenever you can. Organic options do not contain harmful pesticides. Avoid “refined” grains like white flour. These grains lack the nutrition your dog needs. Always store your grains in an airtight container. Moisture can cause mold to grow. If you see mold or smell something “off,” throw the grain away immediately.
User Experience and Use Cases
Cooking with grains is simple. Most dogs enjoy the texture of cooked grains mixed with meat. You should always cook the grains thoroughly. Raw grains are hard for dogs to digest. Start with small amounts to see how your dog reacts. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, brown rice is usually the safest starting point. You can batch-cook grains on the weekend to save time during the week.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can all dogs eat grains?
A: Most dogs digest grains well. However, some dogs have allergies. Talk to your vet before you change your dog’s diet.
Q: Is white rice okay to feed?
A: White rice is fine for an upset stomach. It is easy to digest. But, brown rice offers more long-term nutrients.
Q: How much grain should I add to a meal?
A: Grains should be a small part of the bowl. Most experts suggest that grains make up about 10% to 20% of the total meal.
Q: Do I need to wash the grains first?
A: Yes. Rinsing grains under cold water removes dust and extra starch. This makes the final product better.
Q: Can I use instant oats?
A: Plain instant oats are safe. Avoid flavored packets, as they often contain added sugar or salt.
Q: How do I know if my dog is allergic to a grain?
A: Look for signs like itchy skin, ear infections, or loose stools. Stop feeding the grain if these occur.
Q: Can I freeze cooked grains?
A: Yes. Cooked grains freeze very well. Freeze them in small portions for easy meal prep.
Q: Should I add salt to the water when cooking?
A: No. Dogs do not need extra salt. Keep the cooking water plain.
Q: Is corn a healthy grain for dogs?
A: Corn is safe for most dogs. It provides energy and vitamins. Ensure it is ground or cooked well.
Q: What is the best way to introduce a new grain?
A: Mix a tiny bit of the new grain into your dog’s current food. Increase the amount slowly over one week.