What’s Really Best? Feeding Your Dog in Real Life

A playful puppy eagerly munches on a pile of colorful dog treats.

Feeding your dog the right food is one of the most important (and overwhelming) responsibilities of being a pet parent. With all the advice flying around. from vets, blogs, family, friends, and strangers at the dog park, it’s hard to know what’s actually best. Homemade? Store-bought? Organic? Grain-free? The choices seem endless.

Real Life vs. Pinterest Perfect

Let’s be real: preparing fresh, homemade dog food every week sounds amazing in theory, but when you’re juggling work, kids, a social life (maybe), and everything in between, it’s not always so easy. As a working mom and dog owner myself, I totally understand the struggle. Some weeks I have the time and energy to cook up a healthy batch of Paris’ favorite meals, and other weeks? It’s premium store-bought all the way.

The Pros and Cons of Store-Bought Food

Pros:

• Convenient and ready to serve

• Easy to store and travel with

• Some high-quality brands use real, healthy ingredients

Cons:

• Expensive, especially for high-quality options

• Hard to trust labels, some include fillers, additives, and by-products

• Less control over exactly what’s going into your dog’s body

Homemade When You Can

If you’ve got the time and a little prep energy, homemade meals can be a wonderful option. You know exactly what’s going into it, and it’s a great way to bond with your pup.

Here’s my go-to easy recipe that Paris loves:

Paris’ Ground Turkey & Veggie Bowl

1. Brown 1 lb ground turkey in a skillet.

2. Add 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (or oats) and mix in.

3. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped carrots and 1/2 cup chopped spinach (lightly steamed).

4. Let it cool, portion it out, and refrigerate.

Simple, healthy, and lasts a few days!

Online Resources for Homemade Meals:

• Homemade Dog Food Recipes – Dog Food Advisor

• Homemade Diet Guide – American Kennel Club

• BalanceIT – Vet-Approved Recipes

Best Store-Bought Options That Don’t Skimp on Quality:

If homemade isn’t always doable, here are some tried-and-true store-bought options that use real ingredients:

• The Farmer’s Dog – Fresh, human-grade meals delivered to your door. thefarmersdog.com

• Ollie – Customizable, clean meals with no mystery meat. myollie.com

• Nom Nom – Vet-formulated meals made with real proteins and veggies. nomnomnow.com

• Wellness CORE RawRev – Grain-free kibble with freeze-dried raw protein. Found at Petco or Chewy

In the Chicago area? Check out:

• Kriser’s Natural Pet – krisers.com

• Tucker Pup’s Pet Emporium – tuckerpups.com

• Liz’s Pet Shop (West Town) – lizspetshop.com

Final Thoughts

Feeding your dog well doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Do what works for you and your lifestyle. Whether that’s cooking every week or grabbing a bag of healthy kibble, your dog will thrive with love, attention, and a little intentional effort.

After all, happy bellies = happy tails.

For more wellness tips, real dog mom advice, and lifestyle updates, stay tuned to the Shop Paris Parker blog!