Dogs share one similarity with people when it comes to their food—they prefer full-flavor over diet! If you have the time, you could easily make your own food for delicious, healthy meals at home. Here’s what you need to know:

• You should provide a balance of grains, proteins, and some vegetables. Proteins come from animal sources, meats, fish, poultry, and dairy.

• Pregnant or lactating dogs require more protein and fat and less carbohydrates than other dogs.

• There are some foods you should avoid, including artificial sweeteners and fats, chocolate, garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, and raw meat (which may contain bacteria, salmonella, or parasites).

• Good foods to include are meats, poultry, eggs, yogurt, buttermilk, rice, potatoes, beans, legumes, bran, fresh vegetables, and whole grains.

You can find a wide variety of recipes all over the Internet by searching for “make your own dog food” or you can purchase one of these cookbooks:

Better Food for Dogs, by David Bastin, Grant Nixon, and Jennifer Ashton, $13.57 at Amazon

Offers a complete cookbook and nutrition guide.

Everything Cooking for Dogs Book, by Lisa Fortunato, $10.36 on Amazon

Contain 150 quick and easy recipes.

The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Delicious and Nutritious Recipes Your Dog Will Love, by Jonna Anne, $13.57 on Amazon

Has menus for every type and size of dog.

Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes for a Healthier Dog, by Arden Moore, $8.58 on Amazon

Includes some recipes for humans that can be used for dogs with slight modifications.