Teddy's story

Hi, I'm Teddy. Welcome to my kitchen.

I'm a Maltese × Chihuahua from Sydney. The recipes, the calculator, the shopping list, the premix that's coming — all of it started because my human couldn't find dog food that was both honest and affordable. So we made our own. Now we're sharing it.

Teddy — a Maltese × Chihuahua from Sydney, chief taste-tester at Teddy's Kitchen

The why

Why this kitchen exists.

My human used to feed me kibble. Then they read the back of the bag — the kind of reading where you Google every ingredient — and got worried. So they switched to one of those fresh-delivery brands you see ads for. Better food. But the bill came in at almost $14 a day. For one small dog. Forever.

So they did the math. You can buy chicken thighs, butternut, a few staples, and a proper supplement from the supermarket and produce food that's nutritionally just as good — for a fraction of the price. The only reason most people don't is that the recipes, calculations, and supplement formulation aren't easy to figure out from scratch.

So they got help. Worked with a pet nutritionist to make sure my food hit every nutritional target an Australian dog actually needs. Built a calculator so anyone could scale it to their dog. Then made everything free.

The only reason home-cooking isn't more common is that the recipes, calculations, and supplement formulation aren't easy to figure out from scratch. My human made them easy.

About me

A bit about me.

I'm a Maltese × Chihuahua. Small dog, big opinions. I have a favourite blanket, a strong feeling about the postman, and the kind of dignified stare that gets me extra treats. Most importantly: I'm the official taste-tester for everything in this kitchen.

Every recipe on this site has been served to me first. If I won't eat it, it doesn't make the cut. I don't get a vote on the nutritional formulation — that's the pet nutritionist's job — but I get a vote on whether it's actually worth eating. And after years of eating dry brown nuggets, I take this responsibility very seriously.

This kitchen is named after me because the recipes started in my actual kitchen — the one I wait in every evening at dinner time, hopeful. Now there are five recipes I'd happily eat every week, and a premix on the way that makes them properly balanced. That's the whole project.

The science

How the food gets balanced.

I'll be honest about this because the dog food world is full of vague claims. Here's exactly what's behind the recipes on this site:

What we are:

AAFCO-aligned. Every recipe is formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult dogs — the same standard commercial pet food brands have to hit.
Made for Australian dogs. Built around ingredients you can actually buy at Coles, Woolies, IGA, and your local butcher. Local supply, local pricing, local realities.
Formulated by a pet nutritionist. Not a vet. A qualified pet nutritionist who works with the math of canine nutrition for a living.
Honest about cost. Recipes, calculator, and shopping list are free forever. The Premix is the only thing we'll ever charge for — and only when you choose to buy.
Real dog tested. Me. Every recipe.

What we're not: Veterinarians. We can't diagnose your dog or prescribe treatment. If your dog has a medical condition — allergies, kidney issues, diabetes, anything — please work with your vet first. These recipes are a feeding plan, not a treatment plan.

How we work

What you can expect.

Transparency

Every claim has a source. Every recipe lists every ingredient. We never hide behind "natural flavours" or proprietary blends. If you ask why a recipe contains something, we tell you.

No subscription lock-in

Recipes, calculator, and shopping list are free forever. The Premix is the only thing we sell — bought when you need it, no auto-renewal, no surprise charges.

Real food, no shortcuts

Ingredients you'd recognise from your own kitchen. Cooking processes that preserve nutrients. A premix where the math actually demands every milligram.

Australian-first

Recipes built around what's at Coles, Woolies, IGA, and your local butcher. Local ingredients, local supply chain, local tax.

Honest about limits

If something isn't appropriate for your dog, we say so. We point to vets for medical questions and we don't oversell what real food can do.

Built to improve

This is v1. Puppy, senior, and condition-specific recipes are in development. Every new piece will be designed with the same rigour.

Get in touch

Got questions? Just ask.

My human reads every email. Whether you have a question about a recipe, want to tell us about your dog, or have suggestions to improve — hello@teddyskitchen.com.au goes straight to their inbox.

Email us directly →