The biggest factor in the overall cost of homemade dog food is the protein source that you decide to use. I like including this recipe in my repertoire of homemade dog meals because it's simple to make and very affordable. With just four ingredients, this chicken and broccoli dog food can be made for less than $1 per cup.
Chicken is affordable and easy to find in most grocery stores. Depending on the time of year and the region that you live in, there may be less expensive meat options at your local grocer. You can substitute a different protein source to lower the cost of the meal or just to add a little more variety into your dog's diet.
Making homemade dog food has a lot of benefits, the most important being that it is healthier for your pet. When you shop for the ingredients and prepare the meals, you know exactly what goes into the food you're feeding your dog.
Unfortunately, making homemade dog food takes a lot longer than just scooping out some dry kibble or opening a can of wet food. If you plan ahead, you can make a lot of dog food in advance. You can keep it in the refrigerator for about 5 days or you could make extra to freeze and serve on the days that you don't have time to cook.
Easy Chicken and Broccoli Dog Food Recipe
This dog food recipe is simple to prepare, and most dogs find it appetizing. Did you know that most homemade dog food diets are not nutritionally balanced for most dogs? A canine's nutritional needs are unique to him, and they vary based on his age, weight, breed, activity level and overall health condition.
The only person that can tell you if this chicken and broccoli dog food will make an appropriate diet for your dog is your veterinarian or a trained canine nutritionist. They will likely recommend adding additional supplements to the recipe to ensure that it meets all of your dog’s nutritional needs.
You do not need to feed this recipe as your pet’s main diet. You can also use it as a food topper to entice picky eaters or to add extra nutrients to your pet’s commercial kibble.
PrintRecipe: Easy Chicken and Broccoli Dog Food with Rice
This recipe uses just four ingredients, making it an excellent choice for dogs with digestive problems or food allergies. It is also a great choice for picky eaters, as the whole food ingredients are very enticing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 8 cups of food 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds of chicken (diced)
- 2.5 cups of cooked brown rice
- 1.5 cups of chopped broccoli
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Instructions
Boil the chicken until fully cooked (about 25 minutes). Boil the broccoli until fully cooked (about 10 minutes). Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging.
Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the ingredients are equally combined. Once the chicken and broccoli dog food has cooled, you can feed it to your pet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: .2 g
- Sodium: 49 mg
- Fat: 4.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.2 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
How much to feed: I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20 pounds of body weight. This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. This is just a guideline. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many. It is extremely important to consult your veterinarian about the best serving size for your dog.
How to store: You can store the leftover chicken and broccoli dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that this recipe includes no preservatives, so it won't last nearly as long as commercial dog food.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
