Making homemade dog food isn't very convenient, but it's a much healthier option than most commercial dog food products. It may be a lot easier to swing by the local pet store and grab a bag of food from the shelf, but research has shown that there are some pretty disgusting ingredients in commercial dog food. Making your own dog food at home is a great way to ensure that your dog is only eating healthy, natural ingredients.
This homemade dog food recipe uses chicken as the protein source. The best part of making homemade dog food is that you can substitute ingredients if you'd like. If your dog is allergic to chicken or just prefers a different meat, feel free to use something else instead.
I use apples, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes and carrots in this recipe as well. You can substitute other dog-friendly fruits and vegetables if you want to. When I’m planning which homemade dog food recipe I’m going to make, I try to choose fruits and vegetables that are in season. They’re cheaper and easier to find at most local markets.
Some healthy substitutions include:
- blueberries
- kale
- spinach
- squash
- peas
- broccoli
Be sure to do your research before substituting ingredients in homemade dog food. Look for reputable sources online or make a call to your veterinarian before adding in any ingredients that you're not sure about.
Most homemade dog food recipes are not nutritionally balanced, so be sure to consult a canine nutritionist if you're planning to switch to a homemade diet. This recipe won't provide balanced nutrition for all dogs, so it's likely that your vet may recommend adding supplements to this food.
MORE INFORMATION: Substitutions for Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Chicken and Vegetable Slow Cooker Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lb. boneless/skinless chicken thighs
- 2 large apples (cored and chopped)
- 2 cups frozen green beans
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1 large sweet potato (chopped)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
Directions
If you don't have a lot of extra time to prepare meals for your dog, using a slow cooker may be helpful. Slow cooker recipes only require a little bit of prep work. There is no need to tend the food while it's cooking.
For this chicken and vegetable dinner, all you have to do is add the ingredients listed above to the slow cooker and turn it on. Most slow cookers are programmable, but if yours isn't you'll have to keep an eye on the time. This meal should cook on low for about 8 hours.
If you work outside the home, this recipe is a great alternative to meals that you have to fix daily. You can put the ingredients in the slow cooker before you leave for work, and by the time you get home Fido's food will be ready. Plus, you can make the food in bulk so you only have to cook once a week or so.
As soon as this chicken and veggie stew has cooled, you can feed it to your pooch. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them and they’ll keep for 8-10 weeks.
The recommended serving size for this recipe is about 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds of body weight per serving, and it should be served twice a day. Keep in mind that more active dogs may require more calories every day, while lazier pups might not need as much.
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