Making homemade dog food is much less convenient than running into your local pet food store and picking up a bag from the shelf. It might be easier, but store bought dog food can contain some pretty nasty ingredients. Making your own pet food at home is a great way to ensure your dog's health and well-being is in check.
This homemade dog food recipe calls for chicken as the protein source, but the best thing about making your own food is that you can substitute any protein source you want. If your dog prefers beef, venison or bison, you can add that instead.
You can also substitute different vegetables. 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:
- Pumpkin
- Kale
- Parsley
- Zucchini
- Peas
There are many more, but be sure to do your research before adding them to your recipe. Some plants, like onions, are toxic to dogs. Look for a trusted source online or make a quick call to your veterinarian before feeding your dog any new foods.
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Chicken and Vegetable Crock Pot Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 medium sweet potato cut into chunks
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 lb. green beans cut in half
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 large carrots cut into bite-sized pieces
Directions
Crock pot recipes are ideal for pet owners who don't have a lot of extra time to cook for their pet. These recipes require little prep work and you don't have to tend to the meal while it's cooking.
For this chicken and vegetable meal, all you need to do is add all the ingredients to the crock pot and turn on the slow cooker. You can cook the dog food on the high setting for 5 hours or on the low setting for 8 hours.
FURTHER READING: Can Dogs Go Vegan – Ins and Outs of Vegetarian Diet
This is a great recipe for pet owners who work outside the home. You can turn the crock pot on and leave it while you're out of the house. When you return, your dog's dinner will be ready.
If your crock pot has a timer, that's ideal. However, if it doesn't just set it on low and if there isn't anyone home in 8 hours to shut it off it should be okay for a little longer than that. If you're going to be gone longer than 10 hours you should have someone come to your home and shut the slow cooker off.
As soon as the food is 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.
FULL GUIDE: How To Make Homemade Dog Food 101
