You may think that selecting a commercial dog food labeled as ‘senior' will be good enough for your aging pet.
These dog food recipes for senior dogs are formulated for the “average” senior dog and don't consider your pet's unique needs.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs can be tailored to your dog's specific needs.
If your senior pet needs fewer calories, supplements to support weak joints, or even specific ingredients to avoid food sensitivities, you can make all that happen with a homemade dog food diet.
The top priority when considering a dietary change for your senior dog is to relieve discomfort associated with hip and joint pain and increase its lifespan.
Your dog's weight should always be monitored, but it is especially important to keep him lean in his senior years.
Extra weight puts unnecessary pressure on your dog's joints, which may already be affected by arthritis or other degenerative diseases.
Keeping your dog's weight under control can also reduce his chances of contracting other health conditions, such as kidney problems, diabetes, and heart problems.
Dog Food Recipe for Senior Dogs
Before switching your senior pet to a new diet (either homemade or commercial), you need to discuss the change with your veterinarian.
They will evaluate your dog and the recipe(s) you plan to feed.
They will guide you in substituting ingredients and/or adding supplements to the recipe(s) to make them nutritionally balanced for your pup's unique needs.
PrintDog Food Recipe for Senior Dogs
This recipe is made with easily digestible ingredients that are great for older dogs with sensitive tummies. If your dog has food allergies, you can substitute another protein source or use whole grain oats or quinoa instead of the rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: about 4 cups
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiled chicken (chopped)
- 1 hard boiled egg (mashed)
- 2 tbsp. plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/4 cup steamed carrots
- 1/4 cup steamed peas
Instructions
Boil the chicken and egg. Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging.
Rice doubles in size when it's cooked, so you'll only need about 1/8 cup of dry rice.
Steam the peas and carrots. Once all of your ingredients are prepared, you can combine them in a large mixing bowl.
Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Once the food is completely cooled, you can feed it to your pet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: .4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
Serving Size Recommendation: You can serve this homemade senior dog food to your pet as soon as it has cooled. I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20-25 pounds of body weight.
This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. So, a 25-pound dog would eat about 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.
This is just a guideline. Some dogs, like working dogs and very active breeds, will need more calories than this. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many.
It's best to consult your veterinarian about the appropriate serving size for your dog.
They will also help you evaluate the meal to ensure it meets your pet's unique nutritional needs.
If necessary, they will assist you in choosing the best supplements and/or multivitamins to add.
How to store: You can store the leftover senior dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze it, and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Remember 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 treat 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.
