Making homemade dog food isn't the most convenient way to feed your pet. It may be easier to stop into your local pet store and pick up a bag of kibble, but homemade dog food can be healthier for your dogs. This easy home cooked dog food recipe will not provide balanced nutrition for all dogs, but it is a good starting point for beginners.
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Before You Make This Recipe…
I always warn pet owners that before you switch your pet to a homemade dog food diet, you need to consult a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. They will evaluate your dog's needs and the nutritional content of the recipes that you plan to serve. The expert that you work with will be able to guide you in choosing appropriate supplements to ensure the home cooked dog food is 100% nutritionally balanced for your pet's unique needs.
While research has shown that there are some pretty disgusting ingredients in commercial dog food, there are also plenty of healthy brands that are well-balanced for most dogs. Making your own dog food at home may be a great way to ensure that your dog is only eating healthy, natural ingredients, but you'll need to ensure that these recipes are well-balanced.
Here's a small tip: when I’m planning which home cooked recipe to make for my dogs, I try to choose fruits and vegetables that are in season. They’re cheaper and easier to find at most local markets. Same as with protein sources, you can substitute the fruits and veggies in this recipe with other dog-friendly options, like:
- banana
- kale
- pumpkin
- squash
- peas
- broccoli
Be sure to do your research before substituting ingredients in home cooked dog food recipes. Look for reputable sources online or give a call to your veterinarian before adding in any ingredients that you're not sure about.
Easy Home Cooked Dog Food Recipe
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.
PrintEasy Home Cooked Dog Food
This easy home cooked dog food recipe uses chicken and turkey as the protein sources. The best part of making homemade dog food is that you can substitute ingredients if you'd like (such as exchanging chicken with beef or venison). So if your dog is allergic to chicken or just prefers a different meat, feel free to use something else instead.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 6 hrs
- Total Time: 6 hrs 10 min
- Category: Nutritious Foods
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 3 lb. boneless chicken thighs
- 3 lb. ground turkey
- 2 large sweet potatoes (chopped)
- 8 ounces frozen spinach
- 8 ounces chopped carrots
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
Instructions
Add the chicken thighs and ground turkey to the slow cooker. Cover the meat with water. Add the sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots and blueberries on top of the meat. Cover and cook on ‘Low' for 6 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 turkey dog food dish 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 up to 3 months.
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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