Homemade dog food is a healthier alternative to commercial diets, when you do it properly. You can cater homemade meals to your dog's unique nutritional needs, and you can use the healthiest ingredients available. This recipe uses turkey, vegetables, brown rice and other safe and healthy ingredients, and you can make substitutions to the ingredients if need be.
Like most other homemade dog food recipes, you can substitute a different protein source if your dog doesn't like turkey. If your pet is sensitive to common protein sources, you could use lamb, venison or rabbit instead.
You can also use any type of fruits or vegetables that your dog likes. Some healthy options for dogs include:
- apples
- blueberries
- kale
- carrots
- beets
- green beans
- sweet potatoes
- spinach
Before substituting any ingredients or even before feeding this exact recipe to your pet, check with your veterinarian or a trained canine nutritionist. There are some fruits and vegetables that can be toxic to dogs like grapes, onions, tomatoes and avocados. You also need to be sure that the food you're feeding will provide complete and balanced nutrition for your pet.
Healthy Turkey Casserole for Dogs Recipe
There are plenty of great, nutritionally packed foods you can use to supplement your dog's diet, whether they eat home cooked meals or commercial dog food. The extra vitamins and minerals provided by these foods give your pup a necessary boost, and can help him stay healthier and happier longer.
Recipe: Healthy Turkey Casserole for Dogs
Turkey is a highly digestible protein. This lean, white meat helps dogs build muscle and maintain a healthy body weight. It's a great source of necessary nutrients like phosphorus, riboflavin and, as an added bonus, most dogs love the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: about 14 cups 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. ground turkey
- 1 cup dry brown rice
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 cups spinach (chopped)
- 2 carrots (shredded)
- 1 zucchini (chopped)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging. While the rice is boiling, you can prepare the turkey. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook until browned. Stir in the spinach, carrots, zucchini and peas. Once the rice has finished cooking, add it to the mixture.
Cook all of the ingredients together over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove the food from the heat, and allow it to cool completely before serving it to your dog.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: .8 g
- Sodium: 106 mg
- Fat: 10.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.1 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 24.8 g
- Cholesterol: 87 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 turkey casserole for dogs 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.
