Homemade dog food is a wonderful alternative to commercial diets, when you do it properly. You can cater the meals to your dog's individual needs, and you can use the healthiest ingredients available. This recipe uses turkey, vegetables, brown rice and other safe and healthy ingredients.
Like most other 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 venison, bison or rabbit instead.
You can also use any type of fruits or vegetables that your dog likes. Fruits and veggies that are healthy for dogs include:
- apples
- bananas
- watermelon
- green beans
- carrots
- blueberries
- spinach
Before substituting other vegetables or fruits, check with your veterinarian or do some research on your own. There are some fruits and vegetables that can be toxic to dogs like grapes, onions, tomatoes and avocados.
Turkey Casserole for Dogs
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: Turkey Casserole for Dogs
Turkey is rich in nutrients like protein, riboflavin and phosphorous. It is a lean, white meat that helps dogs build muscle and maintain a healthy body weight. It is also a highly digestible protein source.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 8 cups of food 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stovetop
- 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 (shredded)
- 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 saucepan 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 recipe 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 dinner 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.
