Healthy Homemade Dog Food

Your pup is part of the family. You’re most likely willing to pretty much do anything for your four-legged friend, including making meals from scratch. Traditional dog food is filled with less than appetizing ingredients like animal by-products, BHA/BHT, white flour, artificial coloring, MSG, gluten, and corn syrup.

When making dog food, keep in mind your pet’s nutritional needs. Cooking homemade delicious dog-friendly meals packed with healthy proteins, produce, and complex carbs may be easier (and cheaper) than you thought.

How Much Dog Food Does My Dog Need?

If you’re not sure how much food your doggo should be eating daily, check out the guide below. If you have a super active dog, they may need to eat more than the recommended servings.

Get out your apron, and get ready to learn a few new tricks yourself. Check out the doggie delicacies below to keep your pet healthy and strong.

DIY Slow Cooker Dog Food

You can custom make dog food right in your crockpot with ingredients you probably already have. It’s much healthier and cheaper than the generic store-bought wet dog food. Plus, it’s freezer friendly!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 15-ounces of beans (kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, or pinto beans work well
• 1 1/2 cups chopped butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup of frozen peas

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Soak the beans in water overnight.
2.  Stir the ground meat, brown rice, beans of choice, butternut squash, carrots, peas, and 4 cups water into a 6-qt slow cooker.
3.  Cover it and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours. That’s it!
4.  Let cool completely before you serve your fur baby their delicious dinner.

Savory Chicken Stew

This dish is jam-packed with healthy fats, protein, and veggies that will keep your dog full.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (cook the rice according to the package instructions)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 pounds ground chicken (can substitute for turkey)
• 3 cups chopped spinach
• 2 shredded carrots
• 1 shredded zucchini
• ½ cup frozen peas

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, usually around 3-5 minutes.
2. Stir in the vegetables and brown rice.
3. Let simmer for around 3-5 minutes until everything is heated.
4. Let cool completely and serve to your pup.

Yummy Salmon Surprise

Salmon is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids that are excellent for your dog’s joints and fur. This meal is so good we wouldn’t be shocked if your human family members want a bite!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salmon fillet with SKIN ON
• 1 squash
• 1 head of broccoli
• 3 sweet potatoes
• 2 carrots

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut up sweet potatoes and cover with 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook in the oven until soft.
2. Cut up all the vegetables into bite-size pieces and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
3. Pan fry salmon in 1 tbsp olive oil with skin on.
4. Once everything is finished cooking and cooled, mix all together in a dog bowl.

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