The last thing I thought I would be doing was making Homemade Dog food in my crockpot for my fur babies. But here I am doing it and it couldn’t be easier. I add the ingredients to the crockpot or slow cooker and let it cook.
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Why I decided to make my own dog food
We only want the best for our pets, don’t we? My two pugs are a big part of our family and I want them to be around as long as possible. I looked into human-grade dog food from some online companies because after some research I knew this was a much better option than kibble. After learning the cost of the dog food subscription services, I quickly decided I could make my own and save money.
Ingredients
There are so many things you can add to your homemade dog food. Depending on your dog’s diet and needs, you should speak to your veterinarian. Here is what I used for my Homemade Dog Food.
- Ground Turkey
- Peas and Carrots (Frozen mixed bag)
- Frozen Sweet Potatoes
- Frozen Spinach
- Organic Brown Rice
Consult your veterinarian before making your dog food.
Please consult with your vet before making your dog food. It is important to discuss your pet’s needs and health issues if any before doing it. You can show them my recipe and see if they recommend adding or removing anything.
You can change your recipe to best fits your pet’s needs.
Liquid
After adding all the ingredients to the crockpot you will add your liquid. The first couple of times I just added water which worked out great. In my most recent batch, I decided to add in a cup of no-salt chicken stock in place of one of the cups of water. I thought maybe it would add a little more flavor. You want to make sure to only use the NO SALT chicken stock because of the sodium in the regular kind. Add stock is not necessary and is optional.
Break up Ground Turkey
Once it starts cooking I use my Mix and Chop tool to break up the ground turkey. I then stir the ingredients as needed.
Cook Time
You can set your crockpot to cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. It depends on your crockpot. However, mine was finished in about 3 hours.
How to store homemade dog food
Once your batch is finished let it cool completely before serving and storing. I use an airtight container to store my batch in the refrigerator. I also freeze some of it in freezer bags by dividing them into single servings. When you are ready to serve, you can defrost it in your refrigerator and then warm it up in the microwave. Make sure it is cooled before serving it. I do add a little kibble with the homemade food since we are adjusting to the new food.
What my dogs think about homemade dog food
My dogs love this recipe and have done so well with the transition. They look forward to it every day. I honestly can’t believe how easy making your dog food is . They had slimmed down and seemed much more active since switching to this dog diet recipe.
Homemade Dog Food in Slow Cooker
Equipment
- Crockpot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. ground turkey 85% lean 15% fat
- 1 1/4 cups frozen sweet potatoes 10oz. bag frozen
- 1 1/2 cups mixed frozen peas and carrots 12oz bag frozen
- 1 cup frozen spinach
- 1 1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked or white rice
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Add ground turkey, frozen pea & carrots, frozen sweet potaotes, frozen spinach, brown rice and water in slow cooker.
- Break up ground turkey and mix well with other ingredients.
- Cover with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6 hours or until meat is cooked. Stiring occasionally. NOTE: I cooked mine on High and it was ready in 3 1/2 hours.
- Let cool completly before serving.
- Store in refrigerator in an air tight container or freeze.
Notes
Consult your veterinarian before making your own dog food.
Nutrition
How much do you feed your dogs at each feeding? I currently order cooked food from a subscription plan and it is getting very costly. I would like to try making my own.
Hi Leah, It’s hard to say without speaking to your vet. I would check with your vet to see how much to feed him or her. It really depends on your pet’s size and needs. This recipe is so easy to make and has saved me money. I hope this helps. 🙂
Hi, What is the fat content is this recipe? To much fat can cause pancreas issues.. Love the look of it and I make everything for my family..
Thank you
My 10 lb cockapoo gets 1 cup total a day, I split into 2 meals . My 22 lb cockapoo gets 1.5 cups per day split into 2 meals. They both love this recipe. I add 1 table spoon of pure pumpkin to the 22 lb dogs n 1 tsp of pumpkin to the 10 lb dogs bowl just before I feed them. I also bought multi vitamin powder for dogs off Amazon, by the Riley’s brand n I add a scoop to each of their bowls. This all came recommended by my vet when I switched them to homemade food .
Do you warm it up a little before giving it to them?
Yes I do. 🙂
Just made mine but it’s so soupy ! Do I drain or what ?
Hi Elizabeth, after it sits for a bit, it should become less runny. It will still have a wet consistency to it. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I made it, I did cut the water by a 1/2 a cup. Turned out perfect! Dogs are so content. I love the way my dogs enjoy their food now. Ordinarily with store bought, they look so bored and don’t look happy when they eating it. They get excited for this homemade recipe & thank me over and over ! Thanks
Can you use a fresh sweet potato if you can’t find them frozen?
Hi Brianna, You can use fresh. You can also try frozen butternut squash. I have been using that a lot.
Hi! I’m consulting my vet who is wondering what are the calories per cup or gram. Do you have that calculation, please?
How long can you keep it in the refrigerator and or freezer? Also, how many calories, fat etc are in a serving?
Love the recipe but can I use none frozen items? Would rather make with fresh meat like chicken and fresh veggies. This is something I would freeze.
Yes you can use fresh vegetables.
I was wondering if you could use chicken broth instead of water.
Yes, careful and make sure it doesn’t have onions or garlic in it. I’ve been making this recipe for my pup and have been using 2cups of water and 2 cups of bone broth
I use unsalted chicken broth instead of water. My furbies love it! I’ve been contemplating trying the recipe with ground beef or chicken instead of turkey. Will those work well in the recipe?
Yes, I have used both of those and they work great!
Add 2 T to dry food and Winnie laps it up…so nutritious and cost saving are great!
What is the kcal/cup for this recipe?
How many days worth of food would this make? I’m considering homemade for my very picky pup!
I keep mine for a week.
Hi!
How long will this last in the freezer?
I would say 30 days in an air tight container. That is my preference anyway. I hope this helps. 🙂
This looks good, but definitely not adequate in vitamins, minerals. Needs organ meats, calcium (to balance phosphorous ratio).
Hi Laura. Check with your vet to see what they suggest. I am just sharing what I do and has worked for me and my dogs.
Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me how many calories are in this recipe?
Thank you
Millie my Beagador absolutely adores her crockpot creations! We’ve been very creative with our meats and veggies too!
I have been making my dog’s food as well. I wanted to ask if you use any other types of meat and do you add any type of supplements to your dog’s food?
I personally do not, but I would speak to your vet and see if they would recommend something.
I have been using this recipe of yours for the past 3 months. My dogs LOVE they’re food! And I feel good about giving them something so healthy. I do add a dog vitamin to they’re breakfast every morning. I know a lot of people have been asking how much to feed your dog. Google was my friend in figuring this out. A word of advice. Dogs need they’re rice over cooked. If it’s not it can cause tummy discomfort. I learned this the hard way. Thank you for the easy and wonderful recipe
I’m just looking to add something as a topper for my puppy and this looks like it would be good. Will be trying. Thxs.
I started using this recipe 6 months ago and will never go back to dry dog food again. I have a 5 year old German Shepard and she weighed 120 pounds. Since starting the homemade food she now weighs 75 pounds the vet is tickled pink. She gets 1 and 1/2 cups twice daily. He was worried about her hips and knees. Last check up he was very impressed. We did ask him about adding meats other than turkey and he suggested raw heart and liver from the butcher every 2 weeks. Thank you again for sharing and making Lola’s life happier.
Thank you for this recipe!!! My boy Maxie had been on prescription kibble of various tires for the past 4 years, so you can imagine my heartbreak when he got so sick and was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease.
I immediately took him off his kibble and started using this recipe to cook healthy meals for him. Over the course of the past 10 weeks, while working with our Vet, lots of blood and urine tests, various pills, and a whole lot of prayers, my boy is now doing great! He’s active and interested in life again and LOVES his food
In fact, our Vet called last week to tell us there are no traces of protein in his urine at all! I’m We’re down to only one pill a day and I attribute our success to lots of love, a great vet and good quality food.
We are so grateful! Thank you!!!
Dogs love it ! One crock pot gave me 6 quart size bags full of food .
How long is this good for in an air tight container in the refrigerator?