We adopted a six-year-old chihuahua in December 2017 from the Riverside County Animal Shelter in Riverside, California. At the time, different veterinarians thought she was between six and seven years old. Fast forward to today, she’s 13, going on 14 and has lost some energy in her old age. My husband and I wanted to make her dog food to see if her energy levels spiked back up and boy did they ever, thanks to this easy and simple homemade dog food recipe. Within one day of switching from canned Blue brand dog food to this delicious homemade version, we immediately noticed her energy peak and she seemed so much happier. I love this recipe because I know each and every ingredient and they’re all healthy! Each ingredient is a whole food that I can easily pronounce and seeing my pup dig into this food makes me so happy.
My homemade dog food recipe calls for ground turkey, coconut oil, zucchini, carrots, turmeric, an egg, and rice. I prefer to make the rice in our rice cooker ahead of time. That way, when I go to make her dog food on the stovetop, it’s much quicker than it would have been had I not pre-made the rice. You can add broccoli and or cauliflower too, if you want. Whatever you do, do not add any onion or garlic as it is highly toxic to dogs. In fact, according to Purina’s article, in certain circumstances, onion poisoning can be deadly for dogs.
If you don’t have turmeric, you can easily omit it as it’s not completely necessary. After making this, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to feeding my senior furbaby canned dog food. Not only does it cost a lot, but it’s not as nutritious as this homemade recipe. It doesn’t take longer than 25 minutes to make, so I really don’t have any excuse to NOT make this for my pup.
Ingredients in Easy Homemade Dog Food
Coconut oil. Coconut oil is a healthy oil that is pup friendly.
Ground turkey. I buy organic ground turkey because I want my furbaby to be as healthy as possible. Turkey is a lean protein that is highly digestible and builds muscle, giving your dog the energy he/she needs.
Zucchini. One grated zucchini mixes in well with the other ingredients and is rich in antioxidants. MasterClass’ article reports that zucchini squash is a wonderful source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
Spinach. Spinach is packed with antioxidants, including lutein which can eliminate free radicals in your dog’s body, adding time to his/her lifespan. For more information, read MasterClass’ article here.
Carrots. Carrots support your pup’s dental health and provide a sweet and crunchy flavor. If you have a small dog like we do, you’ll need all the dental help you can get. For more information on the health benefits of carrots for dogs, read Red Barn’s article.
Turmeric. Turmeric is an Indian spice that includes many health benefits for canines. According to Dogsee Chew’s article, turmeric may reduce inflammation, improve digestion, prevent cancer, improve cognitive function, and promote a healthy skin and coat.
Egg. Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs and are rich in protein. Australian Egg’s post discusses how eggs contain essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins for humans and dogs.
Rice. White rice helps dogs with digestive issues. It’s bland and helps slow stool production and eases diarrhea. Read Pet MD’s article for more information.
How to Make the Best Homemade Dog Food
1). Bring a large pot to medium-high heat. Add the coconut oil and meat and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat, cooking it until it’s completely cooked through – about 9-10 minutes.
2). Add the zucchini, spinach, carrots, and turmeric, stirring frequently until the vegetables are soft and tender, about 5-8 minutes.
3). Turn the heat off and add the egg, stirring until well combined. Pour in the rice, stirring until well mixed. Let it cool and serve.
If you like this, you’ll love these [human] beef recipes
Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Low-Carb Hamburger Steak and Gravy with Broccoli and Cauliflower Rice
Copycat Hot Dog on a Stick Recipe
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Easy Homemade Dog Food, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Easy Homemade Dog Food
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 zucchini grated
- 1.5 cups spinach finely chopped
- 3 carrots peeled and grated
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 egg
- 3 cups white or brown rice cooked
Instructions
- Bring a large pot to medium-high heat. Add the coconut oil and meat and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat, cooking it until it’s completely cooked through – about 9-10 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, spinach, carrots, and turmeric, stirring frequently until the vegetables are soft and tender, about 5-8 minutes.
- Turn the heat off and add the egg, stirring until well combined. Pour in the rice, stirring until well mixed. Let it cool and serve.
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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