Homemade Crockpot Dog Food
Easy options for making your own dog food in the crockpot.
I have 2 dogs. One will eat anything, whatever you put in front of him is finished in minutes! The other has more decerning tastes…well sort of. She is a rescue and when we got her she was bone thin. Despite that fact, she is a fussy eater!
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This was the day after we took her home.
This guy is still a puppy and will literally eat anything!
I started making my own dog food out of necessity really. As I said before, Trixie, my girl, is a bit fussy. She didn’t like plain kibble so I would mix it with various things. Broth, made specifically for them. Canned dog food but she hates that. One day, after I made broth (dog safe), I strained the bits and picked out the bones, and mixed that in with their kibble…They loved it! Especially her! Eventually, that evolved into what I make now. It’s a huge hit! Sometimes when I’m out of homemade and try canned again it’s not well received!
It’s a pretty easy recipe and it’s very flexible to accommodate what you have in your cupboard.
~ Ingredients
- Meat – I like to get a large pack of stew meat and some organ meat. You can usually find cheap frozen organ meat in the frozen meat area. Chicken gizzards, hearts, livers etc. You can sometimes also find beef organs and tripe in the same area. These are all great for your pup! Ground beef is good too.
- 3 – 4 Carrots
- 1 -3 Yams (depending on size) – Potatoes would work but yams are a lot healthier.
- 2 – 3 cups of Peas – I use frozen
- 1.5 cups Brown rice, quinoa, barley, kidney beans or chickpeas – Rice is my usual go-to.
- Squash – Butternut or pumpkin (I don’t add this to every batch)
- Spinach can be a good add in as well – When I add this it’s usually when it’s finished cooking but hasn’t cooled yet.
- Apples and blueberries are good add ins as well.
- Water – enought to fill the pot.
~How to make it
This doesn’t have to be done in the crockpot, you could use a regular pot on the stove too.
The amounts are just a guide. I just add enough ingredients to fill the crockpot to the rim and add water.
Cut up all your ingredients – Stew meat is always cut but I like to make it a bit smaller because “the eater” tends not to chew. The carrots I just wash and cut into coins. Yams I peel (because I read somewhere that the skins are bad for dogs’ digestion) then cut them into small pieces. Throw everything into the crockpot and cover with water and set on low for about 5 hours or on high for 3 hours.
Just a small warning that you may already know – cooked meat with no seasoning does not smell very good!!!! There are a few seasonings you can use that are healthy for dogs and that makes your house smell a little better for the 6 hours that this has to cook. Basil, parsley, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric – not at all necessary for the dogs but it does make that boiled meat smell go away a bit. The other option would be to fry your meats first.
~ What to do when it’s done
Once the crockpot is done then it’s ready to use. What we like to do is put a small amount of kibble in the dishes then add about 1/2 cup of homemade food and mix it with a bit of water so it’s like gravy. The dogs absolutely love this!
Keep some in the fridge, enough for a week, and put the rest into freezer containers until you’re ready to use it. A batch like this lasts me about 3 weeks.
Pretty easy, right? I would love to know what your dogs think!
I also have another recipe for dog food, it’s a take on meatloaf. Follow this link to check it out – https://happyandhandcrafted.com/easy-peasy-mutt-loaf/
Comments
I do same but I struggle with how much meat and how much food to give them they are big dogs and they always seem hungry
I get it! mine would eat all day if I let him lol
I weigh the meat separate from the veg. I feed my 150 lb mastif. 200 grams of yogurt in the morning and then for dinner 400 grams of chicken with 400 grams of vegetables total 800 rams for dinner. I feel weighing her meals in grams vs cups gives my dog more to eat.
So how much do you feed per weight?
My dogs are medium/large size and I give them about 3/4 cup mixed with their dry food twice a day.
How much meat so you put in?
I do a lot the same but I use ground turkey. 4lbs.
Generally, about 3-4 pounds for the crockpot
What kind of vitamins and minerals etc do you include in your homemade cooking? Like for a 10# and 24# dog?
I don’t really add anything – generally just meat, fruits, veggies and grains. For my dogs this isn’t their only food, I still give them kibble. I’m sure if you ask your vet they would be able to give you an idea of what they need. 🙂
“Balance It” is recommended by Veterinary nutritionists for those that home cook.
If you are feeding as a topper over kibble, no need to add vitamins. If you feed exclusively, with no kibble, then you need to research and add vitamins. I can’t say definitely but I read to add a one a day vitamin to one serving. If you feed exclusively home cooking.
I make my own dog also and my babies love it. I started when my boxer developed cancer and he was my 3rd one to have cancer. I use ground chicken and ground turkey chicken lives and gizzards and fresh green beans and peas carrots yams white rice and brown rice squash zucchini spinach beef liver pig neck bone deer and bear meat and assorted fruit
That sounds very healthy!
What kind of fruit would u use?
I use apples sometimes and blueberries.
Can I ask has this helped keep your dogs cancer free? We had to put our girl(boxer) to sleep die to cancer and it was just heartbreaking. We tried everything to keep her going😭
I honestly don’t know. My dogs are cancer-free though. I’m sorry for your loss! I know how hard it is to lose a family member!
Most kibbles are full of carbs that turn into sugar. Sugar feeds cancer.
I am a patient at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute getting a stem cell transplant for Multiple Myeloma. I had heard the same thing about sugar and asked a team of Oncologist about sugar. Doctors say there just no real science behind it. I have a Boxer/Beagle and I worry about the cancer possibilities for her. I’m VERY dependent on her and my husband and I tease each other that we get or two kisses a day and she gets 100 kisses from each of us.
I’m sorry you’re going through that and I know how you feel about your dogs…I feel the same way!
Do you have a recipe??
Would you like to share please??
Sounds very healthy!!
I make my own and got the recipe from this vet on YouTube. He’s excellent and my pup loves the recipe and he gives you measurements and ratio of protein:carbs:vitamins. https://youtu.be/uDP8nPELClg
What is the name of this person?
Just watch the carbs . I’ve had two cancer issues with my dogs & cancer loves carbs . Ck out Rodney Habib homemade dog food
Did this help your dog live longer with cancer?
Could this be their only dog food? My point is to get them off dog food filled with junk.
Yes, it could be their only food. I have read, however, that extra calcium might be something they would need in this case. I would check with your vet to be sure.
I have read to add an egg with the shell for the calcium part..
Yes, I have too! Though they say best to make sure your vet approves.
You could also dry your egg shells and grind them into a fine powder to put into their food daily.
I also saved and dried egg shells for some time then ground them in my spice grinder to a powder then add approximately a tablespoon to my homemade dog food in the insta pot after browning the meat (boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, ground turkey or very lean hamburger) for added calcium. On a side note, I also add the ground egg shells to my garden as well. I used to add chopped chicken or beef livers but both of my dogs really didn’t like it. Then the brown rice and veggies, ground flax seed, then the fruit after it is done cooking (blueberries, bananas and peeled cored apples), also coconut oil as per the recipe One of my dogs loves blueberries and the other not so much, however they all loved the cooked apple or unsweetened applesauce. No spices of any kind are ever added. I showed the recipe to the vet as suggested and he approved.
That’s very close to my recipe as well! I dry and then powder my egg shells and keep them in an air tight jar!
Dog food recipe;
60% protein
20% vegetables
10% fruit
5%. Organ meat
5%. Grain
Extra’s ; egg shells, yogurt, fish, and raw or cooked eggs
My 26 lb Boston Terrier at 12 years old still acts like a teenager!
I save all my egg shells and grind them into a powder form and add it to her raw diet. She doesn’t mind one bit.
I save egg shells, bake them in oven 350 for 10-15 minutes.I ground them in my old(cleaned out) coffee grinder.I mix about 2 tbsp in above mention food quantity.
So my dog is allergic to chicken, pork, beef, and duck. So what would you try?
In this case, I would ask your vet for some ideas. Maybe some wild game meat – deer, moose, bear etc
Mine is allergic to chicken, pork, turkey, corn and rice. The best success we’ve had has been on a prescription novel protein alligator dog food. In our case, turns out he’s also allergic to a couple of those long word additives near the end of the ingredients list..yay! Good luck!
Try rabbit
Lamb might work, and is very digestible.
Mine too! I give mine goat milk and lamb for the meat. I also cook up fish. I found out recently that he’s allergic to venison too. 🙄
Bison, kangaroo, rabbit, venison.
Also try fish.kathie
Turkey!
We use lamb
For the extra calcium, I bake the egg shells from the boiled eggs that I add to the food.
After baking I put them in my bullet to grind them up – one egg per pound of meat.
What is the purpose of baking the shells if they been boiled? At what temp, for how long?
I’m not sure. Personally, I only save the shells when I fry eggs and bake those. I imagine it makes them easier to grind. Usually, I bake at about 275 for about 30 min.
You bake them to kill off salmonella.
Have a 41/2 month old who is required to eat 31/3 cups of kibble a day I made this recipe for her because she seemed to begin a little disinterested in her kibble. I hav been adding this recipe to her two meals approximately 3/4-1 cup to half a cup of kibble. What are your thought is this too much or too little?
That’s a bit of a tough question as most kibbles require different amounts. When my boy was a pup (border collie) I gave him about the same. Our vet was really happy with his weight and his over all health, it couldn’t hurt to run this past your vet to be sure though. Hope this helps!
To prevent e-Coli I believe
My vet gave me a recipe that uses ground Turkey, green beans, rice, powdered bone meal & a multi-vitamin (for human). The information I got from my vet says rabbit is the go to meat for them, but I couldn’t find any that I could afford. Also suggests bison and venison. Good luck.
I have an English Mastiff, she had to lose her 20 COVID pounds(like the rest of us) So I started cooking for her. I give her 900 grams of food at dinner, 450 grams of protein, (either chicken, chop meat, turkey, chicken livers, and 450 grams of vegetables, spinach, kale carrots, sweet potatoes, some pumpkin, brown rice. in the morning she gets 170 grams of plain yogurt. Since making her food, she lost 20lbs, she moves better and looks better, I also give her Cosequin joint health supplement. When I brought her to the vet, he was very happy with her weight loss and how she looked he was aware of what I was cooking for her an was fine with it.
My dog will not touch sweet potatoes or pumpkin. What other substitutions could I add? White potatoes maybe?
Yes, white potatoes would work. Does your dog like rutabaga? You could try that too.
Great recipe; thanks for sharing. I too make my own dog food because I have a picky girl that will starve herself before she eats dry kibble. I make mine in my pressure pot. First, boil the eggs and put them in an ice water bath. Then brown whatever meat I’m using. Then put in brown rice, spinach, pumpkin or sweet potatoes and then beef or chicken broth… set on the rice setting and when done let it release steam naturally. Also, I add a fruit when done and I switch it up every time I make it.. I have a chihuahua, a boxer, and rottweiler pup and they are all happy healthy lil tail waggers. Since I started making homemade dog food my 12 yr old picky chihuahua is acting like a puppy again. Oh, and the calcium concerns…crushed antacids or if your dogs are like mine….they will eat calcium gummies. Thanks again for the recipe…I totally didn’t even think about organ meat. My doggies thank you too.
Your dog sounds a lot like mine! So picky!! I’m glad you found my recipe helpful!
Melonie, how much water do you put in your instapot?
What about yogurt oils that solve the calcium issue
Hi Nancy, can you give me an idea of how much water you add to the crockpot?
Hi, Yes, I add water until the pot is full!
I have been cooking for my dogs with a vet recipe for over 10 years. The amount of Vit A is too much on a daily basis . And while I do believe all package dog food is either loaded with toxins or scraps left on the cutting floor ,instead of food, I have experienced the need for supplements made for dogs esp. High ing calcium, mag , and other nutrients for long term health , dogs need different levels than we do .
So what do you recommend?
Hi , I noticed that you cooked your dog food for about 3 hour? Doesn’t all the nutrients will be gone if it’s cooked for so long?
I don’t believe so.
I have made dog food and I added stinging nettle to give the extra vitamins and minerals, it also helpes reduce inflammation and clean their liver.
Great idea!
Great conversation.
I’d like to know do the get poops from this food…before I make it I just want to check. I have a mixed dog and already at 14weeks has urine problems. He has blood in pee. With this help him?
Mine never did. They eat it with no issues.
Let me tell you… my dog finally eats after making this recipe!!! Her skin cleared up in the last 3 days, she’s not itching, she’s sleeping wonderfully… she is SO happy!! She wouldn’t eat the nasty kibble we’d buy her, and she drank soooo much water when she did. Now, it’s normal water intake. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!!
That makes me so happy! You’re so welcome!!!
I forgot to say in my original comment, I added Tumeric for her joints ( she’s an 8 year old American Bully ). I eyeballed the amount.
I have made my own dog food recipe for years. My two little Poms do great on it. My male Pom was too fat on store bought pet food. So I just started making their food and they’re both at a healthy weight now and into their 8 and 9 year’s.
I start with ground meats since my pups are small and choke easily. Then add shredded winter squash, summer squash,
Yams, carrots, green beans, spinach, (at the last few minutes)
Brown rice, quinoa or lentils, kale if I have it, apples, or plums or skinned peaches, water or homemade chicken broth to cover.
I feed them nothing store bought and their health has been amazing. They’re so frisky and playful and love to BARK!!
I enjoyed reading everybody’s comments. Thank you!
I almost for got the important ingredients I add to my dog food. Brewers yeast and ground flaxseed meal. They love the taste and it supplies added nutritional benefits.
What is stinging nettle?
Love all the comments. I have a really little 6 lb dog, and we have been making her food for years. What I found easier for me and her is to just cook all her meat in a large pan, then I can add water and whole grain or lentils and mash it up when its well done and soft. I don’t start off boiling the meats, so it smells pretty good. This goes in the freezer in small portions and we defrost what we need. I add whatever veggies we’re having to her dish. Usually before I season them. Sometimes we’ll add the veggies raw. Loves the variety. She gets fruit bits as her treats. We found that we can leave a little dry food in a small dish and she nibbles on this during the day. She get’s her meal, about 1/4-1/3 cup, when we have dinner. She is a healthy 7 year old and at the correct weight for her size.
What about spinach, and other greens. My dog loves veggies of any kind. And the antacids one recommended, are they truly safe? Where do you get ground bone meal? I shop at Krogers, do they carry the frozen livers gizzard etc that one said use?
H! You can definitely add spinach! I do that sometimes if I have it in the fridge. I don’t use ground bone meal so I’m not sure where you’d get it…perhaps amazon! I live in Canada and we don’t have a Kroeger here that I know of. You could maybe ask the meat dept. if they could get some if there are none in the frozen meat area. I hope this helps!
This is a game changer for my dogs. They stopped eating their other food which was very expensive. So I saw this and made it. They love it. Healthier and cheaper. Although it doesn’t matter how much it cost cause my babies get only the best. Thank you so much for posting this. Also my older dog has more pep then ever. It’s the cutest thing. Thank you.
You’re so welcome! Thanks for commenting, I love to read these!
Oh my gosh. My 9 month old Golden Retriever started being picky. I saw your recipe and tried it. Voila! He loves it. I hope I’m giving the correct feeding amount. He used to eat 3 cups of kibble a day. 1-1/2 in the morning and same at evening. With this recipe I give 1/2 cup kibble and 3/4 cup good stuff. Thank you for sharing recipe
You’re so welcome, Terri! I’m glad he likes it! That amount sounds pretty good. If you’re having doubts though, I’d ask your vet to be sure!
So interesting. Lots of work but I’m going to start.
What about our felines? Our cats? Anyone cook food for your cat? Mine are overweight and also have issues with throwing up hair.
I make my 10 lb. Chichauha food with a similar recipe but I also add eggs, whole rolled oats and celery. Potatoes are not recommended for dogs so I only use sweet potatoes.
I save any celery, apple or carrot peels from our meal prep and put them into the freezer and throw them into the pot when making her food.
Gotta take care of our fur babies. They are family.
You’re so right, they are family! I have another recipe that I make that has eggs in it. I switch up every so often because I feel like they get sick of the same food all the time lol.
Made this! My pup loved it. Used stew beef, chicken livers. partially cooked meat before putting in crockpot. Seasoned with a bit of previously frozen bone broth, some fresh chopped parsley and basil. Used brown rice as directed and same veggies plus apple. Served mixed with kibble. He literally chased the bowl trying to get every last drop. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Thanks for sharing this with me!