Homemade Crock Pot Dog Food

Categories:Dog Mom Daily
Tags:
Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies

Crock Pot Dog Food: It started with a sick beagle. 

Back in 2017, sweet beagle girl Winnie was diagnosed with cancer. She’s always had a few lumps but her veterinarian was concerned they were growing. Embedded in her skin under her neck, we took a biopsy and she thought it could be Lymphoma.

My heart broke. We discussed different medical treatments like steroids and chemotherapy, given her age, we agreed the best course of treatment was to just let her be a dog. She gave me about 6 weeks before she would most likely take a tumble. Over the course of several weeks, I focused on quality of life. Taking her to new dog parks, the beach, a fancy doggie spa, and letting her rest under my desk while I was working so she wouldn’t be alone.

20180126 184628

Big Baby…. but if it gets her to eat.

Like most dogs who are sick, my trigger point for Winnie girl was if she was eating. her normal routine is to run down the hall during dinner time. if she seemed uninterested, I knew it would be her time. She did go through a phase where her canned dog food which she normally loved, she couldn’t be bothered. In a panic, I decided I would do what I could and cook her her own meals during dinner time. Chicken and Rice. Turkey and vegetables with eggs. As I coached her back into eating through a spoon, my worried lessoned. over time she preferred home meals to canned but it took time in my evening to cook for both the dog and the children.

I’ve ALWAYS loved my Crock Pot. As a working mom, the fact I can toss in a meal during the day, set it and forget saved me so much time. So I thought, why not Crock Pot dog food? Using the same ingredients I did on the stovetop, I started making her meals once a week. Sometimes I would warm them. sometimes she preferred them cold. I still could give her yummies she enjoyed especially with the lumps under her neck, but save myself time.

I discussed this new way of eating her veterinarian at check up. She advised me there was nothing wrong with making food for your dog. What is critical is to ensure that it has balanced nutrition. Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, fish oil, vegetables and fruit. Adding homemade dog food to high quality commercial dog food can be a good way to get a dog that may struggle with eating more excited about meal times.

So armed with this information, I developed this recipe that’s my “go to” for Crock Pot dog food meals. Occasionally I change it by adding pasta, chicken or turkey. Over time she weened herself off spoon feeding, and regained her appetite. Now with the added homemade toppings, she eats like a horse. She back to running down the hall when it’s feeding time. Her nose just takes over with the smell of the cooked food she completely forgets about her lumps. The best news of it all – she doesn’t have cancer. After 2 years of nurturing her, the vet agreed that her lymphoma is either in remission or it was a misdiagnoses. The lumps are still there in her throat, but doesn’t seem to impact her eating or breathing.

Even with a cancer free dog, making Crock Pot dog food is still worth it to me every week. With a scoop of dry food and some home cooked yummies to enjoy, I can be reassured the girls are fed with love. ♥


Wanna chat on Facebook Live?

Come join Canine Crazies and our dog loving community at Canine Crazies in the Den. Recipes like this will be made with more stupid dog fun! Let’s bond, connect, share and laugh about the love of our dogs.

 

crock pot dog food

crockpot dog food
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Crock Pot Dog Food

Made with love, crock pot dog food can be used as a meal or an additive to commercial dog food. Please ensure there are no bones to prevent choking. Throw it all together in the morning and set it and forget it. Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or picky eaters as you know the ingredients and can eliminate trigger foods.
Keyword: Crockpot dog food

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 3 lbs protein mix fish, beef, pork, chicken, and/or turkey
  • 1 each apple
  • 2 each eggs
  • 1 large sweet potato or butternut squash
  • 1 cup frozen vegetable mix carrots, peas, green beans
  • 1 can kidney beans drained
  • 1 each oil or crock pot liner

Instructions

  • Line or grease the crock pot to prevent sticking
  • Cut the apple into chunks. Make sure you remove the seeds as they can be toxic for dogs
  • Remove the skin and cut the sweet potato or butternut squash and cut into small chunks
  • In a bowl combine the protein mixture. This can be a variation of different meats such as ground beef, ground turkey, ham chunks, fish fillets, turkey thighs, breasts and livers. Ensure there are no bones in the mixture.
  • Add the apples, eggs, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, rice, water, frozen vegetables and kidney beans into the crock pot
  • Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4.
  • Completely cool before serving. Store in a sealed container in the fridge

About the Author
+ posts

Dog Mom, traveler, foodie and canine crafter. Kimberly is dedicated to enriching the lives of all dogs. She is inspired by her Two Idiot Balls of Fluff, two snow dogs, Bear and Koda, Kimberly is passionate about sharing with you all the things she learned raising her fur babies.

29 Comments

  1. Dan Lenzi
    Dan Lenzi
    October 8, 2023 at 9:50 am

    Wonderful healthy recipe- thank you!

  2. Rita Hoffmann
    Rita Hoffmann
    February 21, 2024 at 9:49 am

    would those eggs be raw or cooked?

  3. Eileen Taylor
    Eileen Taylor
    February 28, 2024 at 5:04 am

    Hello….
    My heart sings as my once sick Beagle Toby thanks you!!! It has been a long journey for my buddy. He was sent home with tube feeds, no diagnosis,and a mom with a broken heart. He’s a warrior though and we fought hard to get him back to eating without the tube,making my own food. I came across your recipe and he loves it! Nobody else knows what it feels like, or how fast your heart sinks when your BEAGLE NOT EATING ! Thank you again
    Toby and ET

  4. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    March 17, 2024 at 8:26 am

    Initially they are raw when I toss them in the crockpot, but they should be fully cooked on low within 2 hours. I hope that helps!

  5. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    March 17, 2024 at 8:30 am

    Ohhh! I am so happy for Toby. Yes, when my beagle was sick I was so very worried. My trigger point for her was always if she ate. Because she was partially blind I think her nose senses took over. So having warm food that smells delicious really helped keep her energy levels up. Thank you for sharing your story. ♥

  6. Donna Martin
    Donna Martin
    April 5, 2024 at 12:36 pm

    I’ve been home cooking for my 7lb Chihuahua for sometime now. I don’t give her any vitamin supplements. I use, boneless/skinless chicken breasts, livers, sweet potato, beans, carrots(frozen), squash or zucchini, apples, brown rice (instant) and an egg. Cook in my crockpot, she is healthy and loves her meals. She also gets apples,banana’s or cantaloupe (in season ) as treats. My vet recommends a multivitamin but I don’t want to over do her on vitamins

  7. Glenna
    Glenna
    May 13, 2024 at 8:15 am

    Great recipe, quick question. I read that egg shells are good for dogs, do you crack the eggs and just use the insides? or do you also grind up the shells and also add?

  8. wendy turner
    wendy turner
    May 17, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    Do you drain off the liquid?

  9. Ann
    Ann
    May 24, 2024 at 8:00 am

    I started making Maggie‘s food probably a year ago. She’s a 14 year-old Australian Shepherd. She doesn’t have any stomach issues ,anymore no more scratching itching. I like to add coconut oil, olive oil, sardines, or salmon to all recipes I am trying your recipe today very excited it looks delicious.

  10. Tiffany
    Tiffany
    June 14, 2024 at 12:25 pm

    I bought a dry mix to go with the protein once and it did have egg shells. I’m planning on adding them. Dr. Harvey’s blend cured my dog’s cancer. If you can afford it it’s worth it. I’m going to try my hand at making my own. Thanks for the recipe. It seems much easier than I thought.

  11. Jamelen Kahler
    Jamelen Kahler
    June 19, 2024 at 4:31 am

    5 stars
    Hi there. What are the beans for? It’s an ingredient I have not seen? Is that in place of say.. rice?

  12. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 3, 2024 at 11:17 am

    Although I’m not a vet, I’ve read beans are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins A and C, iron, and potassium. Typically I’ll change up their carbs. So sometimes beans, sometimes brown rice, quinoa, or oats. Give them some type of fiber and nutrients. Hope that helps

  13. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 3, 2024 at 11:19 am

    Yess! I’ve done other treat variations using oils. My pups love sardines. So so about salmon. It does crack me up cuz when I make homemade dog food, my family wonders if it’s for them. I mean it’s not going to hurt them.

  14. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 3, 2024 at 11:20 am

    Since my dogs tend to like mushier food I don’t drain. All depends on your pups preference. Hope this helps

  15. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 3, 2024 at 11:21 am

    Honestly I tried grinding egg shells but my dogs noticed. They are huskies so can get weird with textures. I might try it again to see if I can get it into a finer powder. For now they just like the eggs. Although sometimes my malamute doesn’t like eggs either. So it just depends on your pup.

  16. Misty Burke
    Misty Burke
    July 8, 2024 at 5:31 am

    I made this recipe for my chihuahua puppy and he absolutely loves it! Are you able to freeze a portion of this recipe to reuse later? This is my first time making a batch and I don’t think that he’ll be able to eat the entire thing within 7 days.

  17. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 9, 2024 at 12:11 am

    Yes!! What I usually do if I need to freeze it is cook the rice separately. I’ll freeze the meat mixture in gallon bags. Then toss one in the fridge for dinner time to defrost. I’ve just found freezing rice makes it a bit sticky after defrosting. My picky huskies don’t like the texture. Your pup maybe fine.

  18. Bill Hooie
    Bill Hooie
    July 15, 2024 at 6:01 am

    So it is OK to freeze this. If so, how long? If rice get sticky I can just leave it out while cooking?

  19. KAT CHARTIER
    KAT CHARTIER
    July 19, 2024 at 9:57 am

    How do you know the serving size for a dog?

  20. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 22, 2024 at 9:51 pm

    Hi Kat – it really depends on your dog’s activity level, breed and weight. For example, My 75lb malamute puppy gets much more than my 7-year-old husky girl that sleeps more. As a general rule I’ve read about 20bs of dog to 1 cup of food per day. Alot too depends on if they get treats during the day or other dry kibble with their wet meals. When in doubt consult your vet, but I hope this helps!

  21. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    July 22, 2024 at 9:54 pm

    Yes! I leave the rice out all the time. You may need to adjust the water a bit since you won’t need it for the rice. Since I make rice for the family, it’s easier for me to just serve it fresh with the defrosted dog food.

  22. mary mundy
    mary mundy
    August 17, 2024 at 1:51 pm

    Since it’s another step to cook the rice separately and add it later, I would rather just use little potatoes? Would that be OK?

  23. B
    B
    August 24, 2024 at 4:49 am

    Hello, stupid question, are you giving the meats raw? Or am I missing a step in the instructions for adding the meat to the crock pot..?

  24. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    August 26, 2024 at 11:44 pm

    Not a stupid question. For this recipe I cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 in the crock pot. I’ve tried raw with my pups and they weren’t too fond of it.

  25. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    August 26, 2024 at 11:47 pm

    You can use potatoes as well in moderation. From what I’ve read potatoes contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium. When in doubt I Google to make sure all ingredients are dog friendly. this website has some really good resources. AKC Dogs and Potatoes

  26. Holly
    Holly
    August 29, 2024 at 1:27 pm

    I’m so happy I stumbled onto your website and this recipe. I have two rough collies, One is very picky and has a sensitive tummy, the other is the polar opposite. I made up a batch of your recipe using three pounds of ground turkey for the protein and both dogs loved it. The picky one licked her bowl clean. I made a second batch using lean ground beef, same thing. Both dogs loved it. My latest batch I made with round steak stew meat and beef heart. I’m using Super Cubes to store in the freezer in 1 cup portions. I think next time I will try a batch with fish. Maybe chicken breast & salmon with sweet potato or pumpkin. Anyway, I”m rambling but I’m happy and excited to see Tessie actually enjoying her food. And it has not triggered any digestive issues. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! It’s great!

  27. Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    Kimberly, creator of Canine Crazies
    August 29, 2024 at 2:44 pm

    Ohh I’m so glad! Honestly it’s been the only wet food my two picky huskies will eat. I do the same thing and rotate various meats and veggies. Since I cook for them weekly it’s easy for me to set it and forget it. 🙂

  28. Craig
    Craig
    September 15, 2024 at 8:33 am

    Any pointers or tips on calorie count and how much to feed a dog? (both boxers)

  29. Norman
    October 1, 2024 at 7:58 am

    I love the idea of making homemade Crock-Pot dog food! It’s a great way to ensure your pup gets fresh, nutritious meals, and using a slow cooker makes it super convenient. The recipe ideas sound wholesome and healthy, perfect for dog owners who want more control over their pets’ diet. Thanks for sharing this helpful guide!

Leave a Reply

Name*
Email*
Url
Recipe Rating




Your message*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>