Homemade Crock Pot Dog Food
Crock Pot Dog Food: It started with a sick beagle.ย
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.
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. โฅ
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Homemade Crock Pot 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 coconut oil or crock pot liner
Instructions
- Line or grease the crock pot with coconut oil 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
Notes
I probably should have specified but usually I use coconut oil to grease it so it doesn’t stick. No real measurements, just my hands ๐
Thank you for this recipe. I am looking forward to trying it. Two questions though. The last ingredient is “1 each oil.” What is the measurement of oil and what kind of oil do you recommend?
How many cups of food does this typically make?
Great recipe! I too have been making my babies food now for the past six years. They are thriving and look forward to eating. 14 and 10 years old, so yay! I like the ground beef recipe of yours.. very similar. I always use fresh veggies and add 2 T ginger to each weekly batch. As well as cranberriesโฆ it is truly amazing to see the change in skin, coat and stools. And it is so very very affordable! Thanks for sharing. Great ideas! Woof!
Hi just wondering if this recipe would also be okay for cats? I am trying this with my lab mut but the kitties get very jealous ๐ thanks!
How do you know the exact portion?
How do you know the portion size for the crockpot dog food?
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!
Any pointers or tips on calorie count and how much to feed a dog? (both boxers)
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. ๐
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!
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
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.
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..?
Since itโs another step to cook the rice separately and add it later, I would rather just use little potatoes? Would that be OK?
I also make my dogs food in a crock pot but after doing more research I realized that the water soluble fruits and veges should only be lightly steamed to preserve their nutrients. Also, the water from the veges get soaked up by the rice so I have started cooking the rice separately and adding it at the end. What are your thoughts on this? I have been making their food since they were puppies and I am always researching and altering. I WOULD NEVER FEED MY BABIES COMMERCIAL PROCESSED DOG FOOD.
About how many cups of food does this recipe yield? Trying to plan ahead!
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.
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!
How do you know the serving size for a dog?
So it is OK to freeze this. If so, how long? If rice get sticky I can just leave it out while cooking?
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.
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.
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.
Since my dogs tend to like mushier food I don’t drain. All depends on your pups preference. Hope this helps
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.
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
Hi there. What are the beans for? Itโs an ingredient I have not seen? Is that in place of say.. rice?
I bought a dry mix to go with the protein once and it did have egg shells. Iโm planning on adding them. Dr. Harveyโs blend cured my dogโs cancer. If you can afford it itโs worth it. Iโm going to try my hand at making my own. Thanks for the recipe. It seems much easier than I thought.
I started making Maggieโs food probably a year ago. Sheโs a 14 year-old Australian Shepherd. She doesnโt 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.
Do you drain off the liquid?
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?
Iโve been home cooking for my 7lb Chihuahua for sometime now. I donโt 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 donโt want to over do her on vitamins
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. โฅ
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!
Helloโฆ.
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. Heโs 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
would those eggs be raw or cooked?
Wonderful healthy recipe- thank you!