The last thing I ever imagined doing was making homemade dog food in my crockpot but here we are, and honestly, it couldn’t be easier. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker, and a few hours later, I have a fresh, wholesome meal ready for my fur babies.
Why I Started Making My Own Dog Food
Like most pet parents, I only want the very best for my dogs. My two Labs are a huge part of our family, and I want them happy and healthy for as long as possible. After doing some research, I learned that human grade dog food can be a much better option than traditional kibble.
I looked into several dog food subscription services, but once I saw the price, I knew I could make something just as nutritious at home for a fraction of the cost. That’s when I decided to start making my own homemade dog food.
Ingredients
There are countless ingredient combinations you can use when making dog food at home. Every dog has different dietary needs, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian before starting. This is the combination that works well for my dogs:
- Ground turkey
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Frozen sweet potatoes
- Frozen spinach
- Organic brown rice
Important: Always consult your veterinarian before switching your dog to homemade food. You can share this recipe with them and see if they recommend adding or removing any ingredients based on your dog’s specific needs.
Easy Homemade Dog Food in the Crockpot
One of the best parts about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily adjust ingredients to suit your dog’s health, allergies, or preferences.
Adding the Liquid
Once all the ingredients are in the crockpot, it’s time to add the liquid. The first few times I made this recipe, I simply used water, and it worked perfectly.
In my most recent batch, I replaced one cup of water with no salt chicken stock to add a little extra flavor. This step is completely optional, but if you do use stock, make sure it is low sodium or no salt, as regular chicken stock contains too much sodium for dogs.
Breaking Up the Ground Turkey
As the food begins to cook, I use a mix and chop tool (or a sturdy spoon) to break up the ground turkey. Stir occasionally to make sure everything cooks evenly.
Cook Time
You can cook this recipe:
- On high for 3–4 hours, or
- On low for 5–6 hours
Cooking time may vary depending on your crockpot. Mine was fully cooked and ready in about 3 hours.
How to Store Homemade Dog Food
Once cooking is complete, allow the food to cool completely before serving or storing. I keep part of the batch in an airtight container in the refrigerator and freeze the rest in single serving portions using freezer bags.
When it’s time to serve, thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator and warm them slightly in the microwave. Always allow the food to cool before feeding. During the transition, I mix a small amount of kibble with the homemade food to help my dogs adjust.
Crockpot Homemade Dog Food Recipe
The last thing I ever imagined doing was making homemade dog food in my crockpot but here we are, and honestly, it couldn’t be easier. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker, and a few hours later, I have a fresh, wholesome meal ready for my fur babies.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Frozen sweet potatoes
- Frozen spinach
- Organic brown rice
Instructions
- Add the ground turkey, frozen peas and carrots, frozen sweet potatoes, frozen spinach, brown rice, and water to the slow cooker.
- Break up the ground turkey and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for about 6 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully cooked.
Note: I cooked mine on high, and it was ready in about 3½ hours. - Allow the food to cool completely before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.