8 Easy Homemade Dog Food Crockpot Recipes Your Dog Will Love You For (2024)

FAQs

What are the most important ingredients in homemade dog food? ›

Your pet needs protein (animal meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs), fat (from meat or oil) and carbohydrates (grains or vegetables). They also need calcium (from dairy or an ingredient such as egg shells), and essential fatty acids (from certain plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods).

Slow, or gently, cooked pet food is widely believed to be beneficial for pets with a sensitive digestive system. And because recipes typically include certain protein sources, vegetables and fruit, slow-cooked usually equals a better diet.

Fruits & Vegetables: Apples, cauliflower, potatoes, peas, spinach, butternut squash, and cranberries are some great dog-friendly fruits and veggies. Grains & Carbs: Rice, quinoa, barley, whole grain pasta, and potatoes can be great options.

What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).

What ingredients should you avoid in homemade dog food? There's a vast number of human foods which should never be fed to dogs. Here's a list of ingredients you should avoid in your homemade dog food recipe: Onions, garlics and chives: these can cause gastrointestinal problems and damage to red blood cells.

The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals. Because your dog's food should have more meat than any other ingredient, it's vital to choose a meat source that will benefit your dog's health.

It is not healthy to give dogs their dog food mixed in with chicken and rice daily. While chicken and rice are both healthy foods for dogs, they do not contain all of the nutrients that dogs need. A diet of chicken and rice alone can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can cause health problems in the long term.

A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dog's digestive system.

As a general rule, the serving size for a portion of homemade dog food should equal two to three percent of an adult dog's body weight.

Some of the most commonly used vegetables in dog food are beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, celery, corn, green beans, peas, spinach and sweet potatoes. These vegetables are not only easily digestible for dogs but they're also rich in essential nutrients.

How do you thicken homemade dog food? ›

In a bowl combine the tablespoon of water and tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth and stir it into the dog food mixture. Bring the ingredients to a boil stirring constantly. Boil until thickened (about 1 minute) continuing to stir.

Meat: Dogs are carnivores by nature, so they often enjoy meats such as chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb. Fish: Some dogs enjoy the taste of fish, which provides essential omega-3 fatty acids. Peanut butter: Many dogs love peanut butter as a tasty treat. Make sure it's xylitol-free, as xylitol is toxic to dogs.

“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.