Homemade Dog Food is the easiest way to make healthy, nutrient-dense meals for your furry friend, and is especially important if you have a pet who suffers from food allergies, skin problems, or gastrointestinal sensitivities.
This recipe takes mere minutes to prepare and is filled with a proper balance of rich protein, whole grains, and vegetables–the perfect wholesome combination of people food for pups without using any artificial or processed ingredients.
Healthy and wholesome Chicken and Rice for Dogs
This Homemade Dog Food Recipe is a simple and cost-effective way to ensure that your dog remains healthy and fit and is so easy to make by mixing brown rice with ground chicken and fresh vegetables.
A traditional doggie diet of processed kibble lacks nutritional value, but when you make your own dog food from scratch, you know exactly what you are placing in the pet bowl; it’s pure wholesome human food that’s fit for canine consumption.
Whether you’re a new pet parent or have a senior dog with special dietary needs, this DIY recipe contains an appropriate proportion of protein, complex-carbs, fiber, and fat, plus vitamins and minerals, to fuel your pup in a healthy way.
And while you may be thinking that making additional meals won’t fit into your busy day, this recipe takes only 5 minutes to prepare and the simple cooking steps are as basic as boiling rice and combining it with a cooked chicken veggie mixture. Dogs deserve a dinner made with real ingredients that are not only nutritious, but also taste delicious!
Just like humans, every dog is different, so this is not meant to be a one-pup-fits-all recipe. Check with your vet before adding any new food to your dog’s diet.
Ingredients
- Brown rice: White rice can also be fed to dogs, but it only takes about 20 minutes to cook, so plan accordingly.
- Lean ground chicken: You could also use lean ground turkey or lean ground beef.
- Spinach: Feel free to replace this with any type of lettuce.
- Carrot
- Zucchini: Any other type of squash plant can also be substituted here.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food substitutions and additions
- Vary The Veggies: Feel free to use a frozen veggie blends that contain peas, corn, carrots, and green beans. Cooked sweet potatoes are also a great addition to bulk up their meals, just make sure never feed your dog raw sweet potatoes.
- Pick Your Protein: Lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground white or dark meat turkey, and ground pork are all great protein options. Be sure to check that any meat you feed your animals is free of seasonings.
- Other Great Grains: Other whole grains like oats, quinoa, barley, potatoes, and even whole grain pasta are also easily digestible and can be added to homemade dog food.
- Flavor Factor: Fresh and dried herbs are safe for dogs and are loaded with health benefits. Try parsley, cilantro, thyme, or basil to increase the flavor factor.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please consult your vet before feeding your pet anything new!
How to Make Homemade Dog Food
Homemade Dog Food is so easy to make and is a cost-effective way to feed your furry friend a healthy, nutritious meal. This recipe simply combines whole grain rice with lean ground chicken and fresh vegetables for a wholesome alternative to traditional dog food.
- Bring 4 cups of water and rice to a boil, then simmer on medium low to low heat and cover the pot.
- Cook rice for 45 minutes or until rice is soft and water is absorbed.
- While the rice is simmering, cook the ground chicken in a skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the spinach, carrot, and zucchini to the skillet and cook until the spinach wilts, and the other vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture from the heat and set aside to cool.
- When the rice is finished cooking, mix it together with the chicken mixture.
- Cool completely before serving to your dog or storing for later.
Dog Food Homemade recipe tips
- It’s not usually advised to abruptly change your dog’s diet. Start transitioning your pet to homemade food by mixing some of this homemade dog food in with their regular food for a few days until they are used to the new food. And again, always consult your vet before feeding your pet something new.
- To give your dog a variety of different nutrients, you can use different meats, carbs, and vegetables to customize your dog’s food.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and well-balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
What are the health benefits of this Homemade Dog Food?
This Homemade Dog Food Recipe is loaded with nutrient-rich, healthy ingredients. Check out all of the benefits of each food:
Ground Chicken: This is a great source of protein and Omega 6 fatty acids that dogs need. (SOURCE.)
Brown Rice: Brown rice helps a dog digest because of its fiber. It also provides the necessary vitamin D and B. (SOURCE.)
Spinach: The vitamins A, B, C, and K from spinach are great for your dog. There are also some great digestive benefits from spinach. (SOURCE.)
Carrots: Carrots can help keep the teeth of dogs healthy by providing a healthy chew toy. They can also deliver beta-carotene and vitamin A to your dog and improve bowel movements. Carrots must be cooked slightly for dogs to be able to metabolize their nutrients. (SOURCE.)
Zucchini: Zucchini includes great nutrients and vitamins that help your dog, including vitamin C, potassium, and calcium. (SOURCE.)
Homemade Dog Food Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can freeze the dog food in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
Homemade Chicken and Rice for Dogs – Dog Food Recipe FAQs
Never add foods that are toxic to dogs. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, and Macadamia nuts.
The amount of homemade dog food that your dog will require is dependent upon how much your dog weighs and how active he or she is. Generally speaking, for every 20 pounds a dog weighs, you give it roughly 1 cup of prepared food. This amount varies from dog to dog. I suggest talking to your vet and getting their advice on a good starting point.
It can be better for some dogs to eat homemade dog food, as it allows for more control over ingredients and can be tailored to meet specific dietary needs or address allergies. However, it’s essential to ensure the homemade diet is nutritionally balanced and meets the dog’s requirements.
Making your own dog food can be cost-effective depending on the ingredients you use. While some ingredients may be more affordable, others might be pricier. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits, including potential savings on vet bills if it improves your dog’s health.
Vets have different opinions about homemade dog food. Some support it when done properly and balanced, while others may have concerns about ensuring all nutritional requirements are met. It’s advisable to consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist before starting a homemade diet to ensure it is appropriate for your dog’s individual needs.
The best grains for homemade dog food can include brown rice, quinoa, oats, and barley. These grains provide essential nutrients and are generally well-tolerated by dogs. However, some dogs may have grain allergies or sensitivities, so it’s essential to consider individual dietary requirements and consult with a veterinarian if needed.
Other Easy Homemade Recipes for your Dog
Easy Chicken and Rice Dog Food
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown rice
- 2 pounds lean ground chicken
- 2 cups spinach chopped
- 1 large carrot shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 small zucchini shredded (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- In a large pot or saucepan, combine 4 cups of water and brown rice. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer (medium low to low heat) and cover.
- Cook rice for 45 minutes or until rice is completely soft and cooked through and all the water is absorbed.
- While the rice is cooking, cook the ground chicken on a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the spinach, carrot, and zucchini to the skillet with the chicken. Cook until the spinach wilts, and the other vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Take the chicken and vegetable mixture off the heat and set aside to cool.
- When the rice is finished cooking, stir together the rice and ground chicken mixture.
- Let cool completely before serving to your dog or storing for later.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator no more than 2 hours after cooking the food. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days after that.
- To Freeze: You can freeze the dog food in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
- It’s not usually advised to abruptly change your dog’s diet. Start transitioning your pet to homemade food by mixing some of this homemade dog food in with their regular food for a few days until they are used to the new food. And again, always consult your vet before feeding your pet something new.
- To give your dog a variety of different nutrients, you can use different meats, carbs, and vegetables to customize your dog’s food.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and well-balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
How much would You feed a dog a day please!
This is something you should check with your vet about. Every dogs size and breed would be different.