Homemade Puppy Food: 3 Vet-approved Recipes

Homemade puppy food gives your puppy the nutrients it needs to grow healthy and happy. Follow these recipes for homemade puppy food filled with protein and nutrients.

According to vets, feeding your growing puppy should focus on four key nutrients: proteins, digestible carbohydrates, fats and calcium. Just like store-bought food for humans, puppy food from the supermarket can also come with lots of hidden nasties. It also holds less nutrition than is needed for a puppy’s healthy growth. 

Homemade puppy food saves money and gives your pup the best selection of nutrients it needs to grow healthy and strong. It can also be customized to your puppy’s dietary needs. 

Making your own puppy food may be more time-consuming, but it is absolutely worth it in the long run. Read on for some healthy puppy food recipes (as approved by vets). 

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Food

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast
• ½ cup uncooked brown rice 
• 2 sweet potatoes, chopped 
• 2 carrots, chopped 
• 8 oz. frown peas 
• 1 can diced tomatoes 
• ¼ cup fish oil 
• ½ tsp. iodized salt 
• 1 tsp. dried parsley 
• 1 ½ cups water

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker. Set it to low. 
2. Cook on low for about five to six hours. 
3. Stir the ingredients every two hours. Ensure the flavors mix and the ingredients do not burn on the edges. 
4. Once cooked, let cool before serving your puppy. 

This homemade puppy food recipe can be stored in an airtight container for one week. Or, freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months.

2. Chicken and Spinach Puppy Food

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs. ground chicken, skinless and boneless
• 1 ½ cups uncooked brown rice 
• 1 can diced tomatoes 
• 5 cups fresh spinach, tightly packed 
• 2 medium-sized yams 
• 1 tbsp. olive oil 

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
2. Wash the yams and pierce with a fork. Microwave on a high setting for seven minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool, and then cut into cubes.
3. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until thoroughly cooked through. 
4. Remove the pot from the heat and add the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, cubed yams and raw spinach. Mix with a large spoon until well combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Allow the puppy food to cool completely before feeding your pup or before transferring it to an airtight container. 

This homemade puppy food recipe will last five to seven days in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.

3. Turkey and Millet Puppy Food

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. ground turkey 
• 1 cup millet, uncooked
• 1 tbsp. olive oil 
• ¼ cup coconut oil, unsweetened
• 1 carrot, chopped 
• 1 zucchini, chopped 
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 squash, chopped
• 1 apple, chopped 
• 1 tbsp. calcium powder

Instructions:

1. Cook the millet according to package instructions. Set aside and let cool.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the turkey and cook until cooked through. Drain any excess juices.
3. To the large pot add the cooked millet, coconut oil, chopped vegetables, apple and calcium powder. Mix until well combined. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. 

This healthy homemade puppy food recipe will keep for up to a week in the fridge. Or, store it in an airtight container in the freezer for three to four months. 

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Tags: Food Guide Healthy Eating Pets Recipes