Homemade Dog Food Recipe in a Rice Cooker

Making homemade dog food is surprisingly simple, and your pup will love the fresh new flavors! Your furry friend is eager to help in the kitchen, too – just put them on cleanup duty. This homemade dog food recipe is the perfect starting point, and it’s easy to add in vet-approved supplements. Different breeds have slightly different needs, and your pet’s age or health history might affect the recipe. Please consult with a veterinarian and ask about your dog’s nutritional needs before switching foods.

Ready? Grab your digital rice cooker and six wholesome ingredients to get started!

DIY Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• ½ pound chicken heart
• ½ pound chicken liver
• 1½ cups carrot
• 1 cup sweet potato
• 2 cups broccoli

Instructions:

1. Finely chop all ingredients.
2. Add ground turkey, chicken heart, and chicken liver to digital rice cooker with Sauté-then-Simmer (STS) mode.
3. Stir for approximately 10 minutes, until proteins turn pink.
4. Add carrot and sweet potato, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
5. Add broccoli and stir until combined.
6. Turn off rice cooker and allow dog food to cool completely before serving.

Homemade Dog Food Nutrition

Homecooked dog food recipes need the right balance of protein, fat, and fiber. According to the American Kennel Club, there are several ways to fill nutritional gaps, depending on your dog’s taste and texture preferences:

Protein with Amino Acids – chicken, boneless skinless turkey, pork, salmon, herring, walleye, flounder

Fat and Fatty Acids – chicken liver, fish oil, canola oil, soybean oil, flaxseed oil

Fiber and Carbohydrates – carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, quinoa, brown rice, apple, pumpkin, flaxseed

Vitamins and minerals require a little more research and planning. We’ve already double-checked; our easy homemade dog food recipe ticks every box. Of course, your veterinarian may have more specific advice and supplement recommendations – don’t forget to ask!

Safety and Storage Tips

DIY dog food recipes are popular because you don’t have to worry about overly processed ingredients or safety recalls, and it’s typically cheaper than store-bought options; however, you do need to be detail-oriented and maintain a balanced diet.

An imbalanced or incomplete diet can lead to major health problems, so it’s important to visit your veterinarian for advice. They’ll likely ask you to keep a weekly record of your dog’s weight and energy level. If you notice weight changes, vomiting, or diarrhea, your vet should be the first to know.

Homemade dog food will stay fresh in the fridge for approximately four days, or up to six months in the freezer. Stick to the recipe, check expiration dates, practice proper food handling, and store leftovers in an airtight container – just like normal.