Top 5 Crockpot Dog Food Recipes

A crockpot is a really handy kitchen appliance when it comes to preparing homemade food for your pooch. It’s fast, simple, and as easy as can be. You can add all the ingredients early during the day, go to work, and your fur friend can enjoy a fresh and delicious meal by the time you come back home. The internet is flooded with several crockpot dog food recipes as different pet parents play around with different ingredients for their dogs.

However, you need not worry about searching for the best one for your pooch as we have done most of the leg work for you. The following blog post lists down some of the most nutritious dog stew recipes that will suit your pet’s tummy as well as taste palate.

1.  Chicken with Vegetables

This chicken and vegetable stew includes most of the nutrients both young and adult dogs need. It is rich in protein and minerals like folate, iron, and phosphorous that your pet requires to stay healthy and active. Its high fiber content is ideal for weight management as it helps your dog feel full while keeping their calorie count in check.

What You Need

• 1 ½ cup brown rice
• ¾ lbs green beans (broken into segments)
• 1 medium-sized sweet potato (chopped)
• 3 medium-sized carrots (chopped)
• 3 chicken breasts (boneless, with or without skin)
• 3 cups water

Directions

• Layer all the ingredients in a crockpot (do not mix) and pour water on top.
• Cover the pot properly and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours.
• When the stew is ready, roughly shred the chicken by smashing it with a wooden spoon or spatula (it will be quite soft and hence, break into smaller pieces easily).
• Let cool before serving.

Note: If using the high heat setting, make sure to stir the contents at regular intervals. The stew can be prepared unattended at low heat. This generally applies to all the crockpot dog food recipes discussed here.

2. Beef Bonanza

High in proteins and fiber, this dog food recipe packs a punch to keep your fur friend energized all day. If you are worried about your pet gaining too much weight, try to use lean beef as it has a lower fat content. You can even substitute beef for chicken or turkey if you want. However, it’s usually best to go for beef as it is a more balanced meat option as compared to other animal-based proteins.

What You Need

• 2 ½ lbs ground beef
• 1 ½ cup brown rice
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 ½ cup butternut squash (chopped)
• 1 ½ cup carrots (chopped)
• ½ cup peas (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• 4 cups water

Directions

1. Put the meat, rice, kidney beans, and butternut squash in the crockpot and mix.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir once.
3. Cover the pot and cook for around 5 hours on low heat.
4. Alternatively, you can have the meal ready in about 2 hours by using the high heat setting.

3. Tangy Meat Feast

Like all crockpot dog food recipes, this one is also exceptionally easy to prepare. But what’s incredible about this doggie stew is that it is likely to please even the pickiest palate. If your fur friend has a sweet tooth or finds their plain, bland meals somewhat repelling, this flavorful stew is sure to make their day.

What You Need

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 lbs boneless chicken
• 1 lb ground pork (optional)
• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ cup brown rice
• ¾ cup blueberries
• 1 large apple (peeled and cubed)
• ¾ cup kale (chopped)
• 1 medium-sized sweet potato (cubed, with or without peel)
• 2 medium-sized carrots (chopped)

Directions

1. Add all the vegetables and fruits into the crockpot and stir.
2. Next, add in meat and water and combine well.
3. Cover the pot and let it stew for 7 hours on low heat or 4 hours on high heat. If you are using frozen meat, add in an hour to each of the two options.
4. Let the meal cool and mix well once again before serving. You can refrigerate the extra portions in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, freeze the contents instead.

4. Liver-Loaded Veggie Stew

The high fat content of chicken liver makes it a good dietary choice, particularly for young and growing dogs. This recipe combines the health benefits of livers with essential minerals and vitamins like A, K, and C from the vegetables. However, take note that the liver should not be a part of the daily diet for dogs. Therefore, feed your pooch this stew only once in a while.

What You Need

• ¼ cup chicken liver
• 3 lbs boneless chicken thighs (preferably skinless)
• 1 large or 3 small apples (seeded and cut into pieces)
• 2 medium-sized carrots (chopped)
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 cup peas
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 to 2 cups water

Directions

1. Put the liver, chicken thighs, apples, carrots, and beans into the cooker.
2. Add a few cups of water, just enough to completely submerge all the contents of the pot.
3. Cover the crockpot and let it cook for about 7 to 8 hours on low heat or approximately 3 hours on high heat.
4. About 10 minutes before removing the stew from the pot, add in the peas and parsley. Additionally, drizzle the olive oil on top.
5. Mix everything well before feeding the stew to your pet.
6. The extra portion can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.

5. Quinoa and Fruit Mix

Perfect for a quick treat, this sweet and scrumptious fruit stew is a healthy alternative to many commercially available dry food kibbles. It can be ready in under 20 minutes and ideal for dogs that love a dessert with their meals.

What You Need

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup fruits of your (pooch’s) preference (apple, blueberries, and pumpkin work best)
• 1 cup peas (defrost beforehand if using frozen peas)

Directions

1. Put all the ingredients in a crockpot.
2. Cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or on high heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Let cool before serving.

Ending Note

Paying special attention to your pet’s diet is a significant factor to lengthen their life. If you are eager to substitute store-bought dog foods with their healthier, homemade alternatives, these self-prepared stews are a good choice to consider. However, while these crockpot dog food recipes are suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds, we recommend talking to a veterinarian as well. Your vet can guide you on which meal can provide optimum nutrition for your pet. Moreover, they can advise you whether or not your dog requires supplements for a more well-balanced diet.