Have you ever found yourself looking at your dog’s dry food thinking, “This could be better; I can do better?”
I know I have, many times! That’s why I started making my own dog food topper.
Here in this article I will be giving you the recipe I use for Koda’s food topper. At the end I will also tell you how to add some additional ingredients to turn this crockpot topper into your dog’s very own homemade MEAL!
Ingredients For Dog Food Topper
- Chicken – 2-3 lbs of Ground Chicken or Chicken Breast (if you use breast you will need to shred it later)
- Carrots – Peeled and Chopped
- Peas
- Green Beans – Canned, Frozen, or Fresh (if using canned, look for reduced or no sodium)
- Kidney Beans – Canned, Frozen, or Fresh (if using canned, look for reduced or no sodium)
- Water
The amount of each ingredients depends on if you use canned or frozen. I typically use 1 – 2 cans of each or one small bag of frozen. I have attached images below of what I use.
Other Items you may want to have on hand
- Glass Jars – for storing purposes
- Blender – if you choose to blend the final product
- Crockpot- *obviously*
Other ingredients you can use to change things
- The chicken can be changed out for hamburger or turkey. Just make sure it’s lean cuts and no skin! Your fur baby can not eat very fatty protein.
- You can also change out the vegetables sometimes and use butternut squash, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes.
- The kidney beans can be swapped out for lentils or pinto beans
- Apples or apple sauce can also be added for some extra flavor.
- Egg shells can also be added for extra calcium. However, be sure to finely grind the shells into a powder before adding.
*Consult your veterinarian in deciding what food to make for your dog. I am not a vet. I have done my own research, and this is what works great for my fur baby.
How to make
Follow these steps:
- I always like to first rinse everything I’m about to cook for my dogs. I take my strainer over to the sink and dump my ingredients, green beans, peas, carrots and kidney beans, into it. Turn your water on and feel that the water is room temperature. Rinse the ingredients.
- Add all of your rinsed ingredients into your crockpot. Add the chicken with about 2 – 4 cups of water (depending on if you used ground or whole chicken breast).
- Cook on high for about 4 hours or low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If you used ground chicken, skip this step. If you used whole chicken breast, you can now take two forks or whatever shredding device you have, and begin to work through the chicken, pulling it into shreds.
- This step is optional. Because I use this as a Dog Food Topper, I like to add all of my cooked ingredients into my blender. This makes it easier for me not only to store, but to mix into their food as well.
- Lastly, you need to store your topper. I recommend using glass to store your dog’s topper in. I personally use big, glass mason jars to store my topper. Just as long as it’s sealed.
- This topper can be frozen also!! If you plan to freeze, simply bag up appropriate amount for your fur baby and toss in the freezer!
Turning topper into Meal
It is really simply to turn this dog food topper recipe into a homemade meal for your dog. All you need to do is add white rice! The rice adds more density to the food.
The reason I say white rice is because it’s best for dogs who may have sensitive stomachs. If you know your dog’s stomach is good to go, then you can also use brown rice!
*Consult your veterinarian when deciding what supplements your dog may or may not need.
I am not a vet.
Optional Supplements
Glucosamine (joint supplement)
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that’s naturally found in the fluid around the joints and helps build cartilage. It’s one of the main ingredients when looking at medication for hip and joint help. Another key ingredient is Chondroitin. Joint supplements have been known to relieve joint pain and improve mobility. This is why it can be a great addition to your dog’s diet.
Fish oil
Containing omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil has become the second most popular supplement given to dogs. Fish oil has been known to improve coat quality and shine, as well as alleviate some skin allergies.
Probiotics
Probiotics are used to help treat diarrhea and other digestive problems. Some examples of forms probiotics can take are yogurts, capsules, chews, and powders. Probiotics live naturally in the body in the form of yeast and live bacteria that aid with digestion and overall intestinal health.
Know before you go
- Don’t automatically assume that human supplements are good for dogs. There are some supplements that contain Xylitol and are toxic to dogs.
- Always remember- if it sound too good to be true, it probably is. Supplements will not cure cancer, Parvo, or other diseases.
- BRAND DOES MATTER! Companies who specialize in supplements, have conducted clinical studies, and/or have earned certification from an independent organization are the best ones to buy from, even though they are expensive.
- Always do your own research. Each dog and each dog’s needs are different.
- ALWAYS consult your vet before giving your dog supplements. Your dog may have an underlying condition that needs medical attention. Some supplements, when crossed with other medications, can cause harmful and lasting effects on your fur babies.