When we started making our food for our puppies, I felt overwhelmed, but I knew I needed to do it. So, I began researching recipes and figuring out where I wanted to start. This recipe, which I will put here, is where I found it to be the easiest to begin, which may not be the case for all. I encourage you to decide where to begin, but I want to share how I started.

We already had a six-qt and a ten-qt Instant Pot. I encourage anyone who makes dog food to look into an Instant Pot. It makes it a lot easier and less time-consuming. You won’t regret any of it!

The ingredients

• Chicken breast
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables
• Brown Rice or White Rice (I will say brown rice is easier for dogs to  digest)
• Water

 

Supplies:

1. Instant Pot (or pot and stove)
2. Patience and Love
3. Big Spoon

 

I am not a vet, nor do I have a degree in this, but this is how I started and grew from research and asking questions. So, I recommend discussing this with your vet in case of sensitivities and allergies. After we researched and became more aware of the illnesses store-bought dog food can cause, we decided to make our own. One of our beagles did get sick and passed away from a weight management food. Also, don’t forget to always check for any recall if you decide to do half homemade and half store-bought.  

These instructions will be for an instant pot.

Fill your instant pot with chicken breasts. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the instant pot, covering the bottom.

Set your instant pot to poultry for 30 minutes and hit start.  It will have to pressurize so that it will take a little longer.

Once it has finished and beeped, go ahead and release pressure. Honestly, I think it works either way—regular or gradual release. I just let it release.

Next, go ahead and add your rice. It does work better and is healthier if rinsed. Use your best judgment. I used around 3-5 pounds of rice when I began, depending on how much chicken or batch I wanted to make. I have 3-4 dogs, so I needed a big batch. You do not need to take the chicken out. Set your rice on the rice setting for about 8-10 minutes. Hit start.

You can also add your frozen vegetables or wait till after the rice.  The vegetables will heat up even after the rice is made.

After the rice is finished, release the pressure. Depending on what you did, add your vegetables and stir.

After cooling, store in an airtight container. It can be stored for up to a week; mine typically only lasts 3-4 days.

 

 

You can do all this on the stove if you do not have an instant pot. Cook the chicken and rice individually, then add your vegetables. Please put them in a big bowl and mix them.

You will need to look for added supplements such as calcium and fish oil to ensure all nutrients are in the food. There is much information on the internet about this, and just talking to your vet.

I encourage you to try it and see how it works for your family. It might seem like a lot of time, but the benefits and rewards for you and your dogs are well worth it.