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How to Make a Senior Dog Diet Homemade

person handing a stainless steel food bowl to a Yellow lab

A nutrient-rich diet is important for dogs of all ages to keep them healthy and happy. However, the importance of a balanced diet increases even more as your pup grows old. Many older dogs become choosy and may not consume commercial dog foods. If that’s the case, homemade meals can serve as excellent alternatives to these store-bought products. Keep reading to learn how you can make a homemade senior dog diet for your pooch.  

Easy Homemade Recipe for Senior Dogs

Ground turkey on a piece of brown paper on a wooden table

This healthy meal offers a mixture of several essential nutrients to your aging pup. The anti-inflammatory properties of this recipe make it ideal for canines suffering from joint troubles. Read on to learn how you can make this basic senior dog diet.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 6 cups of water
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 8 ounces frozen vegetables, like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower (thawed and cut into small pieces)

Directions

  1. Put the turkey, water, and dried rosemary into a large pot.
  2. Stir to distribute the turkey and rosemary evenly and bring it to a boil over high heat.
  3. Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Now, add the frozen vegetables and cook for about 5 more minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature before you feed it to your dog.
  6. Store the leftovers in the fridge in a covered container.

Thanks to Daily Puppy for this recipe.

Vet-Approved Senior Dog Diet

boneless skinless chicken breasts on a cutting board with lettuce and garnish

This dog food is very easy to make and can also be stored for future use. Hence, you can cook your pup’s weekly food in one go. The mentioned quantities of the ingredients will make at least 14 servings (if you have a medium-sized dog).

Ingredients:

  • 3 lb. ROASTED boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 14 1/8 cup regular long-grain white rice
  • 1 1/3 cup Corn oil
  • 8 3/8 cup canned green beans, drained
  • 37 5/8 tsp. Balance IT® Canine powder

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  2. Slice the raw chicken breasts lengthwise into 1-inch strips so they’ll cook faster. Place the sliced raw meat on a foil-covered baking sheet. Do not add any oil or salt.
  3. Roast in oven at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes until juices run clear and the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F.
  4. Remove from oven, discard juices and allow the chicken to cool. 
  5. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  6. While chicken is roasting, prepare and cook rice as directed on the label. You can use a slow cooker, a pot on the stove, or a rice cooker. Remember the amount called for in the recipe is the cooked amount which is approximately double the dry rice amount.
  7. Open and drain canned green beans while waiting for the rice and chicken to cool.
  8. Once everything is ready, place all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. 
  9. Portion equally into 7 sealable storage containers.
  10. Balance IT recommends only storing food in the fridge for 3 days, so refrigerate 3 and freeze 4. 
  11. If you want to reheat the food before serving, use Balance IT Canine Plus powder which is made to withstand being reheated up to 165 degrees F one time.

Thanks to Natural Pets HQ for this recipe.

Homemade Senior Dog Diet

Ground beef on brown butchers paper

This recipe is ideal for those owners who are looking for a senior dog diet that is easy to make. This dog food takes no more than 20 minutes to cook and your pup will love the taste. The given quantities are sufficient to make 1 serving.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ pound ground beef
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (no salt)
  • 1 hard-cooked egg (peeled and chopped)
  • 3 slices white bread, crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon calcium carbonate

Directions

  1. Cook the beef until it is cooked through.
  2. Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix it well.
  3. Feed twice a day.
  4. Be sure to give your dog a vitamin supplement.

Thanks to Restless Chipotle for this recipe.

Raw Food Recipe for Senior Dogs

beef cut into cubes on a cutting board, resting on a slate colored table

If you like to give raw food to your canine companion, this senior dog diet is just the thing you need.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup animal protein (either chicken, beef, turkey, or lamb)
  • 1 cup of veggies (carrot, sprouts & lettuce)
  • Cod liver oil (1 tablespoon)

Directions

  1. Chop up the animal protein into small chunks.
  2. Take a blender and add animal protein and veggies into it.
  3. Grind it until it becomes a fine paste.
  4. Now, take it out in a bowl and add cod liver oil into it.
  5. Mix it well before serving it to your pooch.

Thanks to Bored Cesar for this recipe.

Homemade Treat for Senior Dogs

Person giving a black lab a treat

Dogs love treats and nothing could be better than a homemade one. However, moderation is the key, especially with senior canines, because they can quickly gain weight (due to less physical activity).

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup mashed banana
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ cup wheat germ (can also try oats instead if your dog isn’t a fan of wheat germ)
  • 1 lightly beaten egg white for the egg wash 

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
  2. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
  3. In a medium bowl, stir the peanut butter, egg, banana, and honey until well blended.
  4. Mix the wheat germ and flour and mix thoroughly.
  5. Then, put the dough on a floured board and use a floured rolling pin to roll it out until it’s about ¼-inch thick.
  6. Use a cookie cutter to cut into your desired shapes.
  7. Place the biscuits on the baking sheet and gently brush the tops with the beaten egg white.
  8. Bake the biscuits in the oven until they’re golden brown and dried (about 30 minutes). Take them out and cool them on a wire rack.

Thanks to Dog Quality for this recipe.

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