Crockpot dog food recipes are the easiest way to batch cook for your dog: add lean meat, a starch and vegetables, set it on low and walk away. Here are two slow cooker recipes, chicken with sweet potato and brown rice, and turkey with rice and pumpkin, plus calories per cup, how much to feed, storage and the safety rules that matter.
Chicken and sweet potato: 15 min prep, 6 to 8 hours on low, about 10 cups, ~215 kcal per cup. Turkey and pumpkin: 10 min prep, 5 to 6 hours on low, about 8 cups, ~225 kcal per cup. Storage: 4 days in the fridge, 3 months frozen. Not complete and balanced on their own.
Table of Contents
Why Use a Slow Cooker?
- Hands-off: about 15 minutes of prep, then it cooks on its own.
- Soft texture: meat shreds easily and vegetables turn tender, which suits seniors and picky eaters.
- Big batches: one pot can be portioned and frozen for weeks.
The trade-off is that long cooking softens everything. If your dog likes texture, add some lightly steamed vegetables at the end.
Recipe 1: Slow Cooker Chicken, Sweet Potato and Rice
Slow Cooker Chicken, Sweet Potato and Rice Dog Food
Ingredients
Method
- Add the rice, sweet potato and carrots to the slow cooker.
- Lay the chicken thighs on top and pour in the water.
- Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the rice is soft.
- Stir in the frozen peas for the last 20 minutes.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir everything together.
- Cool, then portion into containers.
Notes
Recipe 2: Crockpot Turkey, Rice and Pumpkin
Crockpot Turkey, Rice and Pumpkin Dog Food
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the ground turkey in a pan until no pink remains, then drain any fat.
- Add the turkey, rice, green beans and water to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours, until the rice is soft.
- Stir in the pumpkin and cook 15 minutes more.
- Cool, then portion into containers.
Notes
Plain canned pumpkin adds fiber and color. Make sure it's 100% pumpkin, not pie filling; see our pumpkin guide. Lean ground turkey keeps the fat low; our ground turkey guide has more.
How Much to Feed
| Dog's weight | Est. daily calories | Chicken recipe (~215/cup) | Turkey recipe (~225/cup) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~350 kcal | ~1⅓ cups | ~1½ cups |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~690 kcal | ~3¼ cups | ~3 cups |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~1,160 kcal | ~5½ cups | ~5¼ cups |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~1,580 kcal | ~7½ cups | ~7 cups |
Our estimates for typical neutered adults (70 × kg0.75 × 1.6), using USDA FoodData Central values, as a full meal. As a topper, replace about a quarter of the regular food and reduce kibble to match.
Split into two meals a day and check your dog's weight every couple of weeks.
Making It Complete for the Long Term
These recipes are great for variety and toppers, but they aren't complete and balanced on their own. Dogs need the right amounts of calcium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and simple meat-and-starch recipes usually fall short. For everyday homemade feeding, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can adjust the recipe and recommend a supplement so it meets standards like AAFCO profiles. See our homemade dog food recipes for more on this.
Slow Cooker Food Safety
Cook meat all the way through and cool it fast. Chicken and turkey should reach 165°F (74°C). Don't leave the crockpot on “warm” for hours after cooking, and don't let cooked food sit out more than 2 hours. Pick out every bone if you use bone-in meat, since cooked bones splinter. Keep onion, garlic, salt, broth with seasoning and spicy sauces out of the pot. See our veterinary disclaimer.
- Portion into meal-size containers while still warm, then refrigerate.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Introducing Crockpot Food
Add new food gradually over 7 to 10 days, starting with about a quarter of the meal. Our how to transition dog food guide walks you through it.
Is crockpot food OK as my dog's only food? Not as written. These recipes need a balancing supplement chosen with a vet nutritionist to be complete long term.
What's the main safety tip? Cook meat fully, pick out any bones and refrigerate portions within 2 hours. Skip onion, garlic and seasoned broth.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Crockpot Dog Food: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Use lean, boneless meat
- Cook chicken and turkey to 165°F
- Cool and portion within 2 hours
- Switch foods slowly
✕ Don't
- Add onion, garlic or salty broth
- Leave food on warm for hours
- Include cooked bones
- Feed it alone long term
Puppies and dogs with health conditions need a vet-guided homemade diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes. Breast is leaner; thighs stay moister in a slow cooker. Remove skin either way.
Can I put frozen meat in the crockpot?
It's safer to thaw meat in the fridge first, so it doesn't sit too long at unsafe temperatures.
Can I add broth?
Only plain, unsalted broth with no onion or garlic. Water works fine.
Can I cook raw rice in the slow cooker?
Yes, brown rice works on low if there's enough liquid. It turns soft and mushy, which most dogs don't mind.
Is crockpot dog food cheaper than kibble?
Sometimes, but once you add a balancing supplement, costs are often similar to a good commercial food.
Explore more in the complete dog food guide.
The Bottom Line
These crockpot dog food recipes make big, easy batches: chicken with sweet potato and rice, or turkey with rice and pumpkin. Cook meat fully, skip seasonings, cool and freeze portions fast, and talk to a vet nutritionist before making homemade food your dog's whole diet. More in our Dog Food section.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- AAFCO — Understanding pet food