Making your own dog food can be a healthy and cost-effective option for pet parents who want to ensure that their dogs are getting the best nutrition possible. This recipe for human-grade turkey and whole wheat macaroni dog food is not only easy to make, but it is also filled with wholesome ingredients that are sure to make your dog happy and full!
This recipe is ideal for:
Adult dogs
Active dogs
Large breed dogs
Underweight dogs
Picky dogs
Dogs that need to avoid fish, beef, and lamb
With the addition of JustFoodForDogs Omega Plus Fish Oil and the , your dog will get all the essential vitamins and nutrients they need to maintain a healthy diet.
Ingredients List
Makes approximately 13 lbs of food*
5 lbs Ground Turkey
85% lean/15% fat
2.5 oz Turkey Liver
2 lbs 8 oz Whole Wheat Macaroni
5 oz Carrots
Finely chopped
5 oz Zucchini
Finely chopped
5 oz Broccoli
Finely chopped
2.5 oz Cranberries
Fresh or frozen
5 tsp JustFoodForDogs Omega Plus Fish Oil
2 1/2 tbsp
Tip: If you can’t find organ meat at your local grocery store, visit your local butcher.
Note: As with any dog food recipe, it is essential that it is complete and balanced. This recipe is nothing without the DIY Nutrient Blend, which is formulated specifically for each recipe to meet AAFCO recommendations. The blend is compounded from 100% human-grade nutraceuticals regulated by the FDA. As such, it is vital that you follow this recipe exactly as it is written.
DIY Turkey & Macaroni Dog Food Recipe
PREPARATION
1. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but if one or two items are purchased frozen (may add as is), make sure there are no added ingredients such as salt or sugar.
2. Prepare a one-quart ice bath. Once the macaroni is cooked, the ice will be used to cool it and to stop the cooking process so it retains its texture.
COOKING
1. In a nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground turkey and turkey liver over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add carrots, zucchini, broccoli and cranberries while turkey is still slightly pink. Continue to cook until turkey is fully cooked and vegetables are soft. Do not drain. Let the mixture cool until it is warm to the touch.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions (usually 4 cups water per 1/2 lb pasta). Once cooked, add ice to stop cooking process and drain. Let cool.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all cooled ingredients, including Omega Plus Fish Oil. Slowly sprinkle in DIY Nutrient Blend until fully incorporated.
4. Portion into individual serving sizes and store in the freezer or refrigerator in an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months.
Preparing any homemade dog food recipe is a wonderful way to keep your dog feeling good. This recipe is packed with protein, veggies, and other essential nutrients, providing your dog with a delicious and healthy meal.
Serving Size
Not sure how much to feed your dog? If you aren’t sure how many cups of food to feed your fur baby, refer to our dog food calculator for guidelines.
However you choose to cook this recipe, it’s an easy and convenient meal that can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for future meals. By feeding your dog this homemade recipe, you can rest easy knowing that they are getting the best possible nutrition to help them stay healthy and happy.
Prep time is minimal no matter how you cook this recipe. Depending on what equipment you use, cook time may vary. Learn how to use this recipe in a Crock Pot or Instant Pot.
There are no secrets at JustFoodForDogs. We freely publish our Fish & Sweet Potato (featuring green beans and omega-3 fatty acids), Chicken & White Rice, Lamb & Brown Rice, Ground Beef & Russet Potato, Venison & Butternut Squash, and more recipes on our website for any pet parent to make at home.
Never forget to add the nutrient blend so meals are balanced and complete with all the nutrients your healthy dog needs. Vitamins and minerals like potassium, carbohydrates, vitamin a, vitamin c, and calcium are all important components of your dog’s diet.
Kick the kibble with us! Check out our other pet food recipes, supplements, and dog treats.
*All weights indicated are raw or dry weight.
Prefer to make a smaller batch? This printable PDF includes instructions for full and half batches of food.
Yes, when cooked and prepared properly—and given in very small portions—turkey can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs. Make sure it is fully cooked; has no skin, bones, or fat; and is not cooked with any other ingredients or seasonings. Here are some nutrients found in turkey: Vitamin B6.
The amount of ground turkey you should feed your dog depends on their size, age, activity level, and overall health. As a general guideline, you can feed your dog approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce of ground turkey per pound of body weight per day.
Place ground turkey, water, rice, and rosemary into a large Dutch oven. Stir until ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture; bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
The general rule of thumb for a home-made diet for a healthy canine patient is 75% meat/15%vegetables/10% carbohydrate. Variety is the key to a healthy diet so be sure to vary your meat, carbohydrate and vegetable sources from time to time.
Overfeeding your dog with turkey may lead to digestive issues such as upset stomach or diarrhea. Additionally, excessive consumption of turkey can contribute to weight gain in dogs, especially if the meat contains skin or fatty portions.
Plain, unseasoned, boneless, skinless turkey is safe for cats and dogs in small amounts. While you can give raw turkey to your pets, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like contracting salmonella. Raw meat is also not recommended for puppies, dogs with cancer, and dogs with liver or kidney disease.
Good homemade food for healthy dogs includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins and minerals your pet needs to stay healthy. You can add ground beef, chicken, lamb or venison, as well as vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.
What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).
FILLERS --- (Oats, Brown rice, Yams, Cooked potatoes, and Pasta.) These healthy fillers will keep the dog food together. RECIPE: Ground turkey or chicken, brown rice, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and peas. Add water, as necessary.
“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.
Turkey is a great protein source for dogs who are allergic to chicken or beef, as it is a hypoallergenic protein source. In fact, it's often one of the first foods used in food elimination trials for dogs who have food allergies. Additionally, turkey is less likely to cause gastrointestinal upset than other meats.
What are the essential ingredients for homemade dog food? In general, a nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipe should include: At least 10 percent protein, such as chicken, fish, turkey, or lean beef. Up to 50 percent carbs, like rice, pasta, and potatoes (also a great source of fiber!)
Very lean ground beef or poultry- This is the main source of protein and has to be lean since dogs have a high amino acid requirement. Compared to ground beef, ground chicken and turkey are lower in protein, iron, and zinc, so you'll need to make up for it with extra beef liver.
There are other ways to calculate how much to feed. For example, Dr. Judy Morgan, a nutrition expert and one of our favorite podcast guests, recommends feeding a dog about 2-3% of their body weight when using homemade food, and I think that's an excellent place to start.
Yes – as long as you feed the safe types of beef! Cooked beef can be given as meal toppers or treats. However, you cannot feed your dog only cooked beef every day. Dogs need a complete and balanced diet with the correct proportions of nutrients.
The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.
However, turkey has slightly fewer calories than chicken and is a lower-risk food for dogs with food allergies. Aside from this, these meats are nutritionally similar and both can be a healthy part of the canine diet.
Additionally, you should always watch how much turkey your dog eats, as too much can be harmful to his digestive system. Overdoing it with turkey can lead to serious results, including pancreatitis, which is dangerous and potentially deadly without the right treatment.
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