Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Pup Upset Tummies .. a gentle, easy-to-digest stew made with turkey, rice, pumpkin and sweet potato. The perfect recipe for what to feed a dog with an upset stomach or loose stool.

Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Pup Upset Tummies.. What to Feed a Dog With an Upset Stomach

If your old pup’s tummy sounds like a haunted dishwasher or their poop can’t decide whether to exist or not.. you’re not alone. Figuring out what to feed a dog with an upset tummy can feel like a guessing game, especially when they’re older and more sensitive.

This recipe was made for my Haley .. my 15-year-old Boxer Mastiff who sometimes forgets why she walked into a room but will never forget where the food bowl lives. After one rough week of tummy troubles, I whipped this up for her… and let’s just say she had it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until the pot was gone. By the next morning, the poop fairy had blessed us again .. all was right in the world.

This is the Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Pup Upset Tummies.. also known around here as Tummy Tamer Stew. It’s gentle, balanced, and has Haley’s official approval (which says a lot, considering she’s half retired and half food critic).

PS… Let’s get this part out of the way right at the beginning of our time together .. Always check with your vet before changing your dog’s diet, especially if there are underlying health issues. Don’t wait if your senior dog has ongoing tummy problems .. it could be something serious.

It doesn’t make you a bad dog mama or daddy if your fur baby has an upset tummy.. it shows how much you care for them when you put that call into your vet to double check 🖤

Haley my 15 year old boxer mastiff supervising me making her Tummy Tamer Stew

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made with simple, real ingredients your dog actually recognizes.
Gentle on sensitive tummies but still nutrient-rich.
Helps firm up loose stools naturally (and no scary vet bill needed).
Budget-friendly and freezer-friendly.

If you’ve been wondering what to feed a dog with an upset tummy, this homemade stew is exactly what you’ve been searching for.

Key Ingredients & Why They Matter

Lean ground turkey (1 pound) – A gentle, high-quality protein that’s easier to digest than beef or chicken skin. It’s the perfect protein for a senior dog’s sensitive stomach.

Cooked white rice (1 cup) – The classic belly-soother. White rice helps firm up loose stools and gives easy-to-digest energy.

Carrot (1 medium, chopped) – Adds a little crunch, color, and fiber for smoother digestion.

Sweet potato (½ cup, diced or mashed) – Provides natural fiber and gentle sweetness that’s kind to the gut.

Pumpkin puree (½ cup) – A superstar ingredient for both constipation and diarrhea. It helps regulate digestion either way.

Low-sodium chicken bone broth (2 cups) – Keeps everything moist and flavorful without upsetting the tummy.

Crushed eggshell powder (½ teaspoon, optional) – A natural source of calcium. You can easily make this at home (instructions below).

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 cup cooked white rice
1/2 a medium sweet potato, peeled and mashed (about 3/4 cups)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
1 large egg
2 cups low-sodium chicken bone broth, chicken broth or water (I like the bone broth, myself)
1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt (when serving)
Optional: ½ teaspoon crushed eggshell powder (see below for how to make it)

Instructions – How to Make The Tummy Tamer Stew

Brown the turkey: In a medium pot or skillet, cook 1 pound of lean ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.

brown ground turkey in a skillet for tummy tamer stew

Add the veggies: Stir in ½ cup diced/mashed sweet potato, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree and 1 chopped carrot. Pour in the bone broth and simmer for 10-12 minutes, just to soften them up a bit.

simmer ground turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato and bone broth

Mix in the rice: Stir in 1 cup of cooked white rice. I like to add 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of water to a microwave safe bowl and cook on High for 5 minutes while I brown my turkey.

Simmer it down: Let it all cook together for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens slightly and the vegetables are tender.

let your upset tummy stew simmer with the rice to thicken

Cool it down: Let it cool completely before serving. Nobody likes hot lava food on their tongue.. especially your senior pup.
Final Touch: Right before serving, stir in a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt for extra protein.

Dog Mama Pro Tip: As it sits in the fridge, the oats and rice will soak up the liquid like a sponge. You don’t want to serve your poop-challenged pup a scoop of concrete .. so add a splash of warm broth or water and stir to loosen it up before serving.

Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 to 5 cups, depending on how thick you simmer it. For an average 50–60 lb senior dog, that’s roughly 4 to 5 meals.

Serving Size

Dog Weight	Daily Serving	Notes
10–25 lbs	½ to 1 cup	Split into 2 meals
25–50 lbs	1 to 2 cups	Split into 2 meals
50+ lbs	2 to 3 cups	Split into 2–3 meals

Storage & Freezing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze, spoon cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
To make mealtime easy, portion the stew into small containers or silicone muffin trays before freezing. Pop one out, thaw in the fridge overnight, or warm gently in the microwave with a splash of water or broth before serving.

Variation Ideas

Swap ground turkey for ground chicken or lean beef if tolerated.
Use mashed white potato instead of sweet potato for a change.
Add chopped spinach or green beans for a veggie boost.

Helpful Add-Ins (After Things Settle Down)

A spoon of canned pumpkin for extra fiber.
Plain cottage cheese for protein and calcium.
Cooked oatmeal if you want gentle soluble fiber.
A drizzle of olive oil to keep things moving just right.

What’s the Difference Between Bone Broth and Chicken Broth?

Chicken Broth:

Made by simmering meat, sometimes with bones, plus vegetables and seasonings.
Usually cooked 1–2 hours, mostly for flavor.
Light in texture, thinner, and has protein from the meat but less collagen.
Good for adding flavor to soups, stews, or your dog’s meal.

Chicken Bone Broth:

Made primarily by simmering bones (sometimes with a little meat) for a long time .. think 12–24 hours.
Long cooking extracts collagen, gelatin, minerals, and amino acids from the bones.
Thicker when cooled (gelatin sets), richer in nutrients that support joints, gut health, and skin.
Slightly more “functional” than broth .. it’s less about flavor and more about nutrition.

For your senior dog recipe:

Regular chicken broth is fine for flavor and hydration.
Bone broth adds extra gut-soothing benefits and nutrients, especially useful for older dogs with joint issues or sensitive digestion.
If you use bone broth, reduce added salt ..dogs don’t need it, and some store-bought versions are higher in sodium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
You can, but white rice is easier on the stomach when things are upset.

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling?
Nope. Only 100% pure pumpkin puree .. no sugar or spices.

Can I feed this long-term?
It’s great short-term or for gentle recovery meals. For full-time feeding, check with your vet or a canine nutritionist to ensure balance over time.

simmering tummy feel better stew for your pup

Why Senior Dogs Get Constipated (or the Runs)

As dogs age, their digestion naturally slows down. They move less, drink less, and sometimes lose interest in eating like they used to. Combine that with a low-fiber diet or too many treats, and you’ve got constipation. On the flip side, stress, antibiotics, or even too much fat can send things the other way.

That’s why having a gentle, moisture-rich, easy-to-digest homemade dog food like this one is so important .. it keeps everything regular without upsetting their stomach further.

How to Make Eggshell Powder

Don’t toss those eggshells! They’re a cheap, natural calcium supplement for homemade dog food.

Rinse out your used eggshells and let them dry completely.
Bake them at 300°F for about 10 minutes to kill any bacteria and make them easier to crush.
Once cool, grind them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
Store in an airtight jar. Use about ½ teaspoon per pound of food.

Optional Egg Add-In

Once your pup’s stomach is stable again, you can stir in one scrambled egg per two cups of stew for an extra protein punch. Eggs are rich and nutritious, but they can sometimes loosen stool slightly .. so only add them once the tummy storm has passed.

How to Freeze Sweet Potatoes for Dog Food

Got extra sweet potato? Here’s how to freeze it right:

Peel and cube the raw sweet potato.
Blanch in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drop into ice water to stop cooking.
Drain, pat dry, and freeze on a baking sheet.
Once solid, store in freezer bags for up to 6 months.

Or cook, mash, and freeze in silicone muffin trays — easy portion control and no waste.

Tips & Tricks

Always check with your vet before changing your dog’s diet, especially if there are underlying health issues. Don’t wait if your senior dog has ongoing tummy problems .. it could be something serious.
Keep the stew moist, not dry .. hydration is key for senior digestion.
Warm food brings out the smell and flavor, which helps picky eaters get interested again.
I am a huge fan of the frozen bags of veggies at Walmart for .98! Instead of grabbing a bushel of carrots that will probably go bad in this house (don’t judge!), I simply add in my frozen sliced carrots and break them up into smaller pieces as the tummy tamer stew cooks.

My Final Thoughts

From one poop-cleaner to another .. we’re all in the trenches together. Whether it’s soft serve, concrete, or something in between, hang in there. Senior dog bellies can be fussy, but with a little patience, a good mop, and the right homemade dog food, those tails start wagging again soon enough.

Give your old buddy an extra ear scratch from me (and Haley), and here’s to fewer tummy troubles and more happy barks ahead. 💩

xoxox Heather 🐾