Slow Cooker Harvest Dog Food Recipe
Whip up this slow cooker harvest dog food recipe with ground turkey, sweet potato, blueberries, frozen veggies, green beans & oats. A DIY fall-inspired homemade dog food that’s healthy, freezer-friendly, and perfect for senior pups too!
Slow Cooker Harvest Dog Food Recipe (Fall-Inspired)
Fall is here, my friends.. which means cooler walks, crunchy leaves, pumpkin spice everything and dogs who suddenly have zoomies in the brisk air… you know, if you don’t live in the South like me 🙂
While we’re sweatin’ out zoomies in the sunshine, swimming in the pool and still making pumpkin bread (pst.. check out this pumpkin bread recipe from my human food blog), our pups deserve their own cozy comfort food.
This slow cooker harvest dog food recipe is packed with lean turkey, colorful veggies, and a touch of fruit for sweetness. Whether you’ve got a picky eater, a spry puppy, or a wise senior dog, this recipe is a winner. Bonus? It makes your kitchen smell so good, you might just be tempted to sneak a bite (don’t worry.. you can, just season yours with a pinch of salt).
Before we dive into this gloppy, glorious Slow Cooker Harvest Dog Food, know that your pup’s taste buds are in for a treat! If you want more tasty treats for your pup, check out 3 more Bark Belly Bites favorites: Slow Cooker Dog Food with Ground Beef, Liver & Sardines, Homemade Cheddar Goldfish Treats for Dogs, and Homemade Mint Dog Treats.. because one delicious meal is never enough.
Why Dogs Love This Recipe
- Smells like Thanksgiving dinner while cooking.
- Soft texture makes it one of the best homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs with dental issues.
- Colorful veggies + blueberries = antioxidant goldmine.
- Works as a healthy slow cooker dog food with vegetables or an easy crockpot dog food for picky eaters who usually turn their nose up at kibble.
Why Make Homemade Fall Dog Food?
If you’ve ever side-eyed the ingredient list on a bag of kibble, you already know why. Making homemade dog food recipes with chicken lets you control the ingredients and skip the fillers. Plus:
- It’s budget-friendly.
- It’s perfect for picky eaters.
- You get major bragging rights as “that dog parent.”
- It smells like Thanksgiving dinner in your kitchen.
This recipe doubles as the best homemade dog food for senior dogs because it’s soft, hearty, and easy to chew… just ask my 15 year old boxer mastiff and her 3 remaining teeth!
Nutritional Benefits of Each Ingredient
Here’s why each ingredient in this healthy slow cooker dog food with vegetables does more than just fill the bowl:
- Ground Turkey/Chicken – Lean protein that builds muscle and provides energy without extra fat.
- Butternut Squash – Fiber + vitamin A for digestion and immune support.
- Sweet Potato – Beta-carotene and vitamin C powerhouse that supports vision and adds natural sweetness.
- Carrots – Vitamin A–rich veggie for healthy skin, coat, and eyes.
- Green Beans – Low-calorie filler that keeps pups full while helping with weight management.
- Blueberries – Antioxidant powerhouse! Supports brain health, fights inflammation, and adds natural sweetness.
- Rolled Oats – Gentle whole grain for energy and digestion. A staple in a healthy dog food recipe with oats and squash.
- Broth/Water – Keeps everything moist and easy to digest.
- Optional Flaxseed/Chia – Omega-3 boost for skin and coat.
- Optional Salmon Oil – Brain health + glossy coats.
- Optional Parsley – Natural dog-safe breath freshener.
- Optional Turmeric – natural anti-inflammatory, joint support
- Optional Coconut oil – promotes healthy skin, shiny coat, and improved digestion
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled & cubed
- 1 cup sweet potato, peeled & cubed
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup blueberries, (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups rolled oats (uncooked)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
Optional Boosters (add after cooking & cooling):
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon coc0nut oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add ingredients to the slow cooker: Place ground turkey or chicken, squash, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, blueberries, oats, (and any optional boosters) and broth directly into the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Veggies should be fork-tender.
- Stir & cool: Mix everything well and let it cool completely before serving.
- Portion & store: Keep in airtight containers in the fridge (up to 5 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).
Heads up: slow cooker dog food is very rarely pretty when it’s done.. this recipe serves up pretty hearty and very gloppy (yes, gloppy is a real word), but smells amazing and your dog will totally gobble it up. (Apologies on the gobble gobble nod to Thanksgiving!.. sorta….). My dogs don’t mind it being a thick plop! of food but feel free to maybe add a splash of warm water when serving if it’s too dense for your pup.
How Much Homemade Dog Food to Feed
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): ½–1 cup
- Medium dogs (20–50 lbs): 1–2 cups
- Large dogs (50+ lbs): 2–3 cups
Adjust based on activity level, age, and vet advice.
Dog-Safe Grain Swap Chart
This recipe uses rolled oats, but if your pup doesn’t tolerate them well, here are safe swaps:
| Grain Swap | How to Use | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Rice | 3 cups (cooked) | Easy on tummies |
| Quinoa | 3 cups (cooked) | Protein-rich + gluten-free |
| Barley | 3 cups (cooked) | Fiber-rich |
| Millet | 3 cups (cooked) | Easy to digest |
| Steel-Cut Oats | 3 cups (cooked) | Heart-healthy & filling |
Helpful Tips
- Great as an easy crockpot dog food for picky eaters.. the smell wins them over.
- For seniors, mash the cooked mixture with a fork for easier chewing.
- Alternate proteins.. try a slow cooker turkey dog food with veggies one week, chicken the next.
- Always cool completely before serving to avoid burning those eager tongues.
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Portion into freezer bags or silicone molds for freezer-friendly homemade dog food portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
FAQs About Homemade Dog Food
Q: Can humans eat this too?
A: Yep! It’s people-safe. Just season your own bowl with a little salt and pepper.
Q: Is this recipe good for dogs with allergies?
A: This DIY fall-inspired homemade dog food is grain-flexible and free of common allergens like corn and soy. If your pup is sensitive, swap oats for quinoa or rice using the chart above.
Q: Can I use pumpkin instead of butternut squash?
A: Absolutely. Pumpkin is full of fiber and is a great dog-safe substitute in this dog food recipe with sweet potato and green beans.
Q: How do I know how much to feed my dog?
A: Start with the serving guidelines above, but always check with your vet. Feeding amounts vary based on age, activity level, and metabolism.
Q: How long can I store this?
A: 5 days in the fridge, 3 months in the freezer. That’s why it’s perfect for freezer-friendly homemade dog food portions.
Q: Do I have to brown the meat first?
A: Nope — you can toss it in raw. Browning just boosts flavor and reduces excess grease.
Q: Is this recipe safe for senior dogs?
A: Yes! It’s soft, easy to chew, and gentle on digestion.. making it the best homemade dog food for senior dogs.
Final Bite
If you’ve been hunting for a way to treat your pup this season, this slow cooker harvest dog food recipe is it. It’s wholesome, tail-wagging, freezer-friendly, and doubles as your dog’s own version of fall comfort food.
So grab your slow cooker, load it with fall flavors, and watch your dog turn into a four-legged foodie.
Slow Cooker Harvest Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 cup butternut squash peeled & cubed
- 1 cup sweet potato peeled & cubed
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup green beans chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups rolled oats uncooked
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Add ingredients to the slow cooker: Place ground turkey or chicken, squash, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, blueberries, oats, (and any optional boosters) and broth directly into the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Veggies should be fork-tender.
- Stir & cool: Mix everything well and let it cool completely before serving.
- Portion & store: Keep in airtight containers in the fridge (up to 5 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).
Notes
Helpful Tips and Tricks
-
- Heads up: slow cooker dog food is very rarely pretty when it’s done.. this recipe serves up pretty hearty and very gloppy (yes, gloppy is a real word), but smells amazing and your dog will totally gobble it up. (Apologies on the gobble gobble nod to Thanksgiving!.. sorta….). My dogs don’t mind it being a thick plop! of food but feel free to maybe add a splash of warm water when serving if it’s too dense for your pup.
- Great as an easy crockpot dog food for picky eaters.. the smell wins them over.
- For seniors, mash the cooked mixture with a fork for easier chewing.
- Alternate proteins.. try a slow cooker turkey dog food with veggies one week, chicken the next.
- Always cool completely before serving to avoid burning those eager tongues.
I may or may not have sniffed this while it was cooking… okay, definitely did. The aroma is out-of-this-world cozy, the texture is gloriously gloppy (don’t judge), and my dogs couldn’t get enough. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s hearty, healthy, and guaranteed to earn you major tail wags, this Slow Cooker Harvest Dog Food is it. Pro tip: brace yourself for a happy, messy kitchen!