10 Delicious Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs

Homemade Senior Dog Food with Turkey and Rice

This vibrant dish features neatly separated rows of ingredients, including fluffy cooked rice, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and bright red cranberries. You can also see cubed sweet potatoes, green peas, and shredded turkey arranged appealingly in a large baking pan.

Prep: 30 min · Cook: 40 min · Makes: 13 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground white meat turkey, cooked thoroughly and drained
• 6 cups cooked brown rice, white rice if your dog has had a kidney disease diagnosis
• 6 hard boiled eggs
• 2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean, peeled, cubed, and steamed
• 1 (15-ounce) bag frozen peas
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, sliced thin
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 6 sage leaves, minced
• 3 tablespoons minced rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, Udo's omega-3 and omega-6 oil blend, or safflower oil

Method

1. Ensure your ground white meat turkey is thoroughly cooked and drained.
2. Prepare the sweet potatoes by scrubbing them clean, peeling, cubing, and then steaming them.
3. Combine the cooked turkey, cooked rice, hard-boiled eggs, steamed sweet potatoes, and frozen peas in a large container.
4. Add the sliced fresh cranberries, hemp hearts, parsley, minced sage leaves, and minced rosemary to the mixture.
5. Pour in the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, Udo's omega-3 and omega-6 oil blend, or safflower oil.
6. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until they are completely combined.

Recipe adapted from Thismessisours.

Pro tip: Store the prepared food in the refrigerator between feedings; it makes 13 servings.

Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pea Medley

This dish presents a colorful array of ingredients arranged in distinct layers within a baking pan. It features shredded chicken, vibrant green peas, and diced orange sweet potato.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 25 min · Makes: about 7 cups

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 cup cooked sweet potato, diced
• 1 cup green peas, cooked
• 2 fully cooked eggs, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups water or unsalted low-sodium broth

Method

1. Place chicken breasts in a pot with water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fully cooked (no pink). Shred the cooked chicken.
2. While chicken cooks, prepare quinoa according to package directions, steam or boil sweet potato until tender, and cook green peas.
3. In a large bowl, gently combine the shredded chicken, cooked quinoa, cooked sweet potato, and cooked green peas.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and mix thoroughly.
5. Arrange the mixture in a serving dish and top with sliced fully cooked eggs.
6. Allow the food to cool completely before serving.
7. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze in individual portions.

Recipe developed for this post; it is not adapted from a published recipe.

Budget swap: For a different protein, use cooked lean turkey instead of chicken. Consult your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes.

Beef, Rice, and Mixed Vegetable Stew

This dish features ground beef mixed with brown rice, creating a hearty base. Bright pieces of cooked carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower are visible throughout the stew.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 25 min · Makes: about 8 cups

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 3 cups unsalted low-sodium broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Brown the ground beef thoroughly in a large pot, ensuring no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the unsalted low-sodium broth to the pot with the cooked beef and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the chopped carrots, broccoli florets, and cauliflower florets. Cook until vegetables are tender.
4. Add the cooked brown rice and olive oil to the pot, mixing everything together gently.
5. Remove from heat and allow the entire mixture to cool completely before serving.
6. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze in individual portions.

Recipe developed for this post; it is not adapted from a published recipe.

Pairs well with: Adding the pre-cooked brown rice at the end saves cooking time.

Potato and Salmon Dog Food

This dish features a vibrant mix of orange potatoes and carrots, green spinach, and pink salmon pieces. It has a chunky, hearty texture, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Makes: 4 cups

Ingredients

• ½ cup water
• 11 ounces Idaho® Russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 potatoes)
• 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ½ cup egg whites
• 1 cup chopped spinach, packed
• 8 ounces salmon, raw or canned
• ⅓ cup canned pumpkin

Method

1. Place a heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.
2. Pour in ½ cup of water and add the diced potatoes. Cover the pan and let the potatoes cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes until they soften.
3. Remove the lid and incorporate the grated carrot and coconut oil. Stir well and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes. Push the potato and carrot mixture to one side of the pan.
4. Add the egg whites to the cleared side of the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until firm. Break the cooked egg whites into small pieces with a spoon, then mix them thoroughly with the potatoes and carrots.
5. Stir in the chopped spinach and salmon. Cover the pan again and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, ensuring the salmon is fully cooked through.
6. Take the pan off the heat, mix in the canned pumpkin, and allow the food to cool down a bit before serving it to your pet.

Recipe adapted from Idahopotato.

Salmon and Vegetable Bowl

This vibrant dish features fluffy white rice alongside cooked, flaked salmon. Brightly colored grated carrots, diced red pepper, and shredded purple cabbage are arranged neatly, with a small dog treat placed in the center.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 20 min · Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

• ½ pound ground wild caught salmon
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 carrot
• 1 red pepper
• ½ cup purple cabbage

Method

1. Cook 1 cup of white rice according to the instructions on its packaging. If using pre-cooked rice, warm it through.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat, ensuring the pan is coated.
3. Add ½ pound of ground salmon to the skillet and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until it is completely done.
4. Grate 1 carrot with a large box grater. Cut 1 red pepper into small cubes and finely chop ½ cup of purple cabbage.
5. In your dog's serving bowl, combine the prepared rice, cooked salmon, grated carrots, diced red pepper, and chopped purple cabbage.
6. Present the meal for immediate consumption.

Recipe adapted from Mimisorganiceats.

Care tip: To ensure the ground salmon is fully cooked and easily digestible, break it into small, uniform pieces as it cooks in the skillet.

Turkey and Rice Medley with Vegetables

This dish presents a warm, hearty mix of ground turkey, rice, and finely chopped vegetables. The texture is moist and crumbly, featuring visible pieces of light-colored turkey, golden-brown rice, and bright orange carrot shreds.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 20 min · Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1 cup chopped spinach

Method

1. Prepare the brown rice first, following the instructions on its package, then set it aside.
2. Brown the ground turkey in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it's fully cooked.
3. Add the shredded zucchini, carrot, and chopped spinach to the pot, stirring well. Cook for 2–3 minutes until these vegetables are tender.
4. Mix in the pre-cooked brown rice, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined and heated.
5. Before serving to your dog, ensure the entire mixture has cooled down completely.
6. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen in portions for future meals.

Recipe adapted from Myincrediblerecipes.

Styling note: To introduce new foods, start by mixing a small amount into your dog's current food and gradually increase the proportion over several days.

Chicken, Rice, and Garden Vegetable Mix

This dish features finely diced chicken and white rice, mixed with tender shreds of zucchini and carrots.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 10 min · Makes: about 5 cups

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked lean ground chicken
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 2 fully cooked eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup cooked spinach, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup water

Method

1. In a large pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the shredded zucchini and carrots, cooking for 3-5 minutes until slightly softened.
3. Stir in the cooked ground chicken, cooked white rice, chopped cooked eggs, finely chopped spinach, and water.
4. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and heated through.
5. Cool the food completely before serving.
6. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze in individual portions.

Recipe developed for this post; it is not adapted from a published recipe.

Pro tip: Prepare a larger batch of cooked chicken, rice, or vegetables ahead of time to make future meals quicker to assemble.

Salmon and Chicken with Brown Rice and Vegetables

This dish presents as a hearty, moist mixture, featuring shredded chicken and flaked salmon intertwined with brown rice.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 18 min · Makes: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb. salmon filet, bone-free (about 2 filets)
• 2 lbs. chicken breast, boneless (about 2 )
• 1 large sweet potato (unpeeled & chopped)
• 3 medium carrots (unpeeled & chopped)
• 1 cup spinach, frozen (chopped)
• 1 cup green beans, frozen (chopped)
• 2 cups brown rice, uncooked
• 6 cups water

Method

1. Place the chopped vegetables, uncooked brown rice, salmon filets, and boneless chicken breasts into the pot.
2. Add 6 cups of water to the ingredients.
3. Secure the lid and set the pressure cooking time for 18 minutes.
4. Allow the pressure to release naturally, which will take approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
5. Once the pressure has fully dropped, carefully open the lid.
6. Stir the contents well, ensuring the chicken breaks into bite-sized pieces and the salmon flakes easily.
7. The mixture may appear quite liquidy, but the rice will absorb more moisture as it cools.
8. Let the food cool completely before serving it to your dog.

Recipe adapted from Hungrydanekitchen.

Salmon Quinoa Homemade Dog Food

This dish features a moist, crumbly texture with visible flakes of salmon and finely grated vegetables mixed throughout. It is served in a white, fluted ceramic bowl, showcasing its uniform blend of ingredients.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 30 min

Ingredients

• 6 lbs salmon
• 2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 2 zucchinis
• 3 yellow squash
• 4 carrots
• 2 cans pumpkin puree (29 oz total)
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil

Method

1. Bake the salmon in an oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
2. Cook the quinoa with water until all liquid is absorbed, then fluff it with a fork. This will yield over 4 cups of cooked quinoa.
3. Use a grater or food processor to shred all the zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots.
4. Combine the cooked salmon, cooked quinoa, shredded vegetables, pumpkin puree, and melted coconut oil in a large pot.
5. Stir all ingredients together over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Recipe adapted from Wheresthefrenchie.

Pairs well with: Offer a small portion mixed with their current food to help them adjust.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Mash

This dish features a soft, textured blend of ground beef and sweet potatoes, mixed with finely chopped green vegetables. The ingredients are well-combined, creating a uniform appearance.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 20 min · Makes: about 5 cups

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green beans
• 1/4 cup unsalted low-sodium broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain any excess fat.
2. Meanwhile, peel and dice the sweet potatoes. Boil or steam them until very soft, then mash thoroughly.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, mashed sweet potatoes, cooked white rice, chopped spinach, and chopped green beans.
4. Add the unsalted broth and olive oil, mixing well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and have a soft, uniform consistency.
5. Cool the food completely before serving.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze in individual portions.

Recipe developed for this post; it is not adapted from a published recipe.

Watch out for: Mashed or pureed ingredients can be helpful for senior dogs with dental issues or difficulty chewing.