homemade dog food recipes for elderly dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs

A healthy, nutrient-rich diet is important for any dog, regardless of age. However, for senior dogs, its even more essential. Being mindful of what and how much your older pooch eats can go a long way in helping to manage common issues associated with dog aging, includingobesity. There are lots of high-quality, specialty dog foods available and Ive had great success with some of them but they can be expensive. Making your own dog food is a more affordable alternative to commercial versions and youll be able to control what goes into it. If youre concerned about your pooch missing out on nutrients, addingsupplements can be helpful too.

Be sure to keep any food allergies or dietary restrictions in mind and talk with your vet before starting your dog on a diet of homemade food, particularly if they suffer from any health conditions. You might also need to adjust the ratio of protein to grains and veggies to accommodate your dogs needs. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite homemade dog food recipes for older dogs that contain tasty,safe ingredients.

Brown Rice, Turkey and Veggies

VetCo has some great vet-approved homemade dog food recipes and resources, including this one for a simple, healthy meal ofbrown rice, turkey and vegetables. Once the mixture cools, you can divvy it up into single servings (the recipe makes about 12 cups) and either refrigerate the portions for up to five days or freeze them.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey
2 cups brown rice
1 tsp dried rosemary
package frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower (or chop two cups of fresh vegetables and cook them for about four minutes until theyre just starting to get tender but still firm)
6 cups water

Directions:

In a large pot, add the water, rice, ground turkey and rosemary.
Stir to break up the turkey and ensure the ingredients are well mixed.
Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the frozen or fresh vegetables. Continue to cook for five minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool before serving.

Beef Stew

This beef stew fromMoney Crashers is one of the best homemade dog food recipes to replace commercial wet food.

Ingredients:

1pound beef stew meat
1 small sweet potato
cup diced carrots
cup diced green beans
cup flour
cup water
1 tbsp organic vegetable oil

Directions:

Microwave the sweet potato for five to eight minutes until tender but still firm.
Cut up the beef stew meat into nickel-sized chunks.
Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add the stew chunks and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until well done.
Take the beef out of the pan but reserve the drippings.
Dice the cooked sweet potato.
Turn the heat to medium-low and heat the drippings. While whisking, slowly add the flour and water to the drippings to make a thick gravy.
Add the sweet potato, meat, green beans and carrots to the gravy and mix to coat.
Cook about 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
Let the stew cool completely before serving to your senior dog.
The leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Dry Dog Food

Wondering how to make dry dog food? Henrietta Morrisons cookbookDinner for Dogs is an excellent place to turn. Its filled with tons of ideas, ranging from oatmeal breakfast for dogs to homemade dry dog food recipes. The Bark breaks down the process of how to make dry dog foodhere it takes about an hour using one of Morrisons recipes featuring lentils, turkey, carrots, sweet potato, apples, steel-cut oats, parsley and rosemary.

Chicken Casserole

I stumbled upon quite a few homemade dog food recipes on Genius Kitchen, including this one forchicken casserole. While cabbage has antioxidants that are good for senior dogs, it can cause gas. If this is an issue, you may want to decrease the amount the recipe calls for. As for the spinach, its safe for dogs, however, not all pooches like it, so adjust accordingly.

Ingredients:

4 pieces boneless chicken with skin
cup carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup cabbage
1 cup broccoli
cup green beans
cup spinach
1 cups brown rice
2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Rinse your vegetables and steam them until theyre almost soft enough to mash. When theyre done, set them aside.
While your veggies are cooking, put your chicken in a pot and add water to cover it. You want the water to be about an inch above the chicken.
Bring the pot to a slow boil and boil the chicken until the meat is cooked and the water turns into an aromatic broth, about 20 to 30 minutes.
When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot but reserve the broth.
Cook the brown rice in three cups of the chicken broth.
Remove the chicken skin and chop the chicken and steamed vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces.
When the rice is finished, combine it with the veggies, chicken and olive oil in a large bowl and mix together. You can also add some chicken broth.
Let the casserole cool completely before serving to your dog. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to three days.

Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits

No compilation of homemade dog food recipes would be complete without a treat! If youre watching your senior dogs weight, moderation is key, but for a special occasion, try thesepeanut butter and banana dog biscuits from All Recipes.

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
cup mashed banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup whole wheat flour
cup wheat germ (can also try oats instead if your dog isnt a fan of wheat germ)
1 lightly beaten egg white for the egg wash

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, stir the peanut butter, egg, banana and honey until well blended. Add the wheat germ and flour and mix thoroughly. Put the dough on a floured board and use a floured rolling pin to roll it out until its about -inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut into your desired shapes. Place the biscuits on the baking sheet and gently brush the tops with the beaten egg white.
Bake the biscuits in the oven until theyre golden brown and dried, about 30 minutes. Take them out and cool them on a wire rack.

Whether you go with commercial food or you try one of these homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs, combining a nutritional diet with exercise will keep your older pooch healthy and energetic.

Looking for a quick way to add some nutrition to your dog's diet? Check out Nibbles, our line of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable dog treat alternatives, which are single ingredient selections carefully chosen to help dogs with dietary restrictions such as food sensitivities, kidney disease, liver problems or simply dogs that need a low calorie option. Choose from green beans, diced carrots, apple slices or blueberries all sourced from Canadian and American farms.

If your senior dog has mobility issues, check out ourDogger dog stroller,Grippers traction socksand our Gentle Rise Pet Steps & Ramps. The assistance products are designed to help keep dogs moving, so they can safely get the exercise and stimulation they need.

9 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs

If your dog is getting into their senior years its important that their diets are adjusted to fit their evolving needs.

There are so many benefits to feeding your senior dogs homemade dog food, including the ability to customize their diet specifically for their individual needs.

When making your pets food right in your own kitchen you have the advantage of knowing exactly what ingredients went into the recipe. This allows you to keep better track of your senior dogs health.

Are you turning away from commercial dog food and looking for homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs? Keep reading for 12 great recipes your older dog will love.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs

1. Brown Rice, Turkey, and Veggies

This recipe for brown rice, turkey, and veggies is a healthy, low-calorie, and low-fat homemade dog food that your senior dogs will love.

This recipe is especially great for overweight senior dogs because it uses lean meat with healthy carbohydrates and vegetables. This delicious combination is sure to help you keep your senior dog healthy and trim!

The recipe makes around 12 cups of homemade dog food for your senior dog that can be separated into single-serve containers and stored in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the single servings.

2. Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Sensitive Senior Dog Tummies

It can be difficult to find recipes for homemade dog food that are easy on your poochs sensitive tummy.

Some dogs are sensitive to fatty foods and can have food allergies, but regardless of the reason youll want to be thoughtful of your dogs specific nutritional needs.

This homemade dog food recipe for a sensitive senior dogs tummy is free of common allergens that plague pups, like soy, dairy, wheat, beef, and poultry.

In place of these ingredients, this recipe uses a lean novel protein which will reduce the risk of causing irritation for your senior pups stomach.

This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs can be separated into individual servings and refrigerated for up to 5 days, or you can freeze the servings for later.

6. Chicken Casserole for Dogs

This chicken casserole for dogs recipe is great for senior dogs because its very easy to digest while providing many vitamins and minerals essential for senior dogs development.

This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs helps provide a balanced diet for your dog, filled with natural antioxidants, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

As a caution, this recipe does contain cabbage, which may cause gas in some older dogs, so it can be adjusted or removed if need be.

This chicken casserole can be separated into individual servings and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

7. Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits

This recipe for peanut butter and banana dog biscuits is a delicious treat for your senior pup. These dog biscuits are especially great treats for holidays!

What dog doesnt love peanut butter? This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs is sure to be a hit for your four-legged friends, whether its a special occasion or not.

Even if youre watching your senior dogs weight, you can still give them the occasional treat, just be careful not to overdo it.

8. Grain-Free Recipe for Senior Dogs

This grain-free recipe is a fantastic homemade dog food recipe for your senior dog.

This homemade dog food includes all of the essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids an aging dog might need, without any grain ingredients.

Made with proteins including liver, poultry, and sunflower oil for linoleic acid, this grain-free dog food includes at least 10 essential amino acids for senior dogs.

You can separate this meal into individual servings to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in sealed containers or freeze each serving for later use.

9. Homemade Raw Dog Food

This recipe for homemade raw dog food is easy to prepare and make adjustments to for smaller or larger senior dogs.

This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs consists mostly of meat with proportions of 80% meat with fat, 10% organs, 5% vegetables or fruits, and 5% dairy. This food provides complete nutrition for your senior dog and can be tweaked to their dietary needs easily.

For the easiest storage, form the raw food into meat patties and store them stacked with parchment paper between patties in the freezer.

To thaw, take the patties out of the freezer the day before you want to use them and put them in the refrigerator so they can thaw.

10. Bacon Cornmeal Dog Biscuits

This recipe for bacon cornmeal dog biscuits makes a fantastic and flavorful treat for senior dogs. Its a breeze to make and you can make small or large biscuits based on your dogs size.

This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs consists of flavors your pooch wont be able to get enough of!

You can adjust the serving size of these dog biscuits simply by making smaller biscuits for small dogs or larger biscuits for large dogs. The recipe makes around 12 medium-sized servings.

11. Homemade Dog Treats

These homemade dog treats are conveniently made using just 3 ingredients. Some of the senior dogs favorite flavors in these yummy treats are peanut butter and pumpkin.

This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs is simple to make. Just mix the 3 ingredients, roll out the dough, cut it into shapes if you prefer, and then bake it!

Keep an eye on the bake time, since the thickness of the treats will determine how fast they bake. The longer they bake the crunchier they get so be careful not to overcook them.

These homemade dog treats can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks as long as they are stored in an air-tight container. They last up to 4 weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer.

12. Low Protein Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Dogs

Low-protein food should only be fed to your pet with the strict supervision of their veterinarian. Always consult with a veterinarian before changing your dogs diet.

This recipe for low-protein dog food is a fantastic homemade dog food for senior dogs with special care needs including a diet low in protein.

Make sure to use the fattiest ground beef you can find when making low-protein food because youll have more fat and less protein.

Store this homemade dog food for your senior pup in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days.

Diet Requirements for Senior Dogs

When planning out your senior dogs diet, its important to strictly follow the instructions and advice of the veterinarian who treats your pet.

As dogs age the way they digest food and use nutrients can change, so youll need to make changes to their diet to keep them happy and fit in their golden years.

Homemade dog food provides complete nutritional value for senior dogs and it can also help with some of the health issues seen in older dogs.

The most vital nutrients that should be present in homemade dog food for senior dogs include protein, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B, D, E, and K. Other important nutrients for senior dogs include fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.

Calorie Considerations for Senior Dogs

Obesity is a concern for dogs, especially for senior dogs, because their metabolism slows significantly as they age.

As a result, its easy for older dogs to pack on the pounds, but its quite a challenge for them to shed the extra weight. Since being overweight is rough on dogs joints, you should try to keep them as lean as possible.

To ensure your dog doesnt become overweight, be sure to feed them a low-carb diet. A low-carb diet is healthier for senior dogs pancreas as well.

Protein Considerations for Senior Dogs

Most senior dogs require more protein as they age because the loss of muscle tone is a common issue for older pets.

You should make sure the homemade dog food recipes for your senior dogs contain around 28 to 32 percent protein.

In rare cases, your dogs veterinarian may prescribe a low-protein diet. Usually, this only happens when your dog has an underlying medical condition.

Never feed your senior dogs a low-protein diet unless youve been instructed to by a licensed veterinarian.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods should not be fed to dogs because they can be hard to digest, even toxic and dangerous.

Avoid feeding your dogs onions, garlic, chives, and other members of the allium family because these foods can cause kidney failure in dogs.

You should also avoid grapes and raisins because they can also cause kidney failure and also severe liver damage.

Macadamia nuts should not be fed to pups because they contain a toxin that affects their nervous system, resulting in weakness, panting, and swollen limbs. Avocado also contains toxins that are toxic to dogs.

Avoid giving your dog any foods containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol because it can result in liver failure and blood-clotting disorders.

Try Out These Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs!

Homemade dog food recipes are generally easy and quick to make using healthy ingredients to support your aging dogs health and changing dietary needs.

Whether your senior dog likes savory dishes with vegetables or sweet treats like dog treats made with peanut butter and fruits, there is something for every aging pup to enjoy!

Are you looking for more homemade dog food ideas? Check out this list of 17 Homemade Dog Treats to find delicious treats for your senior dogs.