A gentle, allergy-friendly slow-cooker recipe our pup Ethan loves — simple ingredients, easy prep, and digestion-friendly.
Why I Love Making This Recipe for My Pup
When Ethan’s tummy was acting up, I needed a meal that was bland, steady, and easy on digestion. Crockpot cooking gave me that calm rhythm: set it in the morning, come back to a gentle, fragrant pot that never upsets his stomach. With limited ingredients and a vet-approved balance, this has become our go-to on sensitive days and during food transitions. If your dog has similar issues, pair this recipe with our sensitive-stomach hubs and step-by-step transition tips — they’ve made a world of difference for us.
Note: If your dog frequently has digestive troubles, start from our full hub:
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach and Diarrhea,and review the Dog Food Transition Guide before switching.
Before You Cook: Red Flags to Check with Your Vet
⚠️ See your vet first if you notice: blood in stool, repeated vomiting (>24h), fever, sudden weight loss, severe lethargy, or refusal to eat (>24h). Home recipes are supportive, not a replacement for medical care.
What You’ll Need (Limited Ingredients)
We keep it simple to minimize triggers. Swap proteins only if your dog tolerates them well. See more ingredient ideas in
Homemade Dog Food Recipes and ourLimited Ingredient Dog Food Guide.
| Ingredient | Amount | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Lean protein (turkey or chicken) | 1 lb (450 g) | Easy-to-digest protein for recovery and steady energy. |
| White rice (rinsed) | 1 cup (uncooked) | Bland carb; gentle on sensitive stomachs. |
| Pumpkin puree (plain) | 1/2 cup | Soluble fiber to help stool consistency. |
| Carrots (diced) | 1/2 cup | Light fiber + micronutrients. |
| Water or low-sodium broth | 2–3 cups | Moisture for slow cooking; adjust to desired texture. |
Tip: If your dog tolerates fish well, try a salmon variation from
Salmon Dog Food (Recipes & Products) for an omega-3 boost.
How I Cooked It (Step by Step)
- Prep the base: Rinse the rice; dice carrots. Add protein, rice, carrots, pumpkin, and water/broth into the crockpot.
- Slow-cook gently: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or until the protein is fully cooked and rice is soft. Stir once or twice.
- Cool completely: Turn off heat, fluff gently, and let it cool to room temp. This step helps avoid tummy upsets.
- Portion & serve: Start with small servings. If transitioning from another food, follow the
Dog Food Transition Guide (e.g., 25% new → 50% → 75% → 100%). - Observe & adjust: Track stool quality and appetite for 3–5 days. See more gentle picks inBest Wet Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachand Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach.
Why These Ingredients Work for Sensitive Stomachs
We aim for a simple macro mix: lean protein + bland carb + soluble fiber. This combo supports stool consistency and keeps flavors gentle. If your dog also has allergy history, pair this recipe with our
Dog Food for Allergies (Hub) and consider
Limited Ingredient Dog Food for commercial backups.
For puppies or seniors, adjust serving sizes and texture. See age-specific hubs:
Puppy Dog Food andSenior Dog Food.
Approximate Nutrition Snapshot
| Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~28–32% | ~10–12% | ~50–55% | gentle (pumpkin + carrots) |
Note: Long-term homemade diets may require added vitamins/minerals. Discuss balancing with your vet. For non-cooking days, keep steady backups from our hubs above.
How Much to Feed
A practical rule of thumb is ~2–3% of body weight per day, split into 2 meals. Always adjust by stool quality, body condition, and your vet’s advice.
Storage Tips (Fridge & Freezer)
- Refrigerate: in airtight containers up to 3 days.
- Freeze: portioned packs up to 2 months; thaw overnight in fridge.
- Warm gently before serving; avoid piping hot food.
My Dog’s Reaction (Taste Test)
Ethan finishes this crockpot meal happily and settles well after eating — fewer gurgles, steady energy, and no late-night tummy drama. If your dog is picky, try a tiny drizzle of the cooked broth for aroma.
What Vets Usually Say About This Recipe
Simple, moist, and bland is a solid start for sensitive stomachs. Keep protein lean, avoid heavy fats/spices, and introduce changes gradually. For chronic conditions, ask your vet about probiotics (see Probiotics for Dogs) and fiber strategies.
Easy Variations You Can Try
- Protein swap: turkey ↔ chicken ↔ salmon (if tolerated).
- Carb swap: white rice ↔ barley ↔ quinoa (test tolerance).
- Fiber tweak: pumpkin ↔ a little psyllium; adjust slowly.
⚠️ Avoid: onions, garlic, raisins, high-salt broths, heavy oils/butter.
FAQ
Yes, but adjust serving size/texture and confirm with your vet. See Puppy Dog Food for age-appropriate guidance.
Stick to proteins and carbs your dog tolerates. Review our Allergies Hub and Limited Ingredient Guide for commercial backups.
Yes. Use the Transition Guide and keep a simple diary of stool quality. For gentle store-bought options, see
Best Wet Picks andBest Dry Picks.
Pause new add-ins, go back to bland portions, and revisit the hub:Sensitive Stomach & Diarrhea. Consult your vet if symptoms persist.
Easy Crockpot Dog Food (Limited Ingredient)
- Slow cooker, measuring cups
- – 1 lb lean turkey or chicken breast
- – 1 cup white rice uncooked, rinsed
- – 1/2 cup pumpkin puree plain
- – 1/2 cup diced carrots
- – 2–3 cups water or low-sodium broth
- Add all ingredients to crockpot.
- Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, stir once or twice.
- Cool fully before serving.
- Portion according to dog’s weight (2–3% daily).
Related Guides You Might Like
If you don’t want to cook daily, check our dry food picks — those were Ethan’s daily backups.
Wrapping It Up
Homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. This crockpot recipe stays gentle, repeatable, and loved. Tweak slowly, keep notes, and lean on our hubs whenever you need store-bought backups. If you try variations, tell me how your pup likes them — I’m always collecting reader-tested ideas.
Love gentle recipes, vet tips, and DIY grooming ideas? Follow us on Pinterest and save this recipe for later — we share fresh inspiration every week. 💛
