Vet-approved & limited-ingredient recipe you can cook in one pan—calm bellies, steady energy, and fewer variables.
I started this gentle recipe for Ethan—my light-brown, floppy-eared pup—after too many upset tummies from busy-ingredient kibbles. With our vet’s guidance, I kept it simple: one lean protein, soothing fibers, and steady carbs. If your dog struggles like Ethan, this limited-ingredient approach can give the gut a quiet place to reset. For broader context and store-bought alternatives, see our Sensitive Stomach Hub and Limited Ingredient Dog Food guide.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Lean ground turkey | 1 lb (cooked) | Light, digestible protein; less greasy for sensitive tummies |
| Pumpkin (plain, mashed) | 1 cup | Soluble fiber supports stool quality and gut comfort |
| White rice (very soft) | 1 cup | Gentle energy that’s easy to process |
| Carrots (steamed, finely chopped) | 1/2 cup | Low-calorie fiber + vitamin A |
| Fish oil | 1 tsp | Omega-3s support gut–skin axis and calm inflammation |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Brown the turkey, low and slow. Cook the ground turkey over low heat, breaking it into small tender bits. Avoid crisping; dry, browned edges can be harder on sensitive stomachs. Drain any obvious fat, but don’t over-dry.
Step 2 — Make the rice extra soft. Simmer white rice until porridge-soft. Softer rice is gentler to digest and easier on the gut during transitions. Let it cool to warm room temp before mixing.
Step 3 — Steam carrots to mashable softness. Steam or boil until a fork glides through. Finely chop or mash so the texture is smooth and non-irritating.
Step 4 — Combine and finish with fish oil. Fold turkey, pumpkin, rice, and carrots together. Drizzle fish oil last and stir gently. Keep batches consistent for 7–10 days while you track stools—see our Transition Guide for a day-by-day timeline.
Tip: Busy week? Use a slow cooker and scale up—our Crockpot Dog Food Recipe shows a hands-off batch method with the same gentle idea.
Alert: If vomiting, watery diarrhea, or lethargy persists >24–48 hours, call your vet. For stop-gap menu ideas that won’t add variables, see Dog Food for Diarrhea.
Why These Ingredients Are Good
Lean turkey offers high-quality amino acids without the heaviness of fattier cuts. Pumpkin adds soluble fiber that helps normalize stools during diet shifts. Carrots bring gentle fiber and vitamin A with minimal calories, and white rice provides easy-to-digest energy when you want fewer moving parts. A small amount of fish oil supports the gut–skin axis, which many sensitive-stomach dogs also benefit from. If you need a store-bought break that respects the same “one protein, one carb” logic, browse our Limited Ingredient Dog Food hub and the wet-food picks for sensitive stomach.
Nutritional Breakdown (Approximate)
| Per 100 g | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | ~15 g |
| Fat | ~6 g |
| Carbohydrates | ~12 g |
| Fiber | ~3 g |
| Calories | ~180 kcal |
Numbers are approximate and vary by brand, cooking method, and moisture. For balanced long-term planning, see our printable charts in the Dog Nutrition Guide.
Serving Sizes
As a starting point, feed about 2–3% of your dog’s body weight per day, split into two meals (e.g., a 20 lb dog → ~0.5 lb/day). Puppies may need more frequent meals; seniors may prefer softer textures in smaller portions. Always adjust based on body condition and stool quality, and consult your vet for medical or weight-loss needs. For steady dry or wet backups that fit this gentle approach, visit our dry-food picks and wet-food picks.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Freeze meal-sized portions up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm slightly before serving (never hot). If the gut is fragile, avoid adding new toppers during the thaw-reheat cycle—see our Transition Guide for keeping variables steady.
My Dog’s Reaction
Ethan licked the bowl clean and—this mattered most—settled. No gurgling tummy, no pacing. On weeks we go back to store-bought for convenience, we mirror the same “limited-ingredient, measured portions” idea from our Sensitive Stomach Hub.
FAQ
Yes, in small, frequent meals and with careful portioning. Keep variables tight and monitor stools. For growth needs and calcium control, review our life-stage notes in the Dog Nutrition Guide.
Many dogs improve in 7–14 days when you keep ingredients consistent and follow a slow transition. If loose stools persist, see the tips in Dog Food for Diarrhea and speak with your vet.
Yes—just adjust calories and switch slowly using our Transition Guide. If your dog has food allergies, consider a simple base from the LID hub.
Which Dogs Can Eat This?
✅ Best for: dogs with mild stomach sensitivity, recent digestive upsets, or picky eaters who prefer softer textures.
❌ Not ideal for: dogs with known protein allergies, high-performance dogs needing extra protein, or dogs with medical conditions requiring strict veterinary diets. For allergy-prone pups, start at our Allergies Hub.
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—just calm, consistent, and measured. If you’re stuck, start with gentle wet food, then move to steady dry picks when digestion settles. Tell me how your pup did with this recipe in the comments—we update guides based on your real-world notes.
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Print what you want
- Large cooking pot
- Steaming basket or small saucepan
- – Mixing bowl
- – Measuring cups
- 1 lb lean ground turkey cooked
- 1 cup pumpkin plain, mashed
- 1 cup white rice cooked very soft
- 1/2 cup carrots steamed, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fish oil
- Cook the ground turkey over low heat, breaking into small tender bits. Drain excess fat.
- Simmer white rice until porridge-soft; let cool to warm room temperature.
- Steam carrots until mashable, then finely chop.
- Combine turkey, pumpkin, rice, and carrots. Drizzle with fish oil and stir gently.
- Serve warm (not hot). Keep ingredients consistent for 7–10 days while monitoring stools.
• Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze in portions up to 2 weeks.
• Always consult your vet for long-term homemade diets.
