Chicken & Pumpkin Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Vet Approved & Easy to Digest)

Vet-informed, gentle, and repeatable—this homemade chicken & pumpkin bowl keeps sensitive tummies calm and energy steady.

I’m Emma. Cooking for my pup makes me feel connected to his health. This homemade chicken & pumpkin recipe is simple, budget-friendly, and easy to batch on Sundays. It pairs a lean protein with soft carbs and soluble fiber—great for dogs that do better on predictable, limited-ingredient meals. If you’re switching from kibble or another recipe, follow the Dog Food Transition Guide and keep variables steady for 7–10 days.

Why This Recipe Works

• Lean, digestible protein: chicken breast supports muscle without excess fat.
• Soft, steady carbs: rice gives predictable energy and a gentle texture.
• Soluble fiber: pumpkin helps normalize stool during transitions.
• Simple & repeatable: fewer ingredients = fewer variables to upset sensitive guts.

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Chicken & Pumpkin Homemade Dog Food (Vet Approved)

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A simple, vet approved homemade dog food recipe with chicken, pumpkin, rice, and carrots. Easy to digest and balanced.

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Equipment

• – Medium pot
• Steamer basket
• – Mixing bowl
• Kitchen scale & measuring cups

Food ingredients

  

• 2 cups chicken breast boiled, shredded
• 1.5 cups brown rice soft cooked — sub with white rice for very sensitive stomachs
• 1 cup carrots steamed, diced
• 0.5 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp olive oil

Operation steps

 

• Wash, trim, and dice chicken and carrots evenly; prepare pumpkin puree.
• Boil chicken 15–20 mins until fully cooked; cook rice until soft; steam carrots until tender.
• Shred chicken, combine with rice, carrots, and pumpkin; mix thoroughly.
• Cool to room temperature, portion with kitchen scale, and store in containers.

note

• Vet Tip: This recipe is safe and balanced for short-term feeding. For long-term daily feeding, add a vet-approved vitamin/mineral supplement.
• Storage: Refrigerate portions for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in fridge and serve at room temperature.
• Suitable for: Most adult dogs, especially with sensitive stomachs.
• Not suitable for: Dogs with pancreatitis or fat-sensitive conditions (omit olive oil).

Ingredients (Quick Reference)

How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Prep & weigh: trim visible chicken fat; weigh ingredients for consistency. Set out clean tools and containers.
2. Cook separately: boil chicken until fully cooked; cook rice until very soft; steam carrots until fork-tender.
3. Combine warm: shred chicken; fold with warm rice, carrots, and pumpkin until evenly coated. Adjust with a splash of warm water if needed.
4. Cool & finish: let the mix cool to room temperature; stir in oil (optional). Serve slightly warm, never hot.
5. Portion smart: refrigerate up to 3 days; freeze portions 2–3 weeks. Thaw in the fridge; warm gently before serving.

Serving & Storage

• How much: start around 2–3% of body weight/day split into 2 meals; adjust by energy, stool, and body condition.
• Transition: 7–10 days (25% → 50% → 75% → 100%). Follow the Transition Guide.
• Storage: fridge ≤ 3 days; freezer 2–3 weeks in dated, single-serve containers.

Easy Variations

• Protein: chicken ↔ turkey (lean) ↔ (vet-guided) extra-lean beef.
• Carbs: brown rice ↔ white rice (extra gentle) ↔ oats (test tolerance).
• Fiber swap: pumpkin ↔ a little sweet potato purée (go slow).
• Make it hands-off: try our Instant Pot Chicken & Turkey or Crockpot Dog Food.

FAQ