Load the slow cooker in the morning and you have a week of meals by evening.
Long, gentle cooking makes everything soft, which senior dogs appreciate.
Why your dog will love this
- Fall-apart tender chicken
- Soft enough for senior dogs
- One pot, no stirring
Ingredient notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs Safe
Thighs stay moist during long cooking.
Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
- Brown rice, uncooked Safe
Plain cooked rice is easy on the stomach.
- Sweet potatoes, cubed Safe
Serve cooked and plain. Raw sweet potato is hard to digest.
- Carrots, sliced Safe
Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
Crockpot Dog Food Recipes
Slow cooker chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Ten minutes of prep for a week of meals.
- 4 of 6 ingredients safety-checked, 4 marked safe
- Wheat-free
- Egg-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Senior
- Freezer-Friendly
- Large Batch
- Contains: Chicken
Ingredients
Makes 14 cups
- SafePlain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned. Safe amount: Part of a balanced diet.
- SafePlain cooked rice is easy on the stomach. Safe amount: Part of a meal.
- SafeServe cooked and plain. Raw sweet potato is hard to digest. Safe amount: Treat-size portions.
- SafeRaw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking. Safe amount: A few pieces.
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
Instructions
-
Add the chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and water to the slow cooker.
-
Cover and cook on low.
-
Stir in the peas and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
-
Shred the chicken with two forks and mix everything together.
-
Cool, then portion into containers.
Tips for success
- Layer the hard vegetables at the bottom where the heat is strongest.
- Keep the lid closed; every peek adds about 15 minutes of cooking time.
- Shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot and check carefully for bones.
Nutrition per cup
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 6.0 g
- Fiber
- 3.0 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
Storage
- Fridge 4 days
- Freezer 90 days
Cool within 2 hours and refrigerate or freeze in portions.
How much to serve
Use the portion calculator and split into two meals a day. Transition from current food over a week.
| Small dog (10 lb) | up to 1.25 cups a day |
|---|---|
| Medium dog (30 lb) | up to 3 cups a day |
| Large dog (60 lb) | up to 5 cups a day |
Last updated October 6, 2026.
How to make Crockpot Dog Food
Crockpot Dog Food takes about 6 hours 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 14 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need a 6-quart slow cooker. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 6 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.
- 2 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Thighs stay moist during long cooking. Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
- 1 1/2 cups brown rice, uncooked: Plain cooked rice is easy on the stomach.
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed: Serve cooked and plain. Raw sweet potato is hard to digest.
- 3 medium carrots, sliced: Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 6 cups water
Step-by-step instructions
- Add the chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and water to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low. Allow about 6 hours.
- Stir in the peas and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Allow about 10 minutes.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and mix everything together.
- Cool, then portion into containers.
Tips for success
- Layer the hard vegetables at the bottom where the heat is strongest.
- Keep the lid closed; every peek adds about 15 minutes of cooking time.
- Shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot and check carefully for bones.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cool within 2 hours and refrigerate or freeze in portions. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
Use the portion calculator and split into two meals a day. Transition from current food over a week. Each cup has about 260 calories. Switch from your current food over 7 days, mixing in a little more of the new food each day, and weigh your dog every two weeks to adjust the amount.
Swaps and variations
No boneless? Use chicken breast. No brown rice? Use white rice for sensitive stomachs. No frozen peas? Use green beans. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Why dogs love it
Fall-apart tender chicken. Soft enough for senior dogs. One pot, no stirring.
Feeding tips for dogs
Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.
Safety notes
Use boneless chicken. Homemade meals fed long term need a vet-approved supplement. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cook this on high?
Yes, for about 3 to 4 hours. Check that the rice is fully soft.
Can I add garlic for flavor?
No. Garlic and onion are toxic to dogs in any amount or form.
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