Do you want to feed your fur babies a high-quality wet food they’ll love at a price you can afford? Look no further than this economical, nutritious, and appealing recipe adapted from The Nature of Animal Healing by Martin Goldstein, D.V.M. From just a few simple ingredients, you can make your furry friends a food that will satisfy them while supporting healthy skin and a shining coat without breaking the budget.
You will need
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Large 5 quart crock pot
10 pounds chicken leg quarters
1 pound brown rice
1 family size package frozen spinach or kale
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Real Salt or Sea Salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Water
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of the crock pot with coconut oil.
2. Add chicken leg quarters, arranging them so the best fit in the pot.
3. Fill crock pot with water to about halfway.
4. Add seasonings and place lid on to cover.
5. Cook chicken on LOW for about 24 hours. This will cook down the bones as well.
6. In the last hour of cooking, break up the chicken and mash the bones by hand.
7. Remove any bones or fragments that may not have dissolved so your animals won’t choke on them or risk an intestinal injury.
8. Once the chicken and bones are shredded by hand and mixed well with the broth, add the one pound bag of brown rice and stir well until combined.
9. Cook an additional hour on low setting.
10. Once the rice is cooked, stir the chicken and rice until well-combined.
11. Empty the entire bag of greens on top. DO NOT stir in the greens. Simply replace the lid, unplug the crock pot, and allow to sit for several hours or overnight until room temperature.
12. Stir the greens into the chicken and rice mixture.
13. Place in freezer-safe containers and freeze up to two months. Defrost in the fridge overnight as needed. Food will keep in the fridge up to two days.
We free feed our two 40 pound, active dogs. This means we always have a bowl of high-quality kibble available to them. Fromm Adult Dry Dog Food and Fromm Dry Cat Food are our favorites. In addition to the kibble, we feed approximately 1 to 1 1/2 cups of wet food per dog (either the recipe above or a high quality canned food) every morning. Our pets’ favorite wet food is Merrick for dogs and Merrick for cats.
For variety and a nutritional boost, try mixing in a small can of sardines or chub mackerel from your local grocer into the chicken recipe on occasion. Both dogs and cats love the taste and it’s a great source of Omega 3 fats.
Our dogs also love it when we mix in a little cream, raw goat’s milk, or a raw egg. Adding small amount of warm water helps thin the consistency of the refrigerated food, making it easier for your pet to eat.
If you don’t free feed your pets, consider these guidelines from PetMD:
Portion Sizes for Wet Pet Food (Per 24-Hours)
5 pounds= 1/2 to 5/8 cup
10 pounds= 3/4 to 1 cup
20 pounds= 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cups
40 pounds= 2 1/4 to 3 cups
60 pounds= 3 to 4 cups
80 pounds= 3 2/3 to 5 cups
100 pounds= 4 1/4 to 6 cups
NOTE: These guidelines are for wet food only. If you plan to add kibble at each feeding, consider reducing the portions of wet food by half before mixing in your dry kibble. Also notice the amounts are per day. So, if you feed twice a day, divide the amounts in half.
If you are uncertain regarding your pet’s ideal weight, use a pet weight calculator tool.
Changing your pet’s diet to healthier, more natural food is the best action you can take to help him live a long, active, and happy life. In addition, make sure he gets plenty of clean water, fresh air, exercise, and sunshine—the same habits that will help you to achieve optimal wellness, too!
