Pork & Vegetable Dog Food Recipe
This pork dog food recipe features pork as the main protein, combined with wholesome vegetables like bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and broccoli. It’s a quick and easy grain free dog food recipe to make and your dog will love it too.
I like to mix up my proteins for my homemade dog food dinners for my dogs so ground lean pork appears occasionally on our menu. The dogs loved this recipe and it seems that dog food with pork is becoming a pack favorite.
The pork offers a high-quality source of protein, while the vegetables contribute vitamins and minerals that support overall well-being. This homemade pork dog food dinner is not only tasty but also a healthier alternative to commercial dog food, free from unnecessary additives and preservatives.
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Is Pork Good for Dogs?
Pork can be a good protein source for dogs, but it should be prepared properly to ensure it’s safe and healthy:
- Cooked Well: Pork must be thoroughly cooked to avoid pathogens like trichinella parasites, which can cause serious illness in dogs.
- Unseasoned: It’s important to serve pork unseasoned. Common seasonings and additives like onion, garlic, and salt can be harmful to dogs.
- Lean Cuts: Opt for lean cuts of pork, as fatty meats can be hard for dogs to digest and might lead to pancreatitis, a serious and painful condition.
- No Processed Pork: Avoid processed pork products like bacon or ham, as they contain high levels of sodium and potentially harmful preservatives.
If you’re considering introducing pork into your dog’s diet, it’s a good idea to start with small amounts to see how they tolerate it.
Remember to go slowly when introducing new foods. And we recommend checking with your veterinarian first if your dog has any digestive issues or other health concerns.
Ingredients
As with many of our recipes, this is not meant as a nutritional complete meal but something you can feed with toppers, supplements or kibble, as guided by your vet.
- Ground pork – Opt for ground pork with a high lean-to-fat ratio. Look for labels indicating 90% lean or more. Less fat means easier digestion for your dog and a lower risk of causing pancreatitis.
- Pork liver – should not be more than 5% of the total recipe volume. Other livers such as beef or chicken can be substituted.
- Bok choy – ensure that the bok choy is thoroughly washed before use.
- Ground ginger – great for digestion and it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
- Broccoli – a great low carb vegetable for dogs.
- Egg – provide high-quality protein that is easily digestible for dogs. Set aside the eggshells to ground for a calcium topper late.r
- Red Bell Pepper – red bell peppers are low in calories and rich in vitamins.
- Shiitake mushrooms – low in calories and fat and help support the immune system.
- Coconut oil – a dog friendly oil.
How to Make Vegetable and Pork Dog Food Recipe
We cook this in a large pan for a quick homemade dog food recipe. It could be made in a crock pot or slow cooker too.
Finely chop the vegetables.
Cook the ground pork.
Add the liver.
Add the vegetables, stir well and cook.
Add the egg and cook.
Cool and serve a good boi!
Watch the Video
Recipe Tips
Use separate utensils and chopping boards for preparing dog food, especially if you are using raw ingredients.
Finely chop the vegetables for easy digestion. The finished recipe can be blended in a food processor for a smooth dog food for your pups.
Always cook pork thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and let it rest for 3 minutes before serving or mixing with other ingredients. This ensures any harmful pathogens are destroyed.
Do not use any seasoning, including salt, garlic, onions, or spices, which can be harmful to dogs.
Storage
Allow the dog food to cool to room temperature before storing it to prevent moisture from building up due to condensation, which can encourage mold growth. Use air-tight containers to store the dog food. This helps keep out bacteria and extends the freshness of the food.
Properly stored, homemade dog food can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Ensure your refrigerator is set to maintain a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
Freezing Homemade Dog Food with Pork
- Portion Sizes: Freeze the dog food in portion-sized containers or use freezer bags. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need for each meal.
- Label and Date: Always label the bags or containers with the date you made the food, so you can keep track of how long it’s been stored.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to use the frozen dog food, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight rather than at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
- Freezer Life: Properly frozen homemade dog food can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Ensure your freezer is set to 0°F (-18°C) or lower for safe storage.
Serving Size
The total volume of this homemade dog food recipe is 28 oz (1.75lbs) so the serving size will vary according to your dog size, dog’s breed and age. Always check with your vet for individual needs.
More homemade pork recipes for dogs
Homemade Pork & Vegetable Dog Food Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground lean pork
- 1 oz pork liver, finely chopped
- 2,5 oz bok choy, finely chopped
- 1 oz broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 oz red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 oz shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet or pan on a medium heat.
- Cook the pork thoroughly until no pink remains.
- Add the chopped liver and cook through.
- Add the chopped vegetables, ground ginger and cook until the bok choy has wilted.
- Make a hole in the mixture and crack the egg. Stir fry it through the pork mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.