Instant Pot Chicken Dog Food with Pumpkin

During Pumpkin season, pumpkins are everywhere. They are not only good for us but are also good for our dogs! Making your homemade dog food is super easy and nutritious. This Instant Pot Chicken Dog Food with Pumpkin is one of our Danes favorite recipes. It’s one that we make frequently in the fall and winter months when fresh pumpkin is in season.

Pumpkin can be used in so ways in your dog’s diet and it’s a great way to get added nutrients into your pup. We incorporate pumpkin not only in our homemade dog food, but I am always finding ways to add it in my homemade dog treats, such as in my Pumpkin Dog Treats, Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats and Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin: One cup of pure pureed pumpkin. You can use canned pumpkin or cooked fresh pumpkin. Check out this recipe on How to Roast a Pumpkin to make your own homemade pumpkin puree. Note: make sure you are using pure 100% pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling as this has added sugars and seasonings that could be toxic for dogs. 
• Brown Rice: Two cups of brown rice, which is high in fiber and aids in digestion.
• Sweet Potato: One large sweet potato chopped into large chunks. Sweet Potatoes are high in vitamins and minerals that help support your dog’s overall health. 
• Green Beans: One cup of fresh or frozen green beans chop into 1 inch pieces.
• Spinach: One cup of frozen chopped spinach. If using fresh spinach, increased to about 2 cups of chopped spinach.
• Chicken thighs: about 2-3 pounds of boneless chicken thighs.
• Water: Four cups water

Equipment

Instant Pot: I use the 6-quart when making this dog food recipe.

How to Make Dog Food with Pumpkin

Yields: approx. 16 cups

1. Add Ingredients: Place all ingredients into the Instant Pot. Start with the rice, then add water, vegetables, and chicken thighs on top.
2. Cook: Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 18 minutes.
3. Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally once the cooking cycle is complete.
4. Stir, Shred and Mash: Open the lid and stir the mixture. Use a fork or spoon to break up the chicken, which should shred easily. Once the food has cooled slightly, use a potato masher to break down the larger pieces and create a more uniform texture. Dogs don’t always chew their food thoroughly, so I prefer to mash everything into smaller, easier-to-eat pieces.
5. Cool: Allow the food to cool completely before serving to your furry friend!

This pumpkin dog food recipe is so easy when made in the instant pot, however you can easily make this on the stovetop. Simply add all of the ingredients to one large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30-35 minutes, adding additional water if needed.

This recipe makes approx. 16 cups of dog food, which is perfect for our house as we have giant-sized dogs! However, if you have a smaller dog, you can simply cut this recipe in half. Or freeze half for later.

When considering what amount to give your dog per feeding, I recommend consulting with your veterinarian as serving size depends greatly on age, weight, and activity level.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store the dog food in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, use freezer-safe containers and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Benefits of Adding Pumpkin to Dog Food

Pumpkin is high in vitamins and minerals, and is particularly high in Vitamin A which helps support the immune system, eye health, and facilitates healthy skin. Pumpkin is also high in fiber, which is aids in digestion. Having Great Danes, which the breed is very susceptible to bloat, we like to ensure we are giving ours ingredients that helps support healthy digestion. The American Kennel Club has a great article about adding pumpkin into your dog’s diet.

While pumpkin is excellent for most dog’s, it is important to always consult with your veterinarian before making major changes to your pet’s diet, especially if they have specific dietary needs or medical conditions.

One of the things I like most about making homemade dog food is knowing exactly what goes into my dog’s bowl. By making it yourself, you can choose fresh, wholesome ingredients and keep the ingredient list simple. This recipe combines vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals and fiber, brown rice for carbohydrates and fiber, and chicken as a source of protein. It’s a simple way to add a variety of fresh ingredients to your dog’s diet.

Things to Consider When Making Homemade Dog Food

When making homemade dog food, it’s important to understand the nutrient requirements for your specific dog. Age, weight, breed and activity level can all affect their nutritional needs. You’ll also want to consider whether you’ll be using homemade food as a complete meal or as a topper on kibble.

For our Great Dane, Magnus, I use homemade dog food as a topper with a high-quality kibble to help ensure he is receiving adequate nutrition for his age, weight and breed. I also rotate our homemade dog food recipes regularly, using a variety of ingredients and protein sources rather than feeding the same homemade recipe day after day.

If you plan to feed homemade dog food as your dog’s complete diet, it’s especially important that the recipe is properly formulated to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. And, of course, I always recommend discussing homemade food with your veterinarian, particularly if it will make up a significant portion of your dog’s diet.

Other Homemade Dog Food Recipes To Try

This Homemade Dog Food with Stew Beef is made easily on the stovetop if you don’t have an Instant Pot. This Instant Pot Beef Dog Food, and Instant Pot Dog Food with Chicken are great minimal ingredient recipes that I keep in my rotation.

This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen. 

If you make this recipe I would love it if you left a review below and tag me on Instagram!