Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, suitable for a 21.45 lb, high-activity Spanish Water Dog with arthritis and heart murmur.

Ingredients

• Protein (≈4.5 lbs; ~50%):
  • 4.5 lbs boneless Chicken, diced
• Fats:
  • 2 oz coconut oil
• Vegetables & Grains (≈4.5 lbs):
  • Spinach: 1.5 lbs
  • Zucchini: 1.5 lbs
  • Quinoa: 1 lb
  • Rice: 0.5 lb
• Herbs:
  • 1 tsp turmeric (start with small amount and increase to recommended amount for arthritis)
  • 1 tsp hawthorn (for heart murmur)

Daily Feeding Amounts

• Feed approximately .43 to .64 pounds per day

Nutritional Information (Daily Feeding Amount: 195g - 292g / .43 - .64 lbs)

• Fiber: ≈5g
• Fat: ≈20g
• Protein: ≈50g
• Calories: ≈600 kcal

Approach A – Stove (≈45 min)

1. Prep Ingredients. Wash all vegetables and herbs. Dice chicken, chop spinach, and slice zucchini.
2. Cook the Protein. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add coconut oil and let it melt. Add diced chicken in batches. Cook for 7–10 min until fully cooked. Remove from heat.
3. Boil Grains. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to boil. Stir in 1 cup of quinoa and .5 cup of rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff and cool.
4. Steam Vegetables. Use a steamer basket or pot to steam spinach and zucchini until tender (≈15 min). Drain and cool.
5. Combine & Mix. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, quinoa, rice, and vegetables. Add 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp hawthorn. Drizzle with remaining coconut oil and mix well.
6. Portion & Store. Let cool. Store in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Approach B – Specialized Equipment (≈35 min)

1. Cook the Chicken. In a skillet, melt coconut oil. Cook diced chicken in batches until fully cooked. Set aside.
2. Cook quinoa and rice using a rice cooker.
3. Steam vegetables in the electric pressure cooker. Layer spinach and zucchini. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Drain and cool.
4. Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer bowl. Add chicken, quinoa, rice, and vegetables. Mix until consistent.
5. Transfer into BPA free food storage containers. Refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recommended Protein Guidelines

AAFCO recommends ≥18% crude protein for adult maintenance. This recipe provides ~50% protein. Protein content is high but dogs like meat.