Chicken

In general, dogs should eat about 2-3% of their body weight daily. 
Puppies should eat about 2-3% of their expected adult body weight.

Dog caloric intake varies wildly from dog to dog depending on activity level, age, metabolism, breed, gender, reproductive status, if it is spayed/neutered and ideal weight. As always, experiment, use common sense, and talk to your vet. Our general guidelines are as follows:

Dog weight in pounds

Cups of food per day

5-20

1.5 to 2

20-50

2 to 3.75

50-70

3.75 to 4.75

70-100

4.75 to 6

Chicken is considered a lean meat that provides many benefits to our canine companions. Dogs need protein as a main energy source, and chicken provides that boost without a big calorie count. Poultry builds lean muscle mass in dogs and delivers Omega 6 fatty acids that help sustain healthy skin, shiny coats and glucosamine for healthy bones. It  is also a reliable source of vitamin B and niacin. 

 Liver meat fed in tiny amounts can provide remarkably high concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It is also an ideal option for zinc, iron, manganese, and selenium. 

Recipe #1:
Chicken and rice
3 lbs. ground chicken thighs
3 oz. chicken liver (or other organ meat
2 C. cooked rice
3 T. Top Dog Meal Completer

Cook top -

  1. Prepare the rice in your desired cooking method and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, add chicken and chicken liver. Spread the chicken out so it has an even thickness then mostly cover with water. Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Turn heat down and simmer until mostly cooked through. Break into desired size pieces.
  3. Transfer meat to a large bowl, add rice and let it cool.
  4. Add Top Dog Meal Completer and mix well.
  5. Divide into portions to refrigerate or freeze.

Recipe #2:
Chicken, asparagus, peas, broccoli, pasta
Yields approximately 8 cups of cooked food
3 lbs. chicken thighs excess fat removed
3 oz. chicken liver (or other organ meat)
1 C. asparagus cut into small pieces
1/2 C. peas
1 C. broccoli
1 ½ C. cooked pasta
3 T. Top Dog Meal Completer

Cook top -

  1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta.
  2. In a large skillet, add chicken and chicken liver. Spread the meat out evenly then mostly cover with water (about 1 cup). Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Turn heat down and simmer until cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken and cut or shred into desired size pieces. Do not drain the liquid after you cook the chicken. Add the asparagus, peas and broccoli into the same pan with the liquid, cover with a lid and steam until soft. 
  4. Transfer meat and vegetables to a large bowl, add pasta and let it cool.
  5. Add Top Dog Meal Completer and mix well.
  6. Divide into portions to refrigerate or freeze.

Slow cooker - 

  1. In a 6 quart slow cooker, add chicken, liver and 1 cup of water.
  2. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours
  3. When it has finished cooking, mix in asparagus, peas and broccoli and turn slow cooker to high. Cover with a lid until vegetables are cooked through.
  4. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta. 
  5. Transfer meat and vegetables to a large bowl, add pasta and let cool completely. Avoid stirring until cooled.
  6. Mix in Top Dog Meal Completer.
  7. Divide into portions to refrigerate or freeze.

* This recipe has the consistency of a soft casserole so it is perfect if your dog needs very soft food. If your dog prefers large pieces of meat, remove the chicken from the slow cooker without breaking it up and let it cool completely. 

     

Recipe #3:
Chicken, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa
4 lbs. chicken thighs excess fat removed
3 oz. chicken liver (or other organ meat)
2 C. shredded carrots
1 C. green beans
1 1/2 C. cubed sweet potatoes
1 ½ C. uncooked quinoa
4 T. Top Dog Meal Completer

Cook top - 

    1. In a rice cooker or on the stove top cook quinoa. ***
    2. In a large skillet, add chicken and chicken liver. Spread the meat out evenly then mostly cover with water (about 1 cup). Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Turn heat down and simmer until cooked through.
    3. Remove chicken and cut or shred into desired size pieces. Do not drain the liquid after you cook the chicken. Add the carrots, green beans and sweet potatoes into the same pan with the liquid, cover with a lid and steam until soft. 
    4. Transfer meat and vegetables to a large bowl, add quinoa and let it cool.
    5. Add Top Dog Meal Completer and mix well.
    6. Divide into portions to refrigerate or freeze.

*** Use 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water. For quinoa on the cook top: Put water and quinoa in a small pot and bring water to a boil. Once it's boiling lower temperature to a simmer uncovered until cooked through (15-20 minutes).

Slow cooker - 

    1. In a 6 quart slow cooker add chicken, liver, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa and 1 cup of water in that order.
    2. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours
    3. When it has finished cooking, turn off slow cooker and remove the lid to release heat.
    4. Once most of the heat is gone, transfer mixture to a large bowl to cool completely. Avoid stirring until cool or it will get mushy. If you want a very soft consistency, stir when it is hot.
    5. Once it has cooled completely, mix in Top Dog Meal Completer.
    6. Divide into portions to refrigerate or freeze.