Pork and pumpkin is a mild, easy-to-digest combination that also works well as a gentle option after a stomach upset once your dog’s back on regular food. For the full reasoning behind this framework, see Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes.
Ingredients (Makes Roughly 4 Days of Food for a 20kg Dog)
900g lean ground pork, excess fat drained after cooking
450g plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pie filling)
2 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 2,000mg calcium carbonate supplement)
1 tablespoon fish oil
1 serving of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food, such as Balance IT, dosed per that product’s label for your dog’s weight
Method
Brown the ground pork thoroughly in a pan until fully cooked, then drain off excess fat.
Let the pork cool slightly, then combine it with the plain canned pumpkin in a large bowl.
Mix in the ground eggshell or calcium supplement evenly throughout the mixture.
Stir in the fish oil and the complete vitamin and mineral supplement once cooled to a safe serving temperature.
Divide into daily portions.
How Much to Feed
Portion needs depend on your dog’s weight, not just this recipe’s batch size. See the full weight-based feeding table in Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide for daily and per-meal amounts by weight.
Start with the table’s figure for your dog’s weight, then adjust based on body condition, checked every couple of weeks.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to four days in an airtight container, or freeze individual portions for longer storage.
Variations
Ground turkey or chicken can substitute for pork in equal weight using the same method.
Mashed sweet potato can replace pumpkin if you don’t have canned pumpkin on hand.
FAQ
Why plain canned pumpkin and not fresh?
Canned pumpkin is convenient and consistent in texture, but fresh, cooked, and mashed pumpkin works just as well if you prefer it.
Is pork harder for dogs to digest than other proteins?
Not when it’s lean and thoroughly cooked. Trimming visible fat helps keep it easy on digestion, especially for dogs prone to stomach upset.
Can I use this recipe short-term after an upset stomach?
Plain, bland ingredients like these are often used that way, but check with your vet first if your dog has ongoing digestive issues rather than a one-off upset.
The Bottom Line
This pork and pumpkin recipe gives you a complete, gentle starting point for a healthy adult dog. For more recipes built on the same framework, head back to Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes.
