Description
Treat your pup to a refreshing and nutritious snack that will keep them cool on hot days while providing a boost of protein and hydration – like a complete meal in frozen form!
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Freezing Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes | Makes: 16 squares
Delicious homemade vegetable and ground turkey soup featuring zucchini, carrots, onions, and fresh herbs, perfect for a healthy and hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 16 oz (450g) lean ground turkey (93/7 or leaner for best digestion)
- 1 medium carrot, shredded (adds natural sweetness and beta-carotene)
- 1 zucchini, grated (provides vitamins without extra calories)
- 4 cups (32 oz) low-sodium chicken broth (completely safe for dogs)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) plain unsweetened yogurt (for probiotics and creaminess)
Instructions
- Combine ground turkey, shredded carrot, grated zucchini, and chicken broth in a large pot—your kitchen will start smelling amazing and your dog will appear immediately.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes—don’t rush this step; proper simmering creates that rich, concentrated flavor dogs go wild for.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly—the mixture should be warm but not steaming before you add the yogurt to prevent curdling.
- Stir in plain yogurt until well combined—this creates that perfect creamy consistency while adding beneficial probiotics for gut health.
- Pour into ice cube trays and freeze until solid—larger ice cube trays work better for the chunky texture, but standard trays work fine too.
- Pop out frozen squares and store in freezer-safe containers—these keep perfectly and are always ready when you need cooling nutrition.
Notes:
- Use the leanest ground turkey possible—too much fat can upset sensitive stomachs
- Don’t add yogurt to hot mixture—let it cool slightly to prevent curdling
- These are substantial treats—adjust regular meal portions accordingly since they’re quite nutritious
Storage Tips:
- Keep in freezer for up to 2 months in airtight containers
- These are meal supplements, not just treats—plan portions accordingly
- Label containers with dates for freshness tracking
What Makes This Recipe Special:
This combines complete protein from turkey with fiber-rich vegetables and probiotics in a frozen format that provides both nutrition and hydration. The cooking process makes everything highly digestible while creating concentrated flavors that function as both treat and meal supplement.
Mix It Up (Dog-Safe Variations):
Joint Support Version: Add a pinch of turmeric during cooking for anti-inflammatory benefits (perfect for senior dogs like Amber)
Weight Gain Support: Include 1 tablespoon coconut oil during cooking for healthy fats and extra calories
Training Size: Use mini ice cube trays for bite-sized high-value training rewards
