Raw Chicken & Spinach Power Mix: The Lazy Dog Parent’s Secret to Ridiculously Healthy Pups

Tired dogs sprawled on the couch after a five‑minute walk? It might be time to ditch the mystery kibble and give them some real fuel.

This Raw Chicken & Spinach Power Mix delivers lean protein, fresh greens, and healthy fats — all the good stuff active dogs need without any fancy cooking. It’s simple, affordable, and balanced enough to replace one of your dog’s two daily meals.

Many pet parents notice their dogs’ energy and coat quality improve within weeks of switching to fresh food. This guide walks through the recipe, storage tricks, and how to get even the pickiest eaters to love spinach (yes, really).

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Homemade Dog Food Disclaimer

Making homemade dog food can be rewarding, but it’s important to stay smart about balance and safety.

• This recipe is formulated as a partial meal — it’s designed to replace one daily meal, not your dog’s entire diet.
• Dogs need additional nutrients like calcium, trace minerals, and omega‑3s, which are included here in small, safe amounts.
• Always talk to your vet before switching your dog to homemade or raw food, especially if they have allergies, digestive issues, or medical conditions.
• Raw chicken can carry bacteria like salmonella. Handle it carefully, wash hands, and clean all surfaces after prep.
• Puppies, seniors, and dogs with health issues may need different nutrient ratios.

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Quick Recipe

Prep time: 5–10 minutes
Makes: ~4 cups (enough for one medium dog for 2 days)

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb raw chicken (thighs preferred for fat and flavor)
• ¼ cup blended spinach (see below)
• 1 tsp sardine or salmon oil
• ½ tsp ground eggshell powder (for calcium)
• 1 oz chicken or beef liver (optional but highly recommended)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin purée or chia seeds (for fiber and digestion)

Equipment:

• Cutting board and knife
• Blender or food processor
• Large mixing bowl
• Freezer‑safe containers or silicone molds

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Step 1: Prep the Spinach

Raw spinach is healthy but tough and bitter — most dogs won’t eat it plain. Blending or lightly wilting it makes it both digestible and tasty.

Spinach prep options:

1. Blended Spinach Broth (best for picky eaters)
   • Blend 2 cups fresh spinach with ½ cup warm chicken or bone broth until smooth.
   • Freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
   • Each cube = about ¼ cup blended spinach.
2. Lightly Wilted Spinach (quick option)
   • Pour hot water over chopped spinach for 10–15 seconds, then drain.
   • Chop finely before mixing with the meat.

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Step 2: Mix It All Together

1. Cut raw chicken into bite‑sized pieces or use ground chicken.
2. Add one spinach cube (or ¼ cup blended spinach) per pound of chicken.
3. Add sardine oil, ground eggshell, liver, and pumpkin purée.
4. Mix thoroughly until evenly coated.
5. Portion into airtight containers or silicone molds.

Pro tip: Keep spinach and chicken separate until serving if you’re freezing in bulk. Mix fresh spinach cubes into thawed chicken portions for best freshness.

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Step 3: Storage

Storage Method	Temperature	Shelf Life	Notes
Refrigerator	40°F or below	2–3 days	Store in airtight containers
Freezer	0°F or below	Up to 3 months	Portion before freezing

Thawing:
Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Avoid counter thawing — bacteria love room temperature. Never refreeze thawed portions.

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Step 4: Feeding

This recipe can safely replace one meal per day for most adult dogs.

Feeding guideline:
Serve about 2–3% of your dog’s body weight daily (split between meals).

Example:

• 25‑lb dog → ~8 oz total food per day (4 oz per meal)
• 50‑lb dog → ~16 oz total food per day (8 oz per meal)

Adjust based on activity level and body condition. You should be able to feel ribs without pressing hard.

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Step 5: Why It Works

Raw chicken provides complete protein and essential amino acids for muscle repair and sustained energy.

Spinach adds iron, vitamins A and K, and antioxidants — all supporting healthy blood, strong immunity, and shiny coats. Blending or wilting makes the nutrients more available and the taste more appealing.

Ground eggshell balances calcium and phosphorus, preventing deficiencies common in meat‑only diets.

Liver adds trace minerals (zinc, copper, iron) and B vitamins for energy and coat health.

Sardine oil delivers omega‑3s for skin, joints, and heart health.

Pumpkin or chia adds gentle fiber for smooth digestion.

Together, these ingredients form a nutrient‑dense, raw meal that supports energy, coat quality, and digestion — without complicated prep or supplements.

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Variations

Weight Management

• Swap half the chicken for lean turkey or rabbit.
• Add extra chopped spinach or green beans to reduce calories.
• Skip the oil during weight loss phases.

Puppies

• Increase portions by 50–75%.
• Add an extra egg yolk or small piece of liver twice weekly.
• Grind ingredients finely for easier chewing.
• Feed 3–4 times daily.

Seniors

• Lightly cook chicken and wilt spinach for easier digestion.
• Add turmeric (¼ tsp per 25 lbs) for joint support.
• Reduce portion size slightly to prevent weight gain.

Allergies

• Substitute chicken with duck, lamb, or fish if sensitivities appear.
• Replace spinach with kale, broccoli, or carrots if needed.

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Transitioning to Raw

Switching too quickly can upset your dog’s stomach. Go slow for best results.

Week 1: 25% new mix + 75% current food
Week 2: 50/50 blend
Week 3: 75% new mix
Week 4: 100% new mix for one meal per day

If your dog shows signs of loose stool or gas, slow the transition and add a spoonful of pumpkin purée for extra fiber.

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Batch Cooking Tips

• Prep chicken and spinach cubes separately for easy mixing later.
• Label containers with dates — frozen mystery meat is no one’s friend.
• Ice cube trays work great for small dogs; muffin tins for large breeds.
• Always clean surfaces and hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.

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The Takeaway

This Raw Chicken & Spinach Power Mix 2.0 gives dogs the fresh, real‑food nutrition they crave — without the cost or complexity of full raw feeding. It’s balanced enough to replace one meal a day, easy to batch‑prep, and even picky eaters love it when the spinach is blended with broth.

Healthy, shiny, energized dogs — all from a 10‑minute recipe. That’s what we call lazy‑parent genius.