Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (2024)

Your fur baby will love this meatloaf for dogs!

Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (1)

If you are looking for a homemade meal for your furry friend, meatloaf for dogs is a great option. You can easily make it with ground beef or turkey, oats, eggs, and some veggies like carrots or sweet potatoes. Just make sure to avoid ingredients like onions, garlic, or any spices that might be harmful to dogs. Serve it with some brown rice or sweet potato mash for a complete and nutritious meal. Your pup will love it!

Why make your dog’s food from scratch? When you make our homemade meatloaf for dogs, you’ll know exactly what your best friend is eating. We believe dogs should eat just as healthily as their human companions, so all of our dog food recipes are made with human-grade ingredients! No need to worry about additives, preservatives, sweeteners, or other unhealthy ingredients.

We’ve made it easier than ever to make meatloaf for dogs, and we’ve made sure that all of the ingredients are safe for your favorite furry friend. Try this recipe for a simple and delicious meal that your pooch is sure to love!

See How It’s Made!

A Convenient Homemade Recipe

Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (2)

Many people believe that purchasing dog food is just as healthy as making it yourself. It certainly seems to be more convenient, too. After making this homemade turkey meatloaf for dogs, I’m not sure it’s that much more difficult to make at home! But commercially-made food works better for some people. Whether you buy canned or dried dog food, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure there aren’t any hidden additives.

You should also double-check that there haven’t been any recalls for the brand you are considering. There are a few sites that send emails with updates on dog food recalls. I use Dog Food Advisor to look for recalls and to receive ongoing recall alerts.

Store-bought food is definitely more convenient, but our homemade meatloaf for dogs is much more nutritious, and though it seems like a lot of effort, when you take into consideration how long it takes you to get to the store, find the right healthy food for your dog and then make your way home, the amount of effort it takes to make your own dog food is negligible.

Our meatloaf for dogs takes the hassle out of making your own dog food while keeping all of the goodness and nutrition in.

How to Choose the Right Ingredients for Dog Food Recipes

Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (3)

Choosing ingredients for dog food recipes is actually quite easy. Think of the type of food you would eat; nutrient-dense vegetables and lean proteins. That idea works for dogs, too! This homemade turkey loaf recipe for dogs can be modified to fit your dog’s special dietary needs. For example, if your dog has an allergy to poultry, use beef, pork, or ground beef instead. The egg can also be eliminated if necessary.

To increase the nutritional value of this recipe with more vitamins and minerals, I often add any or all of the following:

  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1/3 cup of your dog’s favorite veggies (I like to use diced white mushrooms)
  • 1/2 cup diced baby spinach, asparagus, or broccoli in place of green beans
  • Add more vitamin A with sweet potatoes or tomato paste

Keep in mind that you should always check with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet. Also, please be aware of any allergies your pet may have to specific ingredients and avoid ingredients that have caused reactions in your pets in the past. If you are unsure about an ingredient found in one of our recipes, introduce the food to your pets in small amounts first.

What Readers are commenting about Our Meatloaf for Dogs:

Don’t just take our word for it, look at what our wonderful readers who have made this recipe for their adorable furry friends think about this meatloaf for dogs.

Janine had this to say:

I have seen SUCH a huge change in my 18-year-old diabetic dog since she’s been eating this. Her blood sugar levels are incredible, she hasn’t urinated in the house in weeks, and she has more energy. I slice it up, give her one or two slices (chopped), and mix it with chicken and her prescription diabetic soft food. Before making this for her, I thought she was on her way out, as she stopped eating. Now she’s like a puppy again!!!

Jen made this recipe for her two beloved pets and said:

I made this for my puppers and they are going ga-ga over it!!!! I have a Jack Russel & an itty bitty Yorkie and they are just loving this so far! Thanks for the great recipe and I look forward to trying more!

If you make this recipe for your furry family members, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section! As you can see, it’s a tried and true recipe that many pooches have enjoyed, and we’re just sure that your dog will too!

4.38 from 48 votes

Homemade Turkey Meatloaf for Dogs Recipe

Change up your dog's mundane meals with a fresh Turkey Loaf!

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Yield 4 treats

Serving Size

Course Pet Meals and Treats

Cuisine Pet Recipes

Author SkinnyMs.

Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (4)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 egg large
  • 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup diced tomatoes (with liquid, no sodium)
  • 1/2 cup carrots finely diced
  • 1/2 cup green beans diced (fresh or frozen and thawed)
  • 1/2 cup brown rice or quinoa cooked

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  • In a large bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Spread mixture into a 5 x 7-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes.

  • Slice and chop into bite-sized pieces. Store covered in the refrigerator, or freeze.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 212kcal |

Keywords Healthy Dog Meals, Healthy Dog Recipes

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

How to Make Ahead: After the loaf has cooled, slice it into individual servings and store it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove slices as needed and defrost them in the refrigerator the night before serving.

Want More Healthy Dog Recipes?

Your furry friend will love this homemade turkey meatloaf for dogs recipe! It’s packed with nutritious ingredients designed to keep your pooch fuller for longer and make sure they’re getting what they need in their diets.

If you love the idea of treating your pup to homemade meals, you should definitely give ourTurkey and Veggie Dog Food Recipe made with Whole Food Ingredients a try next! You’ll love how good it is for your furry friend, and they’ll love how yummy it tastes!

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more! We have more pet recipes on Pinterest but you can follow us on Facebook too for all of the latest and greatest articles!

Homemade Turkey Loaf Recipe for Dogs (2024)

FAQs

Why does my turkey meatloaf fall apart? ›

Why Does My Turkey Meatloaf Fall Apart? You may find your meatloaf is crumbly or falling apart if you used too many breadcrumbs or not enough eggs.

Can a dog eat meatloaf with onions in it? ›

All parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice, and processed powders. Whether raw or cooked, fried or powdered, onions and the rest of the allium family, which includes shallots, leeks, chives, and garlic, are harmful to dogs.

Is it okay for dogs to eat meatloaf? ›

Meatloaf is most commonly made with lean ground beef, but you may want to consider swapping it for turkey or chicken if your dog is slightly overweight. Mix 2 pounds of ground meat with 3 eggs and 2 cups of chopped vegetables. Be sure not to include onions, as they can be harmful to dogs.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

What not to put in meatloaf? ›

8 Common Mistakes That Will Leave You With Subpar Meatloaf
  1. You're Not Sufficiently Seasoning the Meat.
  2. You're Using Lean Meats.
  3. You're Not Adding a Sweet Component.
  4. You're Not Adding a Starch.
  5. You're Adding Raw Vegetables to the Meat.
  6. You're Slicing Into the Loaf Too Early.
  7. You're Not Doubling the Batch.
Aug 25, 2021

What happens if my dog eats meat that was cooked with onions? ›

Onions contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates which can be toxic cats and dogs if ingested. The ingestion of onions causes conditions called hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, and methemoglobinemia which are all manifestation of damage to red blood cells.

What happens if my dog eats a little bit of onions? ›

Overview. Onions, garlic, and leeks are from a group of plants called alliums, which are all toxic to dogs and cats. Symptoms of onion and garlic poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea and a reduced appetite. Alliums contain toxins called disulphides and thiosulfinates which can damage red blood cells, causing anaemia.

Is it okay to give dogs garlic? ›

Garlic is poisonous to dogs due to a compound called thiosulfate. Thiosulfate is not toxic to humans, but in dogs it causes damage to their red blood cells which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.

What meat should you not feed to dogs? ›

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.

What is a dog loaf? ›

Wet food. This is made by mixing the raw ingredients together, and cooking it as a loaf. Once cooked, it's cut into chunks, mixed with jelly or gravy, and dispensed into trays, cans or pouches. The mixture then undergoes 'heat sterilisation' within its packaging to ensure any bacteria, fungi or parasites are killed.

Can dogs have mashed potatoes? ›

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes? Yes, as long as the potatoes are roasted and not boiled and no salt, seasonings, milk or butter is added your pet can enjoy this all-time favourite dish. However, there isn't much nutritional value your dog will be able to get from eating mashed potatoes.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

What can I add to meatloaf so it's not dry? ›

To get a meatloaf that is moist (not dry) we need two things: binders and temperature control. When making meatloaf or meatballs, it's standard practice to add some kind of breadcrumb/cracker meal/soaked bread as well as eggs and, often, milk.

What happens if you put too much eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

How do you keep ground turkey from falling apart? ›

Just like in a traditional meatloaf, you need something to hold the meat together. Try adding some dry breadcrumbs to the turkey mixture before you shape the patties. The crumbs will absorb the moisture and, together with the egg, will act like glue and help your burgers maintain their shape on the grill.

Why is my ground turkey meatloaf mushy? ›

Ground turkey meat loaf can turn out mushy if it contains too much liquid. The liquid ingredients keep the meat loaf moist, but overdoing it can make the texture way too soft. If you made any liquid additions, compensate by adding extra oats or bread crumbs.

Why does my turkey always fall apart? ›

Brining helps to season the turkey, as well as keeping it moist. If you brine the turkey for too long then it can start to have a negative effect and the proteins in the meat will start to break down, causing the meat to fall apart.

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

If you don't have any bread, you can substitute it for breadcrumbs, crackers, cereal grains, oatmeal, instant rice, instant barley, or even potato flakes! However, bread is still the best choice of all the potential options.

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