Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dog's day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs in the morning. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like plain, fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human grade food diet for your pup. ***
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Let's talk about what goes into these Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs shall we...
Nonfat Greek-style yogurt || Yogurt has a variety of health benefits for dogs including protein, calcium, a variety of vitamins & minerals, AND probiotics which are great for their guts! It is important to know though, that if you are going to feed your dog yogurt, you make sure that it is plain & free of any added sweeteners, both natural & artificial. Dogs should never eat any yogurt containing xylitol, a common sweetener in human foods. Even a small amount of xylitol-sweetened yogurt is toxic for dogs and may lead to liver failure because it accumulates in the liver tissue. It’s also best to stay away from yogurt flavored with fruits or any type of “mix-ins”, as these frequently have added sugar in the form of syrups and may also use artificial sweeteners.
Greek style yogurt has less lactose than regular yogurt so it is gentler on tummies. Just like humans though, some dogs can be lactose intolerant. As you hopefully do with all treats, feed your dog a small amount of yogurt starting with a teaspoon for small dogs and a tablespoon for larger ones, give him some time and see how he reacts. If there are no adverse reactions like excess gas or upset tummy you can increase the amount.
**If you suspect that your dog has a lactose issue, you should refrain from giving your dog yogurt all together and just double up on pumpkin.**
100% Pumpkin Puree || Pumpkin works wonders for ALL dogs both big and small, but especially for those with gut issues. Plus, they think it tastes great! I am talking about 100% unadulterated canned pumpkin, no sugar loaded pumpkin pie filling for your pup. When you read the ingredients on the can you only want to see pumpkin listed. Pumpkin is full of fiber, which can help dogs feel fuller faster and stay fuller longer without necessarily taking in too many calories, so it is a great option for pups that are overweight as well! 100% pumpkin is safe for ALL dogs! A couple of teaspoons for smaller dogs or a couple tablespoons of pumpkin for larger dogs each day is a great way to treat them and keep their gut in check.
Gross but true, some dogs eat their poo...If you happen to have a dog that sometimes does this pumpkin is a great addition to their diet because, it tastes great mixed into their food, but it causes a reaction to happen inside their bodies and it makes their poop taste horrible to them so they will no longer eat it. How poop doesn't taste horrible to all dogs in the first place I don't know, that requires more research on my end. But, at least for now you know that you can deter your poop nibbling canine with just a bit of pure pumpkin. Again....ewww.
Dog Greens Vitamin & Mineral Powder || We made the switch to a diet of 100% human grade food almost a year ago when our oldest dog, Hooch, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease. Since then, I have spent countless hours comparing labels, scouring the internet, and researching information on all of the vitamin options available for our dogs and the Dog Greens brand is hands down the winner for us. We have supplemented our dogs diet with this incredible blend of vitamins and nutrients for 8 months now - they LOVE it and so do I! It is made from a blend of organic & wild harvested spirulina, chlorella, alfalfa, barley grass, wheat grass, kelp and Irish moss.
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning || Oh yeah, in case you missed it - I have a recipe on my site for a blend of 5 herbs that I sprinkle over my dog's food at every meal. They love the taste and I love the health benefits. It's a win win!
In the past 8 months, Hooch's lab results have repeatedly shown an improvement in his overall health and I'm happy to report that the indicators in his blood work for stage 4 kidney disease have dropped to stage 1 levels!!! It truly feels like a miracle every time we hear his lab results come back! I know for a fact that it is the mix of diet, lifestyle, and supplement changes that we made that have caused this miraculous turn around for him and there is no doubt in my mind that these changes have given us more quality time with him in the long run!
Looking for more ways to feed and treat your dog with easy homemade dog food recipes? I have you covered!
Homemade Dog Food || It's a fact, feeding your pup a diet of 100% human grade dog food is easy, cost effective, and WAY better for them than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble! My easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground beef, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs for a healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food that has given our 11 year old dog a new lease on life!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend || It's no secret that fresh herbs and spices are beneficial to a person's health and diet, but did you know that your dog's diet could benefit from the addition of them also!? In the summer months, it's easy to include green leafy herbs like parsley and basil in our dog's fresh homemade food because I have lots growing in the garden. But, when fresh herbs are sparse I turn to my spice cabinet where I keep a little jar of spices labeled 'Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend'. This easy to make custom spice blend combines dried parsley, basil, dill, rosemary, and oregano for a seasoning blend your dog is sure to love!
If you’ve tried our Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs recipe I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below, I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintPumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think about this popcorn in the comments below, I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Dog Food
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
For small dogs
1-2 teaspoons plain Greek nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon 100% pure pumpkin puree, you could also use pure sweet potato or pure butternut squash puree
Dog Greens vitamin and mineral powder, serve according to your dog's weight, optional
⅛ - ¼ teaspoon homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend, optional
For large dogs
1-3 tablespoons plain Greek nonfat yogurt
2-4 tablespoons 100% pure pumpkin puree, you could also use pure sweet potato or pure butternut squash puree.
Dog Greens vitamin and mineral powder, serve according to your dog's weight, optional
½ teaspoon homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend, optional
Instructions
For both small and large dogs:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small dish and serve immediately.
Notes
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information below is calculated with the ingredients and largest serving amount of each ingredient for a large dog.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 26.6 g
- Sodium: 199.2 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.2 g
- Protein: 55.4 g
- Cholesterol: 25.5 mg
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Lana T Ades says
I have two English mastiffs, ages 7 and 8. Both healthy but one is slightly overweight. Our vet suggested looking into homemade food as we lost one last March to cancer. I am concerned about the amount per feeding. I would start out mixing with their present kibble but want to reduce kibble amount or delete entirely. But I don't want to overfeeding. HELP!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi there!
Thank you for reaching out and sharing about your lovely mastiffs. It’s great to hear they’re both healthy! I’m sorry for your loss last March; it sounds like a tough time.
When transitioning to homemade food, starting with a mix of their current kibble and the new food is a smart approach. As for the amount, it’s important to adjust based on your dogs' individual needs and activity levels. Generally, you can start by replacing about 25% of their kibble with the homemade food and monitor their weight and energy levels. Gradually increase the homemade portion while decreasing the kibble, keeping an eye on their weight to avoid overfeeding.
For precise measurements, you might consider consulting with your vet or a pet nutritionist to tailor the portions perfectly for your mastiffs’ needs. They can provide specific guidelines based on your dogs' weight, activity level, and overall health.
MELISSA ESTES says
so my dogs weigh in at about 13lbs do each one of them get this amount then cut back some on the other food i’ve been feeding for breakfast? do your other recipes come with suggested servings? if they like it they’ll eat til they pop lol thanks for info
Summer Dickerhoof says
The amount of food to feed your dog each day will vary by weight. Our 80+ pound senior dog Hooch eats 4 cups of this food twice per day and our 40 pound Rebel eats 2 cups of food twice per day. It is best to check with your vet to see what the right amount is for your pup!
Robin says
We have a Frenchie he is just 4 years old. He's had 2 really bad bouts of allergies and was on antibiotic. I found you and so glad I did, driving my self crazy searching for the perfect dog food for our little Merlin. I decided last night to search for homemade recipes, feels right. I can't find the recipe for the dog food you made with rice and lean beef. Also Merlin is very sensitive to eggs, chicken and corn. Can I use turkey instead of beef, also is brown rice better? Going to make your seasonings and use dog greens. This is a blessing for me, I have never liked buying bagged dog food. Thank you, blessings
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Robin!
We are so sorry to hear about your Frenchie!!
You can use ground white meat turkey, cooked thoroughly and drained! & you can also use brown rice!
Check out these links:
https://thismessisours.com/home-made-dog-food-recipe-for-the-holidays/
https://thismessisours.com/can-dogs-eat-brown-rice/
https://thismessisours.com/easy-homemade-dog-food-recipe/
We hope this helps!
Megan says
Hi. Can you tell me if throughout your time doing research, addressing your dog's health needs and now others, if your turkey recipe or beef would suffice in nutrients for a 5-month-old puppy? Is your recipe good for all life stages is what I am asking.
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Megan!
We strongly recommend talking to your vet before switching your dogs diet no matter how old they are. With Rebel we gradually started adding in our homemade dog food with her puppy kibble when it was time for her to switch to adult kibble.
Hope this helps!
Shan says
I mix this up, spread it on a lick mat and freeze it for a busy treat for my dog. He loves it, and I love that it helps out his gland issues. Thank you so much!
meg@thismessisours says
Oh, Shan that is a great idea!! I am so glad that it has helped your dog!
Linda Curtis says
Hi, I'm just starting out. Can I just add the pumpkin and yogurt to the homemade dog food when I make it instead of adding it separately? My dog is very overweight. She's a 40 lb beagle/basset hound mix. My husband constantly feeds her a bite of everything he eats. She is basically insatiable and will eat bird food that drops from the feeders. She has resorted to eating her own poop too so I'm definitely adding pumpkin. She will actually walk around licking the floor at night in case she missed something. The vet wants her to weigh no more than 30 lbs. but preferably 25.
meg@thismessisours says
You can absolutely add pumpkin to your dogs main food instead of creating a separate meal. You don't even really need the yogurt. The pumpkin will make her poop taste bad and she should leave it alone.
Beth and Ralphy says
I have a 16yr old Shih Tzu Ralphy. He needs to gain weight and keep it on. He is a very active senior. I was looking for something to increase nutrients in his diet. He absolutely loves it. Thank you.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Beth! I am so happy that this diet has helped Ralphy!!
Ryan says
Hi there! So glad I stumbled across your blog. I have been wanting to try making my own dog food for a while now, but was so worried about not putting the right minerals/nutrients in it. When your vet signed off on the main recipe you use (the meat, veggies, grains), did they say that was good enough? Or did they suggest you adding in the “greens” supplement that you linked to? I have for dogs over 60 pounds, so we would fly through that greens supplement super fast - just wanting to do the right thing but not spend *all* my money doing it 🙂
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!! I totally understand where you are coming from. I had my vet approve the green supplement at the same time that I had them approve the recipe. I had researched it all together, so I wanted too go in armed with information. I hope that helps! I know the vitamins are costly - there may be a more affordable option that would work for you. There are so many brands, I just needed one that was super easily processed by the kidneys since my dog had issues at the time and this one came recommended. I will swap all sorts of other ingredients - quinoa for rice, sirloin for turkey, carrots for cooked sweet potato, but the Dog Greens always remain the same.
Jennifer C. says
This is totally new to me, so I have newbie questions.
Is this yogurt and pumpkin bowl meant as a meal, by itself, or added to the regular morning meal?
1-3 Tbsp of the yogurt + 2-4 Tbsp of pumpkin seems really small compared to the 3 cups of cooked food for breakfast, so is the measurement a typo or reality?
Can I use this recipe everyday or would ever couple of days be wiser?
Have you posted the powdered eggshell instructions, yet? I can't seem to locate it.
Thanks in advance. Now that the green vitamins have been ordered, I'm off to the market in attempts to give homecoming dogwood a go!
Much love, Jennifer
Jennifer C. says
**homecooking dogfood. Sorry about that, autocorrect got the better of me.
meg@thismessisours says
Jennifer - that autocorrect gets me every time! haha! The yogurt bowls or more of a supplement in our house to the daily food count. They are pretty small servings, especially if your dog is smaller in weight. I wanted an extra protein boost for my dogs and needed Rebel to eat some pumpkin for fiber which can help stinky glands. Oooh she had an issue for a while. Anyways, think of it as a light snack more than a meal. Powdered calcium supplement is still in the works, but almost done!!! If you are signed up for push notifications or email it will let you know as soon as it goes live 🙂 Happy cooking!
Anonymous says
This is so easy and the dogs love it
Dawn Gustafson says
My 12 yr old mini-schnauzer has just recently been diagnosed with liver issues. I’ve found a good low protein diet. Unfortunately it has pumpkin in it and I haven’t been able to find a store that is carrying it out of season. Would sweet potato be a good substitute for the pumpkin as far as nutritional value? I can’t seem to find much information on this. Thanks
BTW, I’m so encouraged by your results for the kidney disease! ❤️🐾🐾❤️
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Dawn! I am so sorry about your dog's diagnosis! yes, you can substitute 100% canned butternut squash or canned sweet potato with no problems.
Barbara says
I haven’t used tryed any of this yet but looking forward to making some with your help. I have a 8 yr old Maltese/Poodle who is weighing in now at 25 lbs was 30 and we need to get him down to around 18-20 lbs for his severe arthritis and hip issues. We can’t walk him cause of an injury but I try a few feet just to get him out and enjoy other dogs he sees. Can you help me I would love to make homemade food for him and treats. Any suggestions but he is higher my allergic to anything chicken he will break out with raw patches and itchy skin. Please I’m open for suggestions. Thanks Barb
Lori says
Another question, do you supplement with calcium? I keep reading they need a lot of calcium
Thank you!
meg@thismessisours says
Hey Lori - I actually grind the egg shells we use after bilking and drying them into a powder for a calcium supplement. It's super easy and considering a tub of powdered egg shells can cost $24 for only a few week's supply it is pretty cost effective too. If you're feeding a homemade diet, you'll want to add about one-half teaspoon ground eggshell per pound of fresh food.
Lauri says
I'm loving your recipes, videos and dogs! Thanks for helping me male the transition to home made food without over thinking it! I'm only a few days in, but my dogs are already showing signs of better health, less gas, less itching, and they're extremely happy about the switch too. I haven't bought the supplements yet, and I'm using a modified recipe currently because my dogs all had a bit of digestive issues and needed a bland diet for a few days anyway. I love your yogurt pumpkin bowl idea and the spice blend you make is amazing. I'm here for the recipes!
meg@thismessisours says
Lauri you just made my DAY!!! I am so glad that you are seeing a positive change already with only a few days of making the transition. Our dogs are completely different animals after eating this way for over a year - healthier all the way around, both of them!
Florencia Neidish says
Hi, I want to thank you for your recipes. My dog was just diagnosed with kidney disease as well. She has been eating brown rice for about 10 years now but we were told she needed to be on a low protein and low phosphorus diet. I see that your dog has kidney disease as well, was he told to not eat brown rice? Please let me know, thanks so much! In this hard time, I truly appreciate finding your recipes.
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!!! I am so sorry about your dog's diagnosis - it is just heart breaking. We fed Hooch white rice instead of brown - which has kept his phosphorus count low. In the case of kidney disease it is best to use the white rice. Please, keep me posted how y'all are doing and if you have any other questions!
Lori says
I have a VERY picky older Akita and she gets either bored or takes a dislike to her foods. We get her prescription wet and a high quality kibble that costs a fortune and she wont eat it now. I made the meal with ground beef and she ate it last night which made me SO happy, but the yoghurt and sweet potato she snubbed and tried tipping her bowl so I added some salmon to eat JUST to get this into her. That worked. Is this okay?? I am so confused and worried I will harm my stubborn dog! She loves rice and chicken and broth but that isn't sufficient. So, is adding some fish to her yoghurt bowl okay? It is only half or so of a small can of salmon. I also ordered some vitamins for her and these chews with things good for joint health. She gets fish oil at night. I will also change up the meal you suggested and do different meats and veggies to hopefully keep her interested. None of my kids were ever this picky...
meg@thismessisours says
Hi!! I am so sorry for my delayed response - this comment disappeared on me and I am just now seeing it. Your dog may not like the flavor of pumpkin and that is ok. Salmon is very healthy for dogs, so you can add it in. We have a dog that will pick individual ingredients out of her food bowl with her tongue so I totally get it!!
Janice says
Maybe I missed something but aren't eggs not recommended on a kidney diet? Out little 4.5 lb Yorkie (12 years) is losing proteins through her urine discharge and nerds a kidney diet and low protein. Can I leave out the eggs and be ok with nutrition requirements? Also, love your idea of yogurt/pumpkin bowl but should probably omit the yogurt because of protein.
Thanks for your diligence in researching and your willingness to share.
Sharon says
Hi Meg! You inspired me to make my own dog food! I started tonight with the ground beef recipe. Love it!
Regarding the pumpkin bowl, would I feed this along with the regular portion of the homemade dog food or instead of.
Thx again
meg@thismessisours says
Hi Sharon! We actually feed this to our dog's in the morning instead of a portion of their daily food. We also usually don't treat throughout the day, only at night.
Ricki says
My dogs just so picky. I was buying them what vet recommended but they were snubbing it. I have made all your recipes and introduced everything slowly. Not only are they eating it they now get up in the morning and sit by the fridge waiting for their food. My 5 year old schichon has so much more energy and no stomach issues like when eating bought dog food. They now refuse treats also unless homemade.
meg@thismessisours says
Ricki I am so happy to hear this!!! It does my heart good to know your pups are enjoying eating the food that you are making for them.
Sandy says
I am confused, this looks if you are feeding a small dog this recipe they would only be getting about two tablespoons of food for breakfast. Am I reading something incorrectly?
meg@thismessisours says
Hey Sandy - you just need to start small and you can work your way up to larger portions. Our dogs get about 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt in their bowl sin the morning now along with the pumpkin. Hope this helps and if your pup loved the recipe I would be so grateful if you would give it a star rating for me. Thank you!!!
Elizabeth says
How fun are these?! Rascal loves pumpkin and I love how easy these are to whip together!
thismess says
Our dogs are OBSESSED with these and they are so fast and easy to make with so many health benefits!