Limited Ingredient Duck
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground duck (90% lean)
- 1 lb duck hearts
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
- 1/2 cup duck liver
- 2 tbsp sardines in water (no salt added), mashed
- 2 tbsp ground eggshell
- 1 tbsp hempseed oil
- 1/2 tsp iodized salt
- 1/2 cup water or low-sodium duck stock
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rinse the duck meat and hearts thoroughly. Place in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25 minutes, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.
- While duck cooks, steam the butternut squash for 15 minutes until fork-tender. Steam green beans for 8 minutes until soft. Set aside to cool.
- Remove duck and hearts from pot, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Allow meat to cool slightly, then pulse in a food processor until coarsely ground (do not puree into paste).
- Finely chop or pulse the duck liver separately until minced. Combine with ground duck and hearts in a large mixing bowl.
- Mash the butternut squash and chop green beans into small, bite-sized pieces. Add to the meat mixture along with the reserved cooking liquid.
- Add mashed sardines, ground eggshell, hempseed oil, and iodized salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Divide into 14 equal portions (approximately 5.5 oz each). Store portions in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Refrigerate portions for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
💊 Required Supplements
Add per daily serving (approximately 1/14 of batch): 500mg calcium carbonate (if not using eggshell), 25mg zinc methionine, 100 IU vitamin E (dry powder), 50mg vitamin B-complex, and 1/4 tsp kelp powder for iodine. Mix supplements into food just before serving to preserve potency.
Nutritional Analysis
1 cup (5.5 oz) for 25lb dog| Calories | 485 kcal |
| Protein | 32g (38% DM) |
| Fat | 18g (22% DM) |
| Carbohydrates | 28g (33% DM) |
| Fiber | 5g (6% DM) |
| Moisture | 68% |
| Calcium | 1.4% DM |
| Phosphorus | 1.0% DM |
| Ca:P Ratio | 1.4:1 |
🧊 Safety & Storage
Always use fresh, high-quality duck from reputable sources. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly with hot soapy water after handling raw poultry. Refrigerate prepared food promptly and discard any food left out for more than 2 hours. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator only—never at room temperature. Monitor your dog for any adverse reactions during the first 2 weeks of feeding.
⚠️ Recipe Drift Warning
Do not substitute chicken, beef, or lamb for duck as this defeats the limited-ingredient purpose for allergic dogs. Avoid using regular salt instead of iodized salt, as iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid issues. Do not replace butternut squash with white potatoes, which can cause digestive upset in sensitive dogs. Hempseed oil should not be substituted with fish oil, as the omega fatty acid profile is specifically balanced for this recipe. Always consult your veterinarian before making any ingredient changes.
⚕️ Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
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