The base of every great curry — chicken, turmeric, ginger, coconut milk — is already safe for your dog. Split the pot before the chilli, garlic and fish sauce go in. One cook, two dinners, no compromise on flavour for either of you.
By Breed-to-Bowl · Cook Once, Eat Together
Curcumin in turmeric is one of the most studied natural anti-inflammatories. Supports joints, gut and brain health.
Medium-chain triglycerides in coconut milk support brain function and energy, especially for senior dogs.
Sweet potato provides slow-release energy and prebiotic fibre, keeping blood sugar stable between meals.
Higher moisture and richer amino acid profile than breast. Naturally more palatable and easier to digest.
Salmon oil provides DHA and EPA for coat, joints, brain and gut. Always stirred in cold — never cooked.
Eggshell calcium corrects the Ca:P imbalance in meat-heavy meals. Added cold after cooking, ¼ tsp per serving.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh, boneless skinless, diced | 350g | 3–4 days' worth for a small dog |
| Vegetables | ||
| Sweet potato, peeled and cubed | 120g | |
| Carrot, sliced | 80g | |
| Zucchini or green beans | 100g | |
| Liquid & Spices | ||
| Unsweetened coconut milk | 80ml | Full-fat, no additives |
| Unsalted chicken broth | 200ml | Homemade or no-salt-added |
| Ground turmeric | ½ tsp | Safe and beneficial for dogs |
| Ground ginger | ¼ tsp | Anti-nausea, safe in small amounts |
| Ground cumin | Pinch | Optional — aids digestion |
| Ground coriander | Pinch | Optional |
| Coconut oil or plain cooking oil | 1 tsp | For searing |
| Added Cold (Per Daily Serving) | ||
| Salmon or sardine oil COLD | 1 tsp | Stir into bowl after cooling — never into hot pot |
| Eggshell calcium powder COLD | ¼ tsp | Per serving, added cold |
Daily serving for a small dog: approx. 150–180g. Adjust to maintain a lean body condition.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh, boneless skinless, diced | 500g | 3–4 days' worth for a medium dog |
| Vegetables | ||
| Sweet potato, peeled and cubed | 200g | |
| Carrot, sliced | 120g | |
| Zucchini or green beans | 150g | |
| Liquid & Spices | ||
| Unsweetened coconut milk | 120ml | Full-fat, no additives |
| Unsalted chicken broth | 300ml | |
| Ground turmeric | ¾ tsp | |
| Ground ginger | ¼ tsp | |
| Ground cumin | ⅛ tsp | |
| Ground coriander | ⅛ tsp | |
| Coconut oil or plain cooking oil | 1 tsp | |
| Added Cold (Per Daily Serving) | ||
| Salmon or sardine oil COLD | 1–2 tsp | Stir into bowl after cooling |
| Eggshell calcium powder COLD | ¼ tsp | Per serving, added cold |
Daily serving for a medium dog: approx. 300–400g. Adjust to maintain a lean body condition.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh, boneless skinless, diced | 800g | 3–4 days' worth for a large dog |
| Vegetables | ||
| Sweet potato, peeled and cubed | 300g | |
| Carrot, sliced | 180g | |
| Zucchini or green beans | 200g | |
| Liquid & Spices | ||
| Unsweetened coconut milk | 160ml | Full-fat, no additives |
| Unsalted chicken broth | 400ml | |
| Ground turmeric | 1 tsp | |
| Ground ginger | ⅓ tsp | |
| Ground cumin | ¼ tsp | |
| Ground coriander | ¼ tsp | |
| Coconut oil or plain cooking oil | 2 tsp | |
| Added Cold (Per Daily Serving) | ||
| Salmon or sardine oil COLD | 2 tsp | Stir into bowl after cooling |
| Eggshell calcium powder COLD | ¼ tsp | Per serving, added cold |
Daily serving for a large dog: approx. 500–650g. Adjust to maintain a lean body condition.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh, boneless skinless, diced | 1.2kg | 2–3 days' worth for a giant dog |
| Vegetables | ||
| Sweet potato, peeled and cubed | 450g | |
| Carrot, sliced | 250g | |
| Zucchini or green beans | 300g | |
| Liquid & Spices | ||
| Unsweetened coconut milk | 240ml | Full-fat, no additives |
| Unsalted chicken broth | 600ml | |
| Ground turmeric | 1½ tsp | |
| Ground ginger | ½ tsp | |
| Ground cumin | ⅓ tsp | |
| Ground coriander | ⅓ tsp | |
| Coconut oil or plain cooking oil | 2 tsp | |
| Added Cold (Per Daily Serving) | ||
| Salmon or sardine oil COLD | 3 tsp | Stir into bowl after cooling |
| Eggshell calcium powder COLD | ¼ tsp | Per serving, added cold |
Daily serving for a giant dog: approx. 800g–1kg. Adjust to maintain a lean body condition.
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been shown to reduce markers of chronic inflammation in dogs. It supports joint mobility in older dogs, may protect against certain cancers, and acts as a gentle liver support. Black pepper (which activates curcumin in humans) is not needed for dogs — they absorb it differently. Use ground turmeric, not turmeric extracts, and keep doses modest.
Unsweetened coconut milk provides medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily digested and metabolised for energy without spiking blood sugar. Research in older dogs suggests MCTs may support cognitive function. Use full-fat, no-additive coconut milk only, and keep amounts moderate — it is high in saturated fat and too much can cause soft stools. Coconut milk is not an omega-3 source; always add salmon oil separately.
Sweet potato is one of the best carbohydrates you can feed a dog. It is rich in beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A), contains soluble fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, and has a lower glycaemic index than white potato or white rice. The natural sweetness also makes it highly palatable — one of the reasons dogs finish this bowl so enthusiastically.
Coconut milk is rich in saturated fat but contains no omega-3. The DHA and EPA your dog needs must come from salmon or sardine oil, added cold to the serving bowl after cooking. Heat destroys these fragile fatty acids. One to two teaspoons per day for a medium dog, never into the pot.
Coconut milk does not provide omega-3. Salmon or sardine oil must be added cold to every serving — directly into the bowl, after the food has cooled completely. Do not stir it into the warm pot. Heat destroys DHA and EPA in under a minute at cooking temperatures.
Heat the coconut oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken thigh and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is lightly golden. No salt, no garlic, no seasoning at this stage.
Add the turmeric, ginger, cumin and coriander directly to the chicken. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds over medium heat until the chicken is coated and the spices are fragrant. The pot will smell wonderful at this point.
💡 This is the moment that makes the kitchen smell like a proper curry. Your dog will be underfoot.Add the sweet potato, carrot and zucchini. Pour over the unsalted chicken broth. The broth should come about two-thirds of the way up the ingredients. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
Cover and cook on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked through and the sweet potato is soft enough to press with a spoon. Stir once or twice during cooking.
Pour in the coconut milk and stir through gently. Simmer uncovered for a further 5 to 8 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly and turn a beautiful golden colour from the turmeric.
Before adding anything else, ladle your dog's portion into a separate bowl. Set it aside to cool completely at room temperature. Everything in the pot at this point is safe for dogs: chicken, sweet potato, carrot, zucchini, coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander.
To the remaining pot, add 3 to 4 cloves of minced garlic, 2 sliced shallots, 1 to 2 sliced chillies, 1 tablespoon of curry powder, fish sauce and salt to taste. Stir and simmer for 8 to 10 more minutes. Serve over steamed rice, scattered with fresh coriander if you have it.
Once the dog's portion is completely cool, stir in the salmon or sardine oil and the eggshell calcium powder. Mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze daily portions for up to 3 months.
⚠️ Never add fish oil to warm food — heat destroys the DHA and EPA within minutesThe Singapore Special, also known as the Kampung dog or Aspin, is the quintessential street dog of Southeast Asia — a naturally selected mixed breed that has survived for thousands of years on wit, resilience, and whatever food was available. Unlike purpose-bred dogs, they were shaped entirely by their environment rather than by human selection, which has produced animals with exceptional genetic diversity, robust immune systems, and relatively few inherited conditions.
If you have a rescue from Southeast Asia, this is the bowl that comes closest to honouring where they came from.
This recipe is designed for batch cooking. Make a full batch on the weekend and portion into daily servings before refrigerating or freezing. Portion into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge — never in a microwave, which creates hot spots and destroys nutrients. Add the salmon oil and eggshell calcium to each serving fresh, not before freezing.
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