9 Easy, Delicious Homemade Dog Food Toppers To Try Right Now!
Does your pup get tired of eating the same thing every day, turning them into a “picky” eater? If so, we’ve got you covered. Your dog’s meals should be varied… I don’t blame them for not wanting to eat the same thing over and over and over again. I can barely meal prep and eat the same thing for 3 days in a row! Therefore, it’s often helpful to add homemade dog food toppers, stuff that you can find easily at your neighborhood grocery store or already in your pantry. Not only can toppers be delicious, but they can also be packed with healthy nutrients for their overall health and wellness. From cancer-fighting superfoods to anti-inflammatory fruits and veggies, we’ll go over some easy ways to incorporate nutritious, whole foods into their diet. Trust that they will never be bored of their food again!
This post is all about 9 easy, delicious, homemade dog food toppers that will keep your dog satisfied and excited for meal times!
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Golden Paste
- Spice Seasoning
- Homemade Bone Broth
- Yogurt/Kefir
- Extra Protein
- Fish/Sardines
- Eggs
9 Homemade Dog Food Toppers
#1: Fruits
Now… this one might seem overplayed. But drowned in all this sea of information on the internet, it’s easy to forget the most simple, effective, and delicious options: fruit! Not only are fruits hydrating and tasty but they are FILLED with anti-oxidants that help to fight off bad agents in their bodies.
If you wanted only 1-2 things to rotate in their diet for their entire diet, fruits, and veggies are the way to go. There are so many fruits dogs can enjoy like:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Mangos
- Oranges
To name a few… Check out the detailed guide from AKC about all the fruits and veggies your dog can and can’t eat.
Which 3 fruits from the list above do you have in your fridge now? Let me know by commenting below this blog post!
#2: Vegetables
A variety of vegetables are great toppers to rotate in their diet as well. Although, this might not be the best choice, as some dogs do not like the taste. If you have a dog like mine, that will eat anything and everything, veggies are a great addition.
Some common veggies you can add are broccoli, spinach, green beans, and carrots. Especially the dark leafy greens, which are nutrient-packed. Although, make sure to steam or boil them before you feed them. Your pup’s digestive tract is not well designed to break down starchy foods found in raw vegetables like raw spinach.
I always buy a bag of carrots, which are great for their vision and have mostly all the same benefits that humans reap from carrots. I also always buy one vegetable each time I grocery shop, which I cook when I’m already meal-prepping.
#3: Golden Paste
Golden paste has become increasingly popular over the years, but more recently so. It is a yellow-colored paste made from turmeric. Turmeric is known to be extremely beneficial as an anti-inflammatory agent that will boost your dog’s immune health and overall wellness trifold! Dogs usually don’t mind the taste, but if they do, mix it in with some water or bone broth. It’s a new taste for their taste buds and adds some wonderful nutrients to their dinner or meal time.
Check out this easy golden paste recipe here by Dogs Naturally!
#4: Spice Seasoning Blend
Simply putting certain spices on their meals can also make for a tasty meal, packed with health benefits. Just like the benefits we often reap with eating spices, certain spices can help with specific issues like nausea, GI issues, and bad breath, while also boasting an array of nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. However, do your research for dosage, specific benefits, and side effects, as giving too many spices can become harmful, toxic, and/or create GI issues.
Some common spices you can add to your dog’s meals are:
- Dill,
- Cilantro
- Cinnamon
- Basil
- Oregano
#5: Dog-Safe Homemade Bone Broth
This one is most definitely the hardest one to make out of all these easy homemade food toppers. This one requires a multitude of ingredients, as well as a fairly long cooking time.
However, once you try it and realize all the benefits, you will never return to buying retail dog-safe bone broth again. It’s extremely expensive, considering how much you can make at home for a fraction of the price.
Check out this bone broth recipe from Rover. P.S. If you’ve never had to look for raw pig’s feet, your local Asian supermarket will most likely have them!
#6: Yogurt/Kefir
This is Jill’s #1 top pick. She absolutely LOVES the taste of plain kefir. She also has a sensitive stomach, and giving her this probiotic does wonders! There is nothing more to say than to just give it a try with your dog. This is on our weekly grocery list, a must for our pup’s daily meals.
#7: Extra Protein
Adding extra protein is another great homemade food topper, with any ingredients already in your fridge. Chicken, beef, pork, you name it. All can be added as an additional protein source and a delicious topper for your dog’s meals. Make sure to boil or cook with a dog-safe oil and no seasonings. Steer away from deli meats, as there are a lot of preservatives that your pup should not be having daily.
When adding extra protein, make sure to portion properly. Homemade dog food toppers should not account for more than 10% of their meals. Without proper portioning, adding extra protein can add quite a few more calories. Always plan accordingly!
#8: Fish & Sardines
Canned sardines (only in water) and fish are a tasty source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a MUST in your dog’s diet. They are proven to have amazing anti-inflammatory effects, which in turn, helps with a whole myriad of other health issues. Boiling or baking salmon or any other fish already in your fridge is a great homemade dog food topper option!
#9: Eggs
Eggs are a nutritious multivitamin for dogs, cooked or raw. Eggs are extremely calorie and nutrient-dense, so only occasional eggs. However, when done in the right dosage, you can really start to notice a boost in your dog’s energy, health, and wellness!
Note: excluding vulnerable and/or senior dogs, dogs are perfectly fine with a raw food diet. Even a partially raw diet is okay for their very acidic stomachs. However, feeding them any raw food comes with a responsibility to do your research on raw food handling, as well as proper feeding guidelines. You cannot start giving them raw foods without proper research beforehand.
Conclusion
As discussed above, there are SO many options when it comes to adding homemade dog food toppers to your dog’s meal. Even though there is a lot to explore beyond these nine, I challenge you to explore each category thoroughly! There are ways to mix and match, like creating a blueberry yogurt parfait to add to their meals. Or instead of adding just cooked protein, you can try creating a gravy that they might enjoy as well. The options are endless! Just make sure you are accounting for any additional caloric intake, as we don’t want to be accidentally feeding them too much.
Happy cooking and feeding! Let us know which homemade dog food topper your dog loves the most by writing a comment on this blog post below!
