Dogs should never just eat dry or canned food. It’s unhealthy and just plain boring! A vet-approved diet consists of nutrient-rich kibble, home-cooked lean meat, and dog-safe fruits & vegetables. Below we have listed 15 of the best DIY dog topper recipes that you can make at home with low-cost ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen.
These homemade meal enhancers are simple, quick, easy to make, and will contribute to a more nutritious and tasty diet for your dog.
All of the following recipes contain natural, safe ingredients. Always make sure that your dog is eating the right-sized servings for his size, and check the temperature of his food with your fingertip. Before trying anything new, test out small amounts of key ingredients in case of allergies.
1. Chicken Gravy Meal Enhancing Dog Food Topper
For a scrumptious, nutrient-rich liquid meal enhancer, follow this simple recipe!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mixed peas & carrots
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup cooked & pulled/shredded chicken breast
- ½ cup cooked rice
Instructions:
- Defrost the frozen peas in the microwave
- Put all of the ingredients together in a food processor
- Blend together until they’re the consistency of thick gravy, add water for a thinner consistency if desired
- Pour the required amount over your dog’s dinner while warm (not hot), or refrigerate until it’s time to use it. To reheat, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds & stir
Chicken is a great source of protein for your dog, and peas & carrots provide plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Crunchy Pumpkin, Rice ‘n Oat Bites!
These oaty crouton bites add a fun, nutritious crunch to your dog’s dinner. This recipe makes 10.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/4 cup oats
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin pureé
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F & line a baking sheet with non-stick paper
- Combine & mix all the ingredients
- Roll into equal-sized balls & bake for 10 minutes
- Turn them over and bake for 10 more minutes
- Cool and serve!
Pumpkin is a fantastic source of fiber, vitamin A & is famous for its soothing effect on upset tummies.
3. Pumpkin Apple Frosty Paws
For an even more fun way to incorporate fruit into your dog’s diet, follow this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- A carrot
- An apple
- 1 teaspoon ground chia seeds
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a food processor
- Fill freezer molds with the mixture
- Freeze overnight
- Serve as a refreshing dessert or topper on a hot day!
These yummy ice lollies will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Chia seeds are a wonderful source of Omega-3, calcium, iron & magnesium.
4. Turkey Gravy Meal Enhancing Dog Food Topper
Another gravy recipe, this time with turkey!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mixed peas & carrots
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup cooked turkey sausage
- ½ cup cooked rice
Instructions:
- Defrost the frozen peas and put all the ingredients into a food processor
- Blend until smooth and if it’s too thick, and add some water
- Pour the desired amount over your dog’s dinner, or refrigerate until it’s time to be used. To reheat it, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir
Cooked rice is excellent for settling upset stomachs.
5. Dog Bones
For some savory biscuits your dog will love, follow this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1/ 2 cup hot water
- An egg
- 1 teaspoon beef or chicken base
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups flour (any kind)
Instructions:
- Line a baking sheet with non-stick paper and preheat the oven to 350°F
- Put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix
- Gather the mixture into a ball with your hands
- Roll it out on a flat, floured surface with a rolling pin
- Using a biscuit cutter, cut out some biscuits & put them on the baking sheet
- Bake for 30 minutes & then leave to cool
Eggs are not just for binding, they are high in protein and essential amino acids!
6. Beef Gravy Meal Enhancing Dog Food Topper
For a beef-flavored gravy, follow these steps.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mixed peas & carrots
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup cooked ground beef
- ½ cup cooked rice
Instructions:
- Defrost the peas and combine all the ingredients in a food processor
- Blend until creamy and add water if it’s too thick
- Pour the desired amount over your dog’s dinner, or refrigerate until it’s time to use it. To reheat it, put the desired amount in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir
Beef is a brilliant source of protein for dogs and provides them with lots of nutritious vitamins and minerals.
7. Apple Crunch Pupcakes
Your dog will love these super sweet, crunchy breakfast treats.
Ingredients:
- 1/8 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened dried apple chips
- An egg
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 ¾ cups water
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 4 cups flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
Instructions:
- Grease some muffin oven trays and preheat the oven to 350°F
- Mix the water, applesauce, honey, egg, and vanilla together in a bowl
- Add remaining ingredients & mix again
- Pour into the muffin trays
- Bake for an hour and 15 minutes & leave to cool
Apples are a terrific source of fiber, as well as vitamins A & C. Just make sure you remove the seeds!
8. Bone Booster Broth
As well as being super nutritious and tasty, broths like this are a great way to re-hydrate your dog.
Ingredients:
- 1- 2 lbs of chicken or turkey bones or 2 large beef marrow bones
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or juice from ½ lemon
- Water
- ½ cup fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Put the bones and vinegar/juice into a large pot
- Cover with water
- Bring the mixture to a boil and skim off the foam that rises to the top
- Turn it down to a low heat and leave to simmer throughout the day or overnight
- Add the parsley and drain the broth from the bones
- Dispose of the bones & parsley
- Serve or keep in the fridge/freezer until ready to use
This broth can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days and for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, put the desired amount in a pan and bring it to a boil, then leave to cool down to a safe temperature for your dog to eat.
You should only use certified organic bones, with no added hormones or antibiotics that could harm your dog. Apple cider vinegar aids digestion relieves yeast infections & allergy symptoms and helps to release several good nutrients from the bones, including calcium and magnesium.
9. Wholesome Food Topper
This nutritiously complete homemade topper recipe creates the perfect seasoning for your dog’s meals & makes seven, one for each day of the week.
Ingredients:
- 10 blueberries
- 1 ¼ cups cooked mackerel
- 1 ¾ cups green beans
- Apple, cored
- 1 teaspoon of calcium carbonate
- 3 ½ cups peeled, boiled, and mashed sweet potato
- 2 small eggs, hard-boiled & peeled
- ½ cup plain yogurt
Instructions:
- Use a food processor to blend the beans, apples, and blueberries
- Cut up the eggs & mackerel into tiny pieces, and put them into a separate bowl
- Add the yogurt and sweet potatoes to the blended mixture and mix again
- Divide the batch into seven equal portions & use to season your dog’s meals
- Put half of the remaining portions in the fridge, and the other half in the freezer, and defrost when needed without heat
Add this topper to your dog’s food for a yummy, balanced meal. Mackrel is high in Omega-3, and yogurt contains lots of good bacteria for your dog’s tummy, aiding their digestion.
10. A Liver Treat
This meaty dog topper recipe is healthy, delicious, and only takes 5 minutes to prepare!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw organic liver
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon flour (optional)
- Pinch of turmeric
Instructions:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a pan
- Saute on medium heat for around 5 minutes
- Leave to cool
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and can be used to help fight symptoms of arthritis.
11. No Waste Dog Food Topper
Always throwing away vegetables that don’t get eaten? Use them up in this no-waste dog food seasoning recipe.
Ingredients:
- Leftover vegetables that are still in-date and safe for dogs to eat.
- Water
Instructions:
- Chop up/peel your vegetables and put them in a large pot
- Fill the pot with water at a 3-1 ratio to the vegetables
- Steam until tender
- Use a hand blender or food processor to puree the vegetables
- Leave to cool and serve or keep in the fridge until serving time
Use within three days of cooking.
12. Leftovers Trail Mix
For a snack that uses even more leftover ingredients, try this trail mix recipe.
Ingredients:
- Cooked unseasoned pieces of lean meat or fish
- Potatoes
- Safe fruits & vegetables
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F
- Cut the ingredients into ½ an inch thick pieces
- Very lightly spray the ingredients with cooking spray
- Place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven until dried out
Perfect for days out!
13. Healthy Pumpkin Balls
Another sweet, pumpkin-based snack.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 4 tablespoon molasses
- 4 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with non-stick paper
- Mix the pumpkin, molasses, vegetable oil, and water together in a bowl
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon and stir until the mixture softens
- Roll the mixture into balls
- Set the balls onto the baking sheet
- Bake for 25 minutes
Small amounts of cinnamon can help to regulate blood sugar & lower insulin resistance.
14. Coconut Oatmeal Pupcakes
To make 10 coconut oatmeal pupcakes, follow this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup gluten-free quick oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a muffin oven tray
- Combine & mix all the ingredients
- Spoon into the muffin tray
- Bake for 15 minutes & cool
Coconut is full of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are great for the skin, coat, digestive system & help fight infection.
15. Cheddar Bacon Dog Treats
For a truly scrumptious cheesy bacon treat, try this recipe to make 10.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 strips cooked bacon
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with non-stick paper
- Add the oats, cheese, and bacon to a food processor and blend until the mixture is in crumbs
- Add the eggs and blend again
- Sprinkle the oats onto a flat surface & roll out the mixture until it’s about a ¼ inch thick
- Cut the dough into biscuits using a cutter
- Place them on the baking sheets & bake for 20 minutes
Bacon is very high in sodium and should only be given to dogs in small quantities as a special treat!
That’s our list of the best 15 DIY dog food toppers, will you be trying them out? Do you have any recipes you’d like to share with us? Let us know!