healthy dog food toppers diy

16 Homemade Dog Food Toppers For Picky Eaters (Get Fido Excited For Mealtimes)

Key Takeaways

• Some healthy homemade dog food toppers for picky eaters include blueberries, yogurt, cucumbers, apples, shredded cheese, unsalted broth, and more.
• Some dogs are simply picky with food, but in some cases, this could be due to health issues. If a dog refuses to eat completely, seek the advice of a veterinarian.
• While dog food toppers are meant to entice dogs into eating, it should also add nutritional value to their diet.

Is your dog picky about the food he or she eats? While my own dogs would gobble up anything I put in their food bowl, I know a lot of pet parents who gets frustrated trying to get a pup to eat when they turn their noses up at each meal.

One perfect solution that just about works everytime is homemade dog food toppers for picky eaters. These food enhancers can range from cooked meat, to vegetables and fruits such as: unsalted broth, cooked chicken, carrots, blueberries, apples, shredded cheese, yogurt, and more.

Getting your canine companion to finish his food can be frustrating. Thankfully, there are some deliciousdog foodtopper options you can add to your dogs meals. These toppings entice your furry friend to finish every bite.

Delicious Single-Ingredient Homemade Dog Food Topper Ideas

Picky eaterscan make feeding stressful. Sometimes pups like these wont be enticed with even the best fresh dog food unless it has good food toppers. The following are some delicious single ingredient toppers you can add to your dogs diet. You likely have some of these on hand.If not, check out some of the best dog food delivery service companies that offer toppers along with custom meal subscriptions.

Blueberries

Blueberries will make most dogs go crazy with excitement. In addition to tasting mouthwatering to our furry friends, blueberries are also packed with essential vitamins, like A, C, and K.

Cucumbers

Many dog owners are surprised to learn cucumbers are an excellent addition to dog food. The crunch and refreshing flavor are what dogs crave. Cucumbers hydrate your dog and give him beneficial potassium and magnesium.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is anotherdog foodtopper that will entice your picky eater to dig in [1]. This oil is considered a delicacy to dogs, and it helps give your dog a strong and beautiful coat. You should give your dog no more than one teaspoon full per 20 pounds. Another healthy substitute is coconut oil.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is excellent for dogs. The best fish oil for dogs is full of omega-3 fatty acids that are perfect for dogs with flaky skin. Adding a few drops to your dogs kibble will make it more enticing and add nutrients.

Shredded Cheese

Dogs, like people, love cheese. Just like humans, dogs only need cheese in moderation. To avoid excess fat, choose mozzarella or goat cheese. Sprinkle a little on top of your dogs food for a tasty treat.

Cooked and Unseasoned Meat

Every dog loves meat. Cooked unseasoned meat is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B, zinc, and protein. Choose cooked chicken, beef, pork, or turkey to make your dog happy with his food.

Unsalted Broth

The unsalted, unseasoned broth is also an excellent addition to any dogs food. To make it even more nutritious choose bone broth which is packed with nutrients. Cook your own for the highest level of nutritional value.

Yogurt

Dogs love yogurt, and it is highly beneficial to their gut health. Yogurt is packed full of probiotics that aid your dogs digestion. Choose plain unsweetened yogurt as its more friendly to your dogs tummy. Greek yogurt adds protein.

Peanut Butter

What dog doesnt love peanut butter? If your dog is a peanut butter fanatic, consider adding it as adog foodtopper. Make sure you use dog-safe peanut butter that contains no salt or sugar. Some peanut butter contains xylitol which is highly toxic to dogs.

Cooked Green Beans

Most dogs love cooked vegetables, and green beans are perfect. Green beans are packed with nutrients like Vitamins A, C, and K. Before serving them to your dog cut the green beans up into small pieces, and steam them until they are soft.

Pureed Pumpkin

Pumpkin is food all dogs should eat. Similar to sweet potatoes, it is full of vitamins and fiber, which can help your dogs digestive system. Add a spoonful of pure pumpkin. Do not purchase pumpkin pie filling.

Cooked Eggs

Whether scrambled or boiled, dogs love eggs, and they are filled with protein. Eggs contain iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and essential amino acids. Never feed your dog raw eggs because they could cause salmonella poisoning.

Grated Raw Carrots

Carrots are a veggie you do not have to worry about cooking. Carrots are low in calories and full of Vitamin A. If you plan on serving them raw to your dog, grate them finely or use a food processor then put on top of the kibble.

Watermelon Chunks

Watermelon is perfect during the summer because it will cool your dog down and give him nutritional benefits. Do not feed your dog the rind or seeds. A little watermelon on top of his food gives hydration to your dog.Carrots are also great to add to homemade dog food for heart disease.

Cored & Sliced Apples

Apples are another fruit you should consider giving your dog. Core the apples and slice them into small pieces. Apples are full of fiber for your dogs digestive tract. They are also a good source of Vitamins C and A.

Nutritious Dog Treats

Thebest dog treatsare typically the most nutritious options. If you do not have any of the toppers above on hand, crumble some nutritious dog treats on type of the kibble. Be careful when using treats because they can pack on the calories.Avoid giving too many treats as well as this could be a reason why a dog wont eat his food from being too full.

FAQ About Dog Food Toppers

If youve never added a topper to your dogs food, you likely have a lot of questions. Consider the following FAQ to learn more information.

1.What can I add to my dry dog food for picky eaters?

If your dog is a picky eater, you can add many fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats. Yogurt is also an enticing treat. Make sure any topper is dog-friendly before serving.

2.What can I put in my dogs food to make him eat?

Some dogs are naturally pickier, and some get picky because of health issues [2]. If your dog will not eat at all, consult with your vet. Blueberries and peanut butter are perfect additions to entice even the pickiest of eaters.

3.What can you add to homemade dog food to make it taste better?

If your dog is not enjoying his kibble, you can make it taste better with unsalted, unseasoned broth, fish oil, or olive oil. Each of these will add flavor and proper nutrients.

4.What can I put on top of dog food?

Meat is always a welcome topping for dog food. Cooked meats like beef and chicken add protein and other nutritional benefits for dogs of all ages. Make sure to cut the meat into small pieces.

Bottom Line

Some dogs are picky eaters, and feeding them can become frustrating. With the toppers above, you can entice your dog to eat his food and ensure he has the right level of nutrition.

DIY Eat: Delicious Dog Food Toppers

DIY Eat: Delicious Dog Food Toppers

Easy meal toppers that will have your dog licking his bowl clean!

Easy To Make Dog Food Toppers for Your Pet!

Is your dog a picky eater? Are you trying to encourage an under-the-weather dog to eat more? Or are you interested in homemade dog food but not quite ready to make all your dogs meals? These simple and healthy meal dog food toppers are nutrient packed, a cinch to make, and will have your dog diving into her dinner.

Dog Food Topper #1 Bone Booster Broth

Bone booster broths are a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Cartilage and tendons provide instant chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine.Adding bone broth to your dogs dinner is an easy way for your dog to get quick nourishment. Give it as a special dog treat or use it as a base for your own soups or stewsthis broth is for the whole family! Its also great to use as a topper for a dogs regular meals, whether you feed cooked, raw, or kibble. Bone booster broths even contain stem cells! This broth aids in the healing process if your dog is unwell or recovering.

Ingredients

1 to 2 pounds of chicken or turkey bones OR 2 large beef marrow bones or other marrow bones (Only certified organic bones, with no hormones or antibiotics, should be used for this recipe.)

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or juice from 1/2 lemon

Filtered water

1/2 cup fresh parsley, flat or Italian

Instructions: Place the bones and vinegar or lemon juice in a large pot or crock-pot. Cover with filtered water. Bring the mixture to a boil, skimming off the "particulates" and foam that rise to the top, and then turn down the heat to a low simmer. Leave the bones to simmer away all day or all night. Add the parsley just a few minutes before you drain the broth from the bones. Discard the bones and parsley, but keep all the meat and cartilage, which make a great snack or dinner addition for your dog. Keep the broth in the fridge or store in the freezer until ready to use.

Note about apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar for dogs releases calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and other trace minerals and amino acids from the bones into the broth.

Note about parsley: Parsley improves digestion and is beneficial to the kidneys and urinary tract. It contains vitamin C, pro-vitamin A, calcium, chlorophyll, iron, and magnesium.

Dog Food Topper #2 A Lot of Liver

This recipe takes less than five minutes to prepare!

Ingredients

1 cup raw liver (beef, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, etc), chopped (Only certified organic liver should be used for this recipe.)

2 Tbsp filtered water

1 Tbsp whole flour (optional), such as coconut, hemp, oat, potato, quinoa, or buckwheat flour

Pinch of Turmeric

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a small pan.Gently saut on medium heat until cooked, about five minutes.Make sure it has cooled completely before serving. This recipe can also be easily whirled in a food processor and served as a sauce for an excellent food topper or add extra filtered water and feed via a syringe if your dog is sick.

If you have some leftover liver, try these easy dog treats!

Share you favorite dog food topper in the comments section!

Last Updated: September 18, 2019

20 Most Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

When done right, healthy homemade dog food can offer your pet well-rounded nutrition. It's particularly beneficial for special needs dogs, like those with kidney or heart disease, obese dogs, and liver issues.

Try some of these most healthy homemade dog food recipes below to spice up your pet's diet.

Discuss These Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes with a Vet

Before changing a dogs diet, particularly if your pet has serious health conditions, always discuss this change with your vet.

Show them this list of recipes, let them know what you plan to feed your dog, and ask for their input on healthy variations.

There's no healthy homemade dog food recipe that's a perfect fit for every dog.

While these recipes can sometimes be a better choice than commercial diets.

Feeding this way can also be detrimental to your pet's health if you're not paying attention to the nutritional content of these meals and comparing them with nutritional requirements.

Well-balanced meals are key. For example, if your homemade dog food meal contains too many vitamins, it could cause vitamin toxicity.

On the other hand, if it doesn't provide the dog with enough nutrients, it will cause nutrient deficiency or malnutrition.

You must also know how much to feed your dog and what portions of these healthy homemade dog food recipes are appropriate.

Know also what supplements you'll need to include to make up for the lack of nutrients that your pet requires.

MORE RECIPES: 50 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes

20 Most Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

1. Turkey, Rice, and Greens Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 3 lb. ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 shredded carrots
• 3 cups chopped spinach
• cup peas
• 1 cups rice
• 1 shredded zucchini

Directions:

Cook the rice according to package directions, as you have to do with a few of the other healthy homemade dog food recipes on this list. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the turkey. Crumble the cooked turkey, then stir all ingredients together. Cook the food until the spinach is wilted and the mixture is heated through. Cool before serving.

SIMILAR: Ground Turkey and Lentil Dry Dog Food

2. Tapioca and Egg Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 3 whole chicken eggs
• Calcium carbonate dosed as directed.
• 1 Tbsp. chicken fat
• 2 cups cooked tapioca
• Multi-vitamin and mineral tab. dosed as directed.

Directions:

Hard boil the eggs and allow them to cool completely. Add the chicken fat to a skillet and combine all ingredients while heating. Dice the hard-boiled eggs, and add them to the pan. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Allow cooling completely before serving.

3. Salmon and Broccoli Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 2 portions salmon with skin
• 1 head broccoli
• 3 potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 1 squash
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Chop your broccoli, squash, and carrots and steam until cooked. Shave potatoes and bake in the oven until cooked through. Cook salmon in 1 tbsp. olive oil in a skillet. Once everything is cooked, allow it to cool and mix together well before feeding.

4. Beef, Beans and Veggies Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 cups rice
• 1 cups squashed diced
• 15 oz. drained/rinsed canned kidney beans
• cup peas
• 1 cups carrots chopped

Directions:

Add all ingredients and 4 cups of water to a slow cooker. Stir. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours, stirring periodically. Turn off the heat and stir. Let cool completely before serving.

5. Meat Muttfins for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 cups rice
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 8 eggs
• 2 grated potatoes
• 2 chopped celery stalks
• 4 grated carrots
• cup olive oil
• 3 cups water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 F and grease 36 muffin cups.Add rice and water to a saucepan and cook according to package directions. Let rice cool completely. Mix together carrots, potatoes, beef, celery, and eggs and stir well. Add the other ingredients and mix. Spoon mixture into muffin cups and cook for 45 minutes or until cooked through. Allow to cool before serving.

WATCH:Grain Free Homemade Dog Food

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

6. Muttloaf Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (lean is best)
• cup cottage cheese
• 1 cups rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• 1 cups shredded mixed vegetables

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.Using your hands, combine all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Grease a loaf pan and gently press the ingredients into the pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Cool then slice before serving.

7. Chicken Cake for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. minced chicken
• 1 cup rice
• 1 egg
• 1 apple
• cup corn
• cup peas
• cup carrots

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 340F. Cook the peas, carrots, and corn on the stove until tender. Peel the apple and chop. Cook rice according to package directions. Use a potato masher to mash the vegetables. Add the egg to the vegetables WITH shell and mash completely.

Mix the chicken apple together in a clean bowl and combine thoroughly. Add cooked rice to the vegetable mix. Grease the cake pan and layer half the chicken mix in the bottom of the pan.

Layer 2/3 of the vegetable mixture over the chicken. Use the leftover chicken to make another layer. Top the cake with the leftover vegetable mix. Cook for 35 min or until cooked through. Cool before slicing and serving.

SIMILAR: Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe with Chicken and Rice

8. Salmon Scramble for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. cooked skinless, boneless salmon
• 2 eggs
• cup chopped spinach
• 1 tsp olive oil

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Cook salmon and spinach in the skillet until heated. Break eggs into the skillet and stir while cooking for 2 mins. Mix together, remove from heat and allow to cool before serving.

9. Chicken and Greens Skillet Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast sliced.
• 1 cup quinoa
• 3 handfuls green beans
• 3 cups chopped kale
• 2 zucchinis chopped

Directions:

Cook the quinoa according to package directions then set it aside to cool. Add chicken slices to a skillet and cook until browned. Add vegetables to the skillet and stir. Mix in the cooked quinoa. Allow cooling completely before serving. This is one of the simplest healthy homemade dog food recipes to prepare.

10. Turkey Egg Meatloaf for Dogs

Ingredients:

• ground turkey
• cup rolled oats
• 3 hard-boiled eggs
• 2 raw eggs
• cup peas
• cup chopped carrots

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine the carrots, turkey, and peas in a bowl and mix well. Stir in the raw egg and oats and mix with your hands to get a loaf-like mixture. Grease a loaf pan and spoon half the ingredients into the pan. Add the hard-boiled eggs to the center-line of the pan then cover with remaining ingredients. Cook for 45 minutes or until cooked through. Cool completely before slicing.

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

11. Chicken and Rice for Tummy Aches

Ingredients:

• 2lb. ground chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 3 peeled, diced carrots
• cup canned butternut squash
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed

Directions:

Cook chicken thoroughly in a skillet. Drain chicken fat and set aside. Blend eggs in a blender with a shell then stir into the chicken. Cook chicken and egg mix until cooked through.

Add 2/3 cup chicken mixture, 2 tbsp. carrots, 1/3 cup rice, and 1/3 cup chicken broth to blender and puree. Mix leftover chicken with carrots and rice in a large bowl. Stir in puree until combined thoroughly. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon out round portions. Allow cooling completely before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

12. Beef and Liver Homemade Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. ground beef
• 3 oz. finely chopped liver
• 4 cups rice
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2 cups chopped mixed vegetables
• 9 cups water
• cup rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
• cup milk
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Add the water, rice, and oats to a large saucepan and bring to boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to low. Cook 20 mins or until water has absorbed completely. Spread the mixture in a container to cool. Once cool, cut into servings and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

SIMILAR: Homemade Ground Beef Dog Food Recipe

13. Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner for Dogs

Ingredients:

• cup cooked diced white meat turkey (NEVER use deli meats)
• cup plain mashed potato
• 2 whole eggs
• cup steamed vegetables of your choice

Directions:

Heat a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan. Whisk the egg into the mashed potatoes. Stir potatoes, veggies, and turkey together to mix. Cook in the pan while stirring until eggs are cooked thoroughly. Cool thoroughly before serving.

14. Homemade Winter Stew for Dogs

Ingredients:

• l beef stew meat
• 1 sweet potato
• 1 potato
• cup chopped carrots
• cup flour
• cup water
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Bake the potato chunks until firm but tender. Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook beef through. Set cooked beef aside and add the water and flour to the skillet. Stir while heating until you get a gravy. Mix in the rest of your ingredients into your gravy and cook until heated through. Allow cooling before serving.

SIMILAR: Beef Stew Homemade Dog Food

15. Turkey Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 25lb. ground turkey
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cored/seeded apples chopped
• carrots peeled, chopped
• peas

Directions:

Another of the most healthy homemade dog food recipes, this Turkey Chicken Casserole is easy to prepare. Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cover with water. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours. Turn off heat and stir thoroughly. Allow to cool and mash slightly before serving.

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

16. Homemade Doggy Omelette

Ingredients:

• cup cooked salmon fillet sliced
• 2 eggs
• diced green pepper

Directions:

Add a little olive oil to a skillet and heat on medium. Whisk the eggs before adding to the heated skillet. Cook slightly before adding the salmon and peppers. Fold the egg in half and cook until cooked through. Remove from heat and cool before serving.

RELATED: 20 Pros and Cons of Homemade Dog Food Recipes

17. Doggy Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients:

• ground beef
• cup cored, seeded apples grated
• cup honey
• 2 Tbsp. Omega oil
• 1 Tbsp. parsley flakes

Directions:

One of the easiest healthy homemade dog food recipes to prepare, you simply use your hands to combine all of the ingredients together thoroughly for this one. Break ingredients into small pieces and roll into meatballs. Cook through in a skillet or bake in the oven until cooked. Allow the meatballs to cool completely before serving.

18. Healthy Sardine Cakes for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 2 x 3.75oz. cans sardines in water
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 cups plain mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1 Tsp. dill seed
• Tsp. ground eggshell
• 1 Tsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. parsley

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the sardines completely and chop. Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Use your hands to make cakes out of the ingredients. Place the cakes on the baking sheet and bake for 10 mins on each side or until golden brown. Allow cooling before serving.

SIMILAR: Egg and Rice Homemade Dog Food

19. Healthy Chicken and Turnip Greens

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken leg quarters
• 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
• 12 oz. pureed carrots
• 8 oz. pureed peas
• 8 oz. pureed squash
• 18 oz. chopped turnip greens
• Tsp. ground eggshell
• Tsp. turmeric

Directions:

This is one of the healthy homemade dog food recipes that takes a little work to prepare, but it will pay off when you see Fido enjoying it. First, boil the chicken in a large soup pot until cooked through. Set the liquid aside and let the chicken cool slightly. Remove chicken meat from the skin and bones. Shred the chicken meat, throw out the skin and bones.

Combine all ingredients together in the soup pot including leftover chicken stock and stir. Cook on low until everything has cooked through. Cool before serving.

20. Low-Fat Shepherds Pie Bites for Dogs

Ingredients:

• ground beef
• 1 1/3 cup plain mashed potatoes
• cup peas
• cup peeled, chopped carrots
• cup breadcrumbs
• Tsp. ground eggshell
• 1 Tsp. parsley
• cup shredded low-fat

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375.Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed. Divide mixture between 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Cool before serving.

WATCH NEXT:Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe

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