Is your dog’s dish looking a little bland?
If you’ve ever been tempted to add something to your dog’s kibble, this article is for you. Healthy dog food toppers can be a fun and effective way to supplement your pup’s diet. With the right ingredients, you can support better nutrition, increase palatability, and boost your pup’s overall well-being.
In this guide, we will show you which wholesome add-ins can safely enhance your dog’s dry food—and maybe inspire a few extra zoomies—without disrupting nutritional balance.
What Can I Add to My Dog’s Kibble Every Day?
If your dog’s dry food is labeled “complete and balanced,” that means it contains the right mix of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your dog needs. Still, there’s always room for improvement! Adding a few fresh, healthy ingredients to your dog’s daily kibble provides extra nutrients that support their overall health. The right ones can even help convince picky eaters to clean their bowls!
Here’s a look at our favorite dog-safe, vet-recommended homemade dog food toppers. Let’s dig in!
Proteins
High-quality proteins support your dog’s muscles, provide steady energy, and contribute to overall wellness. They’re also much tastier than dry dog food!
- Cooked lean meats – Chicken, turkey, beef, or fish provide a clean, high-quality protein boost that helps keep your dog strong, energetic, and satisfied.
- Sardines packed in water – Sardines are a small but mighty protein source that also provides omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and heart health.
- Eggs – Eggs (cooked in any fashion) are a nutrient-rich topper full of protein and essential amino acids for whole-body wellness.
- Cottage cheese – Cottage cheese is a gentle, protein-packed food that’s easy on the tummy when served in moderation.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables add texture, flavor, and valuable nutrition to your dog’s diet. Remember to serve homemade dog food toppers in small amounts!
- Plain canned pumpkin — Plain pureed pumpkin supports healthy digestion and firm stools.
- Cooked sweet potatoes — These beta-carotene-rich veggies provide natural energy and fiber for steady, gentle nutrition.
- Carrots — Raw carrots add a low-calorie crunch that helps clean teeth, plus beneficial vitamins.
- Green beans — Raw or cooked, green beans are a popular low-calorie, highly satisfying vegetable that helps dogs maintain a healthy weight.
- Berries — Blueberries and raspberries are bite-sized, antioxidant-rich fruits that support overall immune health.
Dairy products and supplements
Products in this category can interfere with certain medications, so always ask your vet before introducing dairy or nutritional supplements to your dog’s diet.
- Kefir or plain yogurt — These support smooth digestion and gut health with natural probiotics.
- Fish oil or omega-3 oils — Supplemental fish and omega-3s provide healthy fatty acids that nourish the skin and coat and support joints, heart health, and overall mobility.
- Bone broth — Low-sodium bone broth is a nutrient-rich hydration boost that supports joint health. Always check the label to ensure the broth doesn’t contain onions or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.
- Goat’s milk — Goat’s milk delivers easy-to-digest nutrients that soothe sensitive stomachs and improve overall pet wellness.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Appetite
Sudden loss of appetite or unusually finicky behavior can signal a serious health condition. Always consult your veterinarian if your dog’s eating habits have changed. However, if you simply have a picky eater or a dog who is recovering from illness, understanding what to add to dry dog food can help you tempt their taste buds.
Here are some vet-approved tips for sparking your dog’s appetite.
Warm the food slightly
Gentle warming via microwave or by adding warm water or low-sodium broth makes food more aromatic and appealing. Always check the temperature before serving.
Add moisture
Soaking kibble in water or low-sodium broth helps soften the food and make it more flavorful. Wet food or soft add-ins, such as cooked sweet potatoes, can also boost moisture content and appeal.
Incorporate nutrient-dense toppers
Ingredients like lean meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruits deliver concentrated nutrition—so they provide great health benefits even when fed in moderation.
Rotate safe homemade dog food toppers for variety
Novel or new ingredients can spark a dog’s curiosity and their appetite. While some dogs are content eating the same food every day, others love to be surprised by new flavors, textures, and aromas. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, rotate dog food additives that are easy to digest, such as lean chicken, cooked vegetables, yogurt, or scrambled eggs.
Encourage natural behaviors
No matter their breed or size, dogs still have instincts to hunt and search for their food. When every meal is served in a bowl, they miss out on using those instincts, which can make mealtime feel boring and less rewarding.
A simple way to fix this is to let your dog “work” for their food. Snuffle mats are an easy and fun option that encourage dogs to sniff, search, and problem-solve while they eat. This turns mealtime into a mentally stimulating activity, not just a routine.
Use fabric snuffle mats for dry kibble, and choose silicone snuffle mats when serving JustFoodforDogs or other fresh foods, wet food, and liquid toppers like broth or water.
Important Considerations for Adding Ingredients to Kibble
Spoiling your dog with fresh, healthy ingredients can be fun and rewarding, but you’ll need to keep these tips in mind when modifying your dog’s kibble:
- Avoid harmful foods — Some foods that are safe for people can be dangerous for dogs. Never feed your dog onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate, or foods that contain the sugar substitute xylitol. Even small amounts of these foods can be toxic and cause serious health problems.
- Watch portion sizes — Your dog already gets the nutrition and calories they need from their kibble. Think of add-ins the same way you would treats and keep portions small. All add-ins and treats combined should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake to help prevent weight gain and stomach upset.
- Introduce new food slowly — Just because a food is healthy doesn’t mean it will agree with your dog. Start with one new ingredient at a time and add only a small amount. Watch your dog closely for signs like loose stool, gas, bloating, or vomiting. If you notice any of these, stop the new food and give their system time to settle before trying something else.
- Consult a vet when needed — If your dog’s appetite isn’t improving or you notice other concerning signs, schedule a vet visit to rule out underlying problems.
Make Every Bowl Better With JustFoodforDogs
Fresh, whole-food toppers like the ones outlined here are a simple and effective way to level up your pup’s kibble. JustFoodforDogs makes it even easier to enhance your dog’s bowl—and their overall health—with nutritious, vet-formulated treats and toppers that complement their daily meals. Each vet-inspired recipe helps you elevate flavor, moisture, and nutritional value safely—without worrying about portion, ingredients, or time-consuming prep.
See how JustFoodforDogs makes every bowl better, from our kitchen to yours. Explore our most pup-ular meals, supplements, and treats.
FAQs About Add-Ins for Dog Kibble
Ingredients need to be gentle for a puppy’s developing digestive system. After all, nothing makes house training more difficult than a bout of diarrhea! With growing puppies, digestibility and portion control are key. Consider easy, puppy-safe add-ins like warm water, goat’s milk, pre-made broths labeled for puppies, and small amounts of gently cooked proteins.
Adding moisture boosts aroma, supports better digestion, and increases the palatability of dry food. Our favorite liquid additions include:
Warm water — By far the most convenient and economical, warm water is a simple add-in for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or sensitive digestion.
Dog-safe low-sodium broths — Broths add flavor and nutrients to your dog’s bowl. Always check the label to ensure the broth doesn’t contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Goat’s milk — Goat’s milk contains beneficial probiotics to support healthy digestion, plus dogs like the flavor. Although generally better tolerated than dairy products, too much can cause bloating and gas—so start with small amounts!
Yes! Many pet parents mix JustFoodforDogs with their pup’s dry food. This is generally safe and healthy as long as it is introduced gradually and fed in small portions. While mixing JustFoodforDogs with your dog’s kibble is a great way to enhance taste, perk your pup’s appetite, and facilitate transitions, feeding a well-balanced, fresh diet offers the greatest nutritional benefit for your dog, with no mixing or add-ins required!
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
