What Can I Sprinkle on My Dog's Food? 11 Safe Ideas
Easy, vet-sensible add-ons to make mealtime more appealing - and what to avoid.
Quick answer: Safe things to sprinkle on dog food include plain cooked meat, pumpkin, a whole-food seasoning, sardines, plain egg and bone broth. Avoid onions, garlic, xylitol, salt-heavy seasonings and cooked bones.
If your dog is bored with plain kibble, a small topping can make the bowl exciting again. The key is sticking to dog-safe, single ingredients and keeping the total under about 10 percent of daily calories.
Safe options include: plain cooked chicken or turkey; a spoon of plain canned pumpkin; a whole-food dog seasoning; a sardine packed in water; a little plain scrambled egg; plain cooked sweet potato; blueberries; a small amount of plain yogurt; a splash of unsalted bone broth; shredded carrot; and a sprinkle of freeze-dried liver.
Just as important is what to avoid: never use human seasoning blends, and steer clear of onion, garlic, chives, xylitol (a sweetener), grapes and raisins, heavy salt, and cooked bones - all of which range from harmful to dangerous for dogs. When in doubt, check our food-safety list.
Want a shortcut that is already dog-formulated? Our whole-food seasonings at everypethaven.com/shop/seasonings/ are made to sprinkle straight on.
Common questions
Is it safe to put seasoning on dog food?
Human seasoning blends are not safe - many contain onion, garlic or heavy salt. A seasoning formulated for dogs, with no toxic ingredients, is safe in small amounts.
Can I add water to my dog's food?
Yes. Warm water or unsalted broth makes kibble more aromatic and adds moisture, which many dogs prefer.
How much is too much?
Keep all toppings and treats under about 10 percent of daily calories so the main balanced diet still does its job.