Do you want to make your pooch’s meals tastier and more nutritious? It’s easier than you might think. All you need to do is pop in an extra ingredient or two. Keep reading to discover safe, delicious, and wholesome dog food seasoning options that will entice even fussy pups!
How to add flavour and health benefits to your dog’s food
We all want our pooches to enjoy their grub. And seasoning dog food can be a fantastic way to prevent your pup from getting bored of their meals. Not only could it improve the taste of their dinner, but it might also make their chow more nutritious. Even small additions help support wellbeing and encourage picky eaters to tuck in!
Of course, this all depends on you choosing the right ingredients. In addition to being safe for canine consumption, they need to be rich in key nutrients. That could be vitamins and minerals, macronutrients like fibre and protein, antioxidants, or omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
For example, meats like lean turkey and chicken provide plenty of protein. Meanwhile, fish such as salmon and sardines are bursting with omega-3. However, it would be more accurate to describe these as dog food toppings than dog food seasoning. So what falls into the latter camp?
Safe seasoning for dog food
It’s not always easy to know what you can and can’t add to your pet’s meals. Just because an ingredient is suitable for us humans, doesn't mean it’s harmless for our beloved pooches. That’s why we’ve put together the following list of safe and nutritious dog food seasoning ideas. Besides being tasty, each one is a common sight in the supermarket and simple to incorporate into your mutt’s diet.
Fresh herbs – a sprinkle of nutrients
Just as herbs are a great way to add flavour to our meals, they’re a fantastic option for dog food seasoning too. However, not all herbs are canine-friendly, so it’s important to choose the right ones. Some tasty and suitable plants include parsley, basil, coriander, dill, thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary. As well as being flavourful, these plants are aromatic – and therefore more likely to entice your pooch to tuck in.
What’s more, several herbs are rich in vitamins and offer health benefits for our furry friends. For instance, parsley can help to freshen their breath, and dill is good for digestion. Meanwhile, rosemary has antibacterial properties, and oregano acts as an antioxidant.
To use herbs as homemade dog food seasoning, simply sprinkle them on top of your pet’s normal wet food. Both dried herbs and washed fresh ones are fine, and you only need a pinch of either.
Super spices – wholesome and flavourful
There are several pooch-friendly spices you can use as dog food seasoning that bring both flavour and health benefits to their bowl. For example, research suggests that ginger has the potential to alleviate nausea and vomiting in pups.(1) Meanwhile, turmeric acts as an antioxidant and protects your pet from the harm caused by oxidative stress. The ingredient may also be helpful for reducing inflammation and easing conditions like osteoarthritis.(2)
Another spice your mutt might enjoy as dog food seasoning is cinnamon. As well as being tasty, this ingredient could help to support your pup’s heart health and lower their blood pressure.(3) Cinnamon could additionally be useful for managing your pooch’s blood glucose levels.
When using spices as homemade dog food seasoning, less is more. You only need to sprinkle a tiny amount into their meals for them to enjoy the benefits. Never feed your pet spices on their own – always add them to wet food. Inhaling powdered spices could cause animals to cough, choke, or have difficulty breathing. Likewise, chewing on cinnamon sticks may irritate your pooch’s mouth.
Low-sodium broth – tasty hydration
Bone broth can be a wonderful way to boost your dog’s hydration levels and make their dinner more flavourful. Ensuring your pup stays hydrated is vital for their wellbeing, helping with everything from temperature regulation to digestion. Bone broth is also rich in collagen, which supports your pooch’s joint health and cares for their skin and coat.
What’s more, using broth as dog food seasoning increases your pet’s intake of certain minerals and amino acids. These include glycine, which looks after the liver and gut, as well as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. Such minerals are important for muscle contraction, the nervous system, and energy production.
Any broth you make or buy for your pup must be unsalted, and free from ingredients like onion and garlic. That’s because these are toxic to our furry friends. Pour a little over their kibble as dog food seasoning, or even add some to their water bowl. You can also try freezing some broth into ice cubes to help your pooch cool down on hot days!
Nutritional yeast – yummy B vitamins
Both nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast are great choices of dog food seasoning. This is thanks to their high levels of B vitamins and amino acids. Our pups can’t make B vitamins by themselves, so they need to get them from their diet. And they’re crucial for their immune system, energy levels, metabolism, skin health, brain health, and keeping their fur shiny. Research also suggests that yeast can benefit your canine companion’s gut microbiota and lessen inflammation.(4)
To use nutritional yeast as homemade dog food seasoning, simply sprinkle a quarter of a teaspoon into their wet food. It has a nutty, cheesy flavour that lots of pups love, so should suit fussy eaters too! However, bear in mind that nutritional and brewer’s yeast may not be suitable for all animals. If your pup has a yeast allergy or compromised immune system, or is taking medication, check with a vet first.
Yoghurt or kefir – a creamy probiotic treat
Adding a dollop of yoghurt or kefir to your pooch’s meals is another nutritious way to season them. Both can act as a probiotic, which means they contribute good bacteria to your dog’s gut microbiome.(5) This is important because the gut microbiome affects everything from the immune system to brain health. As such, probiotics could help to support immunity, alleviate digestive problems, and relieve skin allergies. They might even be able to ease anxiety and stress.
However, not any old kefir or yoghurt will do. It must be plain, low-fat, and free from flavourings, added sugars, and sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic to pooches. Another factor to consider is that some dogs are lactose intolerant. If your pup experiences tummy troubles like vomiting or diarrhoea after eating dairy yoghurt or kefir, try plant-based options instead.
To add yoghurt or kefir to your mutt’s diet, try coating their kibble with it like a sauce. Alternatively, you can offer it to them plain, or freeze it into a cooling treat.
Fresh berries – fruity goodness
Berries are a nutritious option for dog food seasoning that you’ll be happy to share with your furry friend! They’re low in calories and high in vitamins and antioxidants, making them a super wholesome choice. Of course, you need to be careful which ones you go for. Pup-friendly berries include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. It’s best to use store-bought fruit rather than pick your own, because some wild berries are toxic to pooches. Those to avoid include juniper berries, cherries, and holly berries.
Always wash fresh fruit before offering it to your pet, and remove any stems, seeds, or leaves. Depending on the size of your mutt and the berries, you might also want to cut them into smaller pieces. Then pop them on top of your pet’s dinner. Alternatively, you can mash them and mix them into wet food.
Don’t forget that some berries are high in sugar, so you should only give them to your pet in moderation. And if your pup has diabetes, check with a vet before feeding them any fruit.
Pumpkin – rich in fibre
The final ingredient on our list of healthy dog food seasoning is pumpkin. This fibre-rich vegetable helps to support digestion and ease tummy troubles like diarrhoea and constipation. In addition, it slows the absorption of glucose into the body, which aids with blood sugar management. Pumpkin is also an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E.
Only add plain, cooked pumpkin or pumpkin purée to your dog’s meals. Raw pumpkin can be hard for them to digest, and the stem and leaves may irritate their mouths. You should steer clear of mixes like pumpkin pie filling, because these contain spices and sweeteners that are toxic to pets. As always, small quantities are all you need.
Unsafe seasoning for dog food
As well as knowing what’s safe to use as dog food seasoning, we need to know which ingredients to avoid. Some people-friendly foods that are dangerous for our pups to consume include:
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Garlic
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Nutmeg
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Onions, chives, and leeks
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Macadamia nuts
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Chocolate, cocoa powder, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol
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Avocados
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Alcohol
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Grapes
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Raisins and currants
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Bread dough
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Caffeine
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Excessive amounts of salt
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Fruit pits and seeds
Although not human food, plants like lilies, foxgloves, and wisteria are also harmful to mutts if they eat them. Before buying flowers or planting any in your garden, we recommend confirming if they’re poisonous for pups.
If you think your pooch may have ingested any of these ingredients, take them to the vet immediately. Even tiny amounts can be toxic.
How to season dog food
We’ve explained the best ways to use each dog food seasoning we’ve talked about. However, there are also a few general guidelines to bear in mind when adding new ingredients to your pet’s diet. For example, it’s preferable to introduce them gradually, in small quantities, and one at a time. This allows your pup’s digestive system to get used to the seasonings and reduces the risk of tummy troubles.
Speaking of which, it’s advisable to monitor your pooch after they tuck into a new food. Although rare, there’s a chance they could be allergic to a certain ingredient. If you notice any unwanted symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea, stop giving them the seasoning and consult a vet. They’re also the person to contact if you’re at all unsure about what you can and can’t feed your mutt.
Rather than adding every single dog food seasoning to the bowl, it’s sensible to rotate them. This helps to keep things more interesting for your furry friend! And finally, remember to consider the calorie content of your chosen seasoning for dogs when dishing up your mutt’s meals. If appropriate, reduce the amount of normal dog food you give them to compensate for the extra grub.
Boosie’s flavourful and health-supporting food toppers for dogs
As well as the everyday dog food seasoning ideas above, you could try adding functional foods to your pet’s diet. Here at Boosie, we offer a range of ingredients specifically designed to support your canine companion’s health and wellbeing.
For instance, you could choose a medicinal mushroom powder like lion’s mane to benefit their gut, brain, and immune system.(6) Alternatively, try sea buckthorn oil to care for your pup’s skin, eyes and coat, or ashwagandha powder for stress relief.(7) Each one is organic, bursting with nutrients, free from additives and preservatives, and easy to use. Think of them as seasoning for dog food and simply mix the recommended dosage into your dog’s normal meals.
Functional foods may not be suitable for every mutt. As an example, you shouldn’t give them to puppies, or dogs who are pregnant or nursing puppies of their own. If your pet has an existing health condition or is on medication, consult a vet before giving them functional foods. This is to confirm that they’re appropriate for your pooch’s individual needs.
Final thoughts on dog food seasoning
Seasoning dog food is by no means a requirement for keeping your pup healthy. However, it can be a simple and effective way to make their meals tastier and more nutritious. So, which ingredient will you try first?
