Homemade Dog Food Topper
This homemade dog food topper is a nutritious, budget-friendly way to boost your pup’s kibble! Made with rice, canned meat or fish, pumpkin, and a custom blend of dog-safe herbs, it’s easy to prep, freezer-friendly, and totally tail-wag-worthy.
Equipment
- 4-quart Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice or other grain; see notes
- 12.5 oz Unsalted Canned Chicken or other protein; see notes
- 1 can Pumpkin Purée or plain mashed sweet potato; or ~2 cups cubed winter squash or sweet potatoes
- 4 cups Water plus more as needed
- 2 teaspoon Dog Spice Mix optional, recipe below; can increase to 1 tablespoon over time
- ½ cup Blueberries or other fruit/veg; see notes
- ½ cup Peas or other fruit/veg; see notes
Dog Spice Mix (Makes ~½ cup)—See Blog Post For Full Notes
- 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley only curly parsley is safe; omit for kidney issues or those who are pregnant
- 1 tbsp Dried Oregano generally safe, watch for tummy upset
- 1 tablespoon Dried Basil generally safe for most dogs, watch for allergies or upset tummies
- 1 tablespoon Dried Dill gentle herb that is safe for most dogs
- 1 tablespoon Dried Chamomile 1-2 torn open teabags; may not be safe for dogs with ragweed allergies or those who are pregnant
- 2 teaspoon Ground Coriander generally safe and well tolerated by most dogs
- 2 tsp Dried Mint avoid pennyroyal or wintergreen mint, which is toxic to dogs.
- 2 teaspoon Ground Mexican Cinnamon Ceylon/canela cinnamon, not cassia which is toxic; if your dog has liver issues or dental issues, skip it
- 2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric safe in moderation for most dogs, but avoid if your pup has gallbladder or bile duct problems. If your dog is on medication, confer with your vet.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger avoid giving to dogs with bleeding disorders or those who are pregnant or on blood-thinning medications
- 1 tsp Dried Rosemary avoid in dogs with epilepsy
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme generally safe in small quantities
Instructions
- Add all spice mixture ingredients to a clean spice grinder and blitz to incorporate. You can also just stir together in a bowl, but shake the bottle every time before using as finer sediment will sink to the bottom. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark spot like the pantry.1 tablespoon Dried Parsley, 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano, 1 tablespoon Dried Basil, 1 tablespoon Dried Dill, 1 tablespoon Dried Chamomile, 2 teaspoon Ground Coriander, 2 teaspoon Dried Mint, 2 teaspoon Ground Mexican Cinnamon, 2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric, 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger, 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary, 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Add rice, chicken (and the juices), pumpkin, water, and dog spice mix to a saucepan. Stir to mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender—about 15-20 minutes.1 cup Long Grain White Rice, 12.5 oz Unsalted Canned Chicken, 1 can Pumpkin Purée, 4 cups Water, 2 teaspoon Dog Spice Mix
- Blitz the mixture with an immersion blender. It will be pretty thick. Stir in the blueberries. NOTE: You can either leave the berries whole (great for dogs who like them as treats) or blend them in (for dogs who lick around them). Use or store.½ cup Blueberries
Notes
Nutrition facts are for 1 tablespoon of undiluted mix using the ingredients in the recipe card. Consult with a vet for further ingredient/dosing guidance. Read full blog post for more tips, tricks, and serving suggestions.
Ingredient Notes:
- Grains - I typically use long grain white rice since it cooks pretty quickly, but you can use brown rice for more fiber. Just note that it takes about twice as long to cook! Alternatively, swap in oats (steel cut or rolled), barley, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, or teff. You may need to add a bit more water and/or cook longer depending on the particular grain.
- Meat - I tend to use either unsalted canned chicken, tuna, salmon, or sardines since they’re pre-cooked and readily available in the pantry. Don’t toss their juices if it’s unsalted and water-packed! Alternatively, use the unseasoned skins from a side of salmon (4-6 filets), or 1 cup of cubed chicken breast or browned ground meat like ground turkey, ground chicken, or lean ground beef. If your pup is meat free, tofu is a good alternative.
- 100% Pure Pumpkin Purée - Winter squash is packed with nutrients, is great for doggie digestion, and adds a nice sweetness my boys love. Feel free to use an equivalent amount of plain mashed sweet potato, or add cubes of the fresh or frozen winter squash (e.g. butternut squash or acorn squash) of your choice. Just make sure to continue to simmer the “soup” until they’re fork tender for easy blending.
- Water - Tap water is basically free, so it’s my go-to. If you have some unsalted bone broth or unsalted beef/chicken stock (from scraps!) that is free from onions, garlic, and other doggie no-nos, feel free to use that instead.
- Doggie Spice Mix (Recipe Below) - Optional, but great for an added nutritional boost. You can increase how much you add over time, but it’s best to start with a small amount—too much can upset sensitive tummies or turn off sensitive noses. Only use culinary dried herbs/spices, never essential oils. Make sure to consult with your vet if your furry friend has medical issues, is pregnant, or is on medications.
- Fruit and/or Veggie Mix-Ins - Fresh, frozen or freeze-dried blueberries, strawberries, and mixed berries, chopped fresh or dried apples or pears (no seeds or cores!), bananas, frozen peas or corn, canned/cooked carrots or beets, steamed broccoli or green beans, celery, zucchini, and even spinach or other leafy greens. Use it as a way to clean out your crisper drawers, or choose based on what your fur babies like best!
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): 1–2 tablespoons (undiluted) per meal
- Medium dogs (20–50 lbs): 2–4 tablespoons (undiluted) per meal
- Large dogs (50+ lbs): ¼–½ cup (undiluted) per meal
- Refrigerator - Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer - For longer storage, freeze in ½ or 1 cup portions using Souper Cubes, silicone muffin molds, or ice cube trays. Transfer frozen portions to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 6 months.
- Defrost overnight in the fridge, or place the frozen portion in a lidded container, cover with boiling water, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes to thaw. I like to add a cup to a quart-sized delitainer and add enough hot water to cover it—this makes enough “soup” for my two dogs for the week.
- Grain-Free - Skip the rice entirely and swap in extra pumpkin or sweet potato, or use cauliflower rice, cooked mashed lentils or chickpeas.
- Sensitive Stomachs - Start simple with just plain rice or oats, lean chicken meat, and pumpkin. Skip adding the spices and new ingredients until you know your dog tolerates the base well.
- Weight Management - Stretch servings with more fibrous veggies (like green beans or carrots) and stick to lean proteins like chicken breast or turkey.
- Hydration Boost - Add extra warm water or salt-free and allium-free bone broth for dogs who don't drink enough on their own. As a bonus, this helps to stretch the batch further!
- You can also get creative with other ways to gussy up the mix. Here are a few optional add-ins:
- Fish Oil - Dogs need 20 to 55 mg of combined EPA and DHA per pound of body weight per day, so I just add a 1200 mg capsule to each of my 70-pound boy’s bowls each dinnertime and use a bit of boiling water to soften the gel caps). If you have smaller pups, consider getting a dropper and vial for dosing.
- Egg Shells or Whole Eggs - Accidentally break an egg or have extra egg shells from another recipe? Toss ‘em in! The shells are a great source of calcium and blend up perfectly. If your pup needs a little extra protein but you want to keep fat low, egg whites are a great option. Feel free to use powdered or liquid whites for convenience!
- Peanut Flour/Peanut Butter Powder - Lower in fat than regular peanut butter, but with all the doggie-friendly flavor. Use pure ground peanuts (without sugar or salt) for the healthiest option. Make sure there is no xylitol or cocoa, which are toxic to pups.
- Taurine - Taurine is an amino acid that supports heart function, vision, and overall cardiovascular health—especially important for certain breeds prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), like Golden Retrievers and Dobermans. While most dogs can synthesize taurine from other amino acids, some may benefit from a supplement. A general guideline is 250–500 mg per day for small to medium dogs and up to 1000 mg per day for large breeds, but always consult your vet for personalized dosing based on your dog’s weight and health status. Taurine is typically sold in powder or capsule form and can be mixed right into the cooled topper.
Nutrition
Calories: 31kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 3gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 7mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1392IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.3mg
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