The Best Foods You Can Put on Kibble to Help Dogs Eat

Dog-friendly sauces that’ll make your dog lick their lips

Co-authored by Allison Weeks and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: September 18, 2023 Fact Checked

So, your dog’s decided to be picky about their food (or, maybe they’ve been extra good and deserve a treat). Either way, a dog food sauce is just what you need! Adding a little more flavor to a dog’s kibble can help them eat or be a tasty reward. But dogs can’t eat the sauce you pour on your ribs—so what do you give them? Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the best dog-friendly foods you can put on their food. Open up your pantry, and let’s see what we can do.

Things You Should Know

Gravy and tomato sauce are safe to give dogs as long as they're low-sodium, organic, and don't have added sugars, onions, or garlic.
Cottage cheese, fish oil, and low-sodium broths can boost your dog’s health while adding flavor to their food.
Always stick with smaller portions when adding sauce to your dog’s food—you want to add flavor without causing a tummy ache.

1

Applesauce

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Coat kibble with organic unsweetened applesauce to aid digestion. Not only is applesauce a yummy, stomach-friendly treat for dogs, but it requires practically no work from you! Simply open a snack-size cup of applesauce, mix it with your dog’s kibble, and watch them gobble it up. ^{[1]
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- Double-check that your applesauce is plain and unsweetened, as some brands may sneak in added sugars that could harm your pup.
- Try making your own applesauce and freezing any leftovers in ice cube trays for cold treats on hot days.
- If you do make applesauce, ensure that there are no seeds in it, as these can be harmful to your dog’s digestive tract.

2

Canned fish oil

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Pour some fish oil over their food for extra vitamins. The good fats and amino acids in fish give your pup a health boost while being super tasty. If you have a can of tuna or salmon , pour some of the liquid on their dinner to aid with heart and eye health. ^{[2]
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- Avoid giving your dog fish or fish oil more than twice a week, as too much fish could make them sick.
- Never feed your dog uncooked fish, as it could contain harmful parasites.

3

Low-sodium broth

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Drizzle low-sodium broth over kibble to whet your dog's appetite. If your dog’s picky, try piquing their appetite with some bone broths. Broths are a great sauce to add to dry dog food, and all you need are a few spoonfuls to get every piece coated. Not only is the broth delicious, but it can also boost your pup’s immune system. ^{[3]
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- Try low-sodium beef or chicken stock and see which your dog likes more.
- Too much salt can be toxic for your dog, so always opt for low-sodium broths. ^{[4]
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4

Unsweetened canned pumpkin

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Water down a can of nutrient-rich pumpkin to coat dry dog food. Unlike other vegetables, pumpkin must always be cooked before feeding it to a dog, which is why unsweetened canned pumpkin is a perfect sauce option. ^{[5]
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Go to source} It’s already cooked and only requires a bit of liquid to make a delicious sauce. Mix canned pumpkin with water or low-sodium vegetable stock to help your pup eat their food. ^{[6]
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- Start by stirring a spoonful of canned pumpkin with 2 spoonfuls of liquid, then add more or less liquid to make the sauce thinner or thicker.

5

Pineapple juice

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Add a little 100% pineapple juice to kibble for a sweet treat. Believe it or not, pineapple is a safe fruit for dogs to eat, and it’s packed with nutrients. ^{[7]
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Go to source} Simply drizzle a small amount over their food and watch them lick their chops!
- As with any sauce, avoid giving your pup too much pineapple juice, as it could cause nausea or diarrhea.

6

Low-sodium gravy

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Make a pot of gravy to toss your dog’s kibble in for an easy snack. Now, gravy may not have many health benefits for your pup, but it sure is tasty! Pour a small amount of low-sodium turkey or pork gravy over your dog’s food to entice them to eat.
- Make sure your gravy doesn’t have any garlic or onions in it, as these could harm your dog’s intestines. ^{[8]
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- Too much salt can be harmful to a dog, causing tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea, so always opt for a low-sodium gravy.
- Try watering the gravy down before giving it to your pup to ensure there’s as little salt in it as possible.

7

Tomato sauce

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Drizzle a small amount of plain tomato sauce on dog food for extra flavor. Have some extra canned organic tomato sauce in your pantry? Mix a small spoonful with water to give your dog’s kibble a soupy texture. Just make sure there are no added sugars, onions, garlic, or other seasonings in the sauce.
- Tomatoes can be a good snack for dogs every now and then, but too many could be toxic, so only drizzle a small, diluted amount of sauce on their food. ^{[9]
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8

Cottage cheese

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Mix a spoonful of cottage cheese with kibble for a special treat. Now, cottage cheese may not technically be a liquid, but it can still coat your dog’s food in a delicious “sauce.” As long as your pup isn’t lactose-intolerant, low-fat cottage cheese can be a perfect treat. ^{[10]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- It’s always better to give your dog less than more when it comes to cheese, as too much can cause digestion and tummy issues. ^{[11]
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9

Homemade BBQ sauce

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Amp up a dog food’s flavor and entice them with a DIY barbeque sauce. Now, human BBQ sauce is toxic for dogs thanks to the garlic and onion seasoning. But who says your pup can’t experience something so finger-licking good? Mix together these ingredients to make a grill-worthy sauce that’s safe for dogs: ^{[12]
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- 1 c (240 ml) of low-sodium beef broth
- 1 US tbsp (0.062 c) of tomato paste
- ¹ ⁄ ₂ tsp (0.010 c) of paprika
- ¹ ⁄ ₂ tsp (0.010 c) of liquid smoke

10

Store bought sauces

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Buy premade dog food toppers to save time. If you don’t have dog-safe ingredients for a sauce at home, no worries! Here are some nutrient-dense alternatives you can buy at your local pet store or online:

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The Best Foods You Can Put on Kibble to Help Dogs Eat

Things You Should Know

Steps

Applesauce

Canned fish oil

Low-sodium broth

Unsweetened canned pumpkin

Pineapple juice

Low-sodium gravy

Tomato sauce

Cottage cheese

Homemade BBQ sauce

Store bought sauces

Expert Q&A

Tips

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References

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