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

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Dog-friendly sauces that’ll make your dog lick their lips
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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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  1. 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]
    • 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.
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2

Canned fish oil

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  1. 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]
    • 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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  1. 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]
    • 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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  1. 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] 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]
    • 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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  1. 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] 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.
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6

Low-sodium gravy

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  1. 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]
    • 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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  1. 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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  1. 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]
    • 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]
9

Homemade BBQ sauce

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  1. 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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10

Store bought sauces

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  1. 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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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dog nutrition, check out our in-depth interview with Allison Weeks .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-apples/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/my-dog-wont-eat-kibble-now-what/
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/is-salt-bad-for-dogs/
      5. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/news/sharing-caring-foods-you-can-safely-share-your-pet
      6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/my-dog-wont-eat-kibble-now-what/
      7. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/news/sharing-caring-foods-you-can-safely-share-your-pet
      8. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
      9. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-tomatoes/
      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
      2. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/news/sharing-caring-foods-you-can-safely-share-your-pet
      3. ↑ https://be.chewy.com/bbq-sauce-recipe-dog-cat/

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