You can mix healthy additions like cooked lean meats (chicken, beef), veggies (carrots, pumpkin, green beans), fruits (blueberries, apples without seeds), dairy (plain yogurt, cottage cheese), or fish (sardines in water) into your dog's dry food for extra flavor, nutrients, and hydration, but always ensure they are cooked without seasoning and avoid toxic ingredients like onions, grapes, or chocolate. Broth or water also softens kibble and adds moisture.
Bone broth, goats milk, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, plain yogurt, local organic honey, cottage cheese, apple sauce (no sugar added) raw egg, cooked egg (for sensitive stomach, fish oil...
Carrots, green beans, apples, blueberries, or bananas are tasty options. Keep in mind that the bulk of your dog's meal should be kibble. Aim to have your dog's dish consist of 3/4 kibble and 1/4 add-ins. Cut any fruits or vegetables into bite-sized pieces and mix thoroughly with the kibble (don't just sprinkle on top).
Add raw or lightly cooked meat or eggs
Eggs can be raw or lightly scrambled. Topping kibble with lightly cooked foods can improve palatability.
Most commercially prepared dog food does not contain enough high-quality protein, so it is a great idea to add chopped, cooked chicken, lamb, beef or turkey meat. Do not add any salt, but you can add a bit of basil, turmeric, parsley, oregano or thyme for flavor if you wish.
Processed meats, including deli meats and hot dogs, offer numerous reasons why you should avoid feeding them to your dog from the additives, salt content, choking hazard, and the fat contents. Hot dogs are packed full with additives ranging from seasonings, sweeteners, and preservatives that are not healthy for dogs.
Soaking dry kibble with warm water will bring out the smell by warming the meaty fats within the food, an aroma which dogs and cats find appetising. Cats, as natural hunters may also prefer the warmer temperature (similar to body temperature). ).
The 10-Minute Rule
Put the bowl of dog food down and stand over them, waiting. If they ignore it and look up at you, just wait. Wait for 10-15 minutes and don't distract them. If they don't touch their food in that period of time — pick the bowl up and walk away.
Dogs are natural carnivores, and their ancestral diet was rich in animal proteins. Flavors like beef, chicken, and pork are particularly enticing to them. The savory and umami taste of meat triggers a pleasurable response in dogs, making meat-flavored treats a surefire hit.
How To Get A Picky Dog To Eat
The 90/10 rule for dogs means 90% of their daily calories should come from a complete, balanced dog food, while only 10% should come from treats, training rewards, and any extra human foods or toppers, preventing nutritional imbalances and obesity. This guideline ensures essential vitamins and minerals are met through their main diet, keeping treats as occasional indulgences rather than dietary staples.
Yes, dogs can eat cooked eggs in moderation. Boiled, scrambled, and poached are all great options—as long as they're plain and not cooked in butter or oil. Raw eggs should be avoided due to potential health risks such as salmonella and reduced nutrient absorption.
Top This! 5 Healthy Dog Food Toppers
The "95% Rule" for dog food, set by AAFCO guidelines, means if a food is named after an ingredient (e.g., "Chicken Dog Food"), that ingredient must make up at least 95% of the product's weight (excluding added water). If two ingredients are named ("Chicken & Rice"), they must total 95% (minus water), with more of the first ingredient listed, and each must be at least 3%. This label indicates a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, contrasting with "25% Rule" (e.g., "Chicken Dinner") or "With" Rule (e.g., "with Chicken") products, which contain much lower percentages.
Some easy homemade meal topper options include bone broth, pureed vegetables, plain yogurt, mashed sweet potato, scrambled eggs, canned pumpkin, and small amounts of cooked lean meats. These DIY dog food toppers are simple to prepare and can be a great way to use leftover ingredients from your own meals.
What to Mix With Your Dog's Kibble
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Dogs say "I love you" through actions like leaning on you, making soft eye contact (releasing oxytocin), following you around, bringing you toys, licking, gentle tail wags, and cuddling, all signs of trust, affection, and bonding that show they feel safe and happy in your presence.
Meat, poultry, and fish, the staples of many human diets, also appeal to dogs. Beef, liver, lamb, chicken, turkey, shrimp, and fish are high in protein, which your dog needs for a sleek coat, healthy weight, and strong muscles and immune system.
Dogs with picky eating habits may benefit from food that combines aroma, texture, and nutritional density tailored to their life stage. Dry food recommendations like Eukanuba Premium Performance 30.20 offer balanced nutrition and enhanced palatability.
Studies suggest that feeding an adult dog once a day is most beneficial to their health. But veterinarians often recommend at least two meals a day for dogs. Puppies need to eat two to four times a day until they reach a year old. Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) can lead to overeating and obesity.
In short, yes. Whilst we like to think of them as our babies (guilty!) dog are animals and their natural instinct will take over when they're super hungry. Your dog will eventually eat - it may just take a little time.
Typically, by the age of 8-12 weeks, puppies can start transitioning to dry kibble without water. However, always monitor your puppy to ensure they're comfortable and eating properly.
What to Add to Dog Food
Serving Suggestions: You can serve bone broth on its own, mix it with your dog's regular food, or freeze it into ice cubes for a refreshing treat. These methods make it easy to incorporate bone broth into your dog's diet in a way that suits their preferences.