If kibble is what's in your budget, opt for the highest quality kibble you possibly can. Plus, enhance your pup's bowl with some whole foods.

Kibble Boosters: 8 Fresh Foods to Bump Up Your Dog’s Bowl

If you’re a regular here at Proud Dog Mom then you probably know I’m a big believer in feeding my dogs fresh food filled with real meats and other whole ingredients. Just like with people, diet plays a large role in our dogs’ overall health and happiness. So, when it comes to mealtime, I try my best to offer my furkids an abundance of nutrients that will leave them feeling fueled and in tip-top shape. With all that said …

If you feed kibble, many canine nutrition experts recommend bumping up their bowl with some fresh foods to replace nutrients lost during the high-heat processing. Here are some ingredients worth looking into!


Sardines

Sardines are tiny fish with a very big nutrient profile! In fact, they’re often called one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids (these little guys are one of the best Omega-3 sources for our dogs since they aren’t high in ocean contaminants), protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, calcium, and the list goes on.

When buying sardines for dogs, look for a pack that’s: 

  • In water
  • No extra salt added
  • Plain – no additional flavorings
  • Skinless and boneless

Since sardines pack a big nutritional punch, a little goes a long way. One whole sardine a couple of times a week is great!


Egg

Eggs are rich in amino acids (the building blocks of protein), iron, calcium, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Plus, get this: Dogs can eat all parts of an egg — the whites, the yolk, and even the shell. Yup, the shell too! 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell equals 1000mg of calcium. 


Fresh Veggies and Fruits

Steaming, finely chopping/grating, and mixing some Fido-friendly veggies into your dog’s food bowl is a great way to boost antioxidants, along with other beneficial nutrients. In fact, researchers have found some amazing benefits.

Have you ever watched pet nutrition blogger Rodney Habib’s TEDx Talk called “Why Don’t Dogs Live Forever?” In the eye-opening 15-minute video, Rodney shares research and findings that talk about how a fresh food diet impacts our dogs’ health.

During his presentation (which you can watch here), he quoted a 2005 Purdue University study that asked the question: How does adding a little bit of fresh food to a bowl of processed dog food impact dogs? In the study, dogs ate dry commercial pet food and, at least 3 times a week, some got an assortment of vegetables added to their bowls.

The results? Dogs who ate any green leafy vegetables had reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by 90%. Dogs who consumed any yellow-orange vegetables like carrots reduced the risk by 70%!

Photo Source: Pet Nutrition Blogger, Rodney Habib

Some good veggie options include:

  • Bell pepper
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Kale
  • Spinach

Certain fruits are also a great addition. Blueberries, in particular, are loaded with antioxidants and other key nutrients that are great for dogs.

Check out my Food Facts series to find out more about Fido-friendly fruits and veggies.


Organ Meats, Like Liver

Organ meats are extremely rich in key nutrients. Liver, for example, is high in protein, copper, iron, and zinc. It’s a good source of vitamin A and various B vitamins. Since liver is very rich and offers up way more nutrients than muscle meat (like chicken breast, for example), a little goes a long way. 

According to the experts at Dogs Naturally Magazine: “If your pet tolerates liver without developing loose stools, you should consider feeding up to 1 oz. of liver per day for a medium to large dog, and up to 0.5 oz. per day for small dogs. Feeding double that amount of liver only 2-3 times a week is another good strategy.”

You can add raw, freeze-dried, or dehydrated organ meats to your pup’s kibble. Check out my recipe for baked beef liver bites HERE. Rather than slicing and serving as treats, you can follow this same recipe and then pulse the baked liver in a food processor a few times to create tiny bits. Sprinkle them on top of your pup’s kibble and you’ll instantly enhance the nutrients and flavor!


Digestive Enzymes

In general, digestive enzymes help to breakdown the carbs, fats, and proteins your pup eats. While raw meat and fresh vegetables naturally contain enzymes, once ingredients are exposed to heat, they lose them. And a diet lacking in digestive enzymes could lead to excess burping and farting. 

To take some stress off your pup’s digestive system, increase nutrient absorption, and promote all-around better digestive health, consider adding a digestive enzyme to your dog’s food bowl.  

According to Dog’s Naturally Magazine: “Some kibble may have added enzymes. You can usually recognize an enzyme by words that end in –ase on the ingredient panel. Lipase breaks down lipids or fats. Amylase breaks down starches. Protease breaks down proteins into smaller amino acids. These are only a few of many enzymes. But again, these enzymes may not survive kibble processing. So it’s best to add enzymes in a different way.”

When it comes to mealtime, do you fill your dog's bowl with kibble? If so, there are some things to consider. Read on for selection and storage tips!

Raw Goat’s Milk

This stuff is liquid gold for your canine companion. Raw goat’s milk is rich in both prebiotics and probiotics, meaning it promotes diverse and healthy gut flora (good gut health is key for overall health and wellbeing – in canines and humans)

Plus, raw goat’s milk adds a nice dose of moisture to that dry bowl of kibble.

You can either drizzle it over the kibble, pour it into a separate bowl and let your dog lap some up alongside his meal, or freeze some in small silicone molds and add a frozen treat to their dish.


Bone Broth

Have you ever heard of bone broth? It refers to a nutritious and comforting stock traditionally made by simmering animal bones in water for a long period of time (between 8-24 hours). As the bones simmer, they release powerful vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial healing properties. 

Bone broth is loaded with a gooey substance called gelatin (AKA broken down collagen), which benefits both digestive health and joint health. It’s also filled with nutrients that fight inflammation and benefit the immune system.

Please note: Do not feed dogs bone broth infused with onion or other foods considered toxic to canines.


Pumpkin

Pumpkin is considered a superfood for our canine cuties. It’s loaded with both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it great for dogs suffering from a bout of diarrhea or constipation. That fiber also helps keep our pups feeling full for longer, which means it can aid weight management.

Cooked and pureed pumpkin is easy for our dogs to eat, digest, and absorb. You can either make pumpkin puree (by cooking and then blending it up) or you can buy a can at the store. Just make sure the can says 100% Pure on it, as pumpkin puree pie filling contains ingredients that aren’t good for dogs. 

As for portions, in general, stick with about 1-2 teaspoons for puppies, and no more than 1-4 tablespoons for adult dogs.


Considering Fresh Food?

Like many people, I grew up feeding my dogs kibble. So, when I welcomed my two current pups, Diego and Gigi, into my home, I didn’t think much about driving down to my local pet store and grabbing a bag of kibble. Once I became more interested in dog nutrition, I made the switch to fresh food. I started with homemade meals and then, for convenience, switched over to The Farmers Dog about a year and a half ago.

Since transitioning to a full fresh-food diet, I have noticed some major differences in my dog’s energy level, digestion, and overall health. Find out more about my experience HERE.


Sticking With Kibble?

Here are some resources to help you select the highest quality kibble and store it correctly.