This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend a product or service I don’t personally use.
The world is crazy right now and supply chain issues are affecting everything, including pet food. Because we are living in my car, I’m not feeding Sheila full raw. The easiest and least processed food for me to feed is dehydrated, I usually stick with Sojos or the Honest Kitchen. But lately, it’s been kind of hit or miss if I can find what I need. A few times my only options were canned or kibble. It’s disappointing to me but I still incorporate as much fresh food into her diet as possible.
So what do I do to boost her bowl when using a kibble?
Add moisture
Kibble has so little moisture and is very dehydrating. Adding moisture can enhance the smell to your dog, benefit digestion, and depending on what you add, have nutritional benefits as well.
Sometimes I’ll just add warm water but whenever possible I will use dehydrated bone broth or goat milk for a little health kick.
Use whole food supplements
Synthetic supplements have their place but I like to utilize whole foods whenever possible, and I always supplement with purpose. Since Sheila is so active I want to protect her joints and keep them strong and healthy as she ages.
Green lipped mussels are awesome for joint health! They are naturally anti-inflammatory and a rich source of glucosamine. I used a ground GLM powder from Real Dog Box. The only ingredient is the mussels! I add 1 tsp to her food every day for extra flavor and nutrients.
Add seafood
Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely important in a dog’s diet. Kibble is often high in omega 6s and too much of an imbalance can lead to inflammation. Not to mention those 3s are needed for healthy skin and coat!
Adding seafood is an easy way to get those omegas! Bottled fish oil can oxidize rapidly so whenever possible, fresh is best. In a pinch, canned sardines or anchovies (in water, no added salt) are excellent toppers.
To make my life easy I use air-dried seafood treats. My monthly seafood from Real Dog Box is great. I also stock up on anchovy or salmon bits from their secret shop.
Top with air-dried treats
Muscle meat treats are a simple and nutritious topper. They’re also calorie-dense which is great for a dog like Sheila with a fast metabolism that struggles to keep weight.
Currently, I’m using a bulk bag of air-dried pork hearts. I like to rotate the proteins when possible and will switch to turkey gizzards next month!
Always add fresh food
If you are feeding kibble, whether because it’s your preference, for financial reasons, or for any other reason you should always add fresh food whenever possible.
It’s all about balance.
Other great fresh food toppers to enhance your dog’s bowl include
- eggs
- steamed or pureed veggies (especially dark leafy greens)
- raw meat scraps from your food prep