4 Homemade Dog Gravy Recipes for Finicky Canines

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

Looking for a way to entice your dog to eat their food? A dog food topper might be the answer! Adding gravy to your dog’s meals can make them more appealing and boost their appetite.

We’ve got 4 healthy and savory homemade dog gravy recipes that can be used as a dog food topper. Whether your dog is a picky eater or dealing with chronic health issues, these recipes can help encourage them to eat and maintain a balanced diet.

Try these recipes and watch your dog’s mealtime enjoyment improve!

Creamy Bone Broth Dog Gravy

Bone broth is an excellent source of minerals like calcium and phosphorus and other nutrients like chondroitin and glucosamine. Making it a main ingredient in dog gravy promotes a strong immune system, healthy joints, and better gut health.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups unsalted bone broth
• 2½ tablespoons tapioca flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, heat bone broth for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the almond milk, applesauce, and tapioca flour. Mix well until all lumps are gone.
3. Add the mixture to the bone broth and whisk thoroughly until a thick dog gravy is formed.
4. Increase the heat to high. Then reduce the heat to a simmer once the homemade gravy comes to a boil.
5. Cover the pot and let the dog food gravy cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until its amount is reduced by half.
6. Pour the mixture into a blender or a food processor. Puree it until it has a smooth consistency.
7. Allow the bone broth gravy to cool down before using it as a food topper for dogs.

Notes:

• Create a bone broth from scratch by filling a stockpot ⅔ full with water. Place the grass-fed beef bone inside and turn on the heat to medium-high.
• When the liquid reaches a boil, cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for at least 10 to 12 hours. Around this time, the bone broth should be reduced by ⅓ or ½. Make sure to remove any fat that coagulates on the surface.
• Remove the beef bones using tongs. Allow the broth to cool down completely before straining it. Pour the liquid into an airtight jar and store it in the freezer for up to 1 to 2 months.
• Thaw and reheat the bone broth whenever you want to use it as an ingredient for dog gravy for dry food.

Vegetable Stock Dog Gravy with Mushrooms

What kind of gravy can I give my dog? Homemade vegetable stock dog gravy with mushrooms is a nutritious option for your pooch.

Vegetable stock contains good amounts of fiber that support digestion, while edible mushrooms are rich in immune system-boosting antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup brown rice flour
• ¼ cup portobello mushrooms
• ¼ cup cremini mushrooms
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the cremini and portobello mushrooms and fry them for 10 to 15 minutes until they turn golden brown.
2. Add the sage and thyme to the saucepan.
3. Mix the coconut milk with the mushrooms. Stir occasionally until it simmers.
4. In a medium pot, bring the vegetable stock to a boil.
5. Pour the coconut milk and mushroom mixture into the pot.
6. Whisk in the brown rice flour until no clumps remain.
7. Reduce the heat to low for 10 minutes once the gravy for dogs reaches your desired thickness and consistency.
8. Let its heat cool off to warm before pouring it on your furry pal’s dry dog food.

Notes:

• If the gravy is too thin, take out a small portion and place it in a small bowl. Add at least 1 teaspoon of brown rice. Whisk until it has no clumps.
• Pour back the mixture into the larger batch of homemade dog gravy. Repeat this process until the gravy thickens.
• On the other hand, if the gravy is too dense, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable stock at a time until you achieve your desired consistency.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Dog Gravy

Pumpkin and oatmeal are both low in calories and loaded with fiber. They increase your dog’s satiety and prevent food begging in between mealtimes. Use them as a gravy dog food topper to help in weight management.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 cups diced fresh pumpkin
• 3 cups water

Instructions:

1. Blend the fresh pumpkin in a food processor or a blender until smooth.
2. Heat the rolled oats in water. Once it reaches a boil, allow it to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Add the pureed fresh pumpkin to the oats. Cook for at least 10 to 15 minutes before turning off the heat.
4. Wait for the homemade dog food gravy to cool before using it as a dry kibble topper.

Note:

• If you cannot get ahold of fresh pumpkins, use unsweetened pumpkin puree instead. Avoid choosing pumpkin pie filling since it may contain toxic ingredients for dogs, like nutmeg and cloves.

Lamb Liver Dog Gravy

A dog needs protein to keep various body processes functioning without a hitch. Lamb liver is an organ meat that contains dense animal proteins. This recipe uses lamb liver to create a nutrient-heavy dog gravy. Try it out.

Instructions:

• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons garbanzo flour
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced carrot
• 3 cups water
• ½ pound lamb liver

Ingredients:

1. Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan on medium-high heat.
2. Add the lamb liver, celery, parsley, rosemary, and carrots. Then saute them for 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Pour the water into the saucepan. When it simmers, add the garbanzo flour and whisk until smooth.
4. Cover the saucepan and lower the heat. Leave the lamb liver dog gravy topper to continue simmering for 30 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to a food processor. Blitz the dog gravy, so it is free from lumps.
6. Garnish the dog food topper with minced fresh mint.

Why These Are the Some of the Best Dog Gravy Recipes

All of our homemade dog gravy recipes are made using natural ingredients. They are free from artificial flavoring and preservatives, which do no good to your canine friend’s health.

Moreover, each recipe contains superfoods such as mushrooms, olive oil, pumpkin, and liver. They are enriched with nutrients that give your dog’s health a big boost, making him more protected against canine illnesses.

Our homemade dog gravy recipes are also easy to tweak according to your dog’s preferences. You can simply swap out ingredients that he is allergic to or have a dislike for with other appropriate alternatives.

Do Not Feed Dogs Gravy Made for Humans

Regular gravy specifically made for human consumption is dangerous to dogs. They contain high concentrations of fat and sodium that can cause health issues like kidney problems, obesity, and pancreatitis.

Some ingredients they use are toxic to dogs like shallots, onions, and garlic. Thus, we advise dog owners to make a separate canine-friendly gravy for their four-legged friends instead of sharing traditional gravy with them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Gravy

1. Is Gravy Good for Dogs?

Gravy is good for dogs as long as it is dog-friendly. It should be free from harmful ingredients that could make him sick. Using it as a dog food topper encourages picky eaters and pooches with no appetite.

2. When Is Gravy Bad for Dogs?

Homemade gravy for dogs starts being bad for canines if they consume it excessively. Some dog gravy recipes are too rich for their sensitive stomachs, while others are loaded with fiber. In large quantities, they can cause stomach upset.

With this in mind, only feed dog gravy to your pooch once in a while. Reserve this special treat for special occasions or when your dog refuses to eat his food.

3. How Long Can Gravy Dog Food Toppers for Dogs Be Stored in the Fridge?

Homemade dog gravy can last around 3 to 4 days when stored in the fridge. Placing them in the freezer will make them last longer, up to 4 to 6 months. Just put the dog food topper in an airtight storage container to retain its freshness.

4. What Can I Use Instead of Gravy for My Dog?

You can use hot water instead of gravy for your dog when you are in a rush. Pour it into his food and let it cool to warm before serving to avoid scalding his mouth.

Allowing your dog’s food to soak in hot water helps it release more aroma, which will make his meals more enticing to his senses and appetite.

Other options you can try are adding a dollop of low-fat and sugar-free Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce to his food.

5. Can Humans Eat Dog Gravy?

Yes, humans can eat dog gravy but its taste may not be as appealing as traditional gravy. The measurement of ingredients may need a few adjustments to make dog gravy’s flavor suit our taste.

Summary

Homemade dog gravy is a great dog food topper for the meals of fussy dogs. It emits a mouthwatering aroma that stimulates their appetite and encourages them to eat.

Compared to traditional gravy, it is low in fat and sodium and made with dog-friendly ingredients. Thus, canines can safely enjoy snacking on dog gravy in moderation.

We have briefly talked about bone broth in one of our recipes. It has many nutritional and health benefits in store for your pooch. Learn more about it in our article, “Is Bone Broth Good for Dogs?”