I think everyone knows that we share our home with a very spoiled and finicky almost 2 year old Siberian Husky named Cannoli. For the last few months we’ve been trying to put some weight on her. This has proven to be a difficult task, not only is she finicky, she’s very active too!
We’ve tried everything to get her to eat her dog food, including switching brands from Merrick, to Blue Wilderness, and now to Solid Gold. All very good dog food, and all on the high end of the spectrum as far as dog food costs. We’ve tried both wet and dry food, and a mixture of both, not to mention a variety of flavors. Nothing seems to work, she turns her nose up at them. In desperation we tried Blue Wilderness Dog Food Toppers. She liked those and picked the toppers out of the dry food. But she can’t live, much less gain weight on toppers alone.
Toppers are meant to make dry food more appealing, they come in small 3 oz. packets which cost almost $2 each. If I had to feed her just toppers, she’d need almost 6 packets a feeding, and she gets 2 feedings a day, that would cost over $20 a day!
Then I noticed the toppers looked like meat cubes in gravy. After discussions with our trainer and breeder we decided that homemade toppers would work. The toppers aren’t meant as a meal, just about 1/4 cup added to her dry food should work. So I started making her toppers and she loves it! It’s even gotten her to eat the dry food mixed in with it!
Last month I made her beef toppers in my crockpot, it was so easy! This month I made her Chicken N’ Gravy Dog Food Topper and she loves it too!
Since it was chicken I didn’t make it in the crockpot, I didn’t want the chicken to get too soft and mushy, she doesn’t do mushy! I told you she’s finicky! I basically stir fried chicken cubes, added some mixed veggies and low sodium chicken broth. I thickened the broth with a bit of corn starch and voila a new topper for Cannoli.
I make a large pot of toppers, put them in freezer safe containers, and thaw them as needed. One recipe lasts a month, best of all it cost lest than $10!
I must add that this recipe is for dog food toppers. It is not meant to replace dog food. Dogs need the balanced nutrients in commercial dog food. However if you want to make your pet homemade dog food you sure can. But before you rush to the kitchen to cook up a batch please do your research, there are many recipes out there. You may also have to give your pet vitamin and mineral supplements to make up for the nutrients homemade dog food may me lacking. Better yet consult your vet before you switch completely from commercial to homemade dog food, he or she will be able to tell you what nutrients are best for your dog.
Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe for Adult Dogs with Bison 22 lb. Bag $64.99
I also have to add that I know it’s tempting to give your pet left over stews but don’t! Most of us season our stews with onions and garlic, these ingredients are toxic to your pet. That’s why I cook for Cannoli, her food is unseasoned and definitely don’t contain onions and garlic. Before you cook anything for you dog check the list of human foods that are toxic to pets so you can avoid them.
Having said that here’s my recipe!
Ingredients:
1 Lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins, chopped into small cubes
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Can Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Can Organic Mixed Vegetables – make sure it has no onions, garlic, or other ingredients that aren’t dog friendly
1/4 Cup Water
1 Tbsp. Corn Starch
Directions:
Heat oil in pan.
Add chicken cubes and cook until done.
Add mixed veggies and broth.
Let simmer about 5 minutes.
Dissolve corn starch in water.
Stir into chicken mixture to thicken.
Cook until broth is desired thickness, but no more than 10 minutes.
Let cool and transfer to freezer safe containers.
Thaw when ready to use and stir into dry food.
If you have a favorite recipe you like to make for your fur baby drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!
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