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If you want to learn how to make your own dog gravy instead, you’ve come to the right place. The internet is full of yummy, nutritious dog gravy recipes!
In this post we cover our top five homemade dog gravy picks along with some healthy and convenient alternatives if you would prefer to buy it pre-made.
5 Delicious Homemade Dog Gravy Recipes
Dogs love gravy because it’s meaty and mouth-watering. Unfortunately, the powdered and canned gravy that we eat isn’t healthy for dogs because of its high fat and sodium content.
Some gravies also contain ingredients like onions that are unsafe for dogs.
Homemade dog gravy starts with healthy, whole, human-grade ingredients.
Keep in mind that gravy can’t replace your dog’s regular diet, just enhance it. Make sure to include the calories from your dog’s gravy into their total daily intake if you feed it to them regularly. Or you can keep it an occasional treat.
These five recipes are simple and use minimal ingredients. Many of these ingredients, like bone broth, veggies, ground turkey, and liver, are high in protein, vitamins, and other things that your dog’s body needs to run efficiently. They don’t just taste good; they offer benefits for your dog!
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1. Kibble Gravy
Many owners feed dry kibble to their pups because it’s affordable and convenient.
Unfortunately, it can be hard on your dog’s digestive system.
Turning kibble into a gravy using this simple recipe from The Canine Chef Cookbook can make your dog’s kibble more desirable and digestible. This recipe has been tried by the author and several happy pet ‘pawrents’, according to the positive comments left on the website. Wet food on a budget!
Also Related: Affordable dog food - 6 Budget-Friendly Canine Nutritious Foods
INGREDIENTS
- One cup bone broth homemade or buy a commercial brand (such as Native Pet) or chicken stock
- 2 tbsp. arrowroot
- 2 tbsp. cool water
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
HOW IT'S MADE
1. Warm broth in a small pot on low heat
2. Mix arrowroot in water until it is dissolved
3. Whisk together the broth and arrowroot mixture
4. Remove from heat when mixture thickens (30 seconds to a minute)
5. Add in seasonings.
Note 1: It’s important not to overheat the mixture because the arrowroot will lose its thickening properties. You also can’t add arrowroot directly to the broth because it will clump. Dissolving it in water first is an important step!
2. DIY Superfood Gravy Recipe for Dog
This simple recipe for dog-safe food gravy is packed with healthy ingredients so you can feel good giving it to your pup.
The liver in this recipe serves as a source of Vitamin E, while peas provide vitamin B, Thiamin, phosphorus, and potassium.
To make this gravy recipe shared by The Pet Gourmet, you will need a frying pan, blender, and an ice cube tray to pre-portion and freeze leftovers.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups of water
- 1 tbsp. oil (sunflower, coconut, flaxseed, or olive)
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 4 oz liver
- ¼ cup frozen peas
HOW IT'S MADE
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat
2. Add ground turkey and liver, cook until browned
3. Add frozen peas and 3 cups of water to meat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes
4. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool, then blend until smooth
5. Cool to room temperature before serving and freeze the rest in an ice cube tray for later!
When you’re ready to use the frozen gravy portions, heat them to room temperature.
Your frozen gravy portions will last for two months, so all you need to do to spice up your dog’s dinner is reach into the freezer and defrost a cube – easy peasy.
3. 2-Ingredient Gravy for Dogs
Gravy is a simple way to spice up your dog’s meals and it’s a great trick for making sure your dog stays hydrated! Because of its low moisture content, dry kibble can be problematic if your dog doesn’t drink enough water in a day.
If you’re looking for a recipe that works for your budget, this 2-ingredient dog gravy recipe by The Dog People is for you.
Also Related: The Best Dry Dog Food of 2022
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups low sodium soup broth/homemade stock
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch or tapioca powder
HOW IT'S MADE
1. Bring 1 ½ cups of broth to a boil in a small saucepan
2. Whisk the cornstarch or tapioca powder with the other ½ cup of cold broth until there are no clumps
3. When broth is at a low rolling broil, slowly add in the cornstarch mixture
4. Bring back to a boil until gravy thickens
Keep in mind that this gravy will get thicker as it cools down. Serve it warm over your dog’s regular food for a tasty treat.
4. Homemade Dog Food Gravy Recipe
Adding gravy to your dog’s food can be helpful for numerous reasons. If your dog is picky or sick and they’re lacking an appetite it could make their food more appealing.
For dogs with teeth problems gravy can make chewing dry kibble more manageable.
This recipe shared by Top Dog Tips is a healthy option that you can use as part of your furry friend’s balanced diet.
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 4 oz. chicken liver
- ¼ cup chopped carrots
- ¼ cup chopped green beans
- 3 cups of water
HOW IT'S MADE
1. Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet
2. Cook turkey and chicken liver thoroughly
3. Add water, carrots, and green beans, cover and simmer for 30 minutes
4. Remove from heat and cool completely, blend until smooth using a blender or food processor.
If you’re using the gravy to soften your dog’s kibble, add some extra water. If your gravy is too thick it won’t soften the kibble enough and your dog may not like the texture.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to three months.
5. Quick and Easy Homemade Gravy Recipe for Dogs
If your pup starts to becomes choosy to whatever he eats here's a great alternative to mixing canned dog food gravy to regular kibble. Canned dog food gravy can be quite expensive so if you're looking for an alternative here's Anne's Instagram recipe for a homemade gravy for Muffin her long-haired Dachshund dog.
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken Gizzard
- Chicken Liver
- Beef Knee Cap (for beef stock)
- A dash of Rosemary
- Flour
HOW IT'S MADE
1. Wash the beef knee cap, gizzard and liver separately. Set aside.
2. Bring the beef knee cap to boil and add a pinch of salt to make a beef stock.
3. Once the beef stock is done transfer it to a bowl. Set aside.
4. Boil the liver and gizzard and add the rosemary. Rosemary helps to neutralize the odor of the liver and gizzard. Once done separate the boiled liver and gizzard in the broth.
5. Using a blender, put the liver and gizzard then blend it until it becomes creamy.
6. Put some flour to the beef stock. Mix until the flour dissolves. Add a bit of liver and gizzard stock to the mixture.
7. Bring to boil the stock mixture and add the blended liver and gizzard. Stir well.
8. Once tiny bubble is popping on the gravy. Remove to the stove and transfer into a container. Put in the fridge.
The gray once done will last up to one week in the fridge. Mix the gravy into your fur babies dried kibbles and you're done!
3 Healthy Alternatives to Homemade Dog Gravy
If you would prefer not to make your dog’s gravy yourself, there are several commercial options that you can buy in stores and online.
The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosts
Daily Boosts Beef Bone Broth comes in 12 packs of 3.5 g sachets making it easy to use as needed. You can serve them as a liquid treat, to rehydrate dried food, or on top of dry kibble.
Best of all, they’re high in protein and made with human-grade ingredients including dehydrated beef and pumpkin.
Buy Now: Amazon
PAWjus SuperGravy
SuperGravy’s PAWjus gravy topping is gluten green, grain free, GMO free, and glycerin free.
Developed by veterinarians, this pre-made gravy comes in a 30-serving bag and can be used as an appetite booster for picky eaters. The ingredients are healthy whole foods like beef liver, dried veggies, and chia seeds.
Buy Now: Amazon
Herb Roasted Chicken Vita Gravy
Vita Gravy is a supplement disguised as a delectable food topper.
Their gravy is made in the USA with glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint support, along with antioxidants, vitamins, and complex minerals. The recipe uses human grade ingredients like long grain rice, chicken broth, and veggies.
Buy Now: Amazon
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Bottom line: Gravy does have a place in your dog’s diet, as long as it’s made from safe, high quality ingredients.
