How to Upgrade Your Dog's Food

We all love our dogs, they're pretty much family! To treat them to more variety and nutrition and keep them healthy, I created this instructable to share the many things I have added to fix up my dog's food.

It all started a while ago when my dog, Ellie, started to get tired of eating the same thing every day. (I don't blame her.) She was getting older, prompting my family to find more ways to add variety to her food. I have tried many things and found several affordable and convenient options.

So let's dive in!

One of the first things we tried was adding a little heat and moisture. Add a tablespoon of water and mix it around. Then microwave for about 20 seconds, just enough to warm it up.

It should look like dog food stew!

Another option is to add a small amount of a different kind of cat or dog food. Since my family has gotten a cat, I have sprinkled a tablespoon of cat kibble onto my dog's food. A very quick and convienent option.

Fresh dog food is rather pricey compared to dry dog food, but using it as a supplement to dry food works great! My family buys the big 28 oz rolls of fresh food and freezes half, as it will spoil before we use the entire roll. We keep the unfrozen half in the fridge in a bowl, to crumble in Ellie's food.

You can buy it online or find it in the refrigerated dog food section in most grocery stores.

When you cook scrambled or hard-boil eggs for yourself, why not do an extra egg or two for your dog?

Another option is to cook an egg directly in the dog bowl. Grease the bowl a bit, if it isn't already a bit greasy, add the dog food and egg, stir it up, and microwave in 30-second intervals until the egg is cooked. Let it cool, and show your dog the new gourmet dish!

So many fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs' consumption. The trick is finding the ones your dog likes.

Ellie has not liked any of the fruit we have offered her, but loves peas, green beans, and broccoli. So when we have leftovers of those vegetables, I cut and/or mash them up and mix them with Ellie's food.

Cooked squash, sweet potatoes, and canned pumpkin are good for dogs. With the canned pumpkin, make sure it doesn't have any additives and definitely don't do pumpkin pie filling. :)

Many nuts are not safe for dogs to eat, and anything high in fat like nuts or milk products should be eaten in very small amounts. But adding peanuts, kefir, yogurt, or a dribble of coconut oil is a good treat on occasion.

I add a small handful of roasted peanuts and rinse them to remove the added salt.

Lastly, in our parade of dog food additions, add some of your dog's treats. Things like freeze-dried chicken or broken-up dog treats. This is one that you should be sparing with but is a sure way to encourage eating.

Always make sure that what you give to your dog is safe. A quick online search is always wise.

Here is a list of some common things to avoid:

-Onions, grapes, all nuts except peanuts

-Salt/Seasoning/Additives

-Blue cheese

If you have any concerns it is always best to consult a vet first.

Hope your dogs love it as much as Ellie does!