August 25, 2021

Homemade Kibble Topper for Picky Eaters!

Do you have a picky pup? Finding the perfect dog food that a picky eater will actually eat can be incredibly tricky. My Siberian Husky, Luna, has been a picky eater her entire life. Sometimes she would go multiple days in a row without eating! There are many different types of kibble toppers on the market but they tend to be pricy for what you get. Luckily, you can cut down on the cost and the stress of owning a pup who won’t eat with this homemade kibble topper for picky eaters.

Why are some dogs picky eaters?

Rhodesian ridgeback refusing to eat dry dog food

It’s pretty common for a dog to scarf down their kibble at meal time with no problem. In fact, many pups can eat the same food every day forever and never turn their nose up at it. However, a picky eater isn’t all that rare either! There are certain dog breeds that are known for being picky such as the Husky, German Shepherd, Maltese, and Poodle – and I can’t quite say I blame them!

Dog’s don’t want to eat the same food every day! Like humans, they crave a variety of flavors for their daily meals. As dogs have evolved to be pets, and we formed a habit of feeding them one food and sticking to it, they’ve learned to adapt. However, if you want your dog to truly thrive, a variety of foods is necessary for their diet.

Won’t changing up a dogs diet upset their stomach?

This is a misconception for most dogs. Dogs who don’t have underlying health issues should be able to digest a large variety of foods without issue. Providing your pup with a variety of different proteins, produce, etc. will help them keep a healthy gut.

Of course, if Fido has been fed one type of kibble every day for 12 years, introducing something new without a proper transition is likely to cause loose stool or even vomiting. It’s best to introduce your dog to a large variety of meals at a young age whether this be different flavors of kibble or fresh foods with every meal.

Is a kibble topper healthy for my dog?

Short answer, yes! A high quality kibble has the nutrients that your dog will need to be generally healthy. However, fresh foods provide so many good vitamins and minerals for our pets that they can’t get from a strict kibble diet.

All of the ingredients used in my homemade kibble topper have helped keep my dog healthier and happier than she was on a dry food only diet.

What is in my homemade kibble topper?

Chicken Thighs

The number one ingredient in my homemade kibble topper is chicken thighs.

Bone in, skin on, chicken thighs not only provide extra protein for my dog, but also contain a good amount of cartilage. All of the fat and cartilage in chicken thighs help to nourish a dogs bones and joints. This is why I prefer chicken thighs to another part of the chicken, such as the breast.

bone in, skin on chicken thighs are the perfect protein for a homemade kibble topper

I have found Costco to be the best place to buy chicken thighs to get the most for your money. I buy the party pack that comes with 6 individual, frozen packages of thighs. One of the individual packs will last me a week so the entire package lasts me about a month and a half. Typically the whole package only costs me about $11!

Sweet Potato

I love including sweet potato in my kibble topper because they are relatively inexpensive and a great source of carbs. If you’re looking to put some weight on your pup, sweet potato is the way to go!

Sweet potato is a great source of fiber while remaining low in fat. They are rich in vitamins A, B6 and C and also contain calcium, potassium and iron. Not only are they healthy for your pup, but they taste good too! I have never met a dog who didn’t enjoy sweet potato.

Carrots

My dog suffers from KCS (dry eye) and also has cataracts so her eye health is very important to me which is why I make sure to include carrots in my kibble topper each week. But dogs with healthy eyes can benefit from them too!

Carrots are a great source of vitamin A, potassium and fiber. As you’re chopping them up to add to your crock pot, toss your dog a raw one! Raw carrots are a low calorie treat for dogs that are great for their dental health as well.

Green Veggies

I always add a green veggie to my kibble topper for some extra color and nutrients. My personal favorites to add are kale, spinach, and broccoli. All of these veggies contain vitamins and minerals that are great for your dogs overall health.

You can switch any of the veggies in my kibble topper out for whatever vegetable you have in your fridge or is on sale at the store! Most vegetables (with the exception of a few!) are safe for dogs to eat and provide them with plenty of vitamins and minerals.

How do I make my homemade kibble topper?

The best part of this kibble topper is that it is SO easy to make! Everything is able to go in the crock pot and be forgotten about for the day.

I add my chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and carrots all to the crock pot with a tiny bit of water and let it cook on high for several hours until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are mushy.

chicken, sweet potato, and carrots in a crock pot

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the bones and throw them out and then add your green veggies. When I’m using broccoli, I’ll add it about one hour before it’s done. When using spinach or kale I add it 20-30 minutes before it’s all done cooking.

Once everything is thoroughly cooked, I mix it into one big mush and toss it into a Tupperware container for storage! Keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh or make a giant batch and freeze some for later use. My dog gets 1/2 a cup of the homemade kibble topper added to her dinner each night, and this recipe will easily last me one week.

homemade kibble topper mixture in a Tupperware container

And that’s it! It’s so simple and takes very little time out of my week. When I break it down, it only costs me about $5 a week and the health benefits for my pup are priceless!

Note: always talk to your vet before changing your dogs diet. When giving your dog new foods, monitor him closely for signs of illness or discomfort.