So you did your research and selected the best possible kibble for your animal. You did it! You solved all your pet problems, right? WRONG! Kibble is just dipping your toe in the vast sea of pet food. Kibble has its many benefits and some kibble are truly already next level but what if there was more to boost your animal’s food? There are many different things you can add to your bowl of kibble that can really elevate the well being of your animal as well as the palatability for some picky eaters. Things like liquid toppers, wet food toppers, raw or freeze dried raw toppers, and supplement toppers. We can give you some examples of each and why they are beneficial.That’s what we’re going to discuss in today’s blog! 

Adding liquid to dry kibble can help your animals hydration and overall digestion.Even just soaking your dog's kibble in a bit of water can change the texture and make it more appealing. Though, other liquids like; broths, raw milk, and oils, are going to do more of a service for your pet. 

Broths are rich in nutrients and are very hydrating; for example, pumpkin broth can aid digestion and diarrhea, bone broths can keep them fuller for longer if your trying to cut back on kibble, and some can have good probiotics to maintain a healthy microbiome. 





Speaking of probiotics, utilizing raw goat’s or cow's milk can also help with maintaining a healthy gut as well as a healthy coat and hydration for pets like cats that can avoid drinking water. To clarify, we are talking about raw milk.The milk we buy for ourselves in the grocery store has been processed and heat treated, lactose is a product of this process. Dogs and cats are naturally lactose intolerant so please avoid feeding them products with high dairy contents to dodge those upset stomachs or noxious gases. Goat’s milk contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin A, and selenium, which support bone health, immune function, and skin health. 




Other items that can help with skin issues are natural oils. Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory properties and benefits for skin, coat, heart, and cognitive function. Coconut oil has medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), often touted for its antimicrobial properties and potential to improve skin and coat health. Oils should always be added sparingly, too much can cause an upset tummy but the right amount can get your dog feeling softer and looking shinier than ever!



Wet food can be more tempting if your animal likes a certain texture. Just like dry food, all wet food is not made equal. Avoid pairing good dry food with bad wet food. Some canned wet foods can be overly processed and cooked. Food loses nutrients the longer you cook it. Incorporating good wet food is a great way to get more moisture, bring up palatability, and aid more in your animal's digestion which makes this a great life hack for picky eaters!

 

If you can, get a wet food can that is as close to raw as possible; or even better, just use raw! Even just adding 20% raw food to a dog's diet can offer several benefits, including improved digestion, better coat health, increased energy, and potentially reduced allergy risks. Raw food can provide a boost of nutrients and enzymes that may be lost during the kibble processing. Raw meat is naturally more appetizing for cats and dogs so this is also a good way to get your fussy pet to eat. This can maintain hydration, a healthy gut biome, and better skin health. Raw-fed pets may produce less stool, and the stool may be firmer and less odorous. Items such as raw whole egg, organ meat, muscle meat with bone, fish, and vegetables.


Alternative to fresh/frozen raw foods is freeze-dried raw products. What is freeze-dried? Freeze-dried raw food is a type of pet food made from raw ingredients that have been processed using a freeze-drying method, which involves freezing the food and then removing the moisture under vacuum conditions. This process preserves the nutritional content, flavor, and texture of the raw ingredients while making the food shelf-stable. Freeze-dried raw food is often preferred for its convenience and ability to retain many of the benefits of a raw diet without the need for refrigeration or thawing. It's important to add water and rehydrate freeze-dried to keep your pet well hydrated. 




If you’re looking for anything else that can be used to boost your bowl, consider supplements if your animal is sensitive or has repeated issues. For example digestive enzymes, multi vitamin, cbd or even just herbal remedies like turmeric for inflammation. Please make sure to do as much research as possible before giving your animal anything new to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your pet!




There are essentially unlimited possibilities of what your dog’s and cat’s meal looks like. We hope this little piece of literature gives you more creative ideas on how to dress up your favorite animal’s bowl! We always have fun prepping breakfast and dinner and it's the best seeing our pets get so excited to eat their food! All the products shown above are things you can find in our shop and there’s SO MUCH MORE to experiment with! Stop by and talk to us about how we can improve your animal’s diet and life!