How to Make Homemade Gravy for Your Dog’s Food?

Learn how to make homemade gravy for your dog’s food with simple ingredients and easy steps. Homemade gravy can enhance your dog’s appetite, hydration, and nutrition.

Do you want to spice up your dog’s food and make it more appetizing? One way to do that is to add some sauce or gravy to their kibble or canned food. But what sauce can I add to dog food that is safe and healthy for my pup? 

In this blog post, we will show you how to make homemade gravy for your dog’s food using simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. 

How to Make Homemade Gravy for Your Dog’s Food?

Making homemade gravy for your dog’s food is very easy and quick. You only need a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Here is a basic recipe that you can follow:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of low-sodium chicken stock or broth
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or tapioca flour
• 1 teaspoon of dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of stock to a low boil over medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 1/2 cup of cold stock until no lumps appear.
3. Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the boiling stock, whisking constantly to prevent clumping.
4. Add the sage, pepper, and garlic powder and stir well.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer the gravy for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
6. Let the gravy cool slightly before serving over your dog’s food.

Tips and Variations

• You can adjust the amount of cornstarch or tapioca flour depending on how thick or thin you want your gravy to be. You can also add more or less stock to adjust the volume of the gravy.
• You can use any type of stock or broth that your dog likes, such as beef, turkey, or vegetable. You can also use homemade stock or broth if you have some on hand.
• You can add other herbs or spices that are safe for dogs, such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, or turmeric. You can also add some cooked meat or vegetables that your dog enjoys, such as chicken, beef, carrots, or green beans.
• You can store the leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat the gravy in a saucepan over low heat before serving.

What to Avoid When Making Homemade Gravy for Your Dog’s Food?

While homemade gravy can be a great addition to your dog’s food, there are some ingredients that you should avoid when making it. Some of the ingredients that are harmful or toxic for dogs are:

• Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and other members of the allium family. These can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition that damages the red blood cells and impairs oxygen delivery to the tissues.
• Salt, soy sauce, bouillon cubes, and other sources of sodium. These can cause excessive thirst, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and even salt poisoning in large amounts.
• Sugar, honey, molasses, and other sweeteners. These can cause dental problems, obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders in dogs.
• Chocolate, cocoa, coffee, and other sources of caffeine. These can cause nervous system stimulation, heart arrhythmias, seizures, and even death in dogs.
• Grapes, raisins, currants, and other fruits contain a toxin that can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Xylitol is a sugar substitute that can cause hypoglycemia, liver failure, and death in dogs.
• Alcohol can cause intoxication, vomiting, diarrhea, coma, and death in dogs.