Gravy adds flavor and moisture to even the blandest of meals. Your dog thinks so too and pouring some flavorful gravy over his regular kibble is sure to get his mouth watering. You can choose prepackaged gravy, make special doggie gravy or even share some drippings from your favorite dinner.
Prepackaged Gravy
Gravy is available in prepackaged form for quick and easy use. Simply open up the can, warm and serve. Unfortunately, many prepackaged gravies contain high amounts of salt, which is not good for your dog. When choosing prepackaged gravy, carefully read the labels and look for ones with low sodium.
Homemade Broth Gravy
To ensure the gravy you serve your dog has only ingredients good for him, consider making broth gravy from scratch. Those leftover chicken or beef bones from dinner are a perfect place to start. Place them in a large pot on the stove. Cover with water. Add some cut vegetables, such as carrots and green beans. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 to 60 minutes. Using a spoon or tongs, remove any bones from the pot. Place the broth, meat pieces and vegetables into a blender or food processor and run until mixed. Place the mixture back into the pot. Add a spoonful of flour or cornstarch to thicken the gravy if desired. Allow to cool slightly before pouring over your dog’s kibble. Place the remaining gravy in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
Diet Gravy
Just because your pooch is tipping the scale a little too much, don’t think gravy has to be out. Pumpkin offers dietary fiber as well as beta-carotene and vitamin C. Veterinarian Christine Zink recommends substituting 1/3 of your dog’s regular kibble with 2/3 pumpkin. Make sure that this is plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. To turn that pumpkin into yummy gravy, place it in a blender and gradually add water until you reach the desired consistency. Pour over the kibble and serve.
Meat Drippings
The next time you dine on a nice roast and have a pan full of meat drippings, set some aside for your begging pooch. While many dogs are happy to have this poured directly on their food, you may choose to thicken it up a bit by adding a spoon of flour and mixing until thickened.
Considerations
When you make your own gravy, items like onions, garlic and salt might make your list of regular ingredients. However, these items can be toxic to your pooch so leave them off the menu. Before adding gravy or any new food item to your dog’s regular diet, consult with a veterinarian to make sure you are meeting all your dog’s nutritional needs.
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Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.