This Homemade Dog Food Seasoning is loaded with flavor and beneficial nutrients. Sprinkle this DIY mix on your pup’s food or use it when making dog treats.
Just like human food, sometimes we want to add a little something extra to homemade food for our furry friend. There’s a safe way to add small amounts of seasoning that will make even boring commercial dog food taste delicious!
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Why Make Dog Food Seasoning?
We all want our pups to enjoy the benefits of fresh food, but either time or budgets mean kibble is on the menu. And that’s ok! If your pup isn’t a huge fan of dry food, then adding small quantities of this seasoning might encourage them to eat it up.
Homemade seasoning allows for better control over what goes into your dog’s diet. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with specific dietary needs or allergies. This seasoning blend contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, which are often found in store-bought products.
You can tailor the seasoning to your dog’s specific taste preferences and nutritional requirements. This customization can make meals more enjoyable for them and ensure they get the necessary nutrients.
Making your own dog food seasoning can be more economical in the long run compared to purchasing pre-made options.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love how nutritious this seasoning is and feel proud, knowing it’s a great way to boost the nutrition of homemade meals or your dog’s food.
The use of freeze-dried lamb liver is an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients for dogs. Plus, it’s full of fatty acids that turn boring kibble into healthy food.
Each of the herbs used (curly parsley, dill, rosemary, sage, and thyme) not only adds flavor but also brings its own set of benefits. For instance, parsley is known for its breath-freshening properties and digestive support, while rosemary can act as a natural preservative.
The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated cooking methods, making it accessible for all levels of cooking expertise. This ease of preparation can be a big plus for busy pet owners.
The recipe can be easily tweaked to suit the taste preferences or dietary needs of different dogs. See the Ingredient Substitutions section below.
Dogs love the taste of this seasoning, making meal times more enjoyable for them. It’s great for picky eaters and a way to spice up their regular meals.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this dog food seasoning recipe:
- Freeze Dried Lamb Liver – A rich source of protein and amino acids for muscle development. It has essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B, and iron for overall health and brain function.
- Dried Dill – Often used for its soothing effects on digestion and pleasant aroma.
- Dried Curly Parsley – Known for its breath-freshening properties and ability to support healthy digestion in dogs.
- Dried Rosemary – Acts as a natural preservative and is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Dried Sage – Renowned for its antioxidant properties and can aid in digestion and general wellness.
- Dried Thyme – Offers antibacterial and antifungal benefits, and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and manganese.
You can get the freeze-dried lamb liver on Amazon or at most pet stores. The herbs can be found at regular grocery stores.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can make this dog food seasoning powder in a variety of flavors. Here’s how:
You can substitute lamb liver with any freeze-dried meat treats for dogs. It doesn’t have to be liver treats. I used lamb because it is one of the most digestible meats for dogs with food allergies. Some other freeze-dried meat treats are chicken, salmon, and beef liver or hearts.
If you can’t find dried curly parsley, you can leave it out of the mix.
For the dried herbs, you can make a custom blend with any herbs safe for dogs to eat.
Equipment Needed
You probably have all the kitchen items to make this recipe, but just in case:
- Food Processor or Blender
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Airtight Container for Storage
How to Make Dog Food Seasoning
Here are the simple steps and photos to help you make this dog food enhancer recipe:
- Grind the freeze-dried liver pieces in a food processor or blender until it is a powder.
- If desired, grind the herbs into a powder. A spice grinder works great for this.
- Place all the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Use a spoon or whisk to combine all the ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container.
Serving Size
The nutrition information on the recipe card below is for 1 tablespoon. The amount you use can vary depending on your dog’s size.
For smaller dogs, use 1 teaspoon of powder. For larger dogs, it can be up to 2 tablespoons.
Always consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has specific health issues. This will ensure the seasoning meets the nutritional needs of your pet and does not inadvertently cause harm or adverse reactions.
How to Store the Seasoning and How Long It Will Last
Store the homemade seasoning blend in an airtight container. A mason jar or large spice jar works great.
Keep it at room temperature as you do with other dried herbs and spices.
When properly stored, the seasoning will last up to 6 months.
Can people eat this dog food seasoning?
Yes, all the ingredients are safe for human consumption. The freeze-dried liver has almost all the nutrients as fresh. See this article on the benefits of eating freeze-dried liver. The herbs are common pantry ingredients. You can add this blend to soups, stews, meatloaf, burgers, and more.
More Dog Food and Treat Recipes
Here are some great recipes for homemade dog food and treats:
- Brewer’s Yeast Seasoning for Dogs
- Fried Rice for Dogs
- How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- How to Make Applesauce for Dogs
- How to Make Bone Broth for Dogs
- How to Make Pumpkin Puree for Dogs
- How to Make Pumpkin Seeds for Dogs
Find lots of easy and great recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ground Freeze Dried Lamb Liver
- ¼ cup Dried Curly Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried Dill
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Dried Sage
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
Instructions
- Grind freeze dried lamb into a powder using a food processor or blender. The herbs can also be ground finer if desired.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Store the seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last up to 6 months.
My dog seems sensitive to liver, since the frozen, raw grassfed liver I’ve given him in the past made his poo too soft, or worse. (The liver cookies I’ve made did not cause trouble.)
I transitioned to buying grassfed beef heart, which I slice off (keeping frozen), cut into thin strips, and turn into small dices. He gets about 1 – 1.5 TBSP, along with a bone broth juice containing a bit of sea salt, 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. turmeric, and 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of crushed dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi). If I have chicken fat, etc., leftover from my cooking, that also goes in the pot. Sometimes a 1/2 tsp lard or olive oil. He is sleek, shiny, glossy, and healthy. I believe this topping improves the nutrition and acceptance of his lamb & rice kibble. Organ meats are nutrition powerhouses.
Not criticizing your topping/seasoning recipe, just throwing out another option.
That’s a great option for dog food topping. Thanks for sharing it.
Lamb can cause digestive tract inflammation, and flat leaf parsley is a toxin to dogs.
Thanks for your comment! Lamb is actually considered an anti-inflammatory protein for most dogs and is often recommended for dogs with food sensitivities. That said, it’s true that some dogs can develop intolerances to any protein source, including lamb—so it’s always good to use what works best for your individual pup. You can definitely substitute another freeze-dried meat in the seasoning mix.
As for the parsley, you’re absolutely right to be cautious. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. That’s why I recommend only using dried curly parsley, which is considered safe in small amounts like in this recipe. If you can’t find curly parsley, it’s best to leave it out.