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Dogs

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning

  • Total 5 min
  • Makes 1 cup

A dog-safe sprinkle to make plain kibble more interesting, with no salt, onion or garlic.

Most human seasoning blends contain onion and garlic powder, which are toxic to dogs. This blend uses freeze-dried chicken, flaxseed and parsley instead.

A small jar lasts a month for a medium dog.

Why your dog will love this

  • Makes plain kibble smell irresistible
  • No salt, onion or garlic
  • Makes a month’s supply in five minutes

Ingredient notes

  • Freeze-dried chicken, crumbled Safe

    Buy single-ingredient freeze-dried meat with nothing added.

    Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.

  • Ground flaxseed

    Adds omega-3 fats for coat health.

  • Dried curly parsley Safe

    Use curly parsley, not spring parsley.

    Curly parsley in small amounts. Avoid spring parsley.

  • Ground turmeric (optional) Caution

    Ask your vet first if your dog takes medication.

    Small amounts are generally tolerated. Ask your vet if your dog takes medication.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

Dogs

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning

A no-salt sprinkle of freeze-dried chicken, ground flaxseed and parsley for kibble.

Prep
5 min
Total
5 min
Makes
1 cup
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per batch
About $6 per jar
Per tsp
13¢
Calories
9 per tsp
  • 3 of 4 ingredients safety-checked, 2 marked safe
  • Wheat-free
  • Grain-free
  • Egg-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Peanut-free
  • Large Batch
  • Contains: Chicken
Pin Step-by-step guide

Ingredients

Makes 48 cup

Equipment

  • Glass spice jar

Instructions

  1. Pulse the freeze-dried chicken in a blender to a coarse powder.

  2. Add the flaxseed, parsley and turmeric and pulse twice to mix.

  3. Transfer to a clean, dry jar and label with the date.

Tips for success

  • Grind the freeze-dried chicken to a coarse powder so it clings to kibble.
  • Store the jar in a cool, dark cupboard and keep moisture out.
  • Start with a light sprinkle; picky dogs often prefer a little over a lot.

Nutrition per tsp

Calories
9.0 kcal
Protein
1.0 g
Fat
0.5 g
Fiber
0.3 g
Carbs
0.3 g

Storage

  • Counter 30 days
  • Fridge 60 days

Store in a sealed jar away from heat and light.

How much to serve

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp per cup of food for small dogs, 1 tsp for medium and 2 tsp for large dogs.

Within the 10% daily treat allowance
Small dog (10 lb)up to 3 tsps a day
Medium dog (30 lb)up to 8 tsps a day
Large dog (60 lb)up to 14 tsps a day

Portion calculator

Estimate for a healthy adult pet at a typical activity level. Ask your vet about your pet’s exact needs.

Last updated September 30, 2026.

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How to make Homemade Dog Food Seasoning

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning takes about 5 minutes from start to finish and makes 1 cup. It is an easy recipe. You will need a glass spice jar. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.

  • 1 cup freeze-dried chicken, crumbled: Buy single-ingredient freeze-dried meat with nothing added. Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed: Adds omega-3 fats for coat health.
  • 2 tbsp dried curly parsley: Use curly parsley, not spring parsley. Curly parsley in small amounts. Avoid spring parsley.
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (optional): Ask your vet first if your dog takes medication. Small amounts are generally tolerated. Ask your vet if your dog takes medication.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Pulse the freeze-dried chicken in a blender to a coarse powder.
  2. Add the flaxseed, parsley and turmeric and pulse twice to mix.
  3. Transfer to a clean, dry jar and label with the date.

Tips for success

  • Grind the freeze-dried chicken to a coarse powder so it clings to kibble.
  • Store the jar in a cool, dark cupboard and keep moisture out.
  • Start with a light sprinkle; picky dogs often prefer a little over a lot.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 2 months. Store in a sealed jar away from heat and light. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp per cup of food for small dogs, 1 tsp for medium and 2 tsp for large dogs. Each tsp has about 9 calories. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.

Swaps and variations

No freeze-dried chicken? Use freeze-dried salmon. No ground flaxseed? Use chia seeds, ground. No ground turmeric? Use leave out. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why dogs love it

Makes plain kibble smell irresistible. No salt, onion or garlic. Makes a month’s supply in five minutes.

Feeding tips for dogs

Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

Safety notes

Turmeric: Small amounts are generally tolerated. Ask your vet if your dog takes medication. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I use regular seasoning?

Most blends contain onion, garlic and salt. Onion and garlic damage dogs’ red blood cells, even as powders.

Is turmeric safe for dogs?

Small amounts are generally tolerated. Skip it if your dog is on medication unless your vet approves.

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