Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Not What You Think!

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Not What You Think!

Last updated on March 21st, 2023 at 06:19 am

Reading Time: 9 minutes

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Full Answer

Every special dinner you make on a festival, Christmas, or holiday is not complete until tangy gravy slathered with spices is included. Some people enjoy eating gravy along with chips or cheese others just on their own, The exciting thing is that not only us but our canine friends are also attracted by the fascinated scent of this tasty meaty treat They just want to lick it right off the plate.

Some questions might have come to your mind, like “can dogs have gravy” is gravy good for dogs,” “is gravy bad for dogs” “what type of gravy a dog can eat” etc. At the first moment, you may think that adding gravy to dogs’ meals will make the meal tastier,  however, as a dog owner, it is your duty to gather the right information about whether “Can dogs eats gravy or not.” So, in order to answer all of the questions mentioned above, let’s first dive into where Gravy comes from. And, what it really is.

Quick Answer

No, dogs should not eat Gravy. It does not contain any beneficial ingredients for dogs and actually contains harmful ingredients. However, homemade Gravy and gravy made for dogs is a great suitable option.

Where Does Gravy Come From? 

The word “gravy” typically refers to gravy that is made from meat, such as beef, turkey, or chicken. However, sometimes gravy is also made using vegetables or mushrooms. The term “gravy” came from French roots. It became popular in 17th century France and later in Britain and then spread across the globe and even in the United States. 

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Not What You Think!

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? 

The short answer is. Conventional gravy (as consumed by humans) is not good for dogs. This gravy is composed of ingredients that can be harmful to your pet and could result in adverse consequences. If you are thinking of feeding traditional gravy to dogs, there are several ingredients to consider. These include,  

  • High-Fat Contents 

Gravy is extremely fat-laden; if dogs eat too much fat, it can result in obesity, pancreatitis, as well as other health issues. In addition, fat can be a cause of a lack of the necessary nutrients your dog requires for optimum health and quality of life. 

  • High Salt Contents 

Your dog may face salt toxicity if he consumes 2 to 3 grams of sodium per kilogram of live body weight. Signs of an excessive salt intake may include diarrhea, vomiting, more urine output, excessive thirst, fatigue, loss of coordination, and decline in appetite. 

  • Gravy Contains Alliums 

Alliums (such as garlic and onions) are frequently added to the traditional gravy, and these are poisonous for dogs. If your dog eats alliums, he may experience many issues like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, decreased appetite, pee in dark urine, have pale gums, and feeling sluggish. 

  • Other Harmful Ingredients 

Let’s suppose you are preparing gravy with mushrooms or some other vegetable. Almost all recipes will include salt, onions, margarine fat, or mustard, all of which are harmful to your dog. Although dogs are technically allowed to consume mushrooms, they shouldn’t consume them with gravy. They should eat them as is. In short, it’s better not to give your dog any human gravy at all. 

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Gravy? 

The short answer is “No.”  

Turkey meat is not harmful to dogs. It is a component in a wide variety of commercial dog food and is high in nutrients such as phosphorous, proteins, as well as riboflavin. It could be a vital component of a dog’s diet if cooked simply.

However, the skin of the turkey, Bones, gravy or stuffing is not good nor healthy for your dog. These meals often contain spices and butter along with other substances that may be high in fat and extremely harmful for your pet. In addition, since gravy is typically comprised of fat drippings from the turkey, it is an abundance of fat, which can cause stomach distress and life-threatening inflammatory condition pancreatitis.  

dog drinking water

Can Dogs Have Commercial Gravy? 

Although gravy granules that you buy from the grocery store are good for you, do not serve them to your dog, as the majority of commercial gravy granules sold in the market contain components that are harmful or toxic to dogs. 

Here’s a list of the most commonly used ingredients in commercial gravy granules. 

  • Garlic And Onion Powder 

These spices have a chemical n-propyl disulfide, which can be harmful to dogs. However, these become more potent in ground form. In the dog’s body, n-propyl disulfide attaches to red blood cells and replaces oxygen. This impacts the capacity of the red blood cells to transport oxygen. When this occurs, the defense system of the body recognizes these red cells as invading cells and eliminates them, which can cause anemia. 

  • Potato Starch  

It is used as a binding ingredient to make instant gravies thicker and texturized. However, it is an empty carb that doesn’t provide nutrition and can only increase calories and result in problems such as diabetes and obesity. 

  • Palm Oil

It is vegetable oil and part of almost all dog gravies commercially available in the markets for four reasons: cheap, colorless, odorless, and readily available. Dogs are not allowed to eat gravy if it is made with palm oil. Generally, Palm oil is not harmful to dogs; however, it could cause heart issues and pancreatitis in certain instances. 

  • Skimmed Milk Powder 

It is generally not harmful to dogs; however certain dogs are lactose intolerant and may find it difficult to digest food items that contain milk (as they don’t have enzymes to digest lactose). you can determine the level of tolerance by hearing sounds emanating from their stomach. If your pet is suffering from diarrhea, it is evident that he has lactose intolerance. 

  • Refined Wheat Flour

The rich taste and specific texture of this gravy are due to the addition of wheat flour. Unprocessed whole wheat flour may be suitable for dogs; however, refined flours are high in carbohydrates as well as in calories. In addition, the refined flour may cause digestive discomfort for dogs, like bloating or IBS (inflammatory bowel syndrome). 

  • Sugar

Certain commercial gravies have sugar, and too much sugar intake is not good for canines. This soluble carbohydrate not only improves the taste of the gravy but also acts as a preservative. Sugar is not harmful to dogs, but continuous intake over time may cause tooth decay and obesity, metabolic issues, and diabetes. In addition, the obesity in dogs can lead to arthritis. 

Are There Any Types Of Gravies Dogs Can Eat?

Well, are there any Gravy dogs are able to eat? The good news is, “YES,” there are two great healthy options for dog gravy. 

  • Commercial Gravy Specifically made for dogs. 
  • Homemade Gravy 

Although homemade gravy is the preferred option, let’s discuss both options one by one. 

Commercial Gravy Specifically Made For Dogs. 

If you do not have time to cook and are looking for something simple and quick for your pet, you can get cans of gravy or bone broth specially designed for dogs. Granules of dog gravy that are commercially available for dogs are the ideal substitute to gravies that are available in stores for humans. You can choose these because 

  • These are made ready to use (just heat and serve) 
  • Since they are specifically designed for dogs, they will definitely not contain any ingredients that could be potentially dangerous to dogs. 
  •  They also make great additions and toppings to your pet’s meals.  
  • You can purchase the best gravy for under $10 or just higher than $30 for the more expensive ones.  
  • The ingredients used in these products generally comprise dehydrated bone broth, potatoes starch, dehydrated vegetables, and natural flavors.  
  • They usually do not contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs (like refined flours, onion or garlic, palm oil, sugar, or milk).  
  • They also have low calories and low sodium per serving. 

Homemade Gravy for Dogs (4 Healthy Recipes)

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Not What You Think!

Homemade gravy is the best option to make your dog enjoy a delicious meal without causing any harm to his health. Now we know what ingredients are not good for our dog, so we can make any recipe in which these ingredients are not used. You can add tiny bites of plain meat leftovers or vegetables to make a delicious snack. Since, if you make use of the right ingredients, dogs definitely can eat this gravy. And the extra effort you make to make a meal shows how much you love your canine friend. 

Here are four simple recipes for healthy, low-fat gravy for dogs that you can prepare at home:

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Gravy Recipe #1 – The Super Gravy

Recipe by Laura MCourse: All
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

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kcal

Gravy Recipe #1

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. Coconut oil 

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey meat 

  • 4 ounces of chicken liver 

  • 1/4 cup raw carrots (chopped) 

  • 1/4 cup raw green beans (chopped) 

  • 3 cups of water 

Directions

  • Take the coconut oil in a frying pan and heat it over medium heat. .
  • Add the turkey and chicken pieces and cook completely.
  • Add green beans, carrots, and water once the meat is thoroughly cooked and tender, and leave the pan covered for 30 minutes
  • Then, take all the ingredients from the saucepan and allow it to cool. Once it is cooled, use a food processor or blender to blend it until it is creamy. If you think the gravy is thick, add more water. Serve warm on top of your dog’s food of choice. 

    • 2nd Recipe (2-Ingredient Gravy for Dogs) 

    For this homemade dog gravy, you will need: 

    • 2 cups of homemade or low sodium stock or broth 
    • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 

    Bring 1 1/2 cups stock to a low boil in a small saucepan. In a small vessel, mix the cornstarch in the remaining half cup of cold stock until there are no lumps. Once the liquid is on the stove, reaches a low rolling boil, slowly sprinkle in the cornstarch slurry and allow it to boil. Boil until you are satisfied with the thickness, but the gravy will become thicker when it cools. Serve warm on top of your dog’s food of choice. 

    • 3rd Recipe (Ground Chicken Gravy for Dogs) 

    For this Gravy recipe, you will need: 

    • 1 pound low-fat ground meat (chicken, turkey, or beef) 
    • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 
    • 2 cups of homemade or low sodium stock or broth 

    The broth can be heated in a pot until it reaches a boil. Fry the meat in a skillet, breaking it while you cook it. After the meat has been thoroughly cooked, strain off any excess fat. Sprinkle cornstarch on the meat and stir to coat. Pour the broth over the meat and heat to the desired thickness, and the treat is ready. 

    • 4th Recipe (Savory Egg Gravy) 

    This one may appear a little complicated; however, if your pet is a fan of eggs, try it once. The only worst thing that can happen is that the eggs scramble slightly, and it’s not a big deal to your dog. So for this, you need:  

    • 2 cups of homemade or low sodium stock or broth 
    • Two eggs 

    Bring broth to a boil. Stir eggs thoroughly and pour the hot broth in just a bit to the egg and stir until you’ve added around half of the broth. Add the mixture of eggs back to the pan with the broth remaining and whisk it up as you go. Heat until desired thickness is achieved. Serve warm. 

    Can You Add Gravy To Dry Dog Food? 

    A homemade gravy or dog food sauce can make dry food more appealing to your pet. Toppers made from bones broth and chicken stocks can add nutrients and minerals to your pet’s diet, making the food as healthy as it is delicious. Prepare enough sauce or gravy that you can refrigerate and keep for some days. 

    Conclusion  

    It is vital not to feed your canine friend a diet that has high amounts of fat and salt, as well as some of the ingredients listed above. If you bring the store-bought gravies frequently for your own meals, avoid sharing the gravies with your pet to ensure their safety. If you do this, you’ll have done them a favor. If you’re looking to serve your dog a gravy meal and ensure his health while doing it, you should purchase gravy made specially intended for dogs. However, homemade dog gravy is the safest and healthiest choice for dogs.  

    About The Author

    Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Not What You Think!

    I'm a content writer and researcher. But bottom line, I loveee animals. I had my first animal which was a guinea pig at age 8. Later had a bunny, dog and a lot, a lot of fish. Writing about what I know about pets will allow me to share my knowledge and love for them with everyone else. Dealing with dogs my entire life, I know a lot.

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