Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More

I'm not a fan of supplements because it's easy to get suckered into buying everything folks recommend, and before you know it, you're spending 30 minutes adding a 1/4 tsp of this, that, and that over there to everyone's meal.

A few years ago, I began looking at supplements differently. Instead of buying a ton of different pills and powders, I decided to focus on what each of my dogs needed. And, WOW! This saved me a ton of time and money.

DIY Supplement Blends for Dogs

I learned a lot about nutrient-rich foods that keep cancer at bay after losing two dogs to cancer. I began growing broccoli sprouts in 2022. When the jar is full, I dehydrate the broccoli sprouts for ten hours and grind them into a powder. I expanded to dandelion greens, and I'm currently working on a DIY fiber supplement.

Why I Created a DIY Supplement Blend

Supplements aren't Formulated for Raw Fed Dogs – I doubt many of the supplements I buy have raw fed dogs in mind. Instead, they're correcting deficiencies and health issues in dogs fed a kibble diet. I believe my dogs are much healthier than they would have been if fed dry dog food – so I don't have to add as much of a supplement.

Dosage Recommendations are a Farce, Right? – Sometimes, I wear my fashionable tin foil hat and wonder if the recommended dosage on supplement bottles is for a healthy or sick dog. Or is the recommended dosage a way to get us to use the supplement as quickly as possible, so we must buy more?

So, I began looking into making my supplements.

Benefits of a DIY Supplement Blend

I'm not going to pretend I know more than veterinarians or nutritionists. But I know my dogs well, and my research into canine health and nutrition has led me to make supplements at home.

• It saves money – whole foods are more affordable than many supplements, and by focusing on my dogs' gut microbiome and immune system, I can cut out many of the supplements I used to buy.
• It saves time – now that I add fewer supplements, mixing my dogs' meals doesn't take as long.
• Mixing into meals is easier – my powder blends mix easily into my dogs' raw (or cooked) meals.
• It helps us add cancer-fighting foods – microgreens are high in antioxidants that fight cancer cells.

Downsides to DIY Supplement Blends

I'm not a veterinarian or a nutritionist, so everything I do is a guess based on experience and online research. I focused on supplements supporting the gut microbiome and immune system. My DIY blend doesn't balance my dogs' diet.

My supplement blends (listed below) don't replace everything. My dogs also get the following supplements, which I can't replicate at home:

• Fish oil – alternated with whole fatty fish for Omega-3 fatty acids
• Joint supplement
• Daily Dawg by Real Mushrooms – for overall wellness, reduced inflammation, antioxidants
• CBD Oil by Earth Buddy Pet – for overall wellness, calming, and reduced inflammation

DIY Supplement Blend Recipe

Currently, I'm only making one supplement (recipe below).

Ingredients

These foods boost the immune system, promote a robust microbiome (promoting gut health), encourage a healthy weight, and prevent disease. They're all a great source of fiber and high in antioxidants.

• dehydrated broccoli sprouts (I've also used alfalfa sprouts and plan to add sunflower sprouts)
• dehydrated dandelion greens (in the Spring only)
• dehydrated apples (in the late Summer, Fall only)

The following add-ins are optional; I add 1/2 tbsp of each for every three tbsp of dehydrated sprouts.

• organic spirulina/chlorella powder – high in antioxidants, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system
• Organic kelp by Life Line Pet – supports the thyroid and gut health, boosts the immune system
• Bug Off by Springtime Supplements – flea, tick, and mosquito repellent, natural detox, boosts the immune system

Growing Broccoli Sprouts

Add two teaspoons of broccoli sprouting seeds and six tablespoons of water to a sprouting jar and let soak overnight. Thoroughly drain the seeds and store them in low humidity away from direct sunlight for 3-4 days. Rinse and drain once or twice daily. On day 4, place the jars in direct sunlight. Rinse and drain daily until sprouts are ready (3-5 days).

Dehydrating Broccoli Sprouts

I think freeze-drying the sprouts is better, but a freeze-dryer costs $3,000. So, for now, I'm opting to dehydrate my sprouts.

When my sprouting jar is full (or near full), I rinse the sprouts once more in the morning. In the evening, I transfer the spouts to the dehydrating trays, spreading them out to allow quicker dehydration. I use a LEM 10-tray dehydrator and dehydrate my sprouts at 90-100 degrees F for 6 to 8 hours. They're ready the following morning.

I grind the dehydrated sprouts in a Nutribullet and transfer the contents to a clean glass jar.

Adding the Dandelion Greens

The broccoli sprouts only cover a few trays; I add dandelion greens to the rest of the dehydrator trays. I only add dandelions in the spring or when I can source them from a local farmer's market.

Final Steps to DIY Supplement

Once the sprouts and dandelion green are dry, I grind them into a powder and transfer them into a glass jar. I add the optional ingredients listed above, adding 1/3 tbsp each for every 3 tbsp of dehydrated sprouts/greens. I mix the ingredients thoroughly, add a moisture pack, and a measuring spoon or scoop. These ingredients typically fill half of a medium-sized jar.

Daily Dosage for Dogs

I give my dogs a 1/4 teaspoon of my blend five days a week, taking a couple of days off (fasting days).

Read More About Supplements for Dogs

• Ultimate Guide to Boosting a Dog's Immunity with Supplements
• Ultimate Guide to Hemp Seeds for Dogs
• A Warning About Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for Dogs
• What Raw Feeders Need to Know About Senior Dogs
• 12 Benefits of Golden Paste for Dogs [Recipe]