Whether you're looking for a way to get your picky dog to eat or want to make mealtimes more fun for your pup, dog food toppers can be a great way to add flavor and nutrition to any meal.
With a wide range of topper options available, finding the right one for your dog requires just a bit of time and research. By better understanding what dog food toppers are, their benefits, and some of the best options on the market today, you can introduce the best dog food toppers to your pup's diet in no time!
What Is a Dog Food Topper?
A dog food topper is anything you can add to your dog's everyday food. These are usually poured directly on top of a bowl of dry pet food. However, toppers can also be mixed in, depending on your dog's tastes and preferences.
There are a wide range of dog food toppers available, including dry, wet, and even dehydrated options. These toppers can be homemade, but many pet owners purchase pre-made options for added convenience and variety.
Why You Should Use Food Toppers
There are many benefits to incorporating toppers into your dog's diet. This is especially true for picky eaters who may struggle to gain weight. In this situation, meal toppers can entice your dog to intake more calories — and you can choose a topper specifically formulated based on what your dog needs. For example, a pup having a hard time with dry kibble may enjoy a wet dog food topper that moistens the dry food and softens the texture.
Even if your dog isn't dealing with a sluggish appetite or undesired weight loss, dog food toppers can be a great way to add variety to your pup's diet. You probably wouldn't want to eat exactly the same thing every day, so why should your canine companion?
Toppers can make mealtimes more fun and enjoyable for your dog, allowing you to mix things up and experiment with new flavors that your dog may love! Some pet owners even serve up toppers on their own as dog treats.
Food toppers can also make it easier to keep your pup on a feeding schedule and following a routine. Because toppers often entice pups to lick their bowls clean, they can be a convenient way to get your dog to follow a strict meal plan.
Should I Consult With a Vet Before Giving My Dog Toppers?
Anytime you're thinking about changing your dog's diet, you should consult with your veterinarian. Toppers shouldn't be an issue for most dogs, but if your pup has any existing medical issues or chronic health conditions, your vet may want them to follow a specific diet. Likewise, your vet may have some recommendations on ingredients to look for (and ingredients to avoid) in toppers to best suit your dog's nutritional and wellness needs.
Dry Food Toppers vs. Wet Food Toppers
There are two main options when choosing dog food toppers: dry and wet. Both have their merits, so it's about which option best suits your pet's preferences, budget, and lifestyle.
Dry dog food toppers come in a kibble from that you can easily sprinkle over your dog's existing dry or wet dog food. This type of topper tends to have a longer shelf life and is extremely convenient for busy pet owners.
On the other hand, wet food toppers tend to be a bit messier because they come as a broth or stew that you pour or spoon on top of your dog's food. Wet toppers tend to have a shorter shelf life, but they can pack more of a nutritional punch than dry toppers. They're also ideal for adding hydration to a dog's diet, especially for pups who don't drink a lot of water on their own.
There are also dehydrated dog topper options, which you add water or broth to moisten before incorporating into your dog's food. These tend to have a much longer shelf life than wet options.
Best Dog Toppers for Protein Boosts
Protein is a vital source of nutrition in any dog's diet. While exact protein needs can vary based on a dog's size, breed, and other factors (such as age), most dogs will benefit best from a diet that consists of at least 22% dry matter protein. Getting enough protein is essential for healthy muscle growth and maintenance. Meanwhile, dogs break down proteins into amino acids needed to create energy and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
Looking for ways to incorporate more protein into your dog's diet? There are several food topper options to consider.
At-Home Remedy: Cooked Eggs
If you want to experiment with homemade toppers, try cooked eggs. This natural topper is a great way to enhance the flavor of your dog's meal and is an excellent source of protein. You can cook up eggs in any way that's convenient for you, though most pet owners find it easiest to scramble them in a pan before breaking them up into small pieces and pouring them directly over a bowl of dry or wet food.
Eggs as a food topper pair well with most standard dog food recipes, though you should be careful not to overdo it on your dog's protein intake. If your pup is already on a high-protein recipe, consult with your vet before adding eggs as a topper. After all, too much protein can actually be harmful to your dog's health.
It's also important to remember that dogs can develop egg allergies, so be on the lookout for signs of a reaction — especially if your dog hasn't been introduced to eggs in the past.
Meal Booster - 99% Beef
If you prefer the convenience of a pre-packaged food topper, check out The Honest Kitchen's 99% Beef Meal Booster. These delicious toppers come in a pack of 12 and are ideal for boosting taste while adding hearty protein. Each easy-to-serve box is loaded with 99% ranch-raised, grass-fed beef for a delicious protein boost and juicy flavor. Ideal for puppies and adult dogs, this human grade food topper is sure to become a favorite in no time!
Meal Booster - 99% Salmon & Pollock
Our 99% Salmon & Pollock Meal Booster is another great option for adding more protein to your dog's diet. Each 5.5oz package is filled with 99% wild-caught salmon and pollock (with the remaining 1% consisting of just water and agar agar). This recipe, which comes in packs of 12, is an ideal choice for puppies and adult dogs who need a protein boost. And, of course, you'll love the convenience of easily opening and mixing each package into your pup's food — no portioning needed!
Best Dog Toppers for Flavor Enhancing
If your dog struggles with a low appetite or is losing weight, a vet may recommend dog toppers to entice your pup to eat more. Even if your dog is at a healthy weight and has no issues cleaning their bowl, dog toppers can be a fun way to enhance flavor and add a little variety to your pup's diet. Fortunately, there are plenty of great flavor-enhancing options to consider.
At-Home Remedy: Peanut Butter
Many dogs love the taste of peanut butter — and as an added bonus, it's an excellent source of protein and healthy fat. Peanut butter also contains vitamins E and B6, which can help to support enzyme function and healthy muscle growth.
If your dog already enjoys the taste of peanut butter, you can use it as an enticing topper. Many dog owners prefer to simply mix a scoop of creamy peanut butter into a dog's existing food or kibble. You can also add it to the bottom of your dog's bowl before pouring dry food over top, requiring your pup to work for the treat.
However you choose to do it, just be sure to limit portions and ensure that the peanut butter you're offering doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners (such as xylitol, which can be lethal to dogs).
Superfood Pour Overs - Chicken
Suitable for puppies and adult dogs, our Superfood Chicken Pour Overs are loaded with chicken bone broth, cage-free chicken, and nutritious superfoods like spinach, broccoli, and kale. It's a great way to add some enticing variety to your dog's regular food. It contains limited ingredients, no BPA, no fillers, no by-products, no artificial preservatives, and non-GMO ingredients that have been verified as human grade.
Bone Broth Pour Overs - Turkey & Salmon
Our Pour Overs also come in a delicious Turkey & Salmon recipe, which is the consistency of a delicious stew that you can conveniently pour directly over whatever is in your dog's bowl. In this recipe, real meat (cage-free turkey) and turkey bone broth are the two main ingredients. Other highlights of the ingredient list that your dog will love include carrots, butternut squash, tapioca, wild-caught salmon, thyme, and sage.
Superfood Pour Overs - Lamb & Beef
Our Lamb & Beef Superfood Pour Overs are another option for adding some variety to your beloved pet's diet. This delicious pourable stew is loaded with beef bone broth, ranch-raised lamb, and beef as its main ingredients. Other tantalizing flavors include potato and turmeric, as well as nutritious superfood veggies like spinach, kale, and broccoli to support your pet's health.
Pumpkin Pour Overs - Turkey
This human grade wet topper comes in a convenient and easy-to-use box, so you can pour it directly over their food each day for a flavor boost. Puppies and adult dogs alike love the taste of savory turkey bone broth, cage-free turkey, pumpkin, apples, and butternut squash. This Turkey and Pumpkin recipe is also formulated with a hint of cinnamon and ginger for added flavor and goodness!
Best Dog Toppers for Physical and Immune Health
Looking for a dog food topper to support your pup's physical and immune health? We've got some tempting options for you to consider.
At-Home Remedy: Yogurt or Canned Pumpkin
For a homemade food topper that you may already have in your fridge or pantry, try yogurt or canned pumpkin. Plain, Greek-style yogurt added on top of (or mixed into) your everyday dog food is a great way to boost your pup's immune system and promote digestive health. Just be sure that any yogurt you give to your dog is free of artificial sweeteners, including xylitol.
Canned pumpkin is another great option for an at-home food topper. Specifically, adding a scoop of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!) to your dog's food can improve gut health due to its high fiber content. Meanwhile, pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A and zinc to boost immune function and improve skin and coat health. Just be sure that the pumpkin you buy is the type with no salt added.
Heart Health: Turkey Broth & Salmon Stew
The Honest Kitchen's Turkey Broth & Salmon Stew Pour Overs are formulated to promote heart health with a boost of balanced omegas, taurine, and L-carnitine. This wet food topper was crafted with the help of a veterinary nutritionist to give pups the taste they crave. Ingredients include turkey bone broth, salmon, apples, pumpkin, and butternut squash — all 100% human grade!
Immune Support: Beef Stew
Looking to better support your pup's immune system? The Honest Kitchen's Beef Stew Pour Overs with immune support is a wet food topper that contains antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamin A, to help maintain overall immune health. Meanwhile, natural ingredients like beef bone broth, beets, butternut squash, blueberries, and apples delight your dog's taste buds!
Hip & Joint: Chicken Stew
Our Chicken Stew Pour Overs for Hip & Joint are crafted with a boost of EPA and DHA to support joint health in dogs of all stages of life. This 100% human grade food topper is loaded with chicken bone broth, chicken, carrots, butternut squash, and fish oil to bring new life to your dog's everyday meals.
Revive & Restore: Chicken & Pumpkin Stew
Work up your dog's appetite and help support your pup's overall health and well-being with our Revive & Restore Chicken & Pumpkin Stew Pour Overs, which are individually packaged for your convenience and easy to add to any meal. This recipe is loaded with a boost of protein, antioxidants, and B vitamins to revitalize your dog's health — and dogs love the enticing flavors of chicken bone broth, apples, chicken, and pumpkin.
Skin & Coat: Salmon Stew
Promote a healthier coat and skin with our Salmon Stew Pour Overs, which contain a boost of omegas, biotin, and vitamin E. Other tantalizing ingredients in this wet food topper include fish bone broth, salmon, butternut squash, carrots, and whitefish.
Enhance Mealtimes With Dog Food Toppers From The Honest Kitchen
Regardless of your dog's age, breed, or personal tastes, there's likely to be a great food topper option available to support their unique health and wellness core.
From options that support immune health to those with a protein-packed punch, The Honest Kitchen specializes in toppers and meal mixers to enhance your dog's meals with high-quality, human grade ingredients and zero artificial colors or artificial flavors. Our convenient dog food toppers are made in the USA, minimally processed, and contain only thoughtfully sourced ingredients like wild-caught fish and cage-free turkey.
Shop our selection of dog food toppers today and see The Honest Difference for yourself!
*Health Disclaimer: This post is educational in nature and doesn’t constitute health advice. Please consult your pet's veterinarian or other healthcare professional for specific guidance on this topic.