If your dog suffers from mealtime boredom, spice up their food bowl with one of these tasty toppers.
by Elizabeth Kennedyopens in a new tab
Updated
March 6, 2023
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A homemade vinaigrette on your salad, a sprinkle of pecorino on perfectly al dente pasta — these finishing touches elevate the human experience of eating. Just like us, our dogs appreciate tasty add-ons that take a meal to the next level. This is especially true for dogs who have lost interest in eating, whether due to illness, ageopens in a new tab, boredomopens in a new tab, or simply because they are picky eatersopens in a new tab. By adding toppers to your dog's food, you can not only brighten your dog’s day with fragrant, fresh tastes but also slip in some supplemental nutrition in the process.
If you’re thinking, Wait! Dogs have only about one-sixth the number of taste buds we do. Why bother dishing up anything out of the ordinary? Know this: When it comes to smell, dogs have 125 million sensory cells to our 5 to 10 million; they can smell each and every ingredient. And research has shown that they are able to distinguish at least four flavor profiles: sweet, sour, and salty —which they tend to like — and bitter, which they do not.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (9) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (9)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/5tn7diWegdmkYinYjwG60I/eada785c167aae068804ab7fccfc1d7c/The-WIldest_Article-upsell_Health_UI-overlay.jpg?w=624&h=482&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
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Ask an ExpertReady to spice up your dog’s next meal? The good news is you don’t need to go further than your own pantry or your next grocery trip to find healthy ways to liven up an otherwise completely boring dinner for your dog. Check out the ideas below for easy, on-the-go toppers and delicious, homemade options. Just like picky toddlers, every dog is different and could have an allergy to something new, so it’s best to clear any dietary changes with your vet before going ahead.
Best Food Toppers For Dogs
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (12) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (12)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/5uumuR7ISBjuI62XvrLeYF/a646129dd55fe8f628b4ffafef961864/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Jinx.jpg?w=700&h=699&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
The natural Jinxopens in a new tab food topper features wild-caught salmon that’s been freeze dried to preserve freshness, so even the pickiest of pups won’t turn their nose up at it. That means no additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives — and best of all — no refrigerator.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (15) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (15)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/5FOgdqSSjTc6pUO1hCrSwf/edce1405b6aacb44af9573c9759dbf33/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Portland_Pet_Food.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
Made with 100 percent natural, human-grade ingredients, the easy grab-and-go food toppers are perfect for picky eaters, senior pups, and active doggos. Whether you’re masking the taste of a meal they don’t like or are trying to sneak some extra calories into their diet, your dog is guaranteed to go for one of these fetching flavors.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (18) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (18)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/2Sfst2sBwFPr6hRsy0kcCu/0372a318238b2b149049122d7d6d047f/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Open_Farm.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
This ethically sourced bone broth is formulated by slow-simmering bones sourced from turkey, beef, and chicken. With a commitment to transparency at the heart of their mission, Open Farm uses high-quality superfoods, such as carrotsopens in a new tab, pumpkinopens in a new tab, parsleyopens in a new tab, turmeric, and cinnamon, without any additives (grain, corn, wheat, and soy).
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (21) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (21)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/77tI7gnhjEDpYfIJRtMe1d/e3c4f2894567dfbe3643b966bcdf0d2a/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Primal_Pet_Food.jpg?w=700&h=699&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
Crafted with organic produce and probiotics, Primal’s freeze-dried food topper adds a boost of nutrition to your dog’s diet and will encourage them to lick their plate clean.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (24) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (24)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/55zmLtv0TAexWnfnCbdd9b/c9298a8ed8073297959c75628de51c5d/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Wilder_Bites.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
If your pup’s nose goes into overdrive when you’re cooking pasta puttanesca, now’s your opportunity to treat them to a little anchovy of their own with WilderBitesopens in a new tab’s Anchovy Food Topper — without any of the risk of them going full Lady and the Tramp with the spaghetti.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (27) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (27)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/6xGJu90jfGrHkK9TD1vdf8/48fc87680c236a58a3d799a4097dfa07/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Primal_Pet_Food_Goat_Milk.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
Formulated with ingredients, such as cranberries and apple cider vinegar, that support urinary tract health, the goat milk meal topper is a nutrition-rich choice for pets who need a little boost of moisture (sorry to anyone who hates that word).
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (30) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (30)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/26iTxSI86csckiRLQhk6xy/a8542bf05b917a468a6e7105568f787b/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_Vital_Essentials.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
Whether you’re sprinkling this mixture on top of your pup’s food, mixing it with water to create a nutritious gravy, or turning it into a pâté, this USA-sourced beef, freeze-dried topper makes any meal feel like a capital “M,” hearty Meal, ya know?
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (33) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (33)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/6kPJ6NZ1GJQjTRjvtlqmib/02c9ec4522819101bd9c9431429ef163/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_The_Honest_Kitchen.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
Honest Kitchen’s human-grade pourable pumpkin stew is fiber rich and formulated for dogs of all ages and breeds. Made with cage-free turkey, pureed applesopens in a new tab, and a pinch of cinnamon, the food topper’s ingredients are meant to boost your pup’s digestion, joints, coat, liver, and immune system.
![The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (36) The Best Toppings for Your Dog’s Food (36)](https://i0.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/sfnkq8lmu5d7/3cThqmfhWJbgA2rXUnLkN5/2ed3512a1a93a915ccbd481d122509c8/2023-02-08_Food_Toppers_K9_Natural.jpg?w=700&h=700&fl=progressive&q=70&fm=jpg)
This hypoallergenic blend is suitable for a variety of pups. Made with 100 percent grass-fed and free-range ingredients, K9 Natural’s food topper is an excellent source of protein for pups in need of nutritional support.
On-the-GoDog Food Toppers
Some people foods make great dog food toppers. Take the “rainbow approach,” adding good-for-dogs fruits and veggies in all of nature’s colors. Here are some good options:
Canned pure pumpkinopens in a new tab
Canned sardines or mackerelopens in a new tab
Crumbled bacon or turkey bacon
Hard-boiled eggsopens in a new tab (a little of the shell is good for dogs)
Ground beef, chickenopens in a new tab, turkey, or lamb
Ground-up liver treats
Nori
Spirulina
Looking for an even easier dog food topper? Drizzle on some oil. Fish oil is among the most beneficial additives to the canine diet: It is excellent for the treatment of canine allergiesopens in a new tab, as well as arthritisopens in a new tab and high cholesterol. One convention for calculating the amount of fish oil to include in your dog’s diet is to multiply your dog’s weight (in pounds) by 20. For a 60-pound dog, for example, the daily target dose is 1,200 mg.
Another great dog food topper is flax seed oil, which is credited with healing, strengthening bones, and maintaining a dog’s energy. Flax seed and olive oil are both great sources of antioxidants, and they are key for maintaining canine cardiovascular healthopens in a new tab.
Homemade Dog Food Toppers
Dogs love organ meat, so ask your local butcher or farmers’ market vendors if they offer pre-packaged organ meat, such as heart, liver, and kidney meat. Cut the meat into tiny bites and scatter a few on top of your dog’s meal; the meat can be either raw or lightly braised.Here are some other low-prep topping ideas:
Grated carrotsopens in a new tab
Sautéed zucchini
Frozen veggiesopens in a new tab, steamed and diced
Grated low-sodium cheeses
Low sodium veggie, chicken, or turkey stock (Tip: Freeze your stock in an ice-cube tray and defrost a cube daily.)
One more home-cooking approach: Buy a medley of vegetables in bulk and oven-roast as many as your dog might eat in four to five days; then store them in the refrigerator and add them at mealtime. It’s a healthy “fast food” your dog will love. Scroll on for a food topper recipe.
A Quick Note About Calories
Remember that the addition of toppers to your dogs’ food requires that you reduce the amount of kibble or other food you offer them along with it. General guidelines may not result in the best regimen for your particular dog, so check the appropriate caloric intake by consulting with your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes.
When it comes to the kinds of homemade dog-food toppers you can offer your dog, the world is your oyster (which dogs especially love, smoked, preferably). Use these ideas as inspiration, and remember that each dog is different, so if one recipe doesn’t pique their interest, try a new one.
A Delicious Dog Food Topper Recipe
Lucy Postins, pet nutritionist and founder of The Honest Kitchenopens in a new tab, developed this super healthy recipe.Both cherries and fennel are packed with powerful antioxidants, and fava beans maintain the healthy function of your dog's spleen, liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup fresh fennel, finely diced, raw or steamed
1/4 cup fava beans, lightly cooked
1 Tbsp. cherries, pitted and diced
1/2 cup live-culture plain yogurt
1 cup cooked ground meat such as turkey (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Combine all the ingredients gently with a spoon in a large bowl.
Add a couple of tablespoons of the mix to each of your pet’s usual meals.
Refrigerate any leftovers for two to three days in a covered container.
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Elizabeth Kennedy
Elizabeth Kennedy is a freelance writer and editor in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of canine nutrition and a commitment to enhancing the well-being of our furry companions, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion of dog food toppers. The provided article explores the world of enhancing dogs' meals with flavorful and nutritious add-ons, catering to various needs such as picky eaters, senior dogs, and those experiencing mealtime boredom.
The author rightly emphasizes the importance of addressing dogs' sensory experience, particularly their exceptional sense of smell, which significantly influences their enjoyment of food. Research findings regarding dogs' taste preferences, specifically their ability to distinguish sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors, highlight the intricate nuances that can be incorporated into their meals.
Let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article:
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Importance of Toppers for Dogs: The article emphasizes that dogs, much like humans, can benefit from enhanced flavors and textures in their meals. Toppers not only make meals more palatable but can also serve as a way to provide additional nutrition, addressing concerns such as illness, age-related changes, boredom, or picky eating habits.
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Understanding Dogs' Sensory Perception: The article touches on the fact that dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, with 125 million sensory cells compared to humans' 5 to 10 million. This heightened olfactory ability allows them to distinguish various ingredients, making the addition of flavorful toppers a significant enhancement to their dining experience.
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Variety of Toppers: The article introduces a diverse range of commercial and homemade toppers. Commercial options include freeze-dried salmon, wet food toppers, bone broth, freeze-dried raw food, and more. Each product is described with details about its ingredients, sourcing, and benefits.
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On-the-Go Dog Food Toppers: The article suggests some people foods that make excellent dog food toppers, following a "rainbow approach" by adding fruits and veggies in various colors. It mentions options like blueberries, canned pure pumpkin, sardines, bacon, eggs, ground meat, nori, spirulina, and yogurt. Additionally, it highlights the benefits of fish oil and flax seed oil as nutritional toppers.
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Homemade Dog Food Toppers: The article provides creative and simple ideas for homemade dog food toppers, including grated carrots, sautéed zucchini, frozen veggies, low-sodium cheeses, and a medley of oven-roasted vegetables. It emphasizes the use of organ meat for added flavor and nutrition.
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Caloric Considerations: A crucial point is made about adjusting the overall caloric intake when adding toppers to a dog's diet. It advises consulting with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate balance and ensuring that dietary changes align with the dog's specific needs.
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Recipe Example: The article concludes with a nutritious homemade recipe developed by pet nutritionist Lucy Postins. The recipe includes ingredients like fennel, fava beans, cherries, live-culture plain yogurt, and optional cooked ground turkey.
In conclusion, this article provides a comprehensive guide to dog food toppers, offering insights into the sensory preferences of dogs, a variety of commercial options, and creative ideas for homemade additions. The emphasis on nutritional balance and consulting with a vet underscores a commitment to the well-being of our canine companions.