The Best Dog Food Toppers According to a Veterinarian
Table of Contents
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What are the Best Dog Food Toppers?
- Best Overall Dog Food Topper: The Honest Kitchen Superfood Pour Overs
Limited ingredient, healthy and nutritious pourable stews with minimally processed and human-grade ingredients. - Best High Protein Dog Food Topper: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts Wet Dog Food
Coming from a reputable brand such as Blue Buffalo, this is a delicious and nutritious dog food topper. - Best Affordable Dog Food Topper: Instinct Healthy Cravings Grain-Free Wet Dog Food Topper
The grass-fed and cage-free meats combined with natural vegetables make this an excellent source of natural nutrition. - Most Reviewed Dog Food Topper: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers
With the most reviews out of any product on this list, it is easy to get an idea of what other people have experienced from this product. - Best Easy-Use Dog Food Topper: Beaumont Basics Flavors Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Topper
This food is made into a shakable powder making this the dog food topper that is the easiest to use. - Best Dog Food Topper for Gut Health: Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers
Freeze-dried dog food topper formulated to promote gut health while making mealtime a tastier experience. - Best Flavor Selection in a Dog Food Topper: The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Whole Grain Dog Food Topper
Available in a variety of flavors, this recipe can be used as a tasty food topper or a complete and balanced meal.
- Use code VETERINARIANS30 for 30% off
- Mix it up at mealtime by pouring these irresistible stews over your pup’s favorite meal.
- Made with nutritious spinach, kale, broccoli & turmeric, these chunky meal enhancers give an added boost.
- This recipe is 100% human-grade.
What are Dog Food Toppers?
Dog food toppers are taste enhancers – they are poured on top of the regular kibble to make it more enticing. Toppers add flavor and texture to the food while also providing nutrients such as protein, vitamins, or minerals.
Meal toppers come in different forms, like powders, liquids, and dry or semi-moist chunks. Toppers come in handy when dealing with picky eaters and when regular food is not a complete source of nutrition.
Are Dog Food Toppers Good For Dogs?
Yes, dog food toppers are good for dogs. Here are some of the reasons meal toppers are a great addition to the dog’s diet:
- Suitable for Picky Eaters. Food toppers offer taste and texture that keep dogs engaged when eating. This is helpful, considering many dog breeds are notorious for their picky eating habits. Toppers come in different flavors and textures.
- Prevent Palate Boredom. Toppers can be used to add variety to the dog’s meal and prevent palate boredom. This occurs when the dog gets bored with the flavor and texture of the dry kibble it is eating.
- Add Nutrients. Some dog food formulas do not contain all the necessary nutrients. This is where food toppers kick in. There are many toppers for different purposes – you just need to find the type that suits your dog’s dietary needs best.
- Promote Hydration. Finally, meal toppers are a great way of promoting healthy hydration in dogs. Some dogs are not keen drinkers and are at risk of becoming dehydrated. Most toppers are high in water and support hydration.
The Best Dog Food Toppers Reviewed
Many dog food brands offer meal toppers. Some are focused on flavor and texture enhancement, and others add essential nutrients. To help pet owners find the right option for their dogs, we have reviewed the best dog food toppers on the market.
Summary: Made with selected human-grade ingredients that are slow-cooked to retain the nutrients, this meal enhancer by The Honest Kitchen is our top pick. The main ingredient in all three flavors is real meat fortified with health-boosting superfoods. The topper comes in the form of a delicious stew that is a healthy grab-and-go alternative to canned dog food. The topper is made in the USA and is free from grains, fillers, and artificial additives. Customers can also get 30% off on their first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30.
Type: Slow-cooked meal enhancer
Best for: Puppies and adult dogs
Flavor Options: Chicken Stew; Turkey Stew; Lamb & Beef Stew
Price: $7.99/3 packs (5.5 oz)
- 30% off on first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30
- 100% natural and slow-cooked meal enhancers
- Made with non-GMO, human-grade ingredients
- Enriched with health-boosting superfoods
- No gums, BPA, fillers, and artificial preservatives
- Delicious and nutritious grab-and-go option
- Often out of stock
Ingredient Analysis: The main ingredients in all three recipes are bone broth and real meat (chicken, turkey, lamb & beef), which provide animal-based protein and promote healthy hydration. The formula is enriched with superfoods such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. The rest of the ingredients are potatoes, tapioca, and turmeric.
Review: Amazon customers give this topper 4.3 out of 5 stars. They say the enhancer is a “success,” and their dogs love it. Pet owners are also pleased with the variety of flavor options that keep their dogs excited about mealtime.
Summary: Packed with real beef or chicken, this is a grain-free dog food topper. It is made to enhance any meal with natural ingredients for natural taste. The semi-moist kibble is perfect for dogs of all life stages and is easy to chew, nutritious, and tasty. It is available in a variety pack of three flavors that are ready to improve any meal.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken & Beef
Price: $1.75/can
- High-protein recipe with real meat
- Supports healthy hydration
- No fillers, by-products, and preservatives
- Available in a variety pack
- Comes with an affordable price tag
- Complains about lack of quality control on Amazon orders
Ingredient Analysis: Real chicken or beef is the first ingredient and makes this topper a great source of protein. Chicken broth is then used for taste and texture, while potato starch adds a small amount of carbohydrates.
Review: Happy customers note the food looks and smell great, and it gets their dogs to eat when they were previously not eating. Critical reviews mention a suspicion of counterfeit dog food being sold by sellers on Amazon. Overall, dog owners give this recipe 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This is a natural wet dog food topper made with gravy and real meat. The meat in this food is cage-free and grass-fed. It is grain-free and made to supplement the nutrition in a dog’s traditional meal. It is made in three flavors and is available in cases of 12 pouches.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Real Beef Recipe; Real Chicken Recipe; Real Lamb Recipe
Price: $1.50/lb
- Made with grass-fed and cage-free meat
- Easy-to-serve pouches make mealtime convenient
- Easily chewable bits make this a good choice for puppy food
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Affordable and available in a variety pack
- An unspecified natural flavor is used in this formula
Ingredient Analysis: Real chicken, beef, or lamb is used as the foundation of this formula, and this adds an excellent source of protein and minerals. Beef liver, beef bone broth, chicken bone broth, and lamb broth are used for taste and texture, and salt and sodium are included to finish off the micronutrient profile of this topper.
Review: Those who left positive reviews were happy that their dogs liked the food, and it helped to encourage dogs to start eating when they had previously refused to eat. Negative reviews claim the food made their dog sick. Overall, dog owners give this recipe 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This freeze-dried dog food topper is made with a single source of animal protein as the primary ingredient. It is made in the USA with all-natural and minimally processed whole-food ingredients. The meat in this freeze-dried, raw dog food is raised without hormones or antibiotics, and no rehydration is necessary to feed this to your dog. It is available in a variety of flavors and sizes to fit the needs of dogs of all sizes.
Type: Freeze-dried meal topper
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Beef; Chicken; Duck; Lamb; Pork; Salmon & Cod; Turkey
Price: $40.00/lb
- With hormones or antibiotic-free meat
- 95% of the ingredients are meat, organs, and bone
- Enriched with organic fruits and veggies
- All-natural and minimally processed formula
- No grains, peas, lentils, or potatoes
Raw food can result in texture variations
Ingredient Analysis: Chicken with ground bone, chicken liver, and chicken gizzard are the first ingredients in the chicken recipe. This is a great example of a high-quality protein source in a dog food topper. Beets, broccoli, carrots, and blueberries are all included for digestive health alongside probiotics. Pumpkin is used as a gluten-free source of fiber, and vitamins and minerals are used to make this an excellent source of nutrition.
Review: Reviews left by happy customers gave reasons like “great for dog treats” and “this is great for my picky eater” for why they were satisfied with this product. Critics were largely disappointed in the lack of quality in this product. There were multiple stories about people finding an under-processed bone in the food. All in all, pet owners give this recipe 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Summary: Made with 100% human-grade ingredients in an FDA-registered facility, this dog food topper is made into a dry shake for easy use. It is made with no synthetic flavors or colors and is grain-free. No wheat, corn, or soy is used in this ultra-low calorie recipe. It is available in four flavors to keep dogs engaged and ready for food.
Type: Powdered food topper
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken; Peanut Butter; White Cheddar; Red Meat
Price: $9.85 per jar
- With 100% human-grade ingredients
- Made in an FDA-approved facility
- Grain-free, low-calorie, and low-sodium recipe
- No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- 44 servings per one package
- The scent can be off-putting for some users
Ingredient Analysis: There are only a handful of ingredients in this limited ingredient dog food topper. Chicken and dehydrated chicken bone are the first two ingredients that offer protein and minerals, while potato starch and sweet potato are used for carbs. Rosemary extract is used as an antioxidant and to add flavor.
Review: Satisfied customers mostly hit on the note that their picky dogs would eat this food with no problem. Negative reviews made up over 10% of total reviews, however. Complaints varied with people saying their dogs wouldn’t eat the powder, the container arrived half full, and moisture was found in the bottle before it was opened. Overall, dog owners give this recipe 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This is a freeze-dried raw dry dog food topper that is specifically formulated for gut health. It is grain-free and uses responsibly sourced cage-free chicken as the first ingredient. It is rich in fiber and protein and made without artificial corn, wheat, or soy. The raw ingredients in this food are sourced from around the world and assembled in the USA. It is never cooked in order to preserve the integrity of the natural ingredients in this food.
Type: Freeze-dried meal topper
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken; Gut Health; Mobility Support; Skin & Coat Health
Price: $13.29/pack
- Raw meat is the first ingredient
- Includes probiotics and dietary fiber
- Tasty, soft, and easy-to-chew chunks
- Made without corn, wheat, or soy
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- More expensive than other options on the list
Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient and offers high-quality protein. Chicken liver and chicken heart offer real and natural vitamins and minerals, and pumpkin and chicory root are used for their fiber. Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product is added for probiotics, and rosemary extract provides antioxidants.
Review: Reviews left by satisfied customers note positive changes in their dog’s behavior toward food after introducing this to their dogs. Almost all of the positive reviews mention their picky dogs eat this food without issue, and it had improved their gut health. However, some customers say the package size was too small to satisfy their expectations. All in all, pet owners give this recipe 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Summary: Things like cage-free turkey and organic whole grains make up the bulk of this dry dog food topper. It is suitable for all dogs and provides complete and balanced nutrition. The ingredients are 100% human-grade and produced in a human-grade facility to ensure the highest quality nutrition. It contains no fillers or GMOs, and it is available in a wide variety of flavors.
Type: Fresh, dehydrated dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken; Turkey; Beef; Beef and Salmon; Chicken and Duck; Fish; Turkey and Fish; Wild Caught Fish
Price: $7.00/lb
- Complete and balanced source of nutrition
- Made with human-grade ingredients and practices
- Minimally processed for maximum nutrition
- Available in a wide variety of flavors
- No by-products, fillers, or preservatives
- Needs to be rehydrated before serving
Ingredient Analysis: Dehydrated turkey is the first ingredient, and it offers high-quality amino acids as a foundation for this recipe. Organic oats, flaxseed, and dehydrated potatoes add carbs and fatty acids, while taurine supports and promotes heart health. The formula is rounded with fruits and veggies as natural sources of vitamins and minerals.
Review: The top review on this food says they would give this product six stars if they could. Most of the positive reviews follow suit by saying this is a great food for their picky eaters and dogs who struggle to eat enough. Critical reviews bring up concerns about the reputation of Honest Kitchen and question the quality of the ingredients. Overall, pet owners give this recipe 4.4 out of 5 stars.
- Easy-to-clean, food-grade stainless steel bowl
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- Built-in advanced microphone and speaker
- Motion detection, smart notifications, and indicators
- Use the code Vets15 for 15% off
What Ingredients Should I Look for in Dog Food Toppers?
When looking for the best dog food topper, several things need to be considered. Here is an overview of the important factors:
- Nutrient Profile. The purpose of a meal topper is to provide nutrition, taste, and texture to a meal. This is especially relevant in dog foods that do not provide complete nutrition.
- Quality Ingredients. The ingredient list of a meal topper should be short and clean. Toppers should contain real meat and superfoods to supply all the nutrients a dog needs.
- Caloric Content. The meal topper needs to be low in calories, especially if used frequently. If high in calories, the food topper may lead to weight gain and obesity.
Should I Put Dog Food Toppers on My Dogs Food?
It depends. Using a meal topper on pet food is neither mandatory nor necessary.
Generally speaking, you should use a dog food topper in two cases – if your dog is a picky eater and if its regular food is not nutritionally complete and balanced.
In the first case, you will need a food topper featuring your dog’s favorite flavor, like chicken or bacon. In the second case, you will need a nutritious topper with a nutrient profile specific to your dog’s needs.
For example, if your dog’s bowel movements are irregular, look for dog food toppers that support gut health (recipes featuring probiotics and prebiotics).
