What's the Scoop on Dog Food Toppers?

(photo credit: Sonja Rachbauer / shutterstock.com)

My dogs were put on a straight, low-fat kibble diet a few years back that had us all rolling our eyes at how boring mealtime had become. Always hungry and hopeful, they’d run into the kitchen and dance around while I prepped their food bowls. Dogs are so optimistic, aren’t they? Then they’d sniff the contents and walk away… I’m sure I heard them sigh. Then later, they’d return out of desperation and slowly peck away at the kibble.

Well, that had to change so I started “dressing up” their dry food meals with scoops of tinned tuna, a little low-fat shredded cheese, and egg-white omelette bites. Anything healthy and tasty.

What I didn’t realize was that pet food manufacturers had already addressed this lunchbox letdown syndrome being experienced by pooches across the country. And their solution was simple: they called them toppers. Yes, just like I’d been trying to do, they had produced something yummy and appealing that you could scatter atop your pet’s regular kibble (or wet food) to encourage them to eat.

Now, not only do these intensely tasty little morsels help to perk up a dull bowl of kibble, but wisely, many of the options being produced, have zeroed in on specific nutritional needs by incorporating superfoods and additive-free ingredients.

Mixtures such as the Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters, are plant-based and use whole, nutrient-rich ingredients such as cranberries, carrots, sweet potato, papaya, and kelp to help support your pet’s overall immune system. This particular dog food topper is free from corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors and preservatives making it a perfect option for dogs with grain sensitivities. And because this zinc-rich topper is freeze-dried, it’s easy to store and perfect to take on road trips, camping, or when dropping off the fur kid for a play date at the sitters’.

For dogs who consume a raw diet, maintaining proper gut health is imperative for pet owners and that’s where a food topper like this Instinct Raw Boost Mixer is just the ticket. Using science-based recipes that have been specifically designed for dogs eating only raw foods, this freeze-dried topper supports your dog’s digestion. It’s both grain-free and full of natural non-cooked ingredients including nourishing cage-free chicken and healthy pro-biotics.

Another great option for households where multiple dogs are on a raw food diet is these freeze-dried dinner patties from Stella & Chewy. Protein-rich and made using whole prey ingredients such as wild-caught salmon and grain-fed beef, organs, and bone these patties can be served whole on top of his food or, for smaller dogs, broken up and crumbled over. All fruits and veggies - including cranberries, blueberries, broccoli, and beets – are 100% organic and provide the right mix of antioxidants to support a healthy immune system and peak energy level.

Now, my fur kid trio love a less crunchy, more juicy type of topper and for them, this stew-like option from The Honest Kitchen is a game-changer. Made in the U.S. from human-grade ingredients including cage-free turkey, spinach and coconut, this all-natural wet food topper is entirely grain-free and arrives in a convenient, dehydrated format for easy storage. Just add warm water to produce a gravy-like consistency and you have a nutrient-rich topper your pooch is going to devour.

Perfect for road trips, camping, or just a quick and easy meal topper, this pre-portioned wet food selection by Blue Buffalo Delights is just the ticket for those picky small breed dogs (like mine!) who can extend a meal period out over a day when they’re not loving the dry food. Made from high-quality beef, the 3.5-ounce individually sealed cups are free of corn, wheat, soy, and poultry by-products. Best of all, the 12-pack format is super convenient – easy to pack, store, and dispense when hunger hits.

Remember my mention of how the pet food industry was tackling some of the more specific nutritional needs of our pets? This fiber-rich pet food topper from Diggin' Your Dog shows just how in-tune manufacturers have become to our pets’ needs. In this instance, it’s in a powder format that you sprinkle atop your pet’s food – either wet or dry. It’s all-natural, made from dried pumpkin and apple pectin and is a great way to help “firm up” your pet’s output by nourishing gut flora and alleviating constipation.

Another great example is BARKinara which uses a broth format to promote hydration in your pet. Taking a holistic approach to food prep, this brand’s SuperGravy mix is perfect for picky pets who crave something a little more like what you just had for dinner. Not only is this dog food topper gluten- and grain-free but it’s made using human-grade foods including pork liver and a range of superfoods. And, by using their proprietary Trigestive Complex with active probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes, this simple, tasty topper promotes both gut and immune health in your dog.

If you chase a top-quality product for your pet but your budget is finite, you want to go with a trusted brand such as Purina Beneful. Their nutrient-rich IncrediBites option uses real ingredients including beef, chicken, or salmon that provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition for your pet. And they are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. These 3-ounce pre-portioned cups are perfect for adding a tasty top-up to a ho-hum bowl of kibble and each is formulated to meet the needs of those small, busy little high-metabolism dogs we share our space with.