11 of The Best Dog Food Toppers That Are Healthy For Your Pup

You’re in the pet store and shopping for your pet. Doggy accessories. Check. Dog food. Check. Dog food toppers. Um, what? It’s overwhelming enough selecting the best dog food for your canine, but add dog food toppers to that list and total confusion.

How do you select the best dog food toppers to give? What should be in them? And do dogs really need food toppers? 

Let’s run through the ins and outs of this tasty type of doggy treat and discuss some of the best you can give your pup today.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST DOG FOOD TOPPERS

Is Giving A Dog Food Topper Necessary?

No, dog food toppers are not strictly necessary. Not in most scenarios, anyway. But they do have a lot of upsides that can benefit your pet. Like these below:

1. They add variety. Dogs love their kibbles and wet food, but just like their humans, they enjoy variety too. And unlike us, they really can’t keep changing their food. So if you’ve found the best dog food that works well with your pet’s tastes and/or sensitivities, it would be hard to switch to another. 

Dog food toppers provide an extra layer of taste to the usual dog’s meal. These encourage your dog to eat his regular food by giving him something a little different so he won’t get bored and turn his nose up at his dinner.

2. They entice picky eaters. Dog food toppers are crafted to be extra palatable and aromatic to entice picky pups to quit snubbing their meals. They’re also quite helpful in encouraging recovering or sick dogs to eat up.

3. They provide extra nutritional value. Some dog food mixers are filled with extra nutrition designed specifically to boost certain areas of your pup’s health.

For example, you’ve got healthy dog food toppers that contain supplemental nutrition for joint health, some have extra protein, some are crafted with omega fatty acids for shiny hair and coats, and so on. 

4. They’re quite handy when giving medication. Food toppers are a sneaky but great way to hide your pup’s medication. No more struggling to feed your sick dog what his doctor ordered. 

5. They’re good for hydrating pets. Food toppers (wet ones) are excellent for adding extra moisture into your pet’s diet, particularly if your dog does not drink enough water. Bone broths can be poured over your dog’s kibble to make his food more hydrating and palatable.

Types of Toppers in a Dog’s Food

There are many kinds of dog food toppers but the main categories are wet and dry. A wet dog food topper may have gravy or water, or be made entirely of broth. A dry food topper can be made of kibbles, or can be found in powder, air-dried, dehydrated, or freeze-dried forms. 

Usually, the dry forms keep better than the wet kind of food topper, whose leftovers may need to be refrigerated. Choose which works best or is most convenient to prepare for you. 

 

1. Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver
2. The Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers Beef Recipe
3. Stella & Chewy's Duck Duck Goose Meal Mixers
4. Olewo Dehydrated Carrots
5. The Missing Link Ultimate Canine Hip & Joint Formula
6. Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers
7. Wellness CORE Simply Shreds Chicken, Beef & Carrots
8. Cesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Ham & Egg Flavor
9. Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth
10. Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Lamb in Bisque
11. Nulo FreeStyle Chicken, Salmon & Carrot in Broth

The Best Dog Food Toppers

1. Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver

Sole Ingredient: 100% Pure Beef Liver

Guaranteed Analysis:

Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver is a grain free, freeze-dried raw dog treat made from 100% raw liver. The savory morsels are freeze-dried so your pup gets to enjoy the natural aroma of the food and the full nutritional value of the meat.

We chose this dog food topper because it’s ideal for most dogs, even for ones with sensitivities. There’s only one ingredient so you don’t have to look long to check if there are troublesome ingredients in it that may affect your pup. If you feed your dog a raw food diet, this will perfectly complement it too.

The food is high in protein, low in fat, and since it’s easily crumbled, is great as a food topper for your pet’s meals (aside from being an excellent training treat).

Dogs simply love liver. There are only a very few who don’t. So it ticks all of the things in our list of what makes a good topper. Plus, it’s got the taste down pat too. 

Not only do we approve of the ingredients, but with a ton of reviews and most of them good, we’d have to say this is the best dog food topper to give your finicky canine. Who else knows best but pet parents like you?

This training treat/dog food topper is a hit with most pooches and their owners based on an 82% 5-star rating from 1,372 purchasers. Dogs love the liver taste and are willing to go through hoops for a taste of this.

The topper affords dogs with more energy, gives them gleaming coats, and motivates them to learn (for training). And they come in tubs, which last a long time — a big plus for buyers. 

The negative reviews mostly complain about the non-standardized sizes of the chunks or how big most of the chunks seem to be. But these can be easily cut up to the size you wish or crumbled into dust to sprinkle onto your dog’s meal.

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2. The Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers Beef Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Beef, Dehydrated Eggs, Dried Apples, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dehydrated Kale

Guaranteed Analysis:

The Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers are light, crispy, and dehydrated grain free food clusters made of 100% human grade ingredients and 80% ranch-raised beef.

There are no bones or organs included. Just six main ingredients (dried blueberries is the sixth) and a few vitamin and mineral supplements.

84% of reviewers recommend the Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers to other pet owners. According to them, the dog food toppers smell fresh and their dogs love the taste. It’s also a big deal that the food is made up of human grade ingredients and manufactured in a human grade factory. 

There are several negative reviews about the product and they all have something to do with how hard the dehydrated beef is.

Supposedly, the chicken version of the Honest Kitchen Toppers is softer and crumbles easily, but the beef can be tough on canine teeth.

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3. Stella & Chewy's Duck Duck Goose Meal Mixers

First 5 Ingredients: Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard

Guaranteed Analysis:

Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Meal Mixers are grain free toppers that complement a well balanced diet, raw or otherwise.

The mixers are made of 95% cage-free poultry like goose, turkey, and duck. The raw diet makes use of all parts of the poultry, including organ meat and bones (finely grounded) to provide a nutritious and tasty treat for your pup.

With a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars and 95% recommended rating, we expected a lot from this food topper product by Stella & Chewy. And it didn’t disappoint.

Many of the reviewers were impressed with the quality of the food, and it works even on picky dogs as several have attested. It’s a good supplement for all types of diets but especially one that relies on raw nutrition.

The critical reviews are mainly due to a shipping problem and not an issue with the food itself. A few did say that their fur babies turned their noses up at the food toppers, but they only make up a little percentage of the total reviews.

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4. Olewo Dehydrated Carrots for Digestive Issues

Sole Ingredient: Dehydrated Carrot

Guaranteed Analysis:

Olewu Digestive Health & Anti-Diarrhea Dehydrated Dog Food Topper is a natural way to relieve stomach issues in dogs.

It’s made solely of dehydrated carrots, which are excellent for helping calm tummy issues such as diarrhea, gas, and intestinal worms.

And thanks to its beta-carotene content, the food topper can also improve a dog’s coat and his skin health. 

This food topper product has garnered a rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 from 175 Chewy.com reviewers. Many of the purchasers are happy with the result of adding this to their dog’s food — solid stools, less gas, and shinier coats. The product also smells fresh and sweet, according to some.

The downside to this product is that some dogs won’t eat it up. Some owners have to mix it thoroughly with canned food to hide the carrot taste that a picky eater might not be fond of.

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5. The Missing Link Ultimate Canine Hip & Joint Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Ground Flaxseed, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Freeze Dried Beef Liver, Cane Molasses, Rice Bran

Guaranteed Analysis:

The Missing Link Canine & Hope Joint Formula is a powder blend of omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and whole foods that provide joint support and a big nutritional boost to regular dog food.

Although it is formulated for all dogs, it is best for older ones who suffer from stiffness or pain in their joints. 

87% of 283 reviewers found this topper is just what is needed to bring the spark back to elderly dogs.

Dull coats became shinier and softer to the touch, older pups had more energy, and most mobility issues were gone. Senior canines became more like younger pups once this topper was added to their food intake.

The critical reviews are from customers whose dogs did not like the taste. Those who gave one to three star ratings comprised 5% of the total number of reviewers.

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6. Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkin seeds, Chicken Heart, Dried Pumpkin

Guaranteed Analysis:

Instinct Raw Boost Mixers is a grain free dog food topper with fiber and live and natural probiotics to boost your pup’s digestive health. It is made with free range chicken that has been freeze dried to supplement your dog’s diet with much flavor and nutrition.

A total of 327 reviewers rated this dog food mixer with 4.6 stars out of 5. Not only does the topper assist with digestion and the elimination of loose stools, but it also turns dogs into little beggars who lick their bowl clean and ask for more. Since the mixer is in dry form, the probiotics in it (meant for dogs with easily upset stomachs) are easily dispensed. 

The less-than-stellar ratings come from a few customers whose picky dogs won’t touch their toppers. It’s also mentioned as being too expensive to be used as regular toppers.

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7. Wellness CORE Simply Shreds Chicken, Beef & Carrots

All Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient For Processing, Beef, Carrots 

Guaranteed Analysis:

Wellness CORE Simply Shreds is a natural and grain free dog food mixer that boosts a pup’s nutritional intake through its meaty shreds of premium protein and broth made of diced veggies.

It’s made up of only five simple ingredients to make it easy to keep track of potentially problematic products in the case of a sensitive pup.

108 reviewers gave this dog food mixer an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5. Many were highly satisfied that the topper in a gravy sauce enticed their pups to eat every bite in their bowl.

Its premium and healthy ingredients were also cited as a factor why pet owners recommend the dog food. Also, the delicious treat looks homemade and smells nice too.

As for the negative reviews, it was mentioned that the packets contain small portions only that would be ideal for small dogs. Big dogs will have to eat plenty, and there’s not enough of it to justify the price.

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8. Cesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Ham & Egg Flavor

First 5 Ingredients: Pork, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Pork By-Products

Guaranteed Analysis:

Cesar Loaf & Topper offers even the pickiest canine with something he can’t resist — a gourmet taste and smell.

Pork is the first ingredient and is supplemented by organ meat for a more nutritious meal. Each food comes in a convenient single-serve tray to make feeding easier.

With a 4.7 stars out of 5 average rating from 57 reviewers, this grain free dog food topper is a hit among pet owners and doggies alike. Out of many Cesar flavors, this is voted by a majority to be the favorite of their picky eaters. 

So far, there are only two negative reviews for the product. One customer complained about damage during shipping, while the other said her two dogs did not like the mixer.

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9. Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth

All 5 Ingredients: Beef Broth, Beef Fat, Salt, Natural Flavor, Organic Turmeric

Guaranteed Analysis:

Castor & Pollux’s product is a beef bone broth made from responsibly-raised and grass-fed beef that’s free from artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.

It doesn’t have any of those unnecessary ingredients like soy, corn, wheat, grains, or gluten so it’s perfect for canines with sensitivities. And it’s specially designed to add palatability to dry kibble and aid in a dog’s hydration.

There are only 11 reviews on Chewy.com so far, but 91% of those reviewers gave it a 5 star rating.

The beef flavor on this broth is enticing to pets, and several customers have said that the bone broth is a great help with sensitive dogs. It has made a huge difference in their coats and immune system. 

There is one 2-star review from a pet owner who said the broth did nothing for her pet. However, she did qualify that she did like the ingredient list. It’s just that the product did not work for her.

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10. Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Lamb in Bisque

First 5 Ingredients: Lamb Broth, Lamb, Sunflower Oil, Fish Extracts, Natural Tuna Flavor

Guaranteed Analysis:

Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster in Lamb is crafted specially for promoting healthy skin and shiny coats in small breed adult dogs. The topper is made with a savory gravy sauce and features real lamb as the main ingredient.

There are no one- or two-star reviews for this product on Chewy.com! With a 4.7 stars out of 5 rating, this topper seems to have the approval of most dogs.

According to pet owners, it’s a perfect kibble additive because canines think of it as a special treat. Dogs love the taste, while their owners love the ingredients.

The three-star rating comes from a purchaser who thinks that the topper is a little too watery and needs more meat.

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11. Nulo FreeStyle Chicken, Salmon & Carrot in Broth

All Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Salmon, Carrot

Guaranteed Analysis:

Nulo Freestyle offers finicky eaters a tasty blend of chicken, wild-caught salmon, and fresh carrot for a nourishing treat. The mixer is made using only four clean ingredients, shredded and put in a savory gravy broth.

Dogs who are sensitive to many ingredients (except for chicken and salmon) may find that this food is exactly what they need to make their regular dry kibble more exciting.

This product only has 8 reviews on Chewy.com but it has hundreds elsewhere. In all sites, the rating is mostly the same — always 4.6 stars out of 5 or even higher. Pet owners are happy about the healthy ingredients, and dogs go wild over the taste. 

The critical reviews are also mostly the same across different platforms. There is a very little amount of protein chunks to be found, thus making it a very expensive topper to give your pup.

The pouch is also very large for the amount of food it contains, and the way it is folded makes it hard to access 100% of the topper inside.

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What You Should Look For In A Dog Food Topper

Now. let’s go to what makes a great food topper. There are lots of tasty food toppers out there, but tasty does not always equal healthy.

Selecting the right food topper for your pet is similar to how you would shop for his dog food. Take a look at your pup and consider which food toppers target the areas in your pup’s health or body that need a little help. Consider:

1. His age. Remember what we said about some food toppers containing extra nutritional value? If your pup is old, consider dog food mixers with glucosamine and chondroitin for his joints. If your pet is young, a little bit more protein for his developing muscles would be fine. 

2. Breed. Smaller pups burn through their energy stores quickly. A few more calories is not a bad thing. Also, consider the size of the food toppers (if dry). Smaller mouths will benefit from smaller dry food toppers, but bigger mouths need bigger-sized kibbles.

3. Sensitivities. Can your pup handle chicken or dairy? Are his food allergies triggered by grains? It’s best to look closely at the label. Some food toppers say ‘salmon’ in front but also have chicken in the label. It’s best to check the ingredients list thoroughly.

4. Taste. I have one dog that hates turkey and another that will gobble it up like there’s no tomorrow. Food toppers improve the taste of regular food so pick a topper in a flavor you know your pup will love. 

5. Weight. Some dogs definitely need to keep the weight off, while some can stand to have a pound or two more. If your pooch is on the chunky side, look for food toppers with low caloric content. 

6. Ingredients. We put this last but it’s definitely not the least. Some dog food toppers may look great, but if you peer closely at the label, you may find lots of ingredients that shouldn’t be anywhere near your dog’s bowl. 

 

Organic and human-grade ingredients are, of course, some of the best you can give your pet. But there are also lots of food toppers that aren’t organic nor human-grade but are still wholesome.

And generally speaking, the fewer ingredients the food topper has, the better. This means that there will be less filler products and more of the good stuff you want in your pup’s food.

Grain free dog food toppers aren’t any better than the grain-inclusive ones, unless your pup is sensitive to grains. If you choose one with grains, make sure you choose premium ones and not cheap fillers like brewer’s rice.

What you should be wary of are artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and other ingredients that contain no nutritional value. 

Takeaway

Dog food toppers are a wonderful solution to provide your canine more nutrition or to get your finicky pups to eat. Add a little to each meal and watch your dog thrive and improve.

Whatever your dog may be missing or need more of, food toppers can easily boost and supplement. 

Just make sure to follow the food directions at the back of the pack. You don’t want to unintentionally give your pet more than he needs. (Too much of a good thing is not advisable.)

You may also want to ask your professional pet care provider to give an advice or suggestion on what is best for your pup.