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Have you ever seen your dog give you that “meh” look when you serve them their dinner? Pet parents want their dogs to enjoy meals as much as they do. But eating kibble every day can get boring. Adding food toppers makes dinner fun, and healthy.
Whether you have a picky eater, or you want to give some extra treats to your puppy, let’s talk about delicious food toppers. Use them to spice up dinner and keep your furry friend coming back for more.
What are Dog Food Toppers?
Dog food toppers are natural ingredients that you add to your dog’s main meal. They enhance taste and nutrition but also add variety to kibble.
Plenty of store-bought pet food toppers, but you can always use ingredients you already have at home. That way, you get control over what your dog eats and reduce artificial preservatives and flavor.
When to Add Toppers?
Adding food toppers is a double-edged sword: You want to use a food topper to enrich your dog’s meal but not too often that they become used to it or refuse to eat kibble unless it has that something special added.
The best way is to add kibble toppers as a reward. If you have a picky eater or a dog with a sensitive stomach, natural toppers can go a long way in encouraging them to eat.
What Are the Benefits?
Dog food toppers are as straightforward as they sound. These simple, yet tasty additions to your dog’s meal bring plenty of benefits. Here are some of the most important benefits:
- Helps your dog transition from a kibble diet to a raw food diet.
- Improves digestibility in dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Addresses specific ailments and supplementation (For example, supporting joint health).
- Adds variety to your dog’s diet.
Best Dog Food Toppers
Dog food toppers range from fruits and vegetables to meats and oils. You can change toppers for more variety and address different needs. Here are some options.
Canned Pumpkin
Low in calories, organic canned pumpkin is a great dog food topper, providing plenty of fiber and antioxidants. You can find it in any grocery store, or you can cook pumpkin at home. Puree it for better digestion. Pumpkin helps with constipation and loose stools.
Fresh Vegetables
Regular kibble contains plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, adding fresh vegetables improves your dog’s immune system and vitamin intake.
Always use non-starchy vegetables to avoid high-calorie count. Vegetables are a great healthy snack, but also a fun kibble topper. You can add them raw, but your dog will absorb them better if cooked.
Some great options include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, and green beans. Dogs cannot break down fiber, so puree veggies to help with digestion.
Soft Boiled Eggs
Eggs are a great protein source, and you can cook them soft-boiled or scrambled. Be careful, eggs add about 70 calories to your dog’s diet. For large and medium dogs, one egg will do the trick. For small dogs, limit it to 1/2 egg per day.
You can also top it with a raw egg, but some pet parents prefer adding a soft-boiled egg.
Sardines or Anchovies
Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, sardines are some of the best toppers. Always use sardines in water instead of oil to prevent extra fat in your dog’s diet.
Speaking of calories, one sardine is 25 calories, excellent for small dogs. Larger dogs can have two to three sardines.
Like sardines, anchovies provide plenty of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. The difference is sardines are larger and chubbier, with a smaller mouth. Their flavor is milder and rounded, while anchovies have a more pungent, fishier flavor.
See also
Salmon Oil
A splash of salmon oil on top of your dog’s kibble will do wonders for his appetite. Dogs love the fishy smell. One teaspoon of salmon oil per day will keep your dog’s coat shiny and nice.
Goat Milk
Another great option for topping kibble, goat milk supports the digestive system, provides allergy relief, supports inflammatory response, and provides hydration.
You can add it as a meal topper supplement, or as a stand-alone side dish.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a tasty drink that can add flavor to your dog’s kibble. Rich in collagen, bone broth helps with maintaining joint health.
At the same time, it helps with the immune system, improves appetite, fights inflammation, and improves digestive health.
Yogurt or Kefir
Both yogurt and kefir provide probiotics that support your puppy’s digestive health. Always buy plain varieties to avoid sugar and other ingredients that can upset your dog’s stomach.
Blueberries
All berries are great, but blueberries are the king of antioxidants. They are a low-calorie, high-nutrition snack that adds sweetness to the meal. You can serve them fresh or frozen, but only a handful daily.
Cucumbers
Another low-calorie snack option, cucumbers provide plenty of hydration. Because of their high water content, they help with weight management.
Final Words
Dog toppers are a great addition to your furry friend’s meals and help to enhance their eating experience and routine. A good kibble topper is tasty and entices picky eaters with its flavor and aroma. All of the toppings we suggested can be used as meal toppers, treats, or full-feed meals.
