5 Best Dog Food Toppers To Keep Your Pup Happy and Healthy
Updated: Apr. 25, 2024
These dog food toppers are made using natural ingredients and add a boost of nutrition and flavor at mealtimes.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Similar to people, dogs can get sick of eating the same food over and over again. Instead of going out and buying a whole new bag of kibble or overdoing it with treats, try adding dog food toppers to their bowl. These additions can be as simple as pour-over bone broth, wet food, sprinkles or even sardines. The point isn’t to replace their normal meals or vet-recommended diet altogether, it’s only to incentivize them to eat their food on days when they’re being picky.
Thankfully, the best dog food toppers on the market can be found at online retailers like Chewy and Amazon, making it easy to purchase multiple options in order to find the right fit for your canine. Each option on this list is made of natural ingredients that offer additional protein and added flavors to keep pups healthy and happy.
The best dog food toppers
- Best overall: Solid Gold Turkey Bone Broth
- Best wet food: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Canned Dog Food
- Best broth: The Honest Kitchen Superfood Pour Overs
- Best sprinkles: Crumps’ Naturals Beef Liver Sprinkles
- Most natural: Chicken of the Sea Sardines in Water
via merchant
Best overall dog food topper
Solid Gold Turkey Bone Broth
It’s no secret that dogs are super smart animals, so we wouldn’t be shocked if extremely picky eaters tried to get away with only eating the dog food toppers and leaving the kibble behind. Luckily, that’s not the case with bone broth since the liquid coats the dog food itself. Plus, the smell and taste are so irresistible, they likely won’t want to leave anything behind in their bowls anyway.
What’s great about this pouch in particular is it can be resealed and used again within seven days of opening. It’s available in single containers and in bulk so you can try it out before committing to a big batch.
Pros
- Main ingredient is turkey bone broth
- 100% human-grade
- Naturally occurring collagen
- Available in single pouches and in bulk
- Resealable
Cons
-
Can make food soggy if not eaten right away
via merchant
Best wet food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Canned Dog Food
Most dogs gravitate toward wet food more than kibble due to the tasty gravy on top, which is why this canned pick is one of the best dog food toppers. Better yet, Hill’s Science Diet is one of five approved dog brands by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), so you know this canned food is packed with nutritional value. Given that a single can is at least one meal in itself, you only need a small amount on top of their dry food to get them intrigued. The rest can be saved and eaten within the next 24 hours.
Pros
- Easy-to-digest, high-quality ingredients
- Everyday diet dog food
- Brand approved by the AVMA
- Supports heart health
Cons
-
Recommended only for adult dogs 1 to 6 years old
via merchant
Best broth
The Honest Kitchen Superfood Pour Overs
The Honest Kitchen Pour Overs stand out from other versions of bone broth because it incorporates delicious chunks of food, providing a tasty treat-like experience for dogs. Each case comes with 12 boxes, with each box containing 5.5 ounces of dog food topper—enough for approximately two servings.
The broth resembles a stew and is created using human-grade ingredients, emitting an appetizing smell. It does not contain artificial flavors or preservatives and is non-GMO, making it a healthy choice suitable for dogs of all ages. The broth can be used as is or warmed up to enhance its aroma.
Pros
- Tasty and nutritious bone broth recommended by vets
- Chunky consistency
- All-natural ingredients
- 100% human-grade
- Healthy choice for all ages
Cons
-
Only available in bulk
via merchant
Best sprinkles
Crumps’ Naturals Beef Liver Sprinkles
If you want quick and easy dog food toppers that can be reused for more than a few days, look no further than Crumps’ Naturals Sprinkles. It consists of only two ingredients, beef and rosemary extract. The pieces are small enough to prevent your dog from picking them out of their food. Not to mention it’s a highly cost-effective choice, and a small amount goes a long way.
Among the 4,000+ five-star ratings on Amazon, one satisfied reviewer, Sarah, even describes it as “magic dust” due to its remarkable effectiveness. Another happy customer, Bianca, echoes her sentiment, writing: “I have the pickiest dog ever. Whenever I top his food with this, he goes crazy! It’s nice seeing him finally eat! This stuff is magic. Highly recommend.”
Pros
- Only two ingredients
- Easy to add to food
- Budget-friendly
- Long-lasting
Cons
-
Easy to overfeed
via merchant
Most natural
Chicken of the Sea Sardines in Water
Sardines serve as an excellent alternative to broth and sprinkles for dogs who need to visually see the presence of dog food toppers. Although they might emit an unpleasant smell to us, it proves irresistible to them. Opting for sardines packed in water (avoiding oil) provides an abundance of additional protein and Omega 3 fatty acids, while also enhancing the flavor of regular dry food.
Experts suggest that large breed dogs can consume up to three sardines daily. However, as it significantly increases the meal’s calorie content, it is advised to adjust their daily intake accordingly.
Pros
- Wild-caught and responsibly-sourced sardines
- Contains only simple ingredients—with no preservatives
- Stored in water
- High in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids
- Gluten-free
Cons
-
Might have an unpleasant odor for some
What to consider when buying dog food toppers
If you’ve never used dog food toppers before, purchasing a single bag, pouch or can is the way to go before committing to buying in bulk. After all, dog food toppers aren’t ideal for everyday consumption and should only be used as needed.
When deciding which topper is the best fit, think about your dog’s favorite treats, whether that’s chicken snacks, salmon bites, veggies or fruit.
Evaluation criteria
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What are dog food toppers?
Dog food toppers are tasty treats or liquids that are used to enhance dog food without adding a ton of extra calories or fats. They are most commonly used to help feed picky eaters.
Should I add toppers to my dog’s food?
If your pup won’t eat, dog food toppers can be a helpful aid that makes their everyday diet more appealing. Just like anything else, though, dog food toppers should be used in moderation. They are not a replacement for kibble.
What is the best thing to put on dog food?
You can’t go wrong with using natural ingredients like bone broth, fresh berries (no grapes or raisins) and soft-boiled eggs (just avoid these foods dogs can’t eat). Your food toppers can also be functional, supplying probiotics to aid in digestion or Omega 3 fatty acids to provide relief to itchy dogs. You can also try water before going out of your way to purchase specific toppers: Soaking kibble in warm water for a minute or two before feeding creates a stronger aroma that’s more enticing to many dogs.
Craving more paw-some content? Get hilarious videos, heartwarming stories and editor-vetted product recommendations for every type of pet delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for The Scoop newsletter.
Originally Published: June 23, 2023
