Food Toppers for Dogs That Are Healthy and Tasty

Beautifully presented bowls with an abundance of unique food toppers for dogs have taken over social media, influencing many dog parents to decorate their pup’s meals. When done appropriately, adding toppers to your dog's meals is a great way to create variety, decrease pickiness, and potentially even boost your dog's immune system and overall health. Keep reading for our top picks for dog food toppers that are actually worth your time and money. 

It is important to note that toppers and extra goodies should not exceed 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. If you are already feeding a complete and balanced diet, you do not want to risk unbalancing your dog's diet by including too many toppers. Additionally, when feeding toppers you will need to take away a portion of their primary food to avoid accidentally overfeeding. Unfortunately in this case, there can be too much of a good thing. 

Liquid Toppers for Dogs: 

Perhaps the most beneficial topper that you can add to your dog's diet is something to boost hydration. A few commonly used liquid toppers are: 

• Bone Broth - High in glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen for healthy joints and a shiny coat. 
• Goats milk or kefir - Lower in lactose than cow's milk, goats milk is easy to digest and boasts numerous gut health benefits like probiotics. 
• Warm water - You can never go wrong with adding some extra H20 to your pup’s meals. 

Dogs have evolved to eat and thrive on dry food diets, however some pups may not be getting all the hydration they need from their water dish. These dogs may be living in a constant state of dehydration, making it extremely beneficial to add moisture back into their meals. 

Dog Teeth Cleaning Toppers 

A nice 2-in-1 topper is a chew that will entice your dog to eat as well as clean their teeth! The size of the chew will depend on your dog and their chewing style, but some of our favorites are: 

• Chicken or duck feet - These can be found at most pet stores and are great for scrubbing teeth. The small bones in chicken and duck feet are easy to chew for most dogs and are easily digested. Be sure to check that the feet are not cooked or smoked, as this will cause the bones to splinter. 
• Lamb, goat, or rabbit ears - Ears are entirely cartilage, so there are no bones to worry about. Ears are also high in protein while being low in fat. 

Dog-Friendly Fruits & Veggies 

Setting aside dog-friendly veggies while you chop veggies for your own meal cuts down on food waste and benefits your dog, a win-win! Some of the best veggies to toss in your dog's bowl are:

• Bell peppers - High in fiber and vitamins A & C to support digestion and a healthy immune system. Bell peppers can be fed raw or steamed. 
• Cucumbers - One of the most hydrating veggies and low in calories. 
• Carrots - High in Vitamin A to support healthy eyes. Best fed steamed for the best digestion. 
• Berries - Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries can be tossed in your dog’s bowl for a nutrient boost. Berries can be fed fresh or frozen for ease of feeding. 

Tinned Food Toppers for Dogs

Sometimes we all need something shelf stable to top our dog’s meal off in a pinch. 

• Canned sardines in water - High in omega’s and extremely palatable, canned sardines are a fan favorite for picky eaters. Double check that there is no salt or extra ingredients added before feeding. 
• Canned pumpkin - If your dog is transitioning onto a new food or just needs some help getting the perfect solid poo, canned pumpkin is always coming to the rescue. Pumpkin is soothing to the GI tract and loaded with fiber to soothe diarrhea and also relieve constipation. The only ingredient in canned pumpkin should be pumpkin, avoid anything with added sugar or spices. 

And while we suggest feeding Sundays for Dogs as your dog's main meal, some dog parents may want to consider feeding Sundays as a topper itself if its more economical or your dog needs a prescription diet. Just be sure to check with your vet first, as Sundays is exceptionally nutrient dense and you won't want to over do your pup's daily caloric intake.