It's not news to you that your dog or cat is unlike any other. And sometimes, that means giving them a boost for their diet to fit their unique needs.

Toppers can be a cost-effective addition to their current diet! Just a spoonful of superfoods can benefit their overall health.

If you're skeptical of toppers and supplements, you're in the right place! We're here to spill the kibble on everything you need to know about these tasty add-ons.

What Are Pet Food Toppers?

Pet food toppers are like the cherry on top of your pet's meal—a flavorful and nutritious boost that enhances their regular diet. Designed to increase the palatability and nutrition of regular pet food, toppers are nature-based formulas or whole-single ingredients. They are typically added to traditional dry food and kibble; diets commonly known for lacking nutritional variety. 

The key factor distinguishing a topper from regular pet food is its nutritional content. Pet food toppers are not inherently complete and balanced on their own. But, they can be combined with a pet’s diet to provide a nutritional boost and support specific health needs.

It's important to fed toppers in moderation. While most supplements formulated for dog or cat use have serving sizes, "at-home" remedies do not. Small dogs and cats especially should be given ingredients like pumpkin or yogurt in small doses. 

Types of Food Toppers

Whether you want to make mealtime more exciting or address specific health concerns, there's a topper out there for you:

• Canned or wet food toppers: These are made from canned food and can be used to add moisture and flavor to a pet’s diet. Since hydration is a very important addition to a cat's diet, wet food is a convenient option!

• Fresh food toppers: This includes things like yogurt, pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, boiled chicken, or gently cooked foods.

• Raw food toppers: These are made from raw ingredients (raw bones, meat, organs) and can be used to provide a nutritional boost and support specific health needs. We only suggest HPP or humane-grade certified raw foods. 

• Supplements: For the purpose of this blog, we're defining supplements as "medicinal" toppers. These include products with targeted healing properties like CBD or hemp oils/chews for calming, liquid joint supplements, and formulated probiotics, like this one from Fidobiotics and Meowbiotics.

Do Pet Food Toppers Work?

The short answer is yes, but with a sprinkle of science! 📚 Research shows that pets consuming more fresh and hydrating foods tend to fare better at the vet.

Toppers are now their own category, with benefits widely acknowledged. Plus, you don't always have to splurge at the pet store—many of these ingredients might already be in your pantry.

Debunking Myths 🔎

1) Toppers are expensive.

Toppers are meant to make your current budget go farther and enhance a pet's diet. While the upfront cost might seem more, it’s cents on the dollar for a daily dose of superfoods. Toppers also intended to decrease vet bills, especially if you’re looking to fix allergies or aid in calming.

2) Toppers are difficult to feed.

Some toppers, like raw food, can come with a learning curve. But most toppers are don't require a lot of extra time or work. Take for example fish oil. Omega 3 fish oils are usually shelf stable and come in a nifty pump bottle. Just add some on top of your pets kibble and voilà - you're done!

3) My pet's has been fine for years without toppers.

Sure - their food might be complete and balanced! But, toppers are proven to be a valuable addition to a pet’s regular diet at any age. By providing a range of health benefits, you'll be able to promote their overall well-being. The best dog food toppers and cat food toppers target internal ailments like behavior and digestion, along with their physical health like coat health and dental. It’s why many traditional diets now include fresh and raw ingredients in their new formulas.

Our Favorite Dog Food Toppers 🤠

We test and approve all dog and cat food toppers and supplements we carry. Here is a list of in-store products, plus a lot of “at home” supplements you can easily add to and food. We've also sorted by ailment!

Digestive Support -

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
Bone Broth		1 oz for every 10lbs
Yogurt		Unsweetened | 1 - 3 tbsp
Cottage Cheese		1 - 3 tbsp
Wet Food		Choose LID - Limited Ingredient Formulas
Probiotics		Adhere to the product directions
Pumpkin		Cooked & Mashed | 1 - 4 tbsp for dogs, 1 tsp for cats
Goat’s Milk or Kefir		1 oz for every 10lbs

Does your pup have a very sensitive tummy? Learn more about digestive support here. 

Increased Palatability (aka: Tastier) -

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
Sweet Potatoes		Cooked & Mashed | 1 - 4 tbsp
Freeze-Dried Toppers		Adhere to the product directions
Bone Broth		1 oz for every 10lbs
Wet Food		Sub for 1/4 of their meal
Salmon Skins or Oil		Treats or oil will do
Cooked Green Beans		No Salt Added
Goat’s Milk or Kefir		1 oz for every 10lbs

Joint Health -

Feeding Kibble? Sub in a portion of your dog's regular dog food with High-Quality Raw Food.

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
Omega-3 Oil		Adhere to the product directions
Green Lipped Mussels		A dollop of this or sprinkle of this.
Fish Stock		1 - 3 tbsp per meal
Salmon Skins or Cod Skins		Great for dental health too!
Coconut Oil		1 tsp - 1 tbsp
Liquid Health K9 Glucosamine		Adhere to the product directions
LubrisynHA Joint Supplement		Adhere to the product directions

Increased Energy -

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
High-Quality Raw Food		Sub 1/4 of their meal
Green Lipped Mussels		A dollop of this or sprinkle of this.
High Quality Meats (Shredded Chicken or Turkey)		Cooked | Sub 1/4 of their meal
Cooked Salmon		Sub 1/4 of their meal
Freeze-Dried Toppers		1 tsp - 1 tbsp
Local Fresh Egg		1 egg a week
Kelp or Krill Powder		Sprinkle of this.

Allergy or Skin & Coat -

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
Salmon Skins or Cod Skins		A chew a day!
Green Lipped Mussels		A dollop of this or sprinkle of this.
Blueberries		A few berries per meal
Coconut Oil		1 tsp - 1 tbsp
Omega-3 Oil		Adhere to the product directions
Ultra Coat Oil		Adhere to the product directions
Kelp or Krill Powder		Sprinkle of this.

Tomlinson's Pro Tip: Love tinned fish? Your dog or cat can certainly enjoy and benefit from the leftover oils or water from your tinned fish. Just make sure it's low sodium, has no fresh garlic or onion, and not packed in olive oil.

Calming Aids -

Topper	Pet	Feeding Directions
CBD & Hemp		Choose from chews or oil
Omega-3 Oil		Adhere to the product directions

Putting it to practice 👏

Now that we've covered the basics, how do you introduce a tasty new food to your pet? Slow and steady always wins in this race. Sensitive tummies need time to adjust to new flavors and richness of food and quality of the topper matters. Here are four things to consider when making a change to their diet:

Consultation: Before making any dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions, always consult with your veterinarian.

Transition Slowly: When introducing new foods, do so gradually over a week or more to avoid gastrointestinal upset. This advice even applies to elimination diets in which you’re trying to rule out offending ingredients. 

Quality Matters: Opt for high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Avoid foods with fillers, additives, or artificial preservatives. 

Monitor and Adjust: Regularly monitor your pet's health, weight, and overall condition. Adjust the diet as necessary, keeping an open line of communication with your veterinarian. 

Nature-based pet food toppers can offer a fresh, natural approach to pet nutrition. However, they require planning, especially when used to manage health conditions. The goal is to ensure that your pet receives balanced, nutritious meals that support overall health and specific health challenges. Always prioritize your pet's well-being, seeking expert guidance as needed.

Looking for more pet tips?

Tomlinson's is your go-to pet supply store for natural, healthy pet products in Austin and the Central Texas region. Let us help prepare you and your pet for all your needs.

Visit our shop full of products sold through team members trained in animal nutrition. Pass by our stores with your adorable pet for some treat samples and loving ear rubs.