When pups love their kibble, they love their kibble. But just like their hoomans, pups enjoy variety.       

Have you noticed your dog isn’t as enticed by their food anymore? Then incorporating a topper into their diets is an easy, tasty fix!       

What are Kibble Toppers?       

Kibble toppers are added to the top layer of dog food. They can include cuts of delicious meat or a blend of meat, vegetables, and fruit. Depending on the brand, toppers come wet or dry in individual packets or bags. Toppers can also be stored in your refrigerator or sourced from your refrigerator if you are making your own.       

Benefits of Kibble Toppers      

Toppers are beneficial to dogs because they offer an extra boost of nutrition or moisture to their kibble. A great kibble topper is tasty, enticing picky eaters with a great aroma and highly palatable flavor.       

The best toppers have multiple uses –– they can serve as meal toppers, treats, or meals.      

Some benefits to using a topper in your dog’s food include:       

  • Increased hydration (with wet toppers)
  • Added protein to their diet
  • Helping finicky eaters eat more
  • Increased palatability of kibble 
  • Added vitamins and nutrients
  • Added fruits and vegetables to kibble
  • An easy delicious treat 

There are several varieties to choose from, but how exactly do you use kibble toppers?      

For the most part it’s fairly simple: the best way to add a topper to kibble is by pouring it on top of your dog’s food or mixing it directly into the food.       

However, it is important to note that depending on the type of topper you’re feeding you want to be mindful of how you feed it, and how much you feed, to maximize the benefits for your dog.                     

#1 Cooked or finely chopped raw veggies:      

Use non starchy veggies so as not to add too many calories. Vegetables are a great healthy snack. They can be fed raw but are more easily absorbed if cooked therefore more nutritious. They can also be added to the food to increase bulk but not calories. Avoid the onion family as these can be harmful to pets. Avoid potatoes and corn as these are too starchy as an additive although they are fine to be part of a balanced diet. The cruciferous veggies are terrific but can cause gas for some dogs if given in large amounts. Dark leafy green are fabulous and do not need to be cooked. Limit veggies to about 1/4th cup per 10 pounds per day, as most veggies have between 30-70 calories per cup. Of course, organic is ideal to decrease the overall pesticide load.         

2. Fresh fruit:       

Berries are the best, which are chuck full of antioxidants and other phytonutrients.  Other good options are sliced apples, bananas, watermelon, and pears. No grapes or raisins as these can cause kidney failure in some pets. Watch the calories, it’s easy to overdo it.        

3. Sprouts:      

These baby grains and legumes are packed with nutrition and make a great healthy dog food topper. Most dogs enjoy them believe it or not. Sprouted grains increase the amounts and bioavailability of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, grains are not inherently bad for your dog. The quality and quantity of grain is often the issue and most kibbled diets, even the grain free ones, have plenty of carbohydrates so we don’t need to add more. Sprouted grains are proportionately lower in starch and higher in other nutrients.        

4. Eggs:      

They are a healthy and when cooked, a bioavailable form of protein. The “ideal” way to prepare an egg is soft boiled, about 6 minutes, which cooks the white and leaves the yolk runny. The eggs could also be hard boiled or scrambled.  Do not feed the shells as they do not have an ideal calcium phosphorous ratio for dogs. An egg has about 70 calories so factor this in when feeding. A daily egg is fine for a medium or large breed, but small breeds should be limited to ½ an egg per day. Be sure to cut the kibble back proportionately to avoid weight gain.        

5. Sardines packed in water:      

These are a great added protein and Omega 3 fatty acid source. One sardine is about 25 calories and is fine for a small dog. Larger dogs can have 2-3 sardines but be sure to factor these calories in to the daily caloric total and cut the kibble back proportionately. Fatty acids go rancid quickly so once the can is open, the sardines should be fed within a couple days.      

With any food additive it is advisable to introduce slowly and watch for any signs of digestive upset. Dogs are scavengers by nature and really should be able to tolerate all the items on this list, but the fact is that some dogs cannot. You know your pet if they have and iron gut then go for it. If they have a more delicate digestion go slow or abstain.        

6. Wet Kibbles and Canned Food:      

A wet kibble topper generally features chunks of protein in a broth or gravy while some also have added vegetables for a nutritional boost. Feeding a wet kibble topper is also a great way to increase hydration in your dog’s food, especially if they are prone to dehydration or have a specialized diet. Canned food is another wet kibble topper option for dogs. Ideally, you want to choose a canned food that is complete and balanced, with high protein content and added ingredients like healthy vegetables.
    

At Highland Pets, We Carry & Recommend following Canned Foods!

7. Freeze Dried Toppers:      

There are several dry kibble toppers to choose from including freeze dried and air dried! Both offer some of the great nutritional benefits of a traditional ancestral diet (i.e. a raw diet) in an easy, convenient package.       

Unlike wet kibble toppers, they are dried through a process that dehydrates the meat while preserving the nutrients. Think of a fresh slab of steak preserved to last without the use of high temperatures in the drying process.      

If your dog needs more hydration in their food make sure to always keep fresh water available and even, consider adding water to rehydrate the topper. Note that it is not mandatory to add water but be sure to consult with your veterinarian if your pet is prone to dehydration.   
    

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8. Broths and Gravys:      

Another topper option for your pup’s kibble is adding a bone broth or gravy. They are generally available in packets and can be poured directly on top of their dry food. Like wet toppers, broth or gravy can also add extra moisture. Plus, dogs love the added flavor!      

This is a great option for your fur friend who isn’t a heavy eater. Be mindful of the ingredients and make sure you choose a bone broth or gravy without additives, excess salt, or sugar, as they can do more harm than good.      

Similar to wet toppers, pay attention to the calorie content if you have a pet who is on a restrictive diet for weight management. 
    

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