Dog Food Toppers: What Are They and When Should They Be Used?

Toppers generally come in two forms: a wet variety, which resembles watery canned dog food, or a dry variety, which can come as a powder or frozen or dehydrated solid.
 

While these supplements offer many benefits, it's important to note that they aren't necessary for most dogs. If your dog gets adequate nutrition from a complete and balanced diet that's in accordance with standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), you shouldn't have to add anything to their meals.
 

Dog Food Toppers Can Serve Multiple Purposes

Dr. Gavin Casper, DVM, the Medical Director of Hometown Animal Hospital in Weston, Florida, notes that dog owners may have many motivations for adding toppers to their pets' food. 'Most owners use toppers because they want to add variety to the dog's diet. However, some owners use toppers to either entice a dog to eat or to fulfill a nutritional profile they feel the main part of the diet is lacking,' he says.
 

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Treats (including dog toppers) should only comprise 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. An adequate calorie count will depend on your dog's age, size, and whether they're being used for breeding. Overfeeding your dog could increase the likelihood of canine obesity and the medical problems that can come with it.
 

'Make sure to consult a vet before feeding a topper to ensure it provides the correct nutrition for your pet,' Dr. Casper continues. 'Also, many toppers are only approved as nutritional supplements and should not be fed as the main part of a dog's diet.'
 

Wet and Dry Dog Food Topper Options

As previously noted, there are generally two variety of dog food toppers. Wet toppers run the spectrum from gravies to sauces to broths. They may also feature small chunks of meat, such as chicken or beef, and veggies, like chopped green beans.
 

Dry food toppers can come as powders that you dust on top of your dog's kibble. They generally contain chicken or beef stock in a powdered form blended with herbs, like rosemary. Other types of dry dog food toppers come in frozen or dehydrated solid forms, making them easier to hand out as occasional treats.
 

Regardless of whether you enrich your dog's food with wet or dry supplements, be sure to read the ingredients on the label first. To comply with current health and safety regulations, manufacturers must include a food's ingredients, statement of nutritional adequacy, and caloric content per serving, among other key details that help you make informed decisions as a pet owner.
 

When reading the label on a dog food topper, keep an eye for any ingredients that also double as allergens for your pet. For example, chicken is one of the most common allergens for dogs. It may also surprise you to know that not every dog food product is safe for every dog, further highlighting the importance of understanding a topper's ingredients.

Do Dog Food Toppers Have Nutritional Benefits?

Since dog food toppers come in many varieties and formulations, the best one for your dog will depend on your motivation for offering it. For example, if you're seeking to enhance your pregnant dog's diet, you may supplement her meals with toppers rich in calcium and folic acid, two nutrients vital to delivering healthy puppies.
 

'[Dog food toppers can provide] a large variety of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and vitamins/minerals,' Dr. Casper notes. 'Most toppers are not intended to deliver the ingredients a balanced diet would, so they can sometimes provide some added benefit.'
 

To reduce the risk of overfeeding, take a moment to calculate what constitutes an appropriate daily calorie count for your dog. Then, cross-reference this information with the serving size on the dog food topper's label. This information will help you keep your dog at a healthy weight and promote their well-being.

Benefits of Adding Toppers to Dog Food

Aside from adding some zest to breakfast and dinner, food toppers don't offer much benefit to dogs eating a complete and balanced diet. For reasons like these, Dr. Casper doesn't often recommend these products. However, as with many decisions involving your dog's needs, there is some nuance. For example, Dr. Casper notes that toppers can encourage picky dogs to eat. 'Some dogs do eat more reliably when toppers are added since they tend to be more rich and tastier than the mainstay kibble portion of the diet. There are some toppers that are mostly lightly processed meats with whole fruits and vegetables, which I think can be a wholesome addition,' he explains.
 

Other benefits of toppers include:

• Preventing dehydration, of which pregnant bitches, puppies, and senior dogs are at an elevated risk.
   
• Offering supplements not in a dog's regular diet (such as glucosamine, a chemical that promotes musculoskeletal function).
   
• Serving as a useful tool or reward in positive reinforcement-based training methods.
   
  
  

Under no circumstances should food toppers be used as DIY methods for correcting nutritional deficiencies or addressing chronic medical problems, such as arthritis. Consulting a veterinarian can lend further insight into your dog's health profile and what treatments can help them thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Food Toppers

While your dog's veterinarian can answer any specific questions regarding their health, here are some general questions and answers about dog food toppers:
 

Do toppers benefit dogs with food allergies (such as those allergic to chicken)?
Dr. Casper notes that adding toppers can make identifying and controlling allergies more challenging. 'If the topper is high in omega oils or has a large component of antioxidants, [they] may benefit dogs with environmental allergies,' he notes.

How can owners ensure the safety/quality of commercial food toppers?
Many errors can happen during the manufacturing process that may compromise the integrity of a dog food topper. If you're concerned about the ingredients in a dog food product, Dr. Casper recommends researching whether the company does in-house or third-party testing. '[This ensures] the products listed are confirmed to be in the final product,' he says.

A final question: can you make your own dog food toppers?
Sure. Just be sure to consult a veterinarian first. They can assess your dog's health and explain what constitutes a good recipe, serving size, and feeding regimen.

Source: American Kennel Club