The Growth of Pet Food Toppers: Consumers Seek Meal Mixers for Picky Eaters

Even the best dogs and cats can get bored with the same meal served several times a day on a daily basis. Meal supplementation is gaining momentum as pet owners are tailoring meals to their pet's specific needs, whether for digestive support or immune health, or simply to add enjoyment and variety.
 

According to an American Pet Products Association (APPA) December 2025 web post titled Research Insights on Premium & Functional Pet Foods, mixers and meal toppers have become an important tool for personalization, with 16% of dog owners and 19% of cat owners using them in 2024; a growth of more than 120% for both since 2018.

Toppers come in a variety of formats and, depending on the mixer, they can entice picky eaters, boost hydration and support specific health needs. Some toppers are high in protein, thus making them a great way to boost a pet's protein intake. Others contain nutraceuticals or such ingredients as Omega-3 fatty acids that can provide added health benefits.
 

You could be interested

Nutrition for Senior Dogs and Cats: What Can We Prevent?

Freeze-dried or air-dried chunks as well as sprinkle powders are common dry mixers that are high in flavor, so they enhance palatability whether they're left dry or rehydrated with water. These versatile supplements can be sprinkled or crumbled on top of the food, hence the 'topper' term. However, that leaves the door open for the pet to gobble up the tasty topper and leave the rest of the meal behind in the bowl.
 

Broth or gravy options are another exceptional topper for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, broth typically has a high nutrient content and provides a great source of hydration to dogs that otherwise don't get enough to drink. It can also soften dry kibble, making it more palatable and easier for senior canines to consume.

Moist, soft or wet food toppers contain more moisture, thus appealing to a dog's texture sensations and enticing it to eat. These options, which also boost overall protein, can be found as a standard canned food/ topper or as a pouch explicitly designed as a topper or meal mixer.
 

Like wet mixers, fresh and raw food are also considered food toppers as a way to add more nutritious ingredients to a pet's meal.
 

Dog food toppers can be an excellent way to spruce up a pet's everyday meal. They can enhance the appetite of the pickiest pooches and add some calories, if they're needed. They can also soften dishes, making it easier for dogs with tooth or mouth problems to chew. However, while pet food toppers are a flavorful and nutrient-rich addition to meals, it's important for pet parents to understand that they should never replace a complete and balanced diet.
 

Natoo, a company specializing in high-quality pet nutrition, introduced its super-premium line of protein-packed meal toppers in 2023. Today, the brand offers a diverse range of meal toppers featuring human-grade proteins such as chicken, salmon and tuna. Each topper is paired with complementary ingredients like brown rice, pumpkin or sweet potato to enhance taste, texture and nutrition. These toppers can be added to kibble to increase protein intake, provide essential vitamins and nutrients and boost hydration thanks to their flavorful, irresistible broth.
 

'Offering a variety of options allows pet parents to enrich mealtime while supporting their pets' overall well-being,' said Fernando Maluf, executive vice president of Natoo. 'Natoo's toppers are designed to complement a pet's daily diet by providing high-quality ingredients that support energy, digestive health and overall vitality. Adding toppers can make meals more enjoyable and satisfying, helping pet parents provide balanced, nourishing feeding experiences that keep pets active, healthy and thriving.'
 

Jones Natural Chews has spent more than 35 years developing recipes and processes to produce high-quality, natural and safe bones, chews and treats for all dogs to enjoy. The starting point for each one of these is real meat, from livestock raised on American soil. With six generations of meat industry experience as a foundation to the business, Jones trusts the standards of excellence upheld by the farmers and ranchers in the United States.
 

In 2024, Jones launched its first food topper. Smokey Crumbles are a versatile meaty option, as the beefy and smoky flavor of the crumbles are a compliment to any kibble, adding much-needed protein to their bowl. The smoky crumbles contain the natural grease and fats that are present in beef bones, making these a great aid to skin and coat health while adding moisture when used as a topper to dry kibble.
 

These meaty bits are cut exclusively from Jones' beef bones. These are lightly coated in natural liquid smoke and slowly roasted to perfection, the crumbles are saved and packaged in a convenient, resealable bag. This product features the signature meaty flavor of Jones beef bones but is the perfect addition to the top of your dog's meal.
 

'Smokey Crumbles are a fun opportunity for pet parents who pride themselves in 'building bowls' that are healthy and engaging for their dogs,' said Jones president Laura Jones. 'It is a simple way to add variety to your pet's meal.'
 

Earlier this year, PureBites expanded its lineup of dog food toppers with Pumpkin Mixer and Air Dried Sprinkles. Made with just pumpkin and water in a smooth texture that dogs love, PureBites Pumpkin Mixer is nutritious and flavorful to make snack time or mealtime exciting for picky eaters and those with sensitive stomachs. Meanwhile, Air Dried Sprinkles for dogs are the ultimate healthy topper or mixer that can be sprinkled onto any meal. Made with only one simple human-grade ingredient: 100 percent pure chicken, 100 percent pure duck or 100 percent pure wild tuna.
 

PureBites Sprinkles and Pumpkin Mixer are ideal for dogs with diabetes, allergies, other health issues, or dogs that are on a restricted diet; limited ingredient treats, toppers, or mixers allow pet parents the peace of mind knowing exactly what their companion animals are eating every day. Ideal for dogs with diabetes, allergies or other health issues, PureBites Sprinkles and Pumpkin Mixer are suitable for dogs that are on a restricted diet.
 

Side by Side is another brand that sees the health benefits of food toppers and meal mixers. The brand's toppers are formulated to be complete and balanced, packed with over 20 whole food ingredients in every scoop. Therefore, Side by Side doesn't view its line of toppers and mixers as flavor enhancers, but as concentrated bursts of whole-food nutrition designed to elevate any meal.
 

'Our meal toppers aren't just about adding flavor; they're about delivering a concentrated dose of whole-food goodness that can transform a pet's health from the inside out,' said Carol Bramson, founder and CEO of Side by Side. 'By simply adding a scoop to their bowl, pet owners can unlock the potential for increased vitality, improved digestion, and a happier, healthier life for their furry companions.'
 

Using Eastern Food Therapy, a food-as-medicine philosophy, to change the way people think about pet food, Side by Side is on a mission to not just feed pets, but provide them with food that will keep their bodies in balance leading to a better quality of life and a goal of a longer life.
 

While meal toppers have conventionally focused on canines, options for cats have been quickly growing since the pandemic. The Honest Kitchen launched a toppers line for cats in 2021, and Portland Pet Food Company did the same in 2022.
 

RAWZ Natural Pet Food, a family-owned company known for providing minimally processed nutrition for dogs and cats, offers a wide range of meal toppers designed to support pets with a variety of feeding needs. For cats, its SA-SHI line features toppers made with only four simple ingredients. Not designed to be a complete and balanced meal, SA-SHI delivers added hydration and flavor without unnecessary extras.
 

In addition, the Aujou by RAWZ line offer complete and balanced pouches that feature a variety of proteins. The brand also offers a line of RAWZ pouches for cats that feature unique ingredients like pumpkin and coconut oil to support overall wellness and add excitement to the bowl.
 

'Toppers play an important role in enhancing the nutritional value of meals,' said Janet Scott, co-owner of RAWZ. 'They deliver high quality protein and essential nutrients that support energy, strong muscles and hydration, which is especially important for cats, who often don't drink enough water on their own. Incorporating toppers can also encourage pets to eat more consistently and enjoyably, helping pet parents provide balanced, nourishing meals without changing their pet's routine.'
 

The sky's the limit when it comes to mixers and toppers. As APPA reported in its December 2025 post, the growth of meal toppers points 'to a more engaged, intentional consumer, one who wants to build meals that are both nutritionally rich and emotionally satisfying. For manufacturers, this creates momentum for expanding wellness-forward SKUs. For retailers, it signals the importance of guiding owners toward complementary products that support their feeding philosophy.'

Source: Pet Age