best dog food toppings

Croutons on your salad, bacon bits on your baked potato – toppings like these add flavor and texture to some of our favorite foods.

Gravies and sauces add moisture to dry foods.

Don't you think your dog would like to spice up his meals too?

That's where good dog food toppings and mixers come in.

Top 5 Best Dog Food Toppings & Mixers

Not only will using dog food toppings, food enhancers, gravies, mixers, and sauces make your pet's foods tastier, but they can also add more nutritional value.

This is especially good for picky eaters dogs or if you cannot afford a top-quality dog food brand for them.

Many dog food toppers are made with high-quality protein sources, real fruits and vegetables, and extra fiber, making them a healthy addition to a dog's diet that will enhance the overall nutritional value.

Why Use These Best Dog Food Toppings?

There are three main reasons why pet owners may use dog food toppers and mixers:

  • Dog won't eat the food otherwise, so they enhance palatability 
  • They provide additional nutrition in the form of protein, vitamins, and minerals
  • It's an easy way to introduce some variety into the dog's diet

What is in dog food toppings and enhancersAccording to Psychology Today, humans have about 9000 taste buds while dogs only have around 1700.

This means that dogs aren't as finicky about their food as humans, yet they still enjoy a little diet variety.

Most dog owners feed their pets the same dry kibble day in and day out for years.

While dogs may not have nearly as many taste buds as we do, they still don't enjoy eating the same thing day after day.

The best dog food toppings can help you change things up.

But variety in doggy meals is the last reason most pet owners choose to use dog food mixers.

Usually, adding some dog food sauces, gravies, and toppings is to encourage the dog to consume his food or enhance dog food with nutrition that he would not get otherwise.

See the best dog food toppings and mixers below for how they affect pet food.

A Word of Caution on Using Dog Food Mixers

Before adding any supplements to your dog's diet, be it any of the best dog food toppings or mixers, and even regular vitamins for dogs, it's best to discuss it with your veterinarian or a trained canine nutritionist.

I know what you're thinking. Why do you have to talk to your vet about adding a dog food enhancer that's healthy for your dog?

When it comes to dog food and canine nutrition, too much of a good thing can actually be very bad.

Vets and experts warn that vitamin toxicity in dogs is a severe condition.

It occurs when your dog takes in more vitamins than his body actually needs.

Recommendations for the correct amount of vitamins will differ depending on your dog's size, activity level, and age.

When using the best dog food toppings in a diet that is already highly enhanced with vitamins, you may be giving him more than he needs.

For example, too much Vitamin B-6 for dogs can lead to neurological problems (1).

An overdose of Vitamin D3 for dogs can cause a heart to beat erratically (2).

Vitamin A hypervitaminosis can cause several serious health problems in dogs (3).

It's always best to check with a canine nutrition expert before adding dog food mixers to your pet's diet.

Top 5 Best Dog Food Toppings and Mixers

1Human Grade Dehydrated Dog Food Toppers
by The Honest Kitchen

The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Whole Grain Dog Food – Complete Meal or Topper – Chicken 10 lb (makes 40 lbs)

Your pooch deserves the best nutrition and healthcare possible.

What better way is there than to indulge them with this dog food topper from The Honest Kitchen.

Light and crunchy, this food topping is 90% protein-rich meat.

Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic oats, dehydrated peas, dehydrated carrots, dried parsley, dried bananas, dehydrated celery, dried organic kelp.

Because it’s an all-natural whole food, it’s all the more nutritious – no wheat, rice, corn, soy, or preservatives.

You may also serve Proper Toppers as a full meal by just adding enough warm water, but it’s so special that it’s usually given as one of the best dog food toppings or a treat.

Pet owners are glad that even their choosiest dogs enjoy this foodstuff. It has immensely helped digestion issues and lack of appetite.

Aside from this chicken version, the cage-free turkey variant also makes for an exciting alternate topper too.

It’s common among pet owners that this brand has a longer shelf life than many of the other best dog food toppers.

The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain Free Dog Food Topper is easier and more convenient to dish up than wet food toppers or supplements that are rather messy and quicker to spoil.

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Some owners use this topping as a daily fare on their dogs’ meals. That can be very costly, though, so others use it sparingly as a treat during training or outdoor activities.

Overall, this has received the approval of humans and their pooches as a food product that pets find irresistibly delicious.

It's natural and healthy, 100% human-grade, made in the USA, and backed by a highly reliable company.

PROS CONS
  • 100% human-grade ingredients
  • Made in the USA
  • 90% protein-rich meat
  • Contains dehydrated chicken, chard, pumpkin, dried blueberries and apples, and premixed vitamins and minerals
  • No wheat, rice, corn, soy, or preservatives
  • If you add enough warm water, you can use this topper as a full meal
  • Not satisfied with the amount of product they got for the money
  • Disappointed at the number of crumbs in the package
  • Some dogs got diarrhea

2Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Mixers
by Instinct

Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Topper, Grain Free Freeze Dried Dog Food Topper 6 Ounce (Pack of 1)

If you’re looking for a more economical option, this choice from Nature's Variety will indulge your dog without hurting the budget.

These toppers are available in four delectable flavors of chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef to add variety and zest to your dog’s regular meal.

Your pet will absolutely love and enjoy this grain-free and meal-enhancing treat that is sourced from all-natural ingredients like pure meat, real vegetables, and fruits.

It’s laden with protein-rich components for leaner muscles and stronger bones.

Enriched with nutritious oils from salmon, it’s great for attaining an enviable skin and coat.

According to many dog owners, senior dogs that have become fussy with their food perked up to this food topper.

Buyers said their senior dogs have developed digestion problems or lost their appetite at an advanced age.

With Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Mixers supplementing their regular meals, however, pet owners observed a marked increase in their dogs’ energy level, less frequent stomach upsets, and much healthier-looking coats.

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If you want your picky or elderly dog to turn hale and hearty, this could be just what you’re looking for.

It’s a great alternative, too, for dog owners who want to give raw food to their pets but find a fully raw diet costly or very time-consuming to prepare.

This stuff is possibly the closest they can get to attain that balance.

PROS CONS
  • Grain-free
  • 4 varieties available
  • Sourced from all-natural ingredients
  • Enriched with salmon oil
  • Formulated to mimic a wild dog's diet
  • Were concerned that the information about where ingredients are sourced is unclear with this company
  • Some dogs would not eat this.

 

3Primal Freeze-Dried Pet Foods
by Primal Pet Foods

Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken, Complete & Balanced Scoop & Serve Healthy Grain Free Raw Dog Food, Crafted in The USA, 5.5 oz

Proudly made in the USA, Primal Pet Foodscomes with nothing but the freshest natural ingredients fit for human consumption.

All raw materials are obtained from cattle and poultry farms across the US and New Zealand, where animals are raised without antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones.

Primal Pet Foods Freeze-Dried Nuggets contain organic ingredients, which are the best sources of nutrients required by pets.

Apart from it being easy and convenient to serve, flavor and size options are aplenty.

You may choose from chicken, duck, turkey & sardine, pork, lamb, venison, and beef variants.

After having tried it all, many pet owners were ready to give up on their picky dogs.

It seemed like nothing would get them interested in food until this came along.

Buyers say their dogs were suddenly crazy over food after they added Primal Freeze Fried Pet Foods.

In fact, provisions were quickly depleted especially when served as the main meal.

Given their dog’s newfound zest, some resourceful owners use only a few nuggets as a topper for regular meals to make each pack last longer.

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Being raw, this turned out to be the ideal food for many allergy-prone dogs, too. It got rid of dermatitis and similar skin issues as well as stomach upsets.

Though quite pricey, pet owners find great value in it.

Their dogs love it; it has kept the vet and accompanying bills away, and they could plainly see that their dogs have become healthier because of it.

PROS CONS
  • Made in the USA
  • All raw materials are obtained from cattle and poultry farms across the US and from New Zealand.
  • Protein sources are raised without antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones
  • Available in 7 varieties
  • Nuggets break apart easily during shipping, and there are many crumbs on the bottom of every bag.
  • Some dogs would not eat this
  • The product received was already going bad

 

4Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts Dog Gravy
by Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts High Protein, Natural Wet Dog Food, Chunky Beef Bites in Hearty Gravy 3-oz pouches (Pack of 24)

Whether you’re camping in the wilds with your dog or staying in the comforts of your home, these best dog food toppers from Blue Buffalo are a food staple that your pet will go wild for.

It is formulated to bring out the innate wolf in your dog.

It’s a perfect topping at mealtimes and may also be used as a tasty snack or treat for your pets.

They will surely love this flavorful gravy – be it the chicken, duck, salmon, or beef variant.

Aside from being 100% grain-free and protein-rich, it contains all-natural ingredients fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for holistic and balanced dog nourishment. Customers keep coming back for more of this product.

Since it contains no corn, soy, or wheat, it is safe for dogs to be sensitive to these ingredients.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts Dog Gravy Snacks are also healthier for all dogs, in general, because they contain none of the harmful additives, artificial colors, and preservatives often used in other brands.

Since this is meant to be used for supplemental feeding, it must always be accompanied by a balanced meal.

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A satisfied pet owner says that the salmon flavor is rather smelly; her picky dog, however, loves it so much that there’s really not much she can complain about.

Dogs are carnivores by nature, and perhaps the whiff of raw meat and fish only helps whet their appetite.

PROS CONS
  • 100% grain-free
  • Contains all-natural ingredients fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • Available in 4 flavors, including chicken, duck, beef, and salmon
  • The salmon variety has a powerful odor, but dogs enjoy the taste
  • Some dogs would not eat some of the varieties of this product

 

5Boost Me All-Natural Dog Food Enhancer
by TruDog

THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CHECK OUT OTHER PRODUCTS IN THIS LIST.

Here’s one of the best dog food toppings on our list that offers a tasty chicken heart treat for your furry companion.

TruDog’s Boost Me All-Natural Dog Food Enhancer helps strengthen the immune system and enhances the overall health of your dogs.

It’s easier on the digestive system, too, because of the highly digestible protein sources used.

Ingredients were carefully selected, such as organic freeze-dried chicken heart, raw beef, kidney, lung, liver, and ground bone.

This formulation is enhanced with amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to add vitality to your dog and bring a natural sheen to his coat.

Dogs in their advanced age usually suffer from digestion problems.

That’s why they become finicky about the food they take.

This is one of the best dog food toppers as it helps produce the right enzymes necessary for the digestive system to function well, thus, averting indigestion and keeping dogs healthy and strong.

Many pet owners use TruDog's Boost Me All-Natural Dog Food Enhancer as a topper to dry or wet food, but it can also be fed as a full meal, especially for sick or weak dogs.

Others introduce this to dogs that are transitioning to raw food.

No products found.

Pet owners are now more discerning with all the issues about irresponsible dog food manufacturers and food imported from unreliable sources.

They highly recommend this US-made food product, made only from Wisconsin free-range beef, for all its wholesome goodness.

PROS CONS
  • Formulated to help strengthen the immune system
  • Made with organic freeze-dried raw beef, kidney, lung, liver, and ground bone
  • Enhanced with amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
  • Helps produce the right enzymes necessary for the digestive system to function well
  • Made in the USA with free-range beef from Wisconsin
  • Some dogs would not eat some of the varieties of this product
  • Some dogs will get stinky gas

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The 5 Best Dog Food Toppings and Mixers for Your Pets Food

Diana currently lives and works in London, UK and she's been an animal lover and dog owner since she was a child. After graduating high school, she focused on getting her degree in English to become a writer with a focus on animals, pets and dogs.