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The 10 Best Dog Food Toppers of 2026

Give your pup extra flavor with these sprinkles, broths, and stews

Stella & Chewy’s Meal Mixers and Honest Kitchen Bone Broth Pour Overs displayed on a colorful patterned background
Credit:

The Spruce Pets / Sabrina Jiang

Dog food toppers are add-ons that you pour or sprinkle over your dog’s regular food to make it more appetizing. The edible additives come in all sorts of flavors and textures—stews, meaty crumbles, freeze-dried pieces, broths, and more—with a wide range of nutrient profiles and benefits. A dog food topper can be an exciting treat, but is also very useful when acclimating a dog to a new food or trying to get them to take medication.

“I recommend a food topper to encourage eating if a pet’s appetite is temporarily decreased because they have been sick or stressed," Kathy Baker, DVM, of Lucy’s Veterinary Care, tells The Spruce Pets. Toppers are usually meant to be a supplemental food and should rarely be fed every day.

"If you need one on a daily basis, then the food that you are feeding your dog may not be the best choice for them," says Baker. "I find many times if they don’t like their food, or seem to like it for a while and then decide they don’t like it repeatedly, it may be because they have sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients.” 

Our favorite dog food topper is Honest Kitchen Pour Overs. It's a meaty mix of broth and chunks with limited ingredients and no additives or fillers. It's also easy to pour and store. But several other dog food toppers may fit your dog’s diet even better.

What We Like
  • Mix of broth and chunks

  • Limited ingredients and no additives or fillers

  • Made in the United States with human-grade ingredients

  • Easy to pour and reuse

What We Don't Like
  • Cartons can be hard to open

A cross between broth and chunks, these stews are meant to be poured over your dog’s food to make dinnertime more appetizing. Honest Kitchen says it was the first to offer human-grade ingredients for pets, and these stews do smell tempting. They’re made with limited ingredients and no fillers, GMO ingredients, or artificial flavors or preservatives.

There’s a pretty impressive selection of flavor combinations, from single proteins, including chicken and turkey, to meats mixed with pumpkin for digestive health. The stews are slow-cooked and can be warmed up to make meals even more alluring. Each box contains at least two servings. They can be tricky to open, but can easily be closed up and refrigerated until the next meal.

Honest Kitchen also has fortified meal boosters for more nutrients, as well as dry kibble and paté-style food that all can be mixed in with less exciting dinners. Everything is human-grade with whole, limited ingredients.

Type: Pourable stew | Volume: 5.5 ounces | Flavors: Chicken, turkey, lamb and beef; turkey and pumpkin; chicken and pumpkin; beef; turkey and salmon; chicken; salmon and pumpkin

What We Like
  • Human-grade ingredients

  • No preservatives, byproducts, or additives

  • Sourced and made in the U.S.

  • Ready to serve; no adding water or thawing first

  • Five different proteins

What We Don't Like
  • Pouches aren’t resealable

Rip open a Portland Pet Food meal pouch and you'll find it smells like something you might consider putting on your own plate. Made with human-grade, recognizable, natural ingredients such as chicken, eggs, yams, kale, salmon, and carrots, the food is sourced and made in the U.S. (Many other companies make their foods domestically but gather ingredients from different spots around the world.)

There’s no artificial anything, including preservatives, colorings, or additives, and no meat byproducts in the mix. There are five different proteins available, so you can avoid allergies or complement your dog’s diet.

Because it’s basically wet food, you don’t need to thaw it or add water. Just scoop a spoonful or two on top of your pup’s normal dinner. Store at room temperature until opened and then refrigerate for up to five days.

We only wish the pouches were resealable, so we didn’t have to clamp them closed or store them in a zippered plastic bag.

Type: Wet dog food | Volume: 9 ounces | Flavors: Beef and rice; turkey and yams; chicken and yams; pork and potato; salmon and rice

What We Like
  • 95 percent meat, organs, and bones

  • Organic fruits and vegetables and responsibly sourced meats

  • Can be used dry or wet

What We Don't Like
  • Sometimes pieces are crushed and powdery

The ingredient list is pretty impressive with these toppers. Made in the U.S. with global ingredients, Stella & Chewy’s food doesn’t include grains, gluten, hormones, or artificial preservatives or colors. Meal mixers are made of 95 percent meat, organs, and bones from proteins that are grass-fed, cage-free, or wild-caught; fruits and vegetables are certified organic.

Sprinkle a few pieces of the freeze-dried raw chunks as is on your dog's food, or add water to rehydrate the soft chunks. Some trainers suggest breaking them into pieces to use as high-value treats when you really want to motivate your dog. There are lots of proteins to choose from and several sizes.

Type: Freeze-dried raw | Volume: 1 ounce, 3.5 ounces, 8 ounces, 18 ounces, 35 ounces | Flavors: Chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, pork; duck and goose; salmon and cod

What We Like
  • Responsibly sourced ingredients

  • No artificial ingredients, colors, or preservatives

  • Resealable bag

  • Made in the United States with globally sourced ingredients

What We Don't Like
  • Can be powdery if not stored or transported well

There’s nothing artificial in these freeze-dried raw bits. They can be used whole or crumbled, dry or moistened. There are three individual meat proteins, plus additional versions the company says are targeted toward skin and coat, gut, or immune health, as well as better mobility.

The mixers are made in the United States with ingredients from around the world, including responsibly sourced proteins such as cage-free chicken and grass-fed lamb. There’s no grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, byproduct meal, or artificial colors or preservatives. Each bag is resealable for convenience and to help preserve freshness.

Type: Freeze-dried raw | Volume: 6 ounces, 14 ounces | Flavors: Chicken, lamb, beef

What We Like
  • Can be served as is or warmed up

  • Human-grade ingredients

  • Lasts seven days after opening if refrigerated

  • Resealable pouches

What We Don't Like
  • Might spill when opened

Pour a little bone broth directly from the pouch or warm it up first before serving. The aromatic liquids are made with just a handful of human-grade ingredients, including meat proteins and vegetables. Bone broth is high in collagen, which may help decrease inflammation. There’s also added turmeric, which may have similar benefits.

Potential health benefits or not, bone broth can certainly make your dog's bowl of dry kibble much more appealing. Pouches can stay refrigerated for about a week once opened, or can be frozen if it takes you longer to use up. The twist-off containers can be resealed but may leak if you don’t keep them upright.

Type: Bone broth | Volume: 8 ounces | Flavors: Beef, turkey, chicken

What We Like
  • Responsibly sourced, organic ingredients

  • No artificial additives or preservatives

  • Six different proteins

What We Don't Like
  • Small serving size

Open Farm is all about natural, responsibly sourced whole ingredients. These freeze-dried raw kernels are from humanely raised meats and wild-caught salmon, combined with organic ingredients such as carrots, blueberries, and squash. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or additives.

Use as a dry sprinkle topper or hydrate with a little warm water before feeding—keep in mind that the portion size is a bit small. Open Farm also has chicken, turkey, and beef bone broth to pour over otherwise boring food. These feature human-grade ingredients and no additives, and have easy-to-seal cartons and pouches.

Type: Freeze-dried | Volume: 3.5 ounces, 13.5 ounces, 22 ounces | Flavors: Pork, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb; surf and turf

What We Like
  • No fillers, preservatives, colors, or flavors

  • Fortified with omegas, minerals, and vitamins

  • Meat is first ingredient

  • Made in United States (with global ingredients)

What We Don't Like
  • Pouches aren’t resealable

There are three flavors of these wet meal toppers, which are fortified with omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These extras, the company says, are to promote a healthy skin and coat, aid digestion, or just offer up some superfoods. Meat is the first ingredient in each one, and there are no fillers, byproducts, flavors, colors, preservatives, or carrageenan.

The pouches come in a box of a dozen that is easy to store in the pantry. The pouches are easy to open, but it's too bad that they aren’t resealable. They can be kept in the refrigerator for several days if you don’t use the topper all at once.

Type: Wet food | Volume: 3 ounces | Flavors: Beef, chicken, duck

What We Like
  • All-natural ingredients

  • Made in the United States

  • Grain-free

  • No artificial coloring

What We Don't Like
  • Some dogs don't like all the flavors

When you want to mix it up a little, grab Instinct's Healthy Cravings Grain Free Recipe Variety Pack. It offers three flavors—beef, chicken, and lamb—and there are four pouches of each flavor in the box.

The meaty pieces in gravy best resemble wet dog food, and all recipes are made in the United States with no artificial coloring or preservatives. According to the brand, this food promotes healthier skin and coat and better digestion.

If your dog is picky, they might not like every flavor offered in the 12-pack. This dog food topper is suitable for all life stages, from puppy to senior, and can also be given on its own as a treat.

Type: Wet dog food | Volume: 3 ounces | Flavors: Beef, chicken, lamb

What We Like
  • Human-grade ingredients

  • No fillers, additives, soy, dairy, gluten, or artificial ingredients

  • Contains grass-fed beef bone broth to boost protein

  • Convenient powder form

What We Don't Like
  • Small scoop handle is awkward to use

Adding a probiotic supplement to your dog's feeding routine is a good way to maintain their overall gut health. This topper by Native Pet contains a blend of four probiotics that help support gentle relief for long-term gut health, sensitive stomachs, new diets, or travel stress.

It also features human-grade ingredients such as organic pumpkin seed, Jerusalem artichoke, and grass-fed beef bone broth that adds savoriness and protein. It contains no fillers, additives, soy, dairy, gluten, or artificial ingredients.

The food topper conveniently comes in a powder form that you can sprinkle over your dog's wet or dry food. Note that you might want to use a measuring spoon for dispensing, as the included scoop has a short handle, making it awkward to use.

Type: Powder | Volume: 4.1 ounces, 8.2 ounces, 16.4 ounces | Flavors: Beef

What We Like
  • Free of grain, soy, and gluten

  • Made in USDA-certified facilities

  • Primarily consists of single-source protein

  • Functional ingredients for joint and muscle support

What We Don't Like
  • Small package

While air-dried food toppers are slightly less nutrient-dense than freeze-dried or raw options, they have several benefits that make them a great alternative. For instance, they are less expensive, and the low-heat process kills off pathogens, making them safer to consume than raw toppers. Additionally, air-dried toppers have a higher moisture content, resulting in a chewier, more palatable texture that poses less of a choking hazard than freeze-dried options.

These air-dried dog toppers from Pawstruck are ideal because they consist primarily of a premium single-source protein: 97 percent chicken or 96 percent beef. There is no grain, soy, or gluten. Plus, they contain a blend of flaxseed, salmon oil, and vitamins & minerals for joint and muscle support.

There's no need to rehydrate or crumble up this topper, so you can also use it as a treat. However, it may not be particularly cost-effective given the relatively small 8-ounce package.

Type: Air-dried | Volume: 8 ounces | Flavors: Beef, chicken

Final Verdict

The best overall dog food toppers are Honest Kitchen Pour Overs. They’re made from limited ingredients and no additives, and are easy to pour and store. Another great choice is Portland Pet Food Company Meal Pouches. Made of human-grade ingredients, this wet food comes in five protein options and is completely sourced and made in the United States.

What to Look For in Dog Food Toppers

Ingredients

Toppers typically feature one protein, like chicken, beef, or fish, and often have added fruits, vegetables, or other foods. You can choose something different from what your pet normally eats or feed something that is a tastier version of their current protein.

Always consider any health issues. “If your pet has a dietary sensitivity, make sure there is nothing in the topper that is going to aggravate their gastrointestinal tract or skin,” says veterinarian Kathy Baker.

She suggests avoiding unnecessary additives, like artificial coloring. “Pet food doesn’t need to be ‘pretty,’” she says. “Things that are brightly colored usually have a dye in them, and some pets can be sensitive to those just like some humans.”

Some toppers say they are “human-grade.” The definition, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), is a food where “every ingredient and the resulting products are stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant with regulations ... for human edible foods.” So the food has to be manufactured in facilities that are licensed to make human foods and are regularly inspected.

Human-grade foods may not be healthier than other pet foods, but they usually have recognizable ingredients, and many pet owners like the idea of a pet eating food that might (almost) be something they’d eat.

Types

Some dog food toppers come as freeze-dried chunks that can be broken up or sprinkled whole on top of a dog's usual food. Those nuggets can be added dry or soaked in water or broth to reconstitute them.

Some stews and broths can be poured on top of regular food and mixed in. Some other toppers are moist, like wet dog food. You can add a spoonful or more to your pup’s meal and mix it altogether.

Storage

None of the toppers here has to be refrigerated before opening. Just stack them in the pantry or a cabinet until ready to use. Broths, stews, and wet foods have to be kept in the refrigerator once you’ve started using them.

Most have to be used after a few days or can be frozen. Resealable packages make storage much easier, so you don’t have to put them in a secondary container.

Serving Size

To entice your dog to eat, you just need to add a spoon or two of a topper to their normal dinner. Some packages suggest larger serving sizes, and some of these foods can be fed as a complete (but expensive) meal.

Always remember that whenever you change a pet’s food, you should do it gradually, so start off with just a very small amount at first. “Remember it is an ‘extra’ and is not the primary source of nutrition,” Dr. Baker says.

FAQ
  • What is a dog food topper?

    “I think about a topper as anything that you would put on top of or mix into a pet’s food,” says Dr. Baker. “That could range from wet food added to the dry food that a pet normally eats, to powdered toppers, to human food (meat, eggs, cheese).”

    Commercially prepared toppers include dry and dehydrated food that can be sprinkled on top, stews and bone broths that can be poured over kibble, and wet food that can be mixed into dry food.

  • Can you make your own dog food topper?

    Yes, says Dr. Baker. “In my mind, go simple," she says. "Something like a small amount of cooked lean protein that your pet is not allergic to can be great. I know a lot of dogs love a little bit of cheese. When I need them to eat, I just want them to eat. Once we figure out the medical side, then we can worry about getting them back to a stable diet.”

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

For this roundup, Mary Jo DiLonardo talked to dog owners, veterinarians, and fosters about dog food toppers. She did online research and looked at product reviews. They were evaluated on qualities like ingredients, serving size, storage options, and the type of product they were. She also considered price and variety.

DiLonardo has been writing about pets and animals for several decades. She has a rescue dog and has fostered over 70 dogs and puppies. She is always trying different products to keep the dogs in her care entertained, healthy, and safe. 

Kathy Baker, DVM, a veterinarian at Lucy’s Veterinary Care in Smyrna, Georgia, also provided insight into dog food toppers. An award-winning veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Baker provided crucial information on what to look for when considering supplements for your dog’s diet.

Sources
The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Schunck M, Louton H, Oesser, S. The effectiveness of specific collagen peptides on osteoarthritis in dogs-Impact on metabolic processes in canine chondrocytesOJAS. 2017;07(03):254-266. doi:10.4236/ojas.2017.73020

  2. Texas A&M Researchers Develop Treatment for Canine Ocular Condition Using Turmeric. Texas A&M Today.

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