Do you look at your dog’s food and wonder what you could do to spice up their meals? While there are dog foods that fit the bill in terms of taste and nutrition, sometimes we feel that our dogs deserve more. Food toppers are now seen as a way to offer diversity to our dog’s plate, enhance palatability or soften the texture of their current complete meals, as well as to help improve their dog’s overall appetite.
Food toppers are added on top of your dog’s current meal, to provide an added benefit and giving it a little boost. The ingredients you choose in food toppers, as well as the amount and frequency that you add them into your dog’s meal will vary based on the individual preferences and needs of your dog. Not only does food toppers make your dog’s food more appealing, it also has additional benefits. Let’s explore some of the benefits of food toppers!
Increased Palatability
Spicing up your dog’s meals with a different food toppers makes your dog’s food more appetizing with additional tastes and textures, and are commonly used for dogs that are picky eaters to encourage them to eat more.
Improved Hydration
Toppers like broths, stews, purées can help improve your dog’s hydration especially if they don’t drink as much water as they should.
Health Benefits
Although complete and balanced dog foods contains the essential nutrients your dog needs, food toppers can supplement them with additional nutrients such as antioxidants, carotenoids and choline, which helps with longevity, heart health, immune system support and boosts their health.
Soften Their Food
Toppers are a great way to soften your dog’s food, and this is especially helpful for dogs who may have difficulty chewing, such as senior dogs.
Protein and Fiber Boost
Protein is essential for muscle, skin and coat health, and food toppers can provide the extra boost of protein your dog needs for optimal health. Many toppers can also provide additional fiber to your dogs. Whether your dog may be experiencing loose stool or constipation, adding a topper can be helpful to return them back to normal.
There are many types of food toppers, and most of them are conveniently packaged in a way that you can simply pour it over your dog’s meal. However, it is important to take note of the serving sizes and instructions. Make sure you are using the proper amount for your dog’s size and breed, especially if you are using the topper on more than one meal per day.
Not all food toppers are created equally, so how do you know which one is the best for your dog? The two main indicators of quality in food toppers are ingredients and processing. You’ll want to look for ingredients that you can recognise, with no added flavourings and sugar. You’ll also want to make sure that the method of processing is as minimal as possible. The more processing it undergoes, the more nutrients are lost in the process. With minimal ingredients and processing, packed with nutrients. Need a good place to start? Check out The Honest Kitchen food toppers!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to dog food toppers. Each dog has a different health profile so if you are unsure of which food topper to feed your dog, speaking with your veterinarian or a dog nutritionist can be beneficial when it comes to finding a food topper that is suitable for your dog’s need.
Any views or opinions communicated on this page belong to the author and do not represent the views or opinions of any other organizations. This article is meant for us to share our own views and opinions in general. Kindly consult a professional if you would like to seek professional advice.
Adopted from sources
– Guide to Dog Food Toppers; What They are, Benefits, How to Use, and More. By Pupford.
(https://pupford.com/guide-dog-food-toppers/)
– Dog Food Toppers – It’s Okay To Add a Temporary Flavor Boost. By The Wild Times.
(https://wildearth.com/blogs/the-wild-times/toppers-galore)
– Images of dogs, The Honest Kitchen.
