If your dog loves to eat a lot, then mealtimes may not be a good time for him. But even if you buy high-quality food and spend a lot of money, he/she does not like it at all. You do not have to change the brand or buy expensive and delicious food, but instead try making food toppers for dogs at home. It is easy to make and suitable for your dog and you in all aspects.
In this post, we will tell you the benefits of some toppers that your dog will love and the recipe on how to make them very easily at home. Your favorite pup will get his favorite food at home. See the magic of homemade dog food toppers for picky eaters. Not only that, we will also answer some questions that people generally ask at the end related to dog food toppers.
Why Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?
There are a few things you need to know before feeding your dog food. First of all, you need to know why dogs love to eat more and why they refuse to eat despite loving to eat. The most common reasons are:
Boredom with food:
Just like humans, dogs can get tired of eating the same thing every day. It can cause a lack of interest in their food.
Health Issue:
Dogs can also become disinterested in eating due to various physical problems, such as dental problems, digestive problems, or any internal illness.
Preference for wet food:
In many cases, their appetite can be the reason for their preference for wet food. Many dogs do not like to eat dry kibble or other dry foods at all. Instead, wet food tastes much better to them.
Behavioral reasons:
If your dog knows that after eating a normal meal you will give him/her something better to eat, he may refuse to eat the food at first. In that case, he may become disinterested in food or he will not eat your food.
If you notice that your dog’s eating has suddenly decreased and you don’t understand the reason, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
Benefits of Homemade Dog Food Toppers
If you start feeding your dog toppers, it may not be just to make the food tastier, but there are many other special benefits of it. Let’s see what are all those benefits.
✔ Enhances Flavor & Texture: It encourages picky eaters to finish their food. Before, they did not like to eat food at all, but by adding toppers, the food becomes tasty and they like to eat it.
✔ Boosts Nutrition: This food is very beneficial because it increases nutrition, vitamins, minerals and hydrates, as well as it is good to eat, so they like to eat it.
✔ Improves Digestion: It improves digestion. Some ingredients are very beneficial for the intestines of your dog. So by giving toppers to the food of your dogs will improve their physical structure and health. There is no comparison to toppers for increasing their interest and effectiveness.
✔ Encourages Hydration: Dogs have a huge attraction to wet food and enjoy eating it, but there are some dogs who do not like to drink water at all. Therefore, if wet toppers are mixed into the food of such dogs, their body’s water needs are met.
7 Easy Homemade Dog Food Toppers for Picky Eaters at Low Cost
Here are simple, vet-approved homemade toppers that will make your dog’s meals irresistible.
1. Chicken & Bone Broth Topper
Why it’s great: Bone broth is packed with collagen and amino acids, which support joint and gut health.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded boiled chicken
- ½ cup unsalted bone broth
How to use: Pour over dry food and mix well.
2. Pumpkin & Yogurt Mix
Why it’s great: Pumpkin helps digestion, while yogurt provides probiotics.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp plain pumpkin puree (no added sugar)
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt
How to use: Stir together and spoon over kibble.
3. Sardine & Sweet Potato Mash
Why it’s great: Sardines are full of Omega-3s for a shiny coat, and sweet potatoes provide fiber.
Ingredients:
- 1 canned sardine (in water, no salt)
- ¼ cup mashed sweet potato
How to use: Mash and mix into your dog’s food.
4. Egg & Spinach Scramble
Why it’s great: Eggs are high in protein, and spinach adds iron and vitamins.
Ingredients:
- 1 scrambled egg
- 1 tbsp finely chopped spinach
How to use: Let it cool, then mix into kibble.
5. Cottage Cheese & Blueberries
Why it’s great: Cottage cheese is rich in protein, and blueberries are full of antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp low-fat cottage cheese
- 5-6 mashed blueberries
How to use: Sprinkle over dog food.
6. Beef & Carrot Gravy
Why it’s great: A hearty, meaty topper full of protein and vitamins.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup cooked ground beef (drained of fat)
- ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp pureed carrots
How to use: Blend together and pour over kibble.
7. Peanut Butter & Banana Puree
Why it’s great: A tasty treat that provides potassium, fiber, and healthy fats.
Ingredients:
- ½ ripe banana
- 1 tsp natural peanut butter (no xylitol)
How to use: Mash together and mix with food.
FAQs: Homemade Dog Food Toppers
1. What are the best dog food toppers for picky eaters?
For dogs who eat a lot of food, bone broth, pumpkin, eggs, and sardines are great toppings for food. Toppers increase the flavor and nutritional quality of the food.
2. Are homemade dog food toppers better than store-bought?
Yes, homemade toppers are more beneficial than store-bought toppers. Because homemade toppers do not contain any preservatives, artificial ingredients, or salt. You can also control the ingredients, according to the requirements of your pup.
3. How often should I use a food topper?
It will depend on your dogs’ diet and their appetite. If you use a nutritionally balanced topper, you can safely add them to every meal. Just make sure you don’t exceed their daily calorie needs.
4. Can I use food toppers for dogs with allergies?
Toppers can certainly be used for dogs with allergies. But not all toppers can be used. For example, for a dog with allergy problems, you should choose hypoallergenic options like turkey, sweet potatoes, or coconut oil to make your toppers.
5. Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Yes, peanut butter is safe for dogs, but you need to make sure it doesn’t contain Xylitol. Because it is toxic to dogs. If you buy toppers from the market, always check the label.
6. Can food toppers help with weight management?
Toppers are very important factors in controlling a dog’s weight. Some ingredients like pumpkin, bone broth and spinach are low-calorie foods but can add a lot of nutrients. So they always help keep a dog’s weight under control.
7. How do I store homemade dog food toppers?
Most toppers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. For some convenience, you can freeze some portions of the toppers for a few months.
Final Thoughts
If you can make toppers at home for your dog, they will be very beneficial for your dog. This will encourage them to eat their meals. In addition, if toppers are made at home, their production cost is very low. So at the low cost you are getting healthy, tasty and very useful food ingredients for your dog. It plays an important role in the overall development of the dog. Toppers contain substances such as additional nutrition, hydration. They become the cause of full excitement for your dog while eating meals.
Try different toppers and see which one your dog likes the most. Find out which one is suitable for his health and digestion. Continue with the one that fits best for him.
If you want to know more about toppers, other dog foods and more, then definitely comment and read our other blogs.