Looking for ways to change up meals for your furry friends? Well no need to look any further– we have put together a list of 15 of Hooch & Rebel’s favorite dog food toppers for your pups to try!!
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when changing your dog’s diet or when using probiotics***
Adding dog food toppers to your dogs meals is an easy way to boost your dog’s nutrition!
Dog food toppers are a lot easier to incorporate into your dogs meals than you might think. They are as easy as the name – simply add any of these delicious treats on top of your dogs food!
Blueberries
Blueberries are full of antioxidants that protect cells in dogs making them perfect dog food toppers. They’re also high in fiber and phytochemicals.
Antioxidants found in blueberries aid in the battle against free radicals, which cause molecular and cellular damage in dogs.
Antioxidants in a dog’s food have been shown to minimize the impact of neurodegeneration, which is fantastic news if you have an older dog.
Click here for our dog’s favorite blueberry dog treat recipe!
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a tasty and nutritious treat for dogs. They’re especially ideal for dogs on a diet because their low-calorie content provides a good treat without adding extra weight.
Cucumbers contain 96% water, making them a refreshing and delightful snack for any pup.
DO NOT feed your dog pickles, though. Spices and salt added to pickles could be detrimental at worst.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has numerous advantages for your dog. It is high in phytonutrients, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, among other things. It can keep skin hydrated and develop a beautiful coat.
If your dog has been refusing to eat recently, a slight drizzle of olive oil is enough to transform the flavor and texture of their regular meal, and it could be what you need to rekindle their appetite.
Fish Oil
One of the best supplements for your dog’s diet is fish oil. Fish oil enhances a glossy coat, decreases itchy and flaking skin, and can help ease allergies and joint pain in your pup.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is safe for dogs! It can be a delightful and nutritious addition to your dog’s regular meals. Although nutritional, it should not be a dog’s primary source of nutrition.
Bone broth contains a variety of nutrients that are good for dogs. It’s high in protein, glycine, collagen, and glucosamine, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Glycine: This neutral amino acid is helpful in the kidneys of dogs suffering from ischemia-reperfusion (tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to tissue).
Collagen– A protein that has positive effects on mobility, skin, and coat, and digestion
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Glucosamine– This nutrient can help lubricate your dog’s joints and boost the making of core proteins, which can aid in the health and overall of joints.
Bone broth is a tasty and nutritious supplement to your dog’s daily diet. Although it is nutritious, it should not be a dog’s primary source of nutrition.
Bone broth is high in nutrients that are beneficial to dogs. Protein, glycine, collagen, and glucosamine are all abundant, as are vitamins and minerals.
In our opinion some of the best bone broths for dogs are:
Our dogs love our homemade bone broth recipe below, but they also really dig Native Pet’s Beef Bone Broth Topper when I’m running low.
How much bone broth to feed at a time to your dog.
- Dogs under 20 pounds, serve them 1 oz of bone broth a day.
- For dogs between 20-40 pounds, serve them 2 oz of bone broth a day.
- Dogs between 50-80 pounds, feed them 4 oz of bone broth a day.
- For dogs 80+ pounds, feed them 6 oz of bone broth a day
Nonfat Greek-Style Yogurt
Yogurt is high in protein, calcium, and probiotics, which aid your dog’s immune system and help them recover from stomach problems.
Plain nonfat Greek yogurt is the best yogurt to give your dog, and you can add a variety of ingredients to make it even more delectable.
Any yogurt containing xylitol, a popular sweetener in human foods, should be avoided by dogs. Xylitol accumulates in the liver tissue; even a modest amount of xylitol-sweetened yogurt is hazardous to dogs and can lead to liver failure.
**If you suspect that your dog has a lactose issue, you should refrain from giving your dog yogurt altogether.**
Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin is beneficial as a dog food topper to all dogs, large and tiny, but especially those with digestive difficulties. Plus, they think it’s delicious!
Plain canned pumpkin with no additional sweeteners, additives, or fillers, and plain raw pumpkin and pumpkin flesh are all excellent dog food toppers for dogs.
You should avoid giving your dog the sugar-free canned pumpkin at all costs. The primary issue with sugar-free canned pumpkin is that it could contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is pretty safe for dogs to eat; just make sure that it is natural peanut butter containing ZERO XYLITOL on the ingredient list. It is very important to check the Xylitol label as an ingredient because it is toxic to dogs.
When consumed in moderation, peanut butter can be a good source of protein, good fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E.
Unsalted peanut butter, peanut butter made for dogs, or homemade peanut butter is the healthiest option since high sodium levels can be harmful to dogs.
***IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Did you know that everyday items like candy, gum, toothpaste, and even peanut butter are often sweetened with xylitol? Xylitol can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol!***
Carrots
Carrots are a low-calorie snack full of fiber and beta-carotene, a vitamin A source. Also, carrots are good for your dog’s teeth and are found in many dog foods.
Read more Recipe: Healthy Raw Diet for Dogs
Hooch and Rebel love to eat whole carrots (minus the greens) just like bones! When we put them in their food, we find it’s easier for them to eat shredded carrots.
When introducing foods like cucumbers, carrots, and apples to your dog try starting in small quantities and working your way up to whole fruits and vegetables. Our dogs have definite palette and texture preferences. They can sometimes even be incredibly picky with new foods. But we find that when we shred new ingredients as dog food toppers over their meal, they are more likely to give it a try. From there we increase the size of the fruit and veggie treat gradually.
Apples
Low in protein and calories, apples provide all their health benefits without filling up your dog’s tummy, leaving plenty of room for the regular diet of healthy food that is so important in developing dogs’ bodies.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects. Antiviral effects are also known to exist in lauric acid.
Coconut oil helps with digestion. Excess weight can harm a dog’s health by causing joint pain and making movement difficult. Coconut oil can help dogs have a healthier metabolism, more energy, and better joints. As well as, giving your dog a luscious coat.
Start with modest amounts and gradually increase the dosage if you wish to feed coconut oil to your dog. Consult your veterinarian if you’re unsure about your dog’s coconut oil dosage. Oily stools or diarrhea are common side effects that occur when the dose is too high.
Herbs
Herbs are amazing dog food toppers that most people probably never think of adding to their dog’s food. I prefer to use dried-out herbs from the grocery or dry them myself.
Basil
Basil has a high concentration of beta-carophyllene, making it effective in treating inflammatory bowel illness. We started integrating basil into Hooch’s meals to help decrease symptoms of arthritis. Basil also has mood-lifting, stress-relieving, and anxiety-relieving properties for dogs.
***While very rare, some dogs can be allergic to basil, so incorporate it slowly into your dog’s diet and work up from there. ***
Dill
Dill is a digestive aid that can assist with gas, nausea, cramps, and hunger. This herb is also an excellent breath refresher for dogs.
According to Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff’s Herbs for Pets, Dill’s breath-freshening effect originates from its antibacterial properties, which work well in the mouth for foul breath produced by germs and gingivitis.
Parsley
Parsley, which is high in flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamins, is commonly used as a breath freshener in dog treats and can also ease the stomach.
The beneficial effects of parsley on the kidneys are only preventative; if your dog has already been diagnosed with renal disease, parsley will not reverse the condition’s progression.
Because parsley has a significant level of oxalates, you should avoid providing it to a dog who is prone to kidney stones.
Rosemary
There’s a reason rosemary essential oil is so prevalent in dog food: it’s an excellent pathogen-fighter against common food bacteria, which means it can help protect food from rotting!
Those pathogen-fighting powers also extend to your pet’s body, where they can aid in the battle against germs and fungi! Because rosemary is high in antioxidants, it’s an excellent herb to include in your dog’s food to help prevent age-related ailments like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
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***While big-name dog food brands use rosemary essential oil, I personally only recommend using dried rosemary at home as essential oils are SUPER concentrated and can have adverse effects if not portioned correctly.***
Oregano
Because of its strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral characteristics, feeding moderate amounts of oregano to your dog can help cleanse their body of pollutants.
Oregano contains more than 40 times the antioxidants found in apples, as well as vitamins A, C, and K, as well as Omega-3s, calcium, iron, manganese, and dietary fiber, all of which are vital in your dog’s diet.
Eggs
We not only add boiled eggs as dog food toppers, but we also add them to their dinner every night. If you haven’t tried our easy homemade dog food recipe, click the link below to blow your dog’s mind!
Cooked eggs are an excellent source of nutrients for your dog. They’re full of vitamins, protein, and fatty acids, all of which help your dog stay healthy on the inside and out.
***Some dogs with certain medical issues should not consume eggs, so if in doubt consult with your vet first.***
Eggshell Calcium Powder
One of the most important nutrients for dogs is calcium. It is necessary for bone health, muscle mobility, and blood clotting.
The recommended calcium intake for healthy adult dogs is 50 mg per kilogram of body weight. This means a 10 lb dog will require roughly 225 mg of calcium per day.
The amount of calcium a dog requires in their diet is determined by its age, breed, gender, and lifestyle.
Calcium aids in the development of bones in puppies and slows the loss of bone density as they age. Calcium is especially beneficial to senior dogs since it lowers the risk and symptoms of bone diseases including arthritis and osteoporosis.
If a dog is pregnant and/or nursing, she will require more calcium than usual in order to preserve her strength and encourage healthy bone formation in her puppies. Too little calcium while pregnant is a worry since it can cause eclampsia, a potentially fatal illness.
Pet probiotics
Probiotics may be beneficial to some dogs but not to others. Probiotics can help with a wide range of digestive problems and illnesses.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria that are good for your health and your pet’s health. Hundreds of billions of them dwell in the stomachs of dogs and other animals to aid in illness prevention, immune system strengthening, food digestion, and vitamin and nutrient production.
This powdered mix of probiotics and organic prebiotics help promote good gut bacteria and address acute and chronic diarrhea.
Thanks to their pet-loving crew, Native Pet offers innovative supplements, toppers, and chews that provide balanced nutrition to all pets!
Native Pet works with experts to create each formula from the ground up. They engage with professional nutritionists, veterinarians, specialized food scientists, and manufacturing experts to make the right treats for your pets.
If you’ve tried any of these dog food toppers for your pup I would be so grateful if you would let me know what you think in the comments below!
