Picky eater? Dog food toppers boost flavor, texture, and nutrients

Dogs typically are hearty eaters. They usually gobble up what’s in their bowls and then eye what’s on your plate. But occasionally, dogs can turn finicky, and when that happens, adding dog food toppers can stimulate your dog’s appetite. 

Some breeds are known to produce fussy eaters, for example, Maltese, Bichon frisé, Yorkshire terrier, Pekinese, German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky. But food sensitivities, allergies, illness, and age can turn robust eaters picky. 

If you’re coping with a dog who doesn’t want to eat, consider adding dog food toppers from Open Farm to their bowls.

Why choose dog food toppers from Open Farm? 

Open Farm is the only pet food company that guarantees 100% of its animal protein compliant with extensive and rigorous farm animal welfare standards set out by Certified Humane®, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise Seafood®.

Those criteria include a wholesome and nutritious diet, space to roam freely, prohibiting the use of preventative antibiotics or growth hormones, and on-site farm audits. Using those criteria ensures Open Farm uses the highest quality meat protein in each recipe: Grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb, wild-caught salmon, and more.

Each ingredient is thoughtfully selected and then prepared using cooking methods to yield the most nutritional value and taste.

For example, Open Farm’s Freeze-Dried Raw food uses only minimally processed ingredients like locally sourced non-GMO leafy greens, squash, and pumpkin seeds, plus superfoods like coconut oil and blueberries. All recipes are baked or cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients.

When should you add dog food toppers? 

Dogs, like humans, appreciate variety in their bowls. Dog food toppers let you introduce new flavors, textures, and nutrients to keep your dog’s tail wagging at mealtime.

Before you start adding toppers, determine why you want to use them. Are you trying to get your pup to finish meals? Do you have an aging dog and want to boost the number of nutrients he’s eating? Does your dog experience loose stools or constipation? Choosing the right topper can help you achieve your goals.

Next, consider your budget. Open Farm carries a wide range of dog food toppers, starting at $9.49.

Want to give your dog more protein? Try flavors similar to what you’re already feeding your dog. For example, if your dog eats a chicken-based food, try a turkey topper. If your dog is eating beef-based food, try adding lamb. 

If your dog is sick or suffers from allergies or food sensitivities, choose a limited ingredient or single protein topper to limit exposure and help prevent an upset stomach.

Choose the right dog food topper

Once you’ve determined why your dog would benefit from adding a topper to his food, you can consider the options that best suit that purpose. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian. 

Picky pet

If you’re dealing with a picky eater, Open Farm offers several options for you to consider. 

• Bone Broth: This is one of the most affordable and delicious ways to get your pups to eat. They’re $21 for a pack of 3 and add moisture and additional flavor to your pet’s kibble. The recipe is slow-simmered on low heat for 18 hours to retain nutrients and extract a flavorful “soup” for dogs.
• Gently Cooked: This recipe has natural ingredients you can see, like fresh chunks of meat, kale, and butternut squash. No pup can resist when you add this as a topper because it’s similar to a home-cooked meal.
• Freeze-Dried Raw: This raw recipe uses 85% raw animal ingredients mixed with organic fruits and vegetables. Adding raw organs and bones creates a unique flavor that dogs love. It’s also shelf-stable making it one of the easiest ways to serve raw food.
• Wild-Caught Cod Skins: This recipe has a unique texture and adds crunch to meals. It’s one of Open Farm’s bestsellers, and it’s also rich in omega-3, which is excellent for your dog’s cognitive health and shiny coat.

Senior pet

Aging dogs have different nutritional needs than puppies and younger dogs. Adding dog food toppers can help boost the nutrients in their diets. 

• Bone Broth: Bone Broth is rich in collagen, so it’s great for their joints, repairing tissues in their digestive tract, and keeping their fur coat shiny.
• Wild-Caught Salmon Rustic Stews: This wet food has a stew-like texture, which is excellent for senior dogs who may be missing teeth. The recipe is rich in omega-3, which helps cognitive function.

Sensitive stomachs

If your pup has a sensitive stomach, try sticking to a limited ingredient recipe like Bone Broth to avoid digestive issues. 

Bone Broth: This single protein recipe has six ingredients and is rich in collagen, which helps soothe and repair tissues in a dog’s digestive tract. It’s also slow-simmered on low heat for 18 hours to retain nutrients and extract a flavorful “soup” for dogs.

Boost hydration

If you worry your dog isn’t drinking enough water on hot or especially active days, dog food toppers can help boost hydration.

• Bone Broth: This topper has a soup-like texture to keep pups hydrated, and bonus: it’s rich in collagen, which helps keep your dog’s fur coat healthy and shiny.
• Gently Cooked: This wet food has natural ingredients you can see, like fresh chunks of meat, kale, and butternut squash. 

Providing a nutrient boost

Aging dogs or dogs that are sick or recovering after surgery sometimes need a nutritional boost. 

• Bone Broth: Not only does Bone Both add flavor, but it’s rich in collagen, which helps maintain the shine and softness of your pet’s coat. 
• Freeze-Dried Raw: If you feed cooked food, consider going raw for a topper and mixer to expose your dog to vitamins and minerals only found in raw ingredients.

Help dogs lose weight

Helping a pudgy dog drop a few pounds can be difficult. Adding a healthy dog food topper will let you cut back on the amount of food you feed your dog without leaving him feeling deprived.

Open Farm’s high-protein recipes are packed with functional ingredients like locally sourced, non-GMO fruits and vegetables, plus superfoods like coconut oil, resulting in longer-lasting energy and an increased feeling of satiety. A topper that boosts hydration also can help improve your dog’s digestion and boost metabolism. 

Rustic Stew: This low-carb and low-calorie wet topper lets pet parents spoil their furry friends while maintaining or reducing weight. The stew is 100% human-grade, 100% delicious.

Ready to add a topper? 

Still unsure if an Open Farm dog food topper is the right choice for your dog? Take this personalized quiz to find the best topper for your pet.

Open Farm products are available online and in stores in the United States and Canada. The company also offers one-time and discounted subscription purchases.

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