For about three weeks, my beagle, Biscuit, treated dinner like a personal insult. He’d sniff the bowl, give me a look, and wander off to the sofa. I tried a new brand. I tried a new bowl. Then a friend suggested a spoonful of something fresh on top, and he cleared the lot in under a minute. That’s how my love of homemade dog food toppers began. Here are eight I rotate through, plus the rules I follow every time.
Why Toppers Work (and What They Aren’t)
Toppers add smell, texture, and a little excitement. Some dogs who ignore dry food perk up the second something fresh lands on it.
But a topper isn’t a meal. It’s an extra, and it should stay a small part of your dog’s daily food. Too much can throw off the balance of his diet or add calories he doesn’t need. If your dog suddenly goes off his food, or he has allergies, a sensitive stomach, or a health condition, talk to your vet before changing anything. A fussy appetite can have causes no topper will fix.
Start small. A teaspoon or so, then wait a day and see how he does. Your vet can tell you what suits your dog’s size.
8 Homemade Dog Food Toppers
1. Plain pumpkin puree. Pure pumpkin only, never pie filling. Spoon a little over dinner. Freeze the rest in ice cube trays.
2. Scrambled egg. Fully cooked, with no oil, butter, or salt. Cool it and crumble it over the bowl.
3. Shredded chicken. Boiled or baked plain chicken breast, no skin, no bones, no seasoning. A reliable winner for picky eaters.
4. Steamed green beans. Chopped small and cooled. Low in calories, and handy for dogs watching their waistlines.
5. Mashed sweet potato. Plain, cooked, and mashed with a fork. Skip the butter and the marshmallow topping. It’s rich, so go light.
6. A dollop of plain yogurt. Unsweetened, and check the label for xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Some dogs don’t handle dairy well, so try the tiniest amount first.
7. Salt-free chicken broth. Simmer plain chicken in water with no salt, onion, or garlic. Strain out every bone, cool it, and pour a few spoonfuls over kibble. It softens dry food and smells fantastic.
8. Mashed blueberries or banana. A few berries or a slice of banana. Sweet, so keep it to a small spoonful.
The Tip That Surprised Me
Freeze everything in portions. I cook on Sunday, spoon pumpkin, shredded chicken, and broth into silicone molds, then pop the cubes into a labeled bag. One cube goes in the bowl at dinner, and it thaws while he eats.
Picture a chaotic Tuesday evening, a hungry dog, and dinner sorted in ten seconds. It also stops me guessing portions. And rotate your toppers every few days to keep things interesting, but change only one at a time. That way, if his tummy complains, you know exactly which one caused it.
For small dogs, let frozen cubes thaw slightly first, since icy chunks can be hard on tiny teeth.
A Real Example From My Friend Jo
Jo’s spaniel, Kipper, turned his nose up at kibble for a fortnight. She worried he was unwell, so she called her vet. Everything checked out, and the vet said a small topper was fine. Jo tried shredded chicken, and Kipper ate like it was Christmas.
Then she got carried away. Chicken, egg, and yogurt all went on at once, and his tummy grumbled all night. “I did too much, too fast,” she told me. Now she picks one topper a week, and he’s happy.
Mistakes and Warnings Worth Knowing
Skip anything with onion, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts, or xylitol. They’re dangerous for dogs, and they hide in sauces, gravy, and leftovers. Never share seasoned food from your plate.
Watch for bones. Cooked chicken bones can splinter, so check every shred twice.
Count the calories. Toppers add up, especially rich ones like egg, sweet potato, and yogurt. If your dog is gaining weight, ask your vet how much to cut from his regular meals.
Store things safely. Fresh toppers keep in the fridge for about three days. Frozen ones last a couple of months. If anything smells off or looks fuzzy, bin it.
And pay attention to how he reacts. Loose stools, itching, vomiting, or a sudden lack of energy mean you should stop and call your vet.
Quick Questions
Can puppies have toppers?
Many can, in tiny amounts. Young tummies are sensitive, so check with your vet first.
Can I mix several at once?
Better not. Try one at a time, so you can spot a problem.
Can toppers replace kibble?
No. They’re extras, not complete meals.
Ready to Try Homemade Dog Food Toppers?
You don’t need all eight. Pick one, maybe the pumpkin or the shredded chicken, and try a small spoonful tonight. Homemade dog food toppers are cheap, quick, and easy to adapt to your dog’s taste. Keep the portions small, read every label, and let your vet weigh in on anything you’re unsure about.
Want an easy bake to go with dinner? Have a look at my post on three-ingredient pumpkin dog biscuits. And tell me: is your dog a kibble fan, or does he need a little something on top?
