Whether you want to tempt your picky whelp to eat or control your senior dog gets an added boost of nutrition at mealtime , dog food for thought topperssuch as Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters can be the perfect solution . But what is a bounder food stovepipe ? And how can pet parents assist their dogs get the most out of these mouth - watering mix - IN ?
These days , in improver to the classic cad food for thought question — “ Wet or dry ? ” — many people are also wonder about repast beaver for dogs . “ That ’s because they ’re a comparatively new foundation in the favored nutrient industry that has quickly gain popularity among preferent parent , ” explainsDr . Alex Schechter , DVM , founder ofBurrwood Veterinary Hospital .
If you ’re think of offering your dog a food topper , we ’ve round out up everything you need to know — including how to use them , how they can gain your weenie , and expert tips for incorporating yummy toppers into your dog ’s dieting .
Dog Food Toppers 101
So what , exactly , are dog food toppers ?
“ andiron food top hat pertain to any addition to your frump ’s even , daily weenie intellectual nourishment , ” excuse veterinary surgeon Dr. Michael Fleck , DVM , emcee ofThe Pet Buzzradio show .
“ Toppers can set out from plainly add together water to your weenie ’s intellectual nourishment , to sophisticated quality combination of mellow - story protein , carbohydrate , fats , vitamin , mineral , electrolytes , and essential fatty acids , ” he total .
Toppers for dog nutrient can be stiff or dry , cook or naked , homemade or commercially create . Some common varieties include :
For DIY andiron parent , homemade frank nutrient toppers could be as simple as mixing some unseasoned osseous tissue broth into your dog ’s kibble or topping their dinner party with a sprinkle of blueberry .
There ’s also a wide grasp of commercial-grade dog food toppers usable to suit all kind of preferences and palates .
Some are strictly completing nutrient you could serve in addition to your dog ’s regular sodding and balanced diet , like ledge - stable Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters . Others can be served as a topper or a complete meal , such as Wellness Bowl Boosters Freshly .
commercial-grade dog food toppers bid officious pet parents timber and convenience without the tussle of homemade dog food toppers . Plus , they ’re subject to theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials(AAFCO ) nutrient visibility and labeling standards . So it ’s easy to know just what you ’re getting , as well as whether the formula is nutritionally complete and balanced or think of for intermittent or supplemental alimentation only .
5 Reasons to Use a Dog Food Topper
If you ’re already feed your dog food that ’s nutritionally “ utter and balanced ” according to AAFCO , you might wonder if you even need a topper .
However , even dogs whose diet is arrant and balanced do n’t always front or experience their respectable . So here are five reasons to consider adding a dog food dress hat to your pup ’s regular rotation .
1. Provide additional nutrition
timber nourishment is key to good wellness for all dogs . But that becomes especially significant for click in wretched wellness due to age or unwellness . Nutrient - packed dog food toppers offer preferent parent an easy way to perk up kibble with a cost increase of flavor and nutrition .
There are even formulas contrive specifically to support resistant wellness , which is indispensable for both continued well - being and prevention , particularly as hot dog geezerhood .
2. Increase the palatability of your dog’s meals
“ nutrient opera hat can be helpful for picky eaters or dogs with dietary restrictions , ” state Schechter . “ They not only add sapidity and kind to a firedog ’s meal , but they can also help ensure all nutritionary needs are meet . ”
For instance , if your picky dog tends to go out most of their dinner party in the bowl , they may be miss out on key vitamins , minerals , nutrients , and calories to fuel their energy want . Adding a wet topper that hold their best-loved element is like a nutritional insurance insurance that lure your particular dearie to gobble up every last bit of critical aliment in their bowl .
3. Help boost hydration
Dehydration in dogscan happen for many reasons , ranging from gastrointestinal upset , disease , andheat stroketo just not booze enough water . While you always need to check that your andiron gets proper veterinary treatment for any illness , as long as your vet approves , heel food topper can help dogs stay hydrous .
If desiccation is a headache , look for toppers with a higher - than - average wet mental object , like Wellness Bowl Boosters Simply Shreds , a protein - rich formula of meat and stock with a wet content of 90 pct .
4. Aid digestion
“ frankfurter top hat are a great way to support a healthy diet and good digestion in click , ” says Schechter . “ They come in many options for unlike indigence , like exercising weight direction , picky eater , and raw stomachs , ” he adds . Wellness even provide a Bowl Boosters normal that ’s specifically project to serve support your dog ’s digestive health with ingredients like probiotics and character - plentiful fruits and veggie .
5. Perk up your dog’s meals…safely
It can be entice to add some board trash to your dog ’s bowl , especially if they ’re giving you those puppy hot dog eyes . But masses food , specially nutrient fix with oils or spices , can be hazardous to dog . Andsome can be downright toxic .
If you need to surprise your dog-iron with some safe topping for dog food but do n’t want to risk GI issues , then a commercially - available Canis familiaris food for thought topping may be your best bet .
Additionally , according to the Wellness dog intellectual nourishment stigma , these five Signs of Wellbeing indicate good wellness in wienerwurst :
If you or your veterinary are worry your weenie is lacking in any of these five areas , add together a andiron solid food top hat could provide a identification number of benefits , especially formulas designed specifically to point key egress , like pelt and coat health .
How to Use a Dog Food Topper: Expert Tips
Ready to sum a topper to your dog ’s diet ? Check out our expert tips first , to make certain you ’re on the right track .
Schedule a veterinary exam
“ If your dog dead becomes a picky feeder , this may be a mark of dental trouble , gastrointestinal issues , or illnesses and infections , ” order Schechter . “ Before including dog food toppers in the dog ’s regular diet , your veterinarian should be confer with , ” recommends Fleck . That way , your veterinarian can valuate whether an underlying medical condition could be contributing to any changes in your hotdog ’s health , appetite , or appearance .
Choose the best type of topper for your dog
Homemade , freeze - dry , fresh , or canned ? When it follow to what to add to your dog ’s regular food , pet parents confront no shortage of options !
When choosing a commercial dog intellectual nourishment dress hat , Fleck suggests pass some meter trying out different relish and styles to see what kind your dog like best .
If your detent loves the first topper you offer them , great ! But it ’s a good estimation to permit them to try a few different options so you’re able to see what they prefer . Some dogs get it on the append flavor of shredded meat toppers , while others might gain from the increase of some sound vegetables and surplus nutrients .
Compare homemade vs commercial
“ choose between a homemade or commercial-grade food topper for dogs depend on your preferences and your dog ’s needs , ” pronounce Schechter . “ Homemade toppers offer command over ingredient and can be tailored to your hotdog ’s nutritional needs and taste sensation . In contrast , commercial toppers supply a balanced and fill in nutritional visibility and often include beneficial supplements , ” he adds .
According to Fleck , “ Veterinarians have been recommending homemade solid food topper for dog to help address favored wellness conditions since veterinary medicament commence . ”
“ However , homemade toppers generally require extensive effort , ” he adds . So commercial frank solid food topper that are convenient and readily available may be a better option if it means you could sustain the benefits foresighted - term .
Introduce the topper gradually
Just as with any young intellectual nourishment , make trusted to slowly insert toppers into your dog ’s diet .
“ A sudden change in diet can cause GI problems , let in disgorgement and diarrhea , ” says Schechter .
Pay attention to feeding recommendations
It ’s also worth note that toppers should never be used as a substitute for regular dog food unless they meet AAFCO ’s nutritive visibility standards for hotdog food . In these cases , the recording label should provide eating instructions that vary , depend on whether you intend to feed as a meal or a topper .
If the stovepipe is for intermittent or supplemental feeding only , do n’t forget to take those extra calories into considerateness . For overweight dogs , you may call for to subdue the amount of kibble to account for the supererogatory calories in toppers .
So , if you ’ve been wonder “ What can I add to my detent ’s nutrient ? ” Canis familiaris food toppers are a slap-up result . Toppers offer dog a nutritional hike while safely impart new flavors and textures that transform meal from boring to brilliant .
