ORIJEN All-Breed Raw Freeze Dried Dog Food Topper

Though there’s no set standard for what dog food toppers should offer, these products typically contain ingredients that make them tastier and more nutritious to dogs. Added to pup’s dry food, dog food toppers can entice your pet to eat while providing more of what they need.

Dog food toppers, including the freeze-dried versions, often double as pet treats. This means that, if you’re not offering a version that’s complete and balanced, you should limit toppers to 10% of your dog’s diet.

You may wish to feed your pup a freeze-dried dog food topper that is listed as all-natural. For example one brand features a turkey flavor that includes just four ingredients: turkey, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract and green tea extract. The formula is grain-free and doesn’t contain any unnecessary preservatives, dyes, soy or artificial flavors.

Determine how much protein the freeze-dried dog food topper contains, as this is the most important ingredient. The Stella & Chewy’s Meal Mixers Grain-Free Dog Food Topper is made up of 95% grass-fed beef, organs and bone. Although you don’t need to go with a brand that has this much protein, you do need to make sure the protein level is sufficient.

Look for added ingredients that improve the nutritional content of the dog food topper. Some brands have fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Others are made with superfoods, like ginger root, kelp and flax seeds. You want the topper to support healthy digestion and improve your pup’s skin and coat.

Should you plan on traveling, you’ll want to make sure the freeze-dried dog food topper you select has a resealable top. This not only keeps the topper fresh, but also ensures none of the contents fall out during transport.

• Freeze-dried dog food toppers that are made with raw meat should be handled with care. You’ll need to wash your hands immediately after handling the raw meat. This is the best way to prevent contracting a food-borne illness.
• Always follow the serving instructions on the back of the freeze-dried dog food topper’s product packaging. It will list the serving size by cups based on your dog’s weight and desired calorie intake.
• If you decide to use the freeze-dried dog food topper as a full meal, you should gradually transition from your pet’s current chow to the topper. To do this, slowly add more of the topper and less of the old dog food over the course of 10 days. This will prevent your dog from experiencing any stomach discomfort.
• Although most freeze-dried dog food toppers are relatively soft, you can still rehydrate them with a little water for senior dogs who can’t chew tough foods.
• Some pet owners choose to use freeze-dried dog food toppers to train their pups. Each time the dog responds correctly, he is rewarded with the topper as a treat. Since the topper is so flavorful, this method works well.
• While you do not need to refrigerate freeze-dried food dog toppers, you do need to store them in a cool, dry location.
• When comparing the prices for different freeze-dried dog food toppers, look at the price per ounce.