You fill the bowl. Your dog sniffs it, looks at you, and walks away. Sound familiar?
A spoonful of something tasty on top can change everything. These homemade dog food toppers use plain, safe ingredients you probably already have, and they take minutes to make.
Why some dogs get picky
Picky eating usually has a simple cause. Knowing it helps you fix it.
- Too many treats during the day, so they’re not hungry at dinner.
- Learned holdouts: skipping kibble once got them chicken, so they try again.
- Stale food from a bag that’s been open too long.
- Small breeds and seniors are often fussier by nature.
First, rule out a health problem
Some dogs are just picky. But a dog who suddenly stops eating may be telling you something.
- Call your vet if your dog skips more than a meal or two, loses weight, vomits, has diarrhea or seems tired.
- Check their mouth. A sore tooth or gum can make crunchy kibble painful.
- Think about changes. A move, a new pet or hot weather can lower appetite for a while.
Once your vet says your dog is healthy, toppers are a fun way to make dinner interesting again.
Topper ground rules
A topper is a little extra, not a replacement for complete dog food.
- 20 safe foods and how to serve them
- 14 dangerous foods and the signs to watch for
- What to do if your dog ate something toxic
- Keep it plain. No salt, butter, oil, spices, onion or garlic.
- Keep it small. A common guideline is that treats and toppers together stay under about 10 percent of daily calories.
- Trim the kibble a little so your dog doesn’t gain weight.
- Add one new topper at a time and watch for an upset stomach.
- Mix it in rather than leaving it on top, so your dog doesn’t lick off the good part.
If your dog has allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or a prescription diet, ask your vet before adding anything.
7 easy homemade toppers
Each of these is simple, safe and a big hit with most dogs. Rotate them to keep things interesting.
1. Shredded chicken
Boil a boneless, skinless chicken breast in plain water until cooked through. Let it cool, shred it, and add a spoonful to each meal. Never give cooked bones, which can splinter.
2. Pumpkin puree
Use canned 100 percent pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which has sugar and spices like nutmeg. One to two teaspoons for small dogs, a tablespoon or two for big dogs.
3. Scrambled egg
Scramble an egg in a nonstick pan with no butter, oil or salt. Cook it all the way through and let it cool. Half an egg is plenty for a small dog.
4. Homemade bone broth
Store-bought broth often contains onion, garlic and lots of salt, so make your own.
- Simmer chicken or beef bones in plain water for several hours. Add carrots and celery if you like.
- Strain it carefully and throw away every bone.
- Chill it and lift off the fat layer on top.
- Pour a few tablespoons over dry food to soften it.
5. Sardines in water
Choose sardines packed in water with no salt added. Mash half a sardine into a small dog’s bowl, or one for a big dog. Dogs love the smell, which is half the battle with picky eaters.
6. Plain Greek yogurt
A spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt adds creaminess. Read the label and skip any yogurt with sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. Some dogs don’t handle dairy well, so start small.
7. Steamed veggies
Green beans, carrots and zucchini add crunch and volume with few calories. Steam them plain, chop them small and let them cool.
A simple weekly topper rotation
Rotating keeps meals interesting without making your dog fussier. Here’s an easy plan.
- Monday and Thursday: shredded chicken
- Tuesday and Friday: pumpkin or steamed veggies
- Wednesday: scrambled egg
- Weekend: a splash of bone broth or one sardine
Some dogs do best with the same topper every day. That’s fine too.
Ingredients to never use
Some people foods that seem harmless are dangerous for dogs. Keep these out of the bowl.
- Onion, garlic, chives and leeks, in any form, including powders
- Grapes, raisins and currants
- Chocolate, coffee and caffeine
- Anything sweetened with xylitol
- Macadamia nuts and nutmeg
- Cooked bones, fatty trimmings and greasy leftovers
- Salty foods like ham, bacon and deli meat
Make toppers ahead and store them
Batch prep turns this into a once-a-week job.
- Fridge: keep cooked toppers in sealed containers and use them within about 3 days.
- Freezer: spoon pumpkin, broth or shredded chicken into ice cube trays. Pop out one cube per meal and thaw it in the fridge.
- Label everything with the date.
- Opened canned pumpkin goes in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze it in cubes.
Keeping dry food fresh matters too. Stale kibble is a common reason dogs turn their noses up. Here are some smart dog food storage ideas.
Habits that help picky eaters
Toppers work best alongside a few simple habits.
- Set mealtimes. Put the bowl down for about 15 to 20 minutes, then pick it up until the next meal.
- Cut back on treats between meals so your dog actually feels hungry at dinner.
- Add warm water to kibble. The smell gets stronger, and dogs eat with their nose.
- Try a puzzle feeder. Some dogs eat better when food feels like a game.
- Don’t switch foods too often. It can teach your dog that holding out gets them something new.
Looking for a reward to use during training instead? These 3-ingredient dog treats are easy and safe.
Common questions
How much topper should I add?
About a tablespoon for small dogs and two to three for large dogs. Keep toppers and treats under about 10 percent of daily calories.
Can I use store-bought broth?
Only if the label shows no onion, garlic or added salt. Most regular broths have at least one, so homemade is safer.
Will my dog stop eating plain kibble?
It can happen. Mix toppers in well and use small amounts, so the kibble is still most of the meal.
Is pumpkin good for dogs every day?
A small spoonful is fine for most dogs. Too much can cause loose stools, so stick to the amounts above.
Can puppies have food toppers?
Yes, in tiny amounts. Puppies need their complete puppy food for growth, so toppers should stay very small.
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