Toppers: Homemade or kibble? You don’t have to choose!

Many dog owners face the same dilemma: You want to give your dog the benefits of fresh, homemade food—but daily life (or fear of getting the nutrition wrong) means kibble remains the main solution. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to go all-in to make a big difference. By using toppers, you can upgrade your dog’s diet in seconds.

What is a “topper”?

A topper is simply a small amount of fresh food added on top of your dog’s kibble. It’s not a complete meal on its own, but a way to provide live enzymes, fresh proteins, and important antioxidants—nutrients often reduced in ultra-processed foods.

“Can I use what I already have at home?”

Yes—and that’s the beauty of it. Some of the best toppers are everyday foods: - A raw or cooked egg (nature’s multivitamin) - Blueberries (rich in antioxidants) - A bit of cooked fish or raw chicken (high-quality protein) - Steamed sweet potato or broccoli (supports digestion)

The golden rule: the 10% rule

To keep things safe and balanced, we use the 10% rule—often recommended by experts like veterinarian Karen Becker: *Toppers should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake* Staying below this level means you can add variety without disrupting the nutritional balance of the base diet.

Example:

Replacing 50% of a commercial, balanced diet also removes 50% of key nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and other essential micronutrients. Over time, this can lead to nutritional imbalances.

“Will this make my dog picky?”

This is a common concern. In reality, variety can often prevent picky eating. By rotating different toppers, your dog learns that food can vary in taste and texture—while still getting a balanced diet. If your dog starts picking out the topper, simply mash or mix it into the kibble.

Why toppers are better than a 50/50 mix

Many owners consider mixing half homemade food and half kibble. While well-intentioned, this is actually the trickiest approach. *Risk of imbalance:* Replacing half of a complete diet with unbalanced ingredients can lead to nutrient deficiencies over time (for example, incorrect calcium-to-phosphorus ratios). *Calorie confusion:* It’s easy to misjudge portions when combining two very different diets, which can lead to unwanted weight gain or loss. With toppers, you keep the safety of a complete diet—while adding the benefits of fresh food. On the other hand, if you are combining balanced homemade food (and not toppers) with commercial food, this guide will show you how to do it right: {{ARTICLE:how-to-combine-homemade-food-with-kibble:GUIDE: How to Combine Homemade Food with Kibble}}

In summary

Keep it simple: use eggs, fish, berries, or vegetables Think calories, not volume: 10% is often just a spoon or two No complicated calculations needed!

Use our recipe tags for healthy, homemade toppers!

Topper recipe

Litterature

Habib, R., & Becker, K. (2021). The forever dog: Surprising new science to help your canine companion live younger, healthier, and longer. HarperOne.