Last updated Apr 21, 2024
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Adding a topper is an easy way to elevate your cat’s food, whether you’re looking for a punch of flavor or a nutritional boost. Commercially prepared cat food toppers come in an array of types, textures, and flavors, each promising to round out your cat’s diet and liven up mealtime.
We’ve tested and researched some of the best cat food toppers on the market, bringing you six solid options that will appeal to a variety of cats.
At a Glance: The 6 Best Cat Food Toppers To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Northwest Naturals FUNctional Toppers
- Limited ingredients
- Rich in omega fatty acids
Tiki Cat Shredded Food
- High in moisture
- Nutritionally balanced and complete
- Includes sunflower oil: good source of omega fatty acids
Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes
- Only one ingredient
- High in protein
- Delicious taste
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
- Maintains bacterial balance in the digestive tract
- Promotes a healthy immune system
- Highly palatable
Open Farm Bone Broth for Cats and Dogs
- Adds moisture
- Offers amino acids, collagen, vitamins, & minerals
- Limited ingredients
The Honest Kitchen Goat’s Milk for Cats
- High in protein and moisture
- Milk comes from free-range goats
- Affordable option
Our Top Picks Explained
Why Should You Trust Us
Having reviewed over 230 of the world’s most popular cat food brands, our team knows a thing or two about optimum feline nutrition. We spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing labels. With help from our own cats, we’ve also accumulated hours of hands-on testing with different cat food toppers. Here’s the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.
We bought these products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
How We Tested
We independently purchased over a dozen toppers of various types, then tried them out with our cats. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
After purchasing over a dozen cat food toppers and trying them with our cats, we selected several toppers that offer the perfect blend of nutrition and taste. We favored brands with healthy ingredients and low carbohydrates. We also considered moisture content, and we opted for toppers with appealing flavors that most cats love.
With these parameters in place, we selected the following brands and products as the best you can buy. Each cat food topper here features an impressive combination of high-quality ingredients, palatability, and a robust nutritional profile.
Leading our list is Northwest Naturals FUNctional Toppers. This topper’s versatility regarding food types—it can be used for both wet and dry diets—and the recipes’ limited ingredients were features that set this topper apart. We also appreciated how easy this particular topper is to administer (no blending or refrigeration required).
Below you’ll discover why more and more cat parents are introducing food toppers to their pets’ diet—and which brand might suit your cat best.
What Are Cat Food Toppers?
Just as humans enhance the flavor and nutritional value of their food with toppings, dressings, and sides, cats can benefit from a tasty add-on. Cat food toppers take many forms—you’ll find liquid broths, gravies, shredded meats, protein powders, and dehydrated fish flakes, to name a few. These can be sprinkled, poured, or mixed into your cat’s regular food for a healthier, more palatable dish.
The flavor factor makes food toppers a win for picky eaters or sick cats who need encouragement to eat. They’re also a great way to bring variety to the table, keeping cats from becoming weary of eating the same boring kibble, day after day.
Also Read: The 10 Best-Tasting Cat Foods for Picky Cats
The best cat food toppers not only taste good but also offer nutritional benefits. Many toppers are loaded with vitamins, omega fatty acids, and even probiotics. Your veterinarian may recommend a specific topper for better digestion or immune support. And depending on the type you choose, a lot of toppers can raise your cat’s moisture intake.
What Types of Cats Will Benefit Most From Food Toppers?
Almost any cat can benefit from a healthy food topper. They’re a nice way to improve your cat’s food while boosting their health’s bottom line.
The following cats will especially benefit:
- Old or sick cats who need encouragement to eat
- Underweight cats
- Picky eaters
- Cats who could use more moisture
- Cats with certain health concerns (some toppers will target specific conditions)
- Any cat who deserves a tasty treat (ie: all of them!)
The 6 Best Cat Food Toppers: For All Types of Cats
New to cat food toppers? We’ve landed on 6 of the best toppers that will appeal to a range of cats and their humans. Use this guide as a stepping stone for choosing the topper that will work for you.
#1 Overall Best: Northwest Naturals FUNctional Toppers
- Made In: USA
- Food Form: Freeze-dried crumbles
- Guaranteed Protein: 67%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.50
Some toppers will work better with either wet or dry food, but this freeze-dried crumbled topper from Northwest Naturals is good for both. Available in beef, chicken, or salmon, FUNctional Toppers can be sprinkled over your cat’s food for extra protein and flavor.
You won’t find wheat, corn, or soy in these toppers, which makes them a smart choice for cats with known allergies or sensitivities. What you will find are green-lipped mussels: an ingredient rich in omega fatty acids and said to relieve joint inflammation and arthritis in pets.
This US-based company manufactures all of its own products, and its ingredients are sustainably sourced. Plus, there are no additives, fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives.
Ingredients
Chicken Breast, New Zealand Green-lipped Mussels
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Limited ingredients
- Rich in omega fatty acids
- Compatible with both wet and dry foods
Cons
- Less moisture than other toppers
#2 Best For Dry Food: Tiki Cat Shredded Food
- Made In: Thailand
- Food Form: wet food
- Guaranteed Protein: 16%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.60
When it comes to meal toppers, it’s helpful to remember you’re not limited to products marketed as such. Anything you can safely feed your cat can function as a topper, including regular wet food. In terms of moisture levels (and texture), most cats on a dry food diet can benefit from a dollop of canned food atop their regular meals.
To increase your pet’s moisture intake, consider one of Tiki Cat’s regular shredded or flaked wet foods. Unlike the company’s broths line, these are free of thickeners—and they’re less expensive. They’re also nutritionally complete and have fewer carbs than Tiki products sold as toppers.
This consomme-based recipe is hydrating and appealing to finicky eaters. And while the ingredient list is on the long side, shredded chicken appears first in the lineup.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- High in moisture
- Nutritionally balanced and complete
- Includes essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and taurine
- Contains no grains, gluten, carbohydrates, starches, or flour
Cons
- Some cats won’t like the texture and flavor
#3 Best For Picky Cats: Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes
- Made In: Japan
- Food Form: dehydrated tuna
- Guaranteed Protein: 76%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.00
Does your cat turn up his nose at every dish? A savory topper can help. Bonitos are the smaller relatives of Tuna, and their dehydrated flesh makes a delectable treat—for cats and humans, alike. Shaved Bonito flakes bring umami flavor to Japanese cuisine, and cat parents are taking note.
During testing, we found Cat-Man-Doo flakes to be highly palatable. They taste great to cats (and many humans)—making them ideal for picky eaters or cats who’ve lost their appetite due to illness, stress, or age. This single-ingredient topper is high in protein and rich in omega fatty acids. The price is pretty steep, but they’re also lightweight, and a single bag should last a while.
Ingredients
100% Dried Bonito
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Only one ingredient
- High in protein
- Delicious taste
Cons
- More expensive option
- Thin, flaky texture makes them hard to serve as stand-alone treats
- Crumble easily in the bag (transferring to a jar can help)
#4 Best For Sick Cats: Purina FortiFlora
- Made In: USA
- Food Form: powder
- Guaranteed Protein: 43%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.00
A quality food topper can help sick cats in two major ways: (1) it can provide healthy nutrients, and (2) it can make food taste better. The former is critical for symptom relief, and the latter is key to encouraging unwell cats to eat.
Purina FortiFlora is commonly recommended by veterinarians. It comes in single-serving sachet packets, which can be sprinkled onto your cat’s regular food. This probiotic supplement includes live active cultures, which help relieve digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation. It’s also super palatable, so it can entice cats with diminished appetites.
Purina FortiFlora isn’t cheap, but the benefits may outweigh the cost—especially if you have a sick kitty on your hands. This product has garnered a lot of positive reviews, and many cat parents praise its efficacy.
Ingredients
Liver Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Proteinate, Taurine, Salt, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Maintains bacterial balance in the digestive tract
- Promotes a healthy immune system
- Highly palatable
Cons
- Expensive option
- Contains vaguely named animal digest
#5 Best Bone Broth: Open Farm Bone Broth for Cats and Dogs
- Made In: USA
- Food Form: liquid broth
- Guaranteed Protein: 2%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.50
Bone broth is a nutritional heavyweight for cats. Not only does it add moisture to food, but it also delivers a host of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and collagen to promote strong bones and joints.
Open Farm bone broth shines on several fronts. The company uses human-grade ingredients, and they aim for transparency when it comes to their recipes. On the Open Farms website, you’ll find a nutritional guaranteed analysis, and you can see where ingredients come from.
On the downside, this formula is 7% carbs: not an outrageously high number, but probably more than your cat needs.
Ingredients
Beef Bone Broth, Carrots, Pumpkin, Parsley, Turmeric, Cinnamon
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Adds moisture
- Offers amino acids, collagen, vitamins, & minerals
- Limited ingredients
Cons
- Contains carrots
- Higher carbohydrate content
#6 Best Goat’s Milk Topper: The Honest Kitchen Goat’s Milk for Cats
- Made In: USA
- Food Form: Powder
- Guaranteed Protein: 35%
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.25
As a supplemental or “sometimes” snack, milk is safe for cats to drink. This goat’s milk powder from The Honest Kitchen is a convenient way to treat your cat while boosting their food’s palatability. There’s no need to refrigerate it—just add water, and you’re good to go.
We like that this formula is designed specifically for cats (unlike other goat’s milk products formulated for both cats and dogs.) The Honest Kitchen uses human-grade ingredients, without byproducts or preservatives. Plus, this dehydrated milk has added probiotics for better digestion and immune system support.
With approximately 50 servings per 5.2-ounce container, this powder is an affordable way to add moisture to your cat’s diet. If your pet doesn’t like his milk served warm, a number of customers recommend putting it in the fridge after mixing.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Goat’s Milk, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- High in protein and moisture
- Milk comes from free-range goats
- Affordable option
Cons
- Some cats don’t like the taste
