Last updated Oct 29, 2026
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Whether you’re dealing with a picky eater or simply want to elevate your cat’s meals, adding a food topper is an easy option. Cat food toppers come in a wide variety of flavors and textures, from collagen-rich bone broth to hearty chunks in gravy, with each one promising to boost the palatability, nutritional value, and overall appeal of your cat’s everyday diet.
We’ve tested dozens of cat food toppers to bring you our top choices in a range of different categories. Keep reading to find out if one might be the perfect pick for your cat.
At a Glance: The 8 Best Cat Food Toppers To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table below, where we’ve highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Made by Nacho Turkey Bone Broth Cat Food Topper
- Sourced from a single animal protein
- Good source of moisture and real turkey flavor
- Comes in a resealable 11-ounce carton
Open Farm Bone Broth for Cats and Dogs
- Made with humanely-raised chicken bones
- Rich in hydrating moisture and protein
- Available in three flavors (chicken, turkey, and beef)
Finfare Smoked Salmon Sprinkles Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper
- Packed with protein and healthy fat
- Made with salmon as one of two ingredients
- Strong salmon aroma and smoked savory flavor
Wellness Bowl Boosters Flaked Salmon & Tuna Wet Cat Food Topper
- Made with shredded fish and broth
- Each pouch contains about 25 calories
- Rich in hydrating moisture and animal protein
The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk Powder
- Made with dehydrated goat’s milk and probiotics
- Formulated to support healthy digestion
- Easy to rehydrate in warm water to make fresh milk
Fancy Feast Appetizers Wild Alaskan Salmon in a Delicate Broth
- Tender pieces of salmon in fish broth
- Packed with protein and hydrating moisture
- Each tray contains about 17 calories
Instinct Healthy Cravings Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Topper
- Top four ingredients are all animal-sourced
- Hearty chunks of food in savory gravy
- Healthy balance of protein, fat, and moisture
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Broths
- Finely shredded chicken in savory broth
- Each pouch contains about 13 calories
- Simple flavors make it easy to accommodate picky eaters
What Are Cat Food Toppers?
Cat food toppers are a broad category of supplemental cat food products. Just like your favorite condiment or side dish, they can be used to enhance the flavor, nutritional value, or overall appeal of your cat’s daily diet. They don’t always have to go on top of your cat’s food either (they can also be mixed in or served alongside).
Also known as meal mixers or meal complements, cat food toppers take many forms. You’ll find collagen-rich bone broths, silky-smooth gravies, and hydrating purees as well as ready-to-mix powders, freeze-dried morsels, and meaty chunks or shreds in sauce.
The right option can be a healthy addition to any cat’s diet, but food toppers are particularly well suited to cats who need a little extra encouragement to finish their food. The skinny senior cat who only eats a few bites at a time. The picky eater who suddenly turns up their nose at the recipe they’ve been enjoying for weeks. Toppers can even be a simple way to support cats with certain health conditions or specific dietary needs, depending on the product.
The 8 Best Cat Food Toppers
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
When it comes to simple serving and added hydration, bone broth is one of our favorite meal toppers for cats. While you can certainly make your own (with cat-safe ingredients, of course), commercial options from brands like Made by Nacho and Open Farm offer a convenient solution you can pour right into your cat’s bowl.
Bone broth might not be the ideal choice for every cat, which is why we’ve included a variety of options in our recommendations. Consider your cat’s individual preferences for flavor and texture when reviewing our top choices below.
#1 Overall Best: Made by Nacho Turkey Bone Broth Cat Food Topper
Made with a single source of animal protein and conveniently packaged in resealable 11-ounce cartons, this turkey bone broth from Made by Nacho is one of our favorite cat food toppers. It’s a great way to add some extra hydration to your cat’s meals with a boost of healthy protein and real poultry flavor as a bonus.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
This Made by Nacho bone broth is made from cage-free turkey and it’s completely free from artificial additives. Aside from the bone broth itself, it contains just a little turkey fat, yeast extract to enhance the savory flavor, and juice from carrot, pumpkin, and apple. It’s a low-calorie topper you can pour over dry food, mix with wet food, or use to rehydrate freeze-dried food. You could even warm it up and offer it as a standalone treat.
My cats love this bone broth when it’s been warmed up in the microwave, either as a hydrating snack or an addition to their favorite wet food. With two cats, I found the 11-ounce size is easy to use within a few days and the screw-on cap makes the carton simple to reseal. Customer reviews of this product are generally positive, with many cat owners saying it smells just like fresh turkey.
Ingredients
Turkey Bone Broth, Turkey Fat, Yeast Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor, Carrot Juice, Pumpkin Juice, Apple Juice, Salt.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey Bone Broth, Turkey Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with bone broth sourced from a single animal protein
- Rich in hydrating moisture and real turkey flavor
- Great way to moisten dry food or rehydrate freeze-dried food
- Comes in a resealable 11-ounce carton
What We Didn’t Like:
- May be too much for single-cat households to use within a few days
#2 Premium Pick: Open Farm Bone Harvest Chicken Broth for Cats and Dogs
Made exclusively with human-grade, sustainably sourced ingredients, Open Farm’s bone broth is our premium pick. It comes in three flavors (Harvest Chicken, Homestead Turkey, and Grass-Fed Beef) and it’s sold in resealable 12-ounce or 33.8-ounce containers. If you shop on Open Farm’s website, you can even buy a variety pack of all three at a discount.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Open Farm’s Harvest Chicken bone broth features a simple list of ingredients and it’s packed with hydrating moisture, healthy protein, and savory flavor. It’s made with humanely-raised chicken bones and non-GMO pumpkin, carrots, and turmeric.
If you want to support your cat’s hydration without adding a lot of calories to their meal, this bone broth is a great way to go. It only contains about 2 calories per tablespoon, so you can use as much or as little as you need. My cats really enjoy this recipe, though I find the 12-ounce volume a little hard to use without my dog’s help. Some cat owners freeze portions of the broth to keep it fresh.
Ingredients
Chicken Bone Broth, Carrots, Pumpkin, Parsley
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Bone Broth
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with humanely-raised and sustainably sourced ingredients
- Strong source of hydrating moisture and healthy protein
- Available in three flavors (chicken, turkey, or beef)
What We Didn’t Like:
- Large-volume format may be best suited to multi-pet homes
#3 Best Dry Food Topper: Finfare Smoked Salmon Sprinkles Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper
Made with a single source of animal protein, this salmon-based food topper comes in crunchy little sprinkles. The salmon is cold-smoked and freeze-dried to preserve the flavor and the aroma, but this topper is still fairly moist due to the high fat content.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
If you’re looking for a recipe where a little bit goes a long way, this is a great option. You can sprinkle a few pieces on top of your cat’s bowl and they’ll still be able to smell it, plus it provides a nice boost of healthy fats to support their skin, coat, joints, and heart health. If you find the sprinkles too small for your cats’ liking, this topper also comes in bites and nuggets.
Though this dry cat food topper is on the pricey side, the flavor and aroma are incredibly concentrated (which is what makes it so appealing to cats). My cats’ ears perked up from across the room when I opened the bag, and they cleaned their bowls to the last crumb. I personally recommend using a spoon to serve it, since it’s pretty oily, but that just means there’s plenty of omega-3s to go around.
Ingredients
Salmon, Natural Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Packed with protein and healthy fat
- Made with salmon as one of two ingredients
- Strong salmon aroma and smoked savory flavor
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has an oily texture that can get a bit messy
- Fairly expensive, starting at over $4 per ounce
#4 Best Wet Food Topper: Wellness Bowl Boosters Flaked Salmon & Tuna
For cats who could use a bit more moisture in their diet, Wellness Bowl Boosters are a fan favorite. This recipe features hearty flakes of salmon and tuna in an aromatic fish-based broth, though there’s also a tuna & shrimp flavor and a chicken recipe. You can buy individual 1.75-ounce pouches of this topper in stores or order a 12-pack online.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Made with nothing more than shreds of fish and broth (plus water sufficient for processing), this topper is just about as simple as it gets. Each pouch contains about 25 calories along with plenty of species-appropriate protein and hydrating moisture. This recipe in particular is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids from wild salmon.
My cats really loved this topper. Not only did they lap up every bit of broth, but they didn’t skip the shreds of fish like they sometimes do. My only complaint is that the tear-open pouch never tore cleanly for me. I started cutting it open with scissors to avoid spilling any of the broth.
Ingredients
Salmon, Fish Broth, Water Sufficient for Processing, Tuna.
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon, Tuna
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with shredded fish and broth
- Each pouch contains about 25 calories
- Rich in hydrating moisture and animal protein
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pouches don’t always tear open cleanly
#5 Best for Digestion: The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk Powder
Made with dehydrated goat’s milk and added probiotics, this powdered food topper from The Honest Kitchen is designed to support healthy digestion. Goat’s milk is an easily digestible alternative to cow’s milk for cats, plus this recipe is supplemented with digestive enzymes and 1.25 billion CFUs of probiotics per half tablespoon.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Not only is this topper a great digestive supplement, but it’s easy to serve. Simply mix with warm water and pour it over your cat’s food. You can also use it as a standalone liquid treat or to rehydrate freeze-dried food. The powdered format means you don’t have to worry about keeping milk fresh.
This goat’s milk powder comes in a generously sized 5.2-ounce pouch with a hook-and-loop resealable top. The powder mixes easily into warm water without leaving chunks of powder behind, and it has a noticeable scent my cats seemed to find appealing. They particularly loved the rehydrated milk as a liquid treat.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Goat’s Milk, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Product, Dried Trichoderma Reesei Fermentation Product, Bromelain, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.
Ingredients We Liked: Dehydrated Goat’s Milk
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with dehydrated goat’s milk and probiotics
- Formulated to support healthy digestion
- Easy to rehydrate in warm water to make fresh milk
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers say that the moisture-absorbing packet in the powder is hard to spot because it’s small and white
#6 Best High-Protein Topper: Fancy Feast Appetizers Wild Alaskan Salmon in a Delicate Broth
Cat owners seeking a protein-packed topper may find the Appetizers line from Fancy Feast to be a good option. These toppers are sold individually in stores for under $1.50 each, or you can buy them by the case online. Either way, it’s a modestly priced option that packs plenty of protein into a little tray.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
This cat food topper from Fancy Feast features salmon as the only source of animal protein. The only other ingredients are fish broth, two gum thickeners, celery powder, and thiamine mononitrate. Measured as dry matter, this topper contains about 73% protein and 3% fat, which makes it a very low-carbohydrate option.
Upon opening this topper, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it looks just like little pieces of salmon in broth. The pieces were very small and easy for my cat to eat, and she really seemed to like the flavor. These toppers have about 1.1 ounces of food (and 17 calories) per container, so they’re an easy way to boost your cat’s nutrition without going overboard on portions or calories.
Ingredients
Fish Broth, Salmon, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Celery Powder, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Tender pieces of salmon in fish broth
- Packed with protein and hydrating moisture
- Each tray contains about 17 calories
What We Didn’t Like:
- Gum thickeners may trigger loose stools in some sensitive cats
#7 Best for Gravy Lovers: Instinct Healthy Cravings Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Topper
Featuring real duck as the main ingredient (aside from turkey broth for moisture), this wet cat food topper from Instinct has a chunky texture in a savory gravy. In addition to duck, it also contains protein from turkey, turkey liver, and eggs. Combined with a little bit of ground dried peas, these ingredients contribute to a dry-matter protein content of over 47%.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Healthy Cravings wet cat food toppers come in 3-ounce pouches, which was the perfect amount for my two cats. If your cats aren’t a fan of duck (or turkey), there’s also a chicken recipe and tuna recipe. Instinct also offers all three formulas in a 12-pouch variety pack with four of each flavor.
My cats love pretty much everything from Instinct, but especially these chunky-style wet cat food toppers. I like that Instinct offers chicken-free formulas and the toppers offer a nice balance of chunks and gravy. The chunks were very soft and easy for my cats to eat, and I didn’t think the gravy was too watery.
Ingredients
Turkey Broth, Duck, Turkey, Turkey Liver, Egg Product, Ground Dried Peas, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Salt, Sodium Phosphate.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Turkey Liver, Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Dried Ground Peas, Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Top five ingredients are all animal-sourced
- Hearty chunks of food in savory gravy
- Healthy balance of protein, fat, and moisture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Gum thickeners may trigger loose stools in some sensitive cats
- Contains some peas
#8 Best for Picky Cats: Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Broths with Chicken in Broth with Meaty Bits
Part of the Born Carnivore line from Tiki Cat, this recipe features finely shredded chicken in chicken broth. It also contains a little fish extract for flavor, plus guar gum and xanthan gum to slightly thicken the broth and bind the ingredients.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Tiki Cat’s Broths are a great choice for picky cats because they’re simple but flavorful. If your cat has a favorite flavor, you can choose from chicken, duck and chicken, salmon, or tuna. There’s plenty of broth in the pouch and the meat is finely shredded, so it’s easy to mix in.
Each 1.3-ounce pouch has a convenient portion with just 13 calories or less. One of my cats preferred the chicken flavor while the other liked the tuna, but both seemed to appreciate the size of the shreds and the flavor of the broth. They seemed to like it both as a topper and a standalone treat.
Ingredients
Chicken Broth, Chicken, Fish Extract, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Finely shredded chicken in savory broth
- Each pouch contains about 13 calories
- Simple flavors make it easy to accommodate picky eaters
What We Didn’t Like:
- Gum thickeners may trigger loose stools in some sensitive cats
What to Look for When Shopping for Cat Food Toppers?
There’s no shortage of cat food toppers on the market, which can make it tricky to narrow down the options. If you want to boost the nutritional value of your cat’s diet (while appealing to their tastes), we recommend considering the following as you shop:
Type and Texture
Cat food toppers range from smooth and savory broths to shreds of meat or chunks in flavorful gravy. It’s important to consider your cat’s individual preferences for food type and texture, but don’t forget to take into account the type of food you’re adding it to.
High-moisture toppers like broth, goat’s milk, and purees are a great way to supplement a dry cat food diet. Liquid toppers can also be used to rehydrate freeze-dried or dehydrated cat foods. Chunky, shredded, or pâté-style mixers may be more challenging to mix evenly into dry food but can easily be spooned on top.
Food Flavor
When choosing a cat food topper, you can either select a flavor that complements the main meal or go with something your cat will find extra appealing. If your cat is a picky eater, you may want to stick to a similar family of flavors. A shredded salmon topper with a tuna-based cat food, for example, or chunks of duck in gravy with a poultry-based diet.
The other option is to use food toppers to disguise or overwhelm the flavor of the food underneath. If your cat requires a prescription diet but they simply don’t find it very appealing, for example, the right food topper could entice them to eat. Think about the aroma of the topper as well as the flavor, since cats decide what they’re going to eat largely based on the smell.
Moisture Level
After narrowing down the options to a food type and flavor your cat is likely to enjoy, it’s worth thinking about the dietary benefits you’re hoping to add. Moisture is a big one. Cats in the wild get the majority of their daily water from the food they eat (mainly whole prey), so increasing the moisture content of your cat’s diet is the simplest way to help ensure their hydration needs are being met.
The good news is that most cat food toppers are pretty high in moisture, with the notable exception being the freeze-dried options. Something like bone broth or shreds of fish in broth is going to be the most hydrating, while purees, pates, and chunks in sauce or gravy offer a little less concentrated moisture.
Nutritional Value
Another way to think of cat food toppers is as an opportunity to supplement your cat’s daily nutrient intake. If you’re on a limited budget and can only afford carb-heavy kibble, for example, meat-based toppers are a great way to boost the protein content of your cat’s diet. Even liquid toppers like bone broth can be a valuable source of essential amino acids.
Toppers can also be used to supplement your cat’s intake of specific nutrients that their daily diet may be lacking. Fish-based toppers are full of omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat support, while things like goat’s milk contain probiotics to help regulate digestion.
Caloric Density
Finally, don’t forget to factor the calorie content of meal toppers and mixers into your cat’s daily total. Treats and supplemental foods (including toppers) should only make up about 10% of your cat’s calorie intake, so choose wisely.
If your cat is already on the heavier side, go with a leaner option like shreds of chicken in broth over something more calorie-dense like pate or chunks in gravy. On the other hand, if you have a skinny cat who has trouble keeping their weight up, calorie- and protein-dense toppers can be a valuable addition to their daily diet.
Hello, is there information on the Instinct RawBoost+ Mixers (toppers)? I give about 3 pieces of each of each of the Digestive Health, Skin & Coat, and Multivitamin to my cat per day. I’m not sure if they work, but I was using them as “healthier” treats. I also just came across a brand Kneady that is making the same supplement type of treats, are these any better? Thanks.
Instinct RawBoost+ Mixers are intended as toppers/supplements rather than a complete diet, so using a few pieces per day as treats is generally consistent with how they’re intended to be used. As for Kneady, we’d recommend comparing the specific ingredients, nutritional content, and intended benefits rather than assuming one is healthier; there isn’t enough evidence to say that Kneady is definitively better.
If I add food toppers, should I reduce their main food’s portion size?
When adding food toppers, you may not need to reduce the main food portion if it’s a small, low-calorie amount. However, for high-calorie toppers, consider slightly reducing the main food to prevent overfeeding.