A food topper is a type of supplemental food that is designed to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your dog's regular meals. They are usually marketed towards those feeding kibble which can often be bland and lack the nutritional punch of other diets. A food topper can come in different forms, including wet or dry and can be made from various ingredients such as meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains. 

A food topper is typically added to your dog's regular food to provide additional flavor, texture, and nutrients. It can be a great option for picky eaters, dogs who need extra encouragement to eat their meals (perhaps during a health struggle) or dogs needing an added supplement due to a condition such as pregnancy or a health condition. When chosen carefully, food toppers can provide a variety of health benefits, such as added vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. When choosing a food topper, it's important to be familiar with the nutrients in the food you are already feeding (the one you are topping). Select a topper to add to those nutrients and fill in gaps. Think of this like identifying gaps in your own personal nutrition and the taking the appropriate vitamin. If you drink a gallon of orange juice a day, you don't need a Vitamin C supplement. 

Food toppers can be store bought or homemade. Here are a few of our favorites from both categories: 

STORE BOUGHT OPTIONS: 

1. Stella & Chewy - Stella & Chewy has some great nutritional products but we're particularly fond of this Magical Dinner Dust in Beef Flavor which is a meal topper / mixer. It's great for diets that need more protein, contains fiber, probiotics and a host of added vitamins and minerals that are great for your dog. We also LOVE their line of meal morsels that you can mix in with your dog's food to address specific issues such as Skin & Coat (with wild caught salmon) and Hip & Joint (with tons of ingredients added to improve join health in older dogs). 

2. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers - This is another great raw line with a variety of options that are sure to meet your dog's needs. These toppers also make great healthy treats (and are often less expensive than products marketed as treats). Standouts include their Grain Free Beef mixer (great for dogs on a grain free and poultry free diet due to allergies) or their functional support line which also addresses unique needs in dogs such as Gut Health, Calming Support, and MultiVitamin. 

3. Canned Dog Food - While we aren't generally a fan of canned dog food, don't overlook it as a good topper if you are dealing with picky eating or a dog refusing food near end of life. Make sure to use only highly rated canned food with a solid nutritional profile. Our top pick is a lesser known brand, Weruva, whose fun flavors and small can sizes make a good topper when needed. 

4. Fresh Pet Food - Fresh home delivered pet food has quickly become mainstream on the dog food scene and for good reason, it's incredibly nutritious, usually human grade, dog for your food that takes the confusion out of raw but is substantially better than most kibble products on the market. Our pick in this category is Ollie and it makes a great topper or mixer for your chosen kibble. Our dogs prefer the beef but all flavors are a solid choice. Click here to get your first box at 60% off. 

HOMEMADE OPTIONS: 

There are many homemade dog food toppers right in your own fridge that can be a great addition to your dog's diet. Here are a few easy and healthy options:

1. Cooked meat: Cooked chicken, beef, turkey, or fish can be a great source of protein for your dog. Simply chop the meat into small pieces and sprinkle it over your dog's regular food.
2. Cooked vegetables: Steamed or boiled vegetables like carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, or peas can provide vitamins and minerals to your dog's diet. You can also mash them or blend them into a puree to make them easier to digest.
3. Bone broth: Bone broth is a great source of collagen, amino acids, and minerals. You can make it at home by simmering chicken or beef bones with water and vegetables for several hours. Once done, you can pour the broth over your dog's food. It can also be frozen in ice cube trays to thaw and use as needed. 
4. Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can help regulate digestion. Simply mix a tablespoon of canned pumpkin with your dog's food. Please avoid the sugary pumpkin pie filling and go for only pure pumpkin. 
5. Plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can provide probiotics and calcium to your dog's diet. However, make sure to choose a yogurt that is free of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

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​It's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for dogs, so always check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog's diet. Also, make sure to avoid foods that are toxic to dogs, such as onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, and raisins.

In closing, food toppers can be an incredibly useful tool in yit's important to choose a food topper that is appropriate for your dog's dietary needs and preferences, and to introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.

If you are struggling with crate training your puppy, with puppy boredom or with an overactive puppy or dog, this blog post is for you! All dogs and puppies are happier, healthier and easier to train when they are mentally stimulated. One easy way to challenge your puppy is to have them work for their food. Every time we set down a bowl of food, we are missing a great opportunity to entertain and stimulate our puppy. These are also great for fast eaters, dogs that suffer from separation anxiety (offer when leaving) and for in crate entertainment. Oh, and in case you have lacked any "intimate time" since purchasing your puppy, these are also great for escaping to your room in peace for long enough . . . 

Not sure how to make your puppy work for their food? Here are some examples: 

LEVEL ONE - SNUFFLE MATS AND SLOW FEEDERS
Many breeders use snuffle mats with puppies as a part of the weaning and play process. Start by hiding a few high value treats in this mat and work up to feeding an entire meal. Placing a high quality kibble in the mat will slow your dogs eating, entertain them in a crate or pen and allow your dog or puppy to learn to work to find their food. Most LierChonPoo puppies and dogs will have been exposed to one of these options: 

Small Snuffle Mat - This mat is inexpensive and travels easily. It's suitable for both puppies and adults. 

Medium Snuffle & Play Mat - We love this medium mat with multiple places to hide treats and food for entire litters, households with more than one small dog or larger breeds. We also love that it's easy to wash and we recommend doing so weekly. 

Slow feeders are similar but are simply a mechanism to slow a fast eater and are not as stimulating as a snuffle mat. You can increase the entertainment value of a slow feeder by mixing your kibble with a quality wet food which takes significantly longer to eat when spread on the walls of the feeder. 

LEVEL TWO - SNOOPS
Snoops are advertised as being an interactive treat dispenser but we regularly use them as a bowl to feed and entertain puppies by placing a mixture of kibble and other food inside and using it as a bowl. We start these before feeding in Kongs because they are easier for the puppy to manipulate. To make it tougher, you can purchase the smiley face insert; however, we've found it easier to simply put a mixture of food and larger components in the Snoop to make it more challenging. For example, we will introduce these with a small amount of kibble mixed with a few high value treats. Once the dog has acclimated we will replace the treats with some larger pieces of cooked chicken or jerky that make getting to the food more difficult. Plugging the whole in the bottom with a treat or kibble or adding something like peanut butter (never with artificial sweetener) or plain yogurt can also increase the challenge. Snoops can be placed in the dishwasher (top rack) and we love that they are coated with a mint oil to help keep breath fresh. Our young dogs will work on these for 20-30 minutes which is great entertainment while we clean their space, sneak out the door for errands, etc. 

LEVEL THREE - KONGS 
The Kong is perhaps the most popular "work for food" toy on the market. For puppies, you want to begin with the small binkie Kong and get the multi-pack as you will need multiple kongs in order to keep them cleaned and stuffed. As your puppy progresses and grows (or to feed entire meals), move up to the medium. We have done an entire blog post HERE on how to stuff a kong from simple to more complex. What we will repeat here is that the Kong is a great way to make a puppy work for food and a great way to reward and entertain a puppy in the crate. 

LEVEL FOUR - PUZZLES & INTERACTIVE TOYS
​It is rare that we use a puzzle or toy to feed an entire meal but it can be done. If you are feeding a high calorie dense kibble such as PawTree, you can actually fit an entire meal in one of these toys. 

Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy and Tug-A-Jug are very popular with our puppies but we don't use them as often as they can be difficult to clean and are really only suitable for kibble or treats (no option of mixing in wet or raw ingredients). They can also be a little loud depending on how the dog learns to dispense the treats. Again, if using these frequently, please make sure you are only using high quality single ingredient treats and are factoring in these calories so your puppy or dog doesn't end up overweight. 

Puzzle Toys are also fun but with a few warnings. You MUST supervise both dogs and puppies with these type toys as most of them have pieces that can be chewed and even swallowed if care is not taken. They can also be a hassle to clean. 

Lick Mats - These popular lick mats are also a hit with our puppies and dogs. We generally pull these out only for special occasions where we want to both reward and entertain the dogs for a while (think furniture being delivered, neighbor stopping by, etc.). In order to successfully use these mats you must find a combination to spread on the mat that is both healthy and irresistible to your pooch. Several of the suggestions we've discussed in Kong stuffing can also work here. For our dogs, we take it up a notch and keep these in the freezer already prepared with one of the following: natural peanut butter mixed with plain greek yogurt, puree pumpkin mixed with peanut butter or yogurt, Ollie dog food spread and re-frozen or Ollie mixed with yogurt.

We hope this post has been helpful and that you'll let us know what works and what doesn't, Please remember that any toy or bowl which doesn't entertain your pet can be donated to your local shelter for a dog in need so it's never a waste to experiment. 

Lots of puppy owners claim to have a picky eater, but more often than not we've found the owner might me misreading cues or making assumptions. If not careful, before you know it owners determined to pamper their pup are literally feeding filet from their hand without really understanding the issue.If you aren't careful, it's very easy to CREATE a picky eater. Before labeling your puppy or dog as a picky eater, try these tips:

1. Make sure your food is fresh - Many dog owners rush to the store and purchase a GIANT bag of puppy food for their tiny puppy. Then, a couple of months later they are posting on Facebook about how their dog "suddenly" doesn't like their food. The puppy isn't picky, they are being fed stale and rancid food. Can you imagine buying a 50 pound bag of cheerios for your toddler - how long would it be before they refused to eat them? If you must purchase a larger bag of food, please immediately separate it in to small bags and store in an airtight container to avoid feeding your puppy old food. This will help preserve the nutritional quality and prevent refusal of rancid food. 
2. Don't worry about a few missed meals - As puppies mature, they don't need to eat as often. Many of the claims of picky eating are around 7-9 months where we see many puppies not requiring multiple meals. Many dogs are perfectly happy only eating once a day. Pay attention to whether or not your dog might be telling you he/she doesn't need a second meal. If your dog is eating one meal but not another, this is not picky eating. Also, remember that humans often eat for reasons unrelated to hunger such as stress, emotion and social reasons. Don't assume your dog needs to eat when he/she isn't hungry. 
3. Lack of food motivation - Some dogs are not motivated by food. People struggle to understand this. If your dog is a "eat to live" dog instead of a "live to eat" beggar, consider yourself lucky as this means you won't have to deal with weight gain. Work to find 1-2 treats your dog does enjoy for training purposes and then move on. Dog's do not intentionally starve themselves to death but many owners have caused dogs to be overweight by imputing human emotions on their canine friends.  
4. Be Consistent - Create a routine for your dog. Feed him/her in a dedicated space at the same time each day. Pull the food up after 10-15 minutes so the dog learns that ignored meals will not be rewarded. If you continue to offer treats after a failed meal, you are creating the problem as any dog will hold out for something better (how much kale do you want to eat with a pizza on the way?). 
5. Anxiety - Dogs eat less when they are anxious (visitors in the home, fireworks, travel). Before switching your dogs food (which can INCREASE anxiety), provide your dog with some anxiety relieving and calming aids to see if the problem resolves itself. Consider this CALM DOWN KIT from PawTree that addresses both calming and digestive issues. We also love their calming bone. 
6. Too Many Treats - We all love treats and dogs are no different. Take a careful look at how many calories your dog may be getting from training treats, table scraps / snacks and other rewards. The truth is this may be killing their appetite for their normal (i.e. plain) food at mealtime. Also, if you are offering treats when the dog refuses to eat you are sending the message that failure to eat will be rewarded. 
7. Exercise - Take your dog on a significant walk before dinner to improve appetite. Also look back at the first day you noticed the "picky eating" starting. Here is another frequent scenario: Weather or an illness prevented you from exercising your dog, then your dog doesn't complete a meal. You don't put two and two together (less exercise reduces caloric needs) and assume they don't like their food. You start offering treats or table scraps instead and before you know it, your dog is holding out because you've inadvertently trained them that refusal to eat will result in rewards. Bam - "picky eater" created from a week of rain. 
8. Medical Issues - Refusing to eat can be an indicator of a medical issue. Before switching food, watch for other signs of illness. Is your dog lethargic? Drinking properly? Aging? 

If you have considered all of these factors and determined that your dog really is a picky eater, here are the steps you should take (in order) before offering filet from your hand. 

1. Increase exercise.
2. Only provide scraps or treats IN the meal - Consider saving those special treats or table scraps and adding them to your dog's regular meal. You may also boil an egg and smash in the current food for further enticement. Provide the dog 10-15 minutes to eat and then pull the food up. If he/she does not eat during that period, don't offer and food in between meals and try again at the next meal. 
3. Try a topper or add in - Before changing food, consider using a food topper or add in that not only makes the meal more appetizing but adds additional nutrition. Here are options we have reviewed and love:
   1. PawTree Superfood Seasonings - This powerful blend of Natural Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants adds flavor to your dogs current food (helping you salvage that expense) while offering a concentrated source of 8 fruits and vegetables. We use these constantly for picky eating during pregnancy or to simply add variety. Not sure it will work? Here is a link for some free samples!
   2. Instinct Raw Mixers - Instinct has a selection of raw boost mixers that can serve multiple purposes such as adding a raw component to your dog's diet, adding flavor and solving specific diet issues (see the gut health or coat versions).
4. If a food change is inevitable, get your hand on some samples before purchasing food in large quantities. Make sure to read our puppy and dog posts on nutrition so you are looking at quality options. Try the following:
   1. Order a starter box of Ollie at 50% off to mix in or replace your current food.
   2. Contact your local boutique pet store and a PawTree Pro - both of whom can offer you some food samples to see what your dog is most interested in. 

In my twenty-five years of volunteer work in our local shelters, I have never met a picky eater or a dog who intentionally starved themselves to death. I have met many dogs who can sense anxiety in their humans and respond accordingly. If you become anxious or obsessed with your dog's eating habits, they will only get worse. Try these tips and you will find a food a feeding ritual that works without them (literally) eating out of your hand! 

We specifically ask our Guardian Homes and owners NOT to ask strangers on Facebook what to feed their dog. The majority of owners on forums are not veterinarians, do not properly research animal nutrition and often recommend foods that are poorly rated simply because someone else suggested them (or their vet sells them).  We wrote this post to share what we feed our own dogs and the options (kibble, fresh and raw) we share with our owners. We do not cover foods sold in many veterinarian’s office but would recommend you research those options as well. If a food is recommended and you would like to read a neutral review, we suggest using Dog Food Advisor to look up any food. You may be surprised at what you find from some of the most commonly recommended and expensive vet suggested brands. Please note for us to recommend a food it must have a 4.5 or higher rating with at least 30% protein and real meat as the primary ingredient. 

Please remember that we aren't veterinarians, but we are very careful and picky about what we feed our dogs. We talk to our vets. We do our homework. We talk to other breeders. We read labels. We study dog nutrition. We know that when breeding dogs, proper nutrition is the foundation to healthy animals and we've seen first-hand which brands work best on Cavaliers, Cavachons and Cavapoos. We also know that every owner and every dog is different. We do not judge other people's decisions on what to feed, as long as they are doing the best they can for their dog. We would encourage owners to investigate all of the following options: 

KIBBLE - Kibble is only a small part of our dog's diet; however, most owners prefer kibble as the primary source of their dog's nutrition. We would encourage you to also consider adding home cooked and / or raw to your dog’s menu if possible. If you plan to feed only kibble, it's vitally important that you choose the best one you can afford. Kibble can often get a bad rap due to recalls, poor nutritional value and low-quality proteins but some are better than others. Here are our choices (based on where you prefer to shop): 

PAWTREE OPTIONS - We were approached to test PawTree kibble on our dogs and have really enjoyed this company. We have found their claims to be true (less food, less poop, healthier dogs) and our dogs enjoy their products. We are currently feeding a rotation of Salmon & Sweet Potato, Whitefish & Brown Rice and Chicken & Oatlmeal formulas. We are also in love with their raw treats and superfoood seasonings (for that picky eater in the pack). By joining their PawClub and setting up an EZ-Ship these products enjoy free shipping! 
                                         
CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food (Grain Free) - This is a grain free option whose first five ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas and tapioca. We only recommend this for dogs who require a grain-free option. Contains 39% protein.

2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley and ground white rice. It contains 30% protein.  
     
​AMAZON.COM OPTIONS

1.  Nulo Freestyle Small Breed (Grain Free) – This is a grain free option whose first four ingredients include Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal and salmon meal. There is chicken in this recipe so it’s not suitable for dogs who are allergic to chicken. This kibble contains 34% protein.  

2. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients are Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal and oatmeal. This kibble contains protein. This kibble contains 31% protein.

HOME COOKED - Many new dog owners get confused with the difference between "raw feeding" (which is based on foods that are not cooked) and "home cooked" which is simply preparing your dog’s food at home from ingredients such as lean meats, vegetables and carbohydrates. This is easy to confuse. For example, we will share a puppy loaf (below) which can be served raw or cooked - it would fall in both categories.

While we do make home cooked meals for our dogs, we find it a challenge to provide all the nutritional elements necessary. We also find from our owners that truly nutritionally balanced home-cooked meals can also be time consuming, more expensive and frustrating (to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed). A few of our favorite recipes can be found on Damn Delicious and Food.com. We also regularly add grilled or dehydrated chicken or boiled eggs to our dogs other meals.
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Luckily, today's dogs also have another great option which is "home cooked" meals delivered to your home. Many are less expensive than you may expect. Our dogs currently LOVE Ollie. This is also a great option for dogs who need a limited ingredient diet for allergies.
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RAW FEEDING - This is a passionate and controversial topic. Those who support raw feeding feel that anything less is acceptable. Meanwhile, new dog owners find raw feeding confusing, time consuming and not often in line with their vet's recommendations. If you have an interest in raw feeding a Cavalier or a Cavalier hybrid, we suggest you turn to Dt. Judy Morgan. Her recipe for puppy loaf is a great introduction to raw feeding.

Another great option to get started in raw nutrition is using freeze dried and frozen raw products available through retailers and your local specialty dog food store. We rely heavily on freeze dried raw when we travel, want to introduce a new dog to raw gently and want to supplement with raw. These products provide raw benefits without you having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself! Here are our suggestions to help you get started on raw feeding your dogs:

CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Primal Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This brand has tons of flavors and are a breeze to serve. You literally just re-hydrate the nuggets with water (or bone broth) and serve.

2. Instinct Frozen Raw Bites (Grain Free Options) – Also available in patties. Another reputable brand with a wide variety of flavors. This is a grain free option that contains 85% beef and organs. Stored in the freezer, you do need to thaw these prior to serving but they thaw quickly.

AMAZON.COM OPTIONS – Please note that we don’t purchase frozen products from Amazon so this only includes their freeze dried options.

1.  Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties – Another brand we love for travel but not all the flavors are created equal. We were surprised to learn that some of the flavors are not highly ranked so please keep it to Chicken, Venison Blend or Rabbit in this option.

2. Vital Essentials Beef Entree Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This is a great grain free option that is beef only (for those sensitive to chicken). We do not recommend this as the sole food in your dog's diet as  
 
Let us conclude by again repeating that nutrition plays a fundamental role in your dog’s health. You shouldn’t be afraid to try a few different things to see how their skin, coat and energy change. At the end of the day, dog food is a personal choice based on your dog, your time and your budget. Don't surrender that choice to strangers with little to no knowledge of any of those factors and always discuss any dietary concerns with your vet first. 

Several times a day, well-meaning members of various Facebook forums will ask other well meaning members what they should feed their puppy. Members who are not vets, are not breeders and have not read the ingredients on their own dogs food will then tell new dog owners what food to buy usually based on what their dog "likes." And then inevitably, others will chime in criticizing the choice to feed kibble in the first place and at the end of the day I imagine many group members regret asking the question as they get a 50+ responses, none of the helpful,
So as not to be a hypocrite please remember that we also ARE NOT vets, but we are very careful about what we feed our dogs. We talk to our vets. We do our homework. We talk to other breeders. We read labels. We study dog nutrition. We also do not judge other people's decisions on what to feed, as long as they are doing the best they can for their dog. Every breed, every dog and every owner is different. We would encourage owners to investigate all of the following options: 

1. RAW FEEDING - This is a passionate and controversial topic. Those who support raw feeding feel that anything less is unacceptable. That being said, authorities we trust on this recognize that raw feeding is not for everyone. It can be very time consuming, there are contamination concerns and not all dogs can tolerate it. If you have an interest in learning about raw feeding, especially for Cavalier related breeds, we suggest you turn to Dr. Judy Morgan. Here is her recipe for puppy loaf, which is a great introduction in to raw feeding. For those that are interested in raw feeding, another easy introduction is prepared raw foods. We have fed Answers (found in your local boutique pet store), Primal Raw and Instincts Raw which are both highly rated and recommended. Most of our dogs enjoy and tolerate all of these convenient raw options. 
2. HOME COOKED - Many new dog owners get confused with the difference between "raw feeding" (which is based on foods that are not cooked) and "home cooked" which is simply preparing your dogs food at home from ingredients such as lean meats, vegetables and carbohydrates. This is easy to confuse. For example, we shared a puppy loaf above which can be served raw or cooked - it would fall in both categories. Home cooked can also be time consuming, more expensive and challenging (to make sure you dog gets all the nutrients needed). That being said, our dogs love home cooked meals and they've also been great for dogs with special dietary needs or severe allergies. Today's dogs also have another great option which is "home cooked" meals delivered to you and thawed. Our dogs are currently loving Ollie which we will discuss more in a future post. 
3. KIBBLE - Back to the original post, people are usually asking which kibble they should feed their dogs because kibble is the most commonly fed among the choices. Kibble has gotten a bad rap in the past several years due to misleading packaging, recalls and poor ingredients. That being said there is a place for kibble. For example, we like to offer raw and home cooked food for our dogs when we can, but we use kibble in training, when stuffing Kongs, to supplement feeding during pregnancy, when traveling and when transferring pups to new owners. There is a place for kibble BUT you do want to make sure you are feeding the best kibble possible. To that end, do yourself a favor and stop asking strangers on the internet what they feed their dogs because it really doesn't matter. Instead, consider doing the following: 
   1. Talk to your breeder. Why ask strangers instead of asking the person that bred and raised this puppy? I still don't understand why people immediately want to change their puppies food but if you can't resist you should ask your breeder for other suggestions. Assuming you used a reputable breeder, please make sure to ask your breeder WHY they chose the food they sent home with your puppy. You don't want to learn the hard way that your puppy is prone to an allergy or other issue that your breeder may be aware of.
      
   2. Talk to your vet. Yes, I realize that some vets only pitch the dog food they sell in their offices but many others will give you an honest opinion about the best ingredients and considerations for YOUR specific dog. Hear what your vet has to say and then . . .
   3. Read reviews from an unbiased resource that does not make their money from pet food sales. The one we recommend is DOG FOOD ADVISOR because it allows you to pick categories (puppy, with grain, without grain, senior dog) and then get several recommendations with explanations and ratings. Poke around and sample a few. Ones (all 4 star and higher) we have tried and keep in rotation include: 
      1. PawTree Dog Food (all varieties). Read about PawTree here. 
      2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy
      3. Orijen Puppy
      4. Victor Purpose Nutra Pro (Suitable for dogs and puppies)
      5. NuLo Freestyle Puppy & Adult Small Breed (Grain Free)
      6. Diamond Naturals Small Breed
   4. Go to your local boutique pet store. Yes, sometimes they are higher priced but they also give great advice (talk with the owner or an experienced associate) and often have free samples of the food for your dog to try before committing to a large bag. They also have rewards and loyalty programs that often reduce the cost of their food to be more competitive to Amazon, Chewy, etc. 

At the end of the day, dog food is a personal choice based on your dog, your time and your budget. Don't surrender that choice to strangers with little to no knowledge of any of those factors.

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