Cat food toppers are a smart way to enhance your feline's meals, whether you're dealing with a picky eater, need to hide supplements or medications, or simply want to add variety and extra nutrients to your cat's diet. Meal toppers can provide additional protein and moisture, which is especially helpful for cats prone to dehydration or those requiring a more protein-rich diet.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the best cat food toppers available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on effectiveness, nutritional value, ease of use, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Purina Fancy Feast Broths - Three-flavor variety pack, high moisture, no artificial colors
- Best Runner-Up: Instinct Raw Boost Mixers - High protein, freeze-dried, nutrient-dense
- Best Broth: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Bone Broth - Humanely farmed, natural collagen, resealable
- Best Calming: Purina Pro Plan Calming Care - Probiotic supplement, reduces stress and anxiety
- Best Low-Calorie: Inaba Churu Lickable Treats - Only 6 calories per serving, high moisture
- Best Probiotic: Zesty Paws Probiotic Powder - Pre-measured sachets, 400+ million CFU
Understanding Cat Food Toppers
Cat food toppers serve multiple purposes and can benefit your cat's health in several ways:
- Appetite Stimulation: Toppers can entice picky eaters and add variety to prevent food boredom
- Additional Nutrients: Provide extra protein and moisture, especially helpful for cats prone to dehydration
- Medication Administration: Help hide supplements or medications that cats might otherwise refuse
- Dietary Variety: Introduce new flavors to prevent food allergies and add interest to meals
- Moisture Boost: Especially important for cats that don't drink enough water
Important: While toppers can be beneficial, they can also add excessive calories or salt to your cat's diet. Always adjust your cat's regular meal portions when using toppers regularly, and consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about your cat's nutritional needs.
What to Look for in a Cat Food Topper
When choosing a cat food topper, consider these important factors:
- Nutritional Value: Look for toppers that provide beneficial nutrients like protein and moisture
- Calorie Content: Consider the calorie count, especially if your cat is on a weight-control diet
- Ingredients: Check for artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives—natural is often better
- Ease of Use: Consider whether you prefer pouches, powders, or freeze-dried options
- Storage: Some toppers require refrigeration or have specific storage requirements
- Purpose: Determine if you need a topper for appetite stimulation, hydration, supplements, or general enhancement
- Safety: Ensure ingredients are safe for cats and appropriate for your cat's age and health status
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Calories | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fancy Feast Broths | Broth | 18 per pouch | Moisture, picky eaters | $ |
| Instinct Raw Boost | Freeze-dried | High | Protein, nutrition | $$ |
| Open Farm Bone Broth | Bone broth | Moderate | Hydration, natural | $$ |
| Pro Plan Calming | Probiotic powder | Low | Stress, anxiety | $$ |
| Inaba Churu | Lickable treat | 6 per tube | Low-calorie, moisture | $ |
| Zesty Paws Probiotic | Probiotic powder | Low | Gut health, immune | $$ |
Best Cat Food Toppers: Detailed Reviews
1. Purina Fancy Feast Broths - Best Overall
Purina's Fancy Feast Classic Cat Broths Variety Pack is our favorite food topper because it provides three fish-forward flavors that are all high in moisture and don't contain any added flavoring or artificial colors. The smooth texture and alluring aroma make it perfect for coaxing even the pickiest eaters into finishing their bowls.
Key Features:
- Three-flavor variety pack (tuna/shrimp/whitefish, tuna/anchovies/whitefish, salmon/vegetables)
- First two ingredients are broth and protein
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Easy to store leftovers in the pouch
- 18 calories per pouch
- Low in fat, high in moisture
Pros:
- Excellent for picky eaters—fishy flavors cats love
- High moisture content helps with hydration
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Protein-first ingredient list
- Affordable for regular use
- Great for mixing in medication
- Leftovers can be refrigerated
Cons:
- Contains guar gum and tapioca starch (may upset some cat tummies)
- Strong fishy scent (great for cats, not always loved by owners)
- Moderate calorie content requires portion adjustment
Best For: Picky eaters, adding moisture to diet, medication administration, variety pack lovers, budget-conscious owners
Buy Purina Fancy Feast Broths on Amazon →2. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers - Best Runner-Up
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers give your cat the benefits of a raw food diet without having to switch your cat's usual food. Each pack contains 12 ounces of nutrient-dense whole protein, including organ meat and ground bones. These soft, chewy pieces can entice even the pickiest eaters and come with health benefits ranging from improved digestion to better skin and coat quality.
Key Features:
- Raw, nutrient-dense protein source
- Contains cage-free or farm-raised meat with organs
- Made without grains, soy, and potato
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Available in chicken and rabbit flavors
- Freeze-dried format
Pros:
- Very high in protein
- Helps with digestion and coat quality
- Contains organ meat and ground bones for complete nutrition
- Great for picky eaters
- Alternative protein option (rabbit) available
- Non-GMO ingredients
Cons:
- High fat content
- Contains fruit and vegetable fillers
- High calorie—requires meal portion adjustment
- More expensive than some options
Best For: Cats needing high protein, improved digestion, better coat quality, raw food benefits, alternative proteins
Buy Instinct Raw Boost Mixers on Amazon →3. Open Farm Harvest Chicken Bone Broth - Best Broth
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Bone Broth uses humanely farmed chickens without hormones, antibiotics, or steroids. Natural collagen and chicken flavor are pulled from chicken bones simmered for 10 hours. Pouring this savory bone broth over wet or dry food is an easy, tasty way to add appealing flavor and moisture to your cat's diet.
Key Features:
- Humanely farmed chickens (no hormones, antibiotics, or steroids)
- Natural collagen from 10-hour simmered bones
- Resealable, easy-pour spout
- 12 ounces per pouch
- Recommended serving: 2 tablespoons per 10 pounds body weight
- Available in chicken, turkey, and beef flavors
Pros:
- Ethical sourcing—humanely farmed
- Natural collagen benefits
- Easy to dispense and store
- Works with both wet and dry food
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Contains beneficial extras like carrots and pumpkin
Cons:
- Contains unnecessary ingredients like cinnamon
- Not suitable for cats under 1 year of age
- Higher price point than some broths
Best For: Ethical sourcing preferences, natural collagen benefits, hydration, multiple flavor options, resealable convenience
Buy Open Farm Bone Broth on Amazon →4. Purina Pro Plan Calming Care - Best Calming
Purina Pro Plan Calming Care Probiotics serves as a behavioral supplement when sprinkled over your cat's food for at least six weeks. This meal-topper powder contains a probiotic strain that has been shown to encourage calm behavior by helping to tone down the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can cause aggressive, anxious, or antisocial behavior.
Key Features:
- Probiotic strain for behavioral support
- Helps reduce stress hormone (cortisol) production
- Promotes positive behaviors
- Decreases aggressive and anxious behaviors
- Liver-flavored for palatability
- Guaranteed level of microorganisms per pouch
Pros:
- Easy way to add probiotics to diet
- Can help temper stress response
- Promotes positive behaviors
- Decreases aggressive and anxious behaviors
- Liver flavor makes it palatable
- Clinically studied probiotic strain
Cons:
- Continued use can get expensive
- For wet food only (cannot be absorbed by dry kibble)
- Takes up to six weeks to see benefits
- Types and levels of microorganisms not disclosed
Best For: Stressed or anxious cats, aggressive behavior, cats on wet food diets, long-term behavioral support
Buy Purina Pro Plan Calming Care on Amazon →5. Inaba Churu Lickable Treats - Best Low-Calorie
Inaba Churu Lickable Treats have a long-standing reputation as a top cat treat, but these squeezable tubes can also double as a sneaky meal topper. At around six calories per tube, using a Churu treat as a meal topper doesn't require calorie counting or recalculating regular meal portions, making it ideal for cats on weight-control diets.
Key Features:
- Approximately 6 calories per serving
- High protein content
- High moisture content
- Great flavor variety
- Can be used in partial portions
- Can double as a standalone treat
- Can be refrigerated for later use
Pros:
- Very low calorie—perfect for weight control
- High protein and moisture
- Excellent flavor variety
- Can use partial portions
- Great for picky eaters
- Convenient squeezable tubes
- Can be refrigerated between meals
Cons:
- Contains tapioca starch
- Cats may eat around the topper and leave their food
- May need to mix in before serving
- Some cats may prefer it as a treat over a topper
Best For: Weight-control diets, occasional fussy eaters, cats needing frequent appetite stimulation, low-calorie needs
Buy Inaba Churu Treats on Amazon →6. Zesty Paws Probiotic Powder - Best Probiotic
Zesty Paws Probiotic Powder for Cats is our favorite probiotic food topper. The pumpkin-flavored powder comes in pre-measured sachets, making it easy to dispense and convenient for travel. Each sachet contains over 400 million CFU of the clinically studied DE111 probiotic strain, known as Bacillus subtilis, which supports gut and immune health in cats.
Key Features:
- Pre-measured sachets for easy dispensing
- Over 400 million CFU per serving
- Clinically studied DE111 probiotic strain
- Pumpkin-flavored for palatability
- Contains inulin and yeast extract
- Travel-friendly packaging
Pros:
- Easy to dispense—pre-measured sachets
- Travel-friendly
- High CFU count (400+ million)
- Clinically studied probiotic strain
- Supports gut and immune health
- Pumpkin flavor generally appealing to cats
Cons:
- Not all cats like pumpkin flavor
- Harder to mix with dry food (doesn't adhere as well)
- Works best with wet food
- Some finicky cats may be turned off by the flavor
Best For: Gut health support, immune system support, travel convenience, cats on wet food diets, digestive issues
Buy Zesty Paws Probiotic Powder on Amazon →How to Use Cat Food Toppers
Proper use of cat food toppers ensures effectiveness and safety:
- Mix or Top: Most toppers can be mixed into food or poured on top—experiment to see what your cat prefers
- Portion Control: Adjust your cat's regular meal portions when using toppers regularly to avoid overfeeding
- Start Slowly: Introduce new toppers gradually to monitor for any adverse reactions
- Follow Instructions: Read and follow manufacturer's serving recommendations
- Monitor Calories: Keep track of total daily calorie intake, especially for weight-control diets
- Storage: Follow storage instructions—some toppers require refrigeration after opening
- Medication Mixing: Toppers can be great for hiding medications, but ensure your cat eats the entire portion
Benefits of Cat Food Toppers
Cat food toppers offer several health benefits:
- Appetite Stimulation: Can entice picky eaters and add variety to prevent food boredom
- Additional Nutrients: Provide extra protein and moisture, especially helpful for cats prone to dehydration
- Medication Administration: Help hide supplements or medications that cats might otherwise refuse
- Dietary Variety: Introduce new flavors to prevent food allergies and add interest to meals
- Moisture Boost: Especially important for cats that don't drink enough water
- Behavioral Support: Some toppers contain probiotics or other ingredients that support calm behavior
Things to Consider
While cat food toppers can be beneficial, keep these considerations in mind:
- Calorie Content: Toppers can add excessive calories—always adjust regular meal portions
- Salt Content: Some toppers may be high in sodium, which can have adverse effects on health
- Ingredient Quality: Check for artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Allergies: Monitor for any allergic reactions when introducing new toppers
- Cost: Regular use of toppers can add up—consider your budget
- Storage Requirements: Some toppers need refrigeration or have specific storage needs
- Veterinary Consultation: Consult your vet if you have concerns about your cat's nutritional needs
Conclusion
Finding the right cat food topper depends on your cat's specific needs: whether you're dealing with a picky eater, need to add moisture, want to hide medications, or are looking for specific health benefits. The Purina Fancy Feast Broths remain our top pick for their versatility, moisture content, and appeal to picky eaters, but all the products reviewed here are excellent options depending on your specific needs.
Remember, while toppers can enhance your cat's meals and provide additional benefits, they should be used thoughtfully. Always monitor your cat's total calorie intake, adjust meal portions accordingly, and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your cat's nutritional needs.