Disclaimer: Before changing your cat’s food or offering new ingredients, consult with your veterinarian. Pets that are on a prescription diet or suffer from certain ailments may need to avoid certain food ingredients.Caring for a cat certainly has its ups and downs—usually more ups, of course. We repay their unconditional love with plenty of petting and treats from time to time.
But sometimes, cats can be finicky. Whether they aren’t eating their food because of this pickiness or you just want to add something extra special, food toppers are ideal for treating your cat and helping them eat all their food.
You may not have the time to find the right topper, though, so we researched and made a list of the best food toppers that your cat will surely love.
So, have a look at these reviews, and don’t forget to check out the buyer’s guide, which should help inform your purchase.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Inaba Churu Tuna & Chicken Puree Variety Pack Grain-Free Lickable Cat |
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Best Value | Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats |
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Premium Choice | American Journey Landmark Broths Seafood Variety Pack Wet Cat Food Com |
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Friskies Lil’ Soups With Skipjack Tuna in a Velvety Tuna Broth |
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Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free Digestive |
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The 10 Best Cat Meal Toppers
1. Inaba Churu Variety Pack Lickable Cat Treat — Best Overall
Flavors: | Tuna and chicken |
Food form: | Purée |
Main ingredients: | Water, tuna, chicken |
The best overall cat meal topper is Inaba Churu Variety Pack Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treat. While Churu is commonly given as a treat straight from the squeezable tube, it can do double duty as a food topper. It’s a fact that many cats love these lickable treats, so they can be great for enticing your feline to eat their food.
Inaba’s treats have wild-caught tuna and farm-raised chicken and contain 91% moisture, so they are quite hydrating. You can choose from various flavors (this version is a variety pack with chicken and tuna), and they don’t contain preservatives, grains, or artificial ingredients.
The main issues with this food topper are that they might be expensive for some owners and that they might cause some cats to have digestive problems, like diarrhea and vomiting.
- Can be a treat or food topper
- Many cats seriously love these
- Low calorie-only 6 calories per tube
- Contains 91% moisture, so quite hydrating
- Doesn’t contain artificial ingredients
- Expensive
- Might cause some cats to have digestive upset
2. Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats — Best Value
Flavor: | Tuna |
Food form: | Purée |
Main ingredients: | Tuna broth, tuna, dried egg |
The best cat meal topper for the money is Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats. These have tuna purée in a pouch that can be a treat or food topper. They are rich in protein, including tuna, tuna broth, and eggs.
The pouches can work well for traveling and can add much-needed moisture to your cat’s diet. However, these treats contain xanthan gum (albeit in small doses), and this brand can be a bit runny.
- Affordable
- Pouches are easy for traveling
- High in protein due to tuna and eggs
- High in moisture
- Contains xanthan gum
- Runny
3. American Journey Landmark Broths Seafood Variety Pack — Premium Choice
Flavors: |
Tuna, shrimp and whitefish, anchovies and whitefish, wild salmon, tomatoes, and kale
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Food form: | Bits in broth |
Main ingredients: | Fish broth and fish (dependent on recipe) |
Our premium choice pick goes to American Journey Landmark Broths Seafood Variety Pack Wet Cat Food Complement Pouches. Featured here is the seafood variety pack, but there are several other flavors. These broths have bits, so they make perfect food toppers and are free from fillers, by-products, and artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
They have high moisture content and contain pieces of real fish, which should tempt most cats. Beyond the price, one issue is that the bits can be challenging to get out of the packs.
- Free of artificial ingredients, by-products, and fillers
- High moisture content
- Seafood variety bits made with real fish
- Expensive
- Challenging to remove bits from packs
4. Friskies Lil’ Soups Senior Formula Lickable Cat Food Topper
Flavors: |
Tuna, chicken, shrimp, salmon, or skipjack tuna (for seniors)
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Food form: | Chunks in a broth |
Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, tuna |
Friskies Lil’ Soups Senior Formula Lickable Cat Food Topper has chunks of real tuna in what’s called “velvety” chicken broth and includes vitamin B1, vitamin E and taurine.
There are several other flavors to choose from: flaked chicken, shrimp, sockeye salmon, and skipjack tuna (for senior cats). Plus, they come in small, convenient cups that are one serving.
However, for what you get, it is pricey, and it contains tapioca starch, which isn’t always recommended for diabetic cats.
- Chunks of real tuna in chicken broth
- Five flavors
- One flavor for senior cats
- Convenient small cups
- Includes vitamins B1 and E
- Pricey
- Contains tapioca starch
5. Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Digestive Health Recipe
Flavor: | Chicken |
Food form: | Freeze dried |
Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken liver, pumpkin seeds |
Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free Digestive Health Recipe Cat Food Topper has nutritious ingredients that are blended and freeze-dried to retain their flavor and nutrients.
Freeze-drying also removes any moisture, making it shelf-stable for extended periods. It includes ingredients like sweet potato, pumpkin, apple cider vinegar, chicory root, and real chicken. This food topper contains no artificial preservatives or flavors, grains, potatoes (except for the sweet kind), or soy. It’s all made in the U.S.
The problem with this food topper is it is relatively expensive, and some cats might experience digestive upset.
- Freeze-dried nutrients that retain flavor and nutrition
- Contains pumpkin, sweet potato, chicken, and chicory root
- Doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or fillers
- Made in the U.S.
- Relatively expensive
- Not adding moisture to your cat’s diet as dried
6. Fancy Feast Chicken Collection Broths Variety Pack Food Pouches
Flavor: | Chicken variety pack |
Food form: | Stew |
Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, carrots, tomatoes |
Fancy Feast Chicken Collection Broths Variety Pack Supplemental Wet Cat Food Pouches are like a stew, with a creamy broth and a “silky” broth. They have bits of chicken and veggies and are available in several different recipes.
This product doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors and comes in convenient pouches for serving. It is about 92% water, so it is great for hydration.
However, the packaging can be quite challenging to get the product out without making a mess, and some pickier cats won’t be interested in eating it.
- Chicken stew in a creamy and silky broth
- Broth contains meat and veggies
- Convenient pouches
- About 92% water
- Packaging might make it messy and difficult
- Pickier cats might not like it
7. Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Flavors: |
Duck and goose, chicken, salmon and cod, turkey, salmon and chicken, rabbit, beef
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Food form: | Freeze-dried raw |
Main ingredients: | Duck, turkey, liver |
Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food can be served as a freeze-dried topper, or it can be rehydrated with water. It’s available in seven recipes and is made with farm-raised duck and goose (for this recipe) and organic fruits and vegetables.
This brand is made in the U.S. and doesn’t contain gluten, grains, fillers, artificial colorings, or preservatives. However, it is expensive, and there are occasional issues with quality control, as some bags might contain stale food.
- Can be served dry or rehydrated with water
- Several flavors
- Contains farm-raised duck and goose and organic fruits and veggies
- Made in the U.S.
- No fillers or artificial ingredients
- Expensive
- Some products arrive stale
8. Caru Free Range Chicken Bone Broth Human-Grade Cat Food Topper
Flavors: | Chicken or beef |
Food form: | Broth |
Main ingredients: | Water, chicken bones, organic carrots |
Caru Free Range Chicken Bone Broth Human-Grade Dog & Cat Wet Food Topper is a healthy broth with either free-range chicken or grass-fed beef and is a limited-ingredient product. It only uses organic vegetables with a few seasonings and includes a supplement of omega-3 fatty acids and apple cider vinegar.
It’s high in chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints and natural probiotic and prebiotic enzymes, which support your cat’s gut health. It is also GMO free, with no gluten, grain, or any added fillers or artificial ingredients.
There is an issue with the packaging in that it doesn’t seal up properly, which isn’t great for a liquid product, and it is also pricey.
- Limited-ingredient broth
- Only uses organic vegetables
- Contains omega-3 fatty acid
- No added fillers or artificial ingredients
- Pricey
- Packaging could be better
9. Purina Beyond Mixers+ Immune Support Wet Cat Food
Flavors: | Alaskan cod or turkey and Canadian duck |
Food form: | Chunks in gravy |
Main ingredients: | Fish broth, cod, wheat gluten |
Purina Beyond Mixers+ Immune Support Alaskan Cod Recipe Wet Cat Food is available in two flavors: Alaskan cod and turkey and Canadian duck. It contains chunks of real meat in gravy and added vitamins and minerals, including all eight B vitamins, making for a tasty and healthy treat.
It doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or any corn or soy. This food topper also includes black elderberry juice, which as an antioxidant, packs a healthy wallop for the immune system.
The problem is that getting all the product out of the pouch can be challenging. Also, some picky cats don’t seem to enjoy it, and it contains wheat gluten, which won’t work for any cats with a wheat allergy.
- Real meat chunks in gravy
- Added vitamins and minerals with all eight B vitamins
- No artificial ingredients, corn, or soy
- Contains black elderberry juice
- Difficult to remove product from pouch
- Picky cats might not like it
- Contains wheat gluten
10. Whole Life Pure Salmon Fillet Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Flavor: | Salmon |
Food form: | Freeze dried |
Main ingredients: | Wild Alaskan salmon |
Whole Life Just One Ingredient Pure Salmon Fillet Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats are as limited ingredient as it gets! They contain 100% wild Alaskan salmon, which has been freeze-dried in small batches to retain the nutrition.
Without other ingredients to worry about, you’ll know that your cat can safely eat this topper if they have a sensitive stomach or a specific food allergy. It doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, preservatives, or additives and is made in the U.S.
What we don’t like is that this product is a bit expensive and that the pieces of fish are fairly large and difficult to cut into smaller pieces.
- Only contains wild Alaskan salmon
- Freeze dried in small batches to retain nutrition
- Good for cats with food allergies
- No artificial ingredients
- Made in the U.S.
- Expensive
- Pieces are big and hard to cut
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Meal Toppers For Your Cat
Now that you’ve had the chance to look at the options available, let us go over a few points that might influence your ultimate buying choice.
Food Toppers Are Not Meals
It’s essential to know that food toppers are not meals—they are designed to be treats or food toppers only. If your cat is not eating enough or is ill, speak to your vet about your options. Food toppers are also ideal for hiding medicine, which will make both your lives easier!
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Types of Food Toppers
This is where your cat’s pickiness can make a difference in the type of food topper that you try. Some cats don’t seem to like chunks of meat in gravy, so no matter how many positive reviews a product has, avoid the ones that your cat might not be keen on. But sometimes, you’ll want to try out new types of food and flavors.
Broths are ideal if you want your cat to benefit from the extra water content. Always aim for foods proven to be your cat’s favorites. Stick with seafood or chicken if that’s what your cat prefers.
What Cats Will Benefit the Most From Food Toppers?
Almost any cat can benefit from and enjoy food toppers, but the following felines can particularly reap the rewards:
- Underweight cats
- Cats that need extra hydration
- Senior or sick cats that require motivation to eat (under advice from your veterinarian)
- Cats with specific health concerns for which the topper provides the right nutrition
- Picky eaters
If your cat has any health concerns, food allergies, or is on a special diet, it is important to consult with your veterinarian before making additions to their diet to make sure they are suitable.
Conclusion
Inaba’s Churu Tuna & Chicken Purée is great as a treat and a food topper. Cats typically love this brand, making it an excellent option for enticing a cat to eat their food.
Tiki Cat’s Stix Cat Treats are ideal because they are affordable, but they are also rich in protein and have a high water content. Finally, American Journey’s Landmark Broths are a premium choice because they have bits of real fish.
We hope that these reviews of these food toppers have led you to the perfect one for your cat and that they will now happily scarf down their food!
Featured Image Credit: Valeri Vatel, Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
- The 10 Best Cat Meal Toppers
- 1. Inaba Churu Variety Pack Lickable Cat Treat — Best Overall
- 2. Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats — Best Value
- 3. American Journey Landmark Broths Seafood Variety Pack — Premium Choice
- 4. Friskies Lil’ Soups Senior Formula Lickable Cat Food Topper
- 5. Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Digestive Health Recipe
- 6. Fancy Feast Chicken Collection Broths Variety Pack Food Pouches
- 7. Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- 8. Caru Free Range Chicken Bone Broth Human-Grade Cat Food Topper
- 9. Purina Beyond Mixers+ Immune Support Wet Cat Food
- 10. Whole Life Pure Salmon Fillet Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Meal Toppers For Your Cat
- Conclusion