Great Danes are so incredibly varied in their personalities. While some scarf down any food scrap in sight, others have a more picky (or shall we say, “refined”) palate, and quickly tire of their everyday dog food. What can be done when your great dane decides to stop eating their food, or is no longer excited about it?
The Dog Food Topper Craze and the Dangers of Many Food Toppers for Your Great Dane
Food toppers have become incredibly popular in the pet food/treat industry in recent years, but the concept isn’t anything new. For hundreds of years, many dog owners have thrown human leftovers of some kind into their dog’s food bowl.
While this often gets the job done, it also exposes your dog to unnecessary salt and ingredients that humans have no problem processing, but that a dog’s body is not designed for.
If you’re going to top your great dane’s regular food with something tastier, how can you ensure the topper ingredient(s) are as healthy as possible?
A Google search of the term “dog food toppers” results in thousands of results. One popular name brand food topper contains a whopping 87% water. Not exactly worth paying for, in our opinion.
The recent dog food and treat trend toward limited ingredients is a great sign, as many dog owners are becoming increasingly conscious of what goes into their dog’s body.
Most dog food contains an unnecessarily high amount of carbohydrates. Why? Because all those grains are cheap and a great filler, bringing the cost down, but also the nutrition along with it.
The (Healthy) Food Topper Great Dane’s Really Want
Real meat isn’t cheap, but it’s what the ancestors of dog’s were designed to eat in the wild. And not cooked meat, but raw, nutrient-packed meat.
For many people, the thought of feeding their dogs raw meat seems gross and unsafe. But a dog’s short digestive system is far different than a human’s, and is able to process raw meat without any problems. 
With that said, many dog owners opt for a freeze dried raw meat product, which is far safer, less messy and significantly more convenient. (Freeze drying maintains 98% of the nutrients, without the use of chemicals to preserve it)
Are Freeze Dried Meat Toppers Right for Your Great Dane?
Earlier this year, when my dog began to tire of her (expensive) everyday dog food, I gave raw freeze dried toppers a try. What happened next amazed me. Instead of her lazily free-feeding her food over a period of 24 hours, she quickly gobbled down the majority of the bowl in minutes. The topper I used actually coats her existing kibble and boosts both the flavor and nutrition.
It was my personal experience, and the experience of many other dog owners I talked to, that led us to create our line of freeze dried raw treat toppers here at iHeartDogs.
I’d highly encourage you to look into the benefits of freeze dried meat toppers but most importantly, I’d encourage you to make sure whatever you top your dog’s food with is healthy and safe for the long-term. After all, a great dane’s life is short enough, they deserve the absolute best!
Frequently Asked Questions about Your Great Dane’s Dog Food Topper
What can I give my picky great dane?
Great Dane’s can easily tire of the same food each and every day. Some dog owners like to occassionally top their dog’s food with chicken, eggs, or ground beef. While this will definitely increase the palatability of your great dane’s food, they may just simply pick out the good stuff. Many great dane owners have found great success with freeze dried dog food toppers. Since the meat is a powder, it coats your existing dog food kibble and improves the flavor. Your dog won’t even know its the same food!
How can I get my great dane to eat their food?
It’s normal for your great dane to tire of their everyday food. Just imagine if you ate the same thing each and every day! One strategy for improving your great dane’s appetite for their everyday food is to use a freeze dried meat dog food topper. If the topper is made in a powder form, it will coat their existing food and boost the flavor. As with any change to your dog’s diet, make sure to introduce the topper slowly, and consider using a probiotic to help strengthen your dog’s digestive system and reduce the chances of diarrhea.
Are great dane’s picky / finicky eaters?
In our experience, many great dane’s can be fussy eaters. But you can’t blame them, who would want to eat the same exact meal every day? Many great dane owners find success by rotating different freeze dried meat toppers over their great dane’s food. Since the meat is powderized, your great dane can’t just pick out the good stuff. The topper boosts the flavor of your great dane’s regular food.
What fruits or vegetables can my great dane eat?
Feeding your dog fresh fruits and vegetables (if they’ll eat them) is a great idea! Most store bought pet food is heavily processed, so by adding fresh food to your dog’s bowl, you’ll boost the flavor and nutrition. Some great options for great danes are carrots, blueberries, and kale or spinach. If your dog wont’ eat fresh fruits or veggies, consider buying a freeze dried dog food topper that incorporates fruits and veggies into the formula. By using a meat based topper, you’re more likely to get your great dane to eat them. And freeze drying maintains 98% of the nutrients found in fresh foods.