Is Your Papillon a Picky Eater? Try This Simple Hack.

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Papillons 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 papillon 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 Papillon

Food toppers have become incredibly popular in the pet food and 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 Papillon’s regular food with something tastier, how can you ensure the topper ingredients 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 Papillons Really Want

Real meat isn’t cheap, but it’s what the ancestors of dogs 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 from 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 them.

Are Freeze-Dried Meat Toppers Right for Your Papillon?

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. The topper is also available on Amazon Prime.

It was my personal experience, as well as the experiences of many other dog owners I spoke with, that led us to create our line of freeze-dried raw treat toppers here at iHeartDogs.

I highly encourage you to look into the benefits of freeze-dried meat toppers, but most importantly, I encourage you to ensure that whatever you top your dog’s food with is healthy and safe for the long term. After all, a Papillon’s life is short enough; they deserve the absolute best!

Frequently Asked Questions about Your Papillon’s Dog Food Topper

1. What can I give my picky Papillon?

Papillons can easily tire of the same food each and every day. Some dog owners like to occasionally top their dog’s food with chicken, eggs, or ground beef. While this will definitely increase the palatability of your Papillon’s food, they may simply pick out the good stuff. Many Papillon 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 it’s the same food!

2. How can I get my Papillon to eat their food?

It’s normal for your Papillon to tire of their everyday food. Just imagine if you ate the same thing each and every day! One strategy for improving your Papillon’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.

3. Are Papillons picky eaters?

In our experience, many Papillons can be fussy eaters. But you can’t blame them, who would want to eat the same meal every day? Many Papillon owners find success by rotating different freeze-dried meat toppers over their Papillon’s food. Since the meat is powderized, your Papillon can’t just pick out the good stuff. The topper boosts the flavor of your Papillon’s regular food.

4. What fruits or vegetables can my Papillon 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 Papillons are carrots, blueberries, and kale or spinach. If your dog won’t 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 Papillon to eat them. And freeze drying maintains 98% of the nutrients found in fresh foods.

Make Every Meal Exciting for Your Papillon

Adding a delicious and nutritious food topper is one of the easiest ways to keep your Papillon excited about mealtime. Whether you choose wet, dry, or freeze-dried options, toppers enhance flavor, improve hydration, and provide valuable nutrients. With a little creativity and the right choices, every bowl can be both wholesome and irresistible for your playful, food-loving companion.

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.