Feeding your dog fresh food feels like a no brainer, but what if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full fresh food diet? That’s the position I was in with my dog Frisbee. 

I wanted to feed him a brand like Ollie, which makes human-grade dog food out of whole, recognisable ingredients. But I couldn’t quite justify feeding him Ollie for every meal. For one thing he loved his kibble and was doing well on it. For another, I wasn’t ready for the cost of his food to change.

What I was looking for was a way to make Frisbee’s meals a little more interesting without changing his whole routine. That's when I discovered that Ollie has a Half Fresh plan, where their renowned, healthful, fresh dog food is designed to be used as a topper. 

It felt like the ideal compromise. My dog could keep eating the food he already enjoyed, while I introduced new ingredients to his diet a little at a time. It also meant I could see how he got on with fresh food before committing to a full plan.

What’s a dog food topper?

If you've never used one before, a dog food topper is exactly what it sounds like. You add a portion of fresh food to your dog's usual kibble.

It's an easy way to bring more variety to their food bowl, which is great for dogs who appreciate a change now and then. You're also adding extra nutrients alongside their regular food. Toppers have become popular with owners who want to improve and augment their dog's diet without replacing everything they're already feeding.

For me, that flexibility was the biggest selling point. I didn't have to choose between sticking with kibble or switching to fresh food overnight. I could do both! And I felt Frisbee deserved an upgrade. He’d been struggling with digestive issues, and I was willing to try anything to help him feel better. 

Ollie’s fresh dog food topper

There are plenty of products marketed as dog food toppers, but what appealed to me about Ollie is that it isn't a separate line of products made only for sprinkling over dinner. The Half Fresh plan uses the same fresh recipes Ollie prepares for its meal plans, so you're giving your dog the same quality food, just in smaller portions.

Ollie’s recipes are made with human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked before arriving at your front door frozen, ready to thaw and serve. I wasn't adding a processed mix-in with a long ingredients list I barely understood, I was simply ensuring Frisbee’s food bowl more closely resembled my own dinner plate. 

There are tons of benefits of feeding your dog Ollie, such as support for healthy digestion, weight management, shiny coat, and, as many dog owners will appreciate, good poops. Those are the kinds of improvements that make adding a topper feel worthwhile.

A topper for every palette

One thing I appreciated was that I didn't have to guess which recipe would suit my dog.

The process starts with a short quiz that asks about your dog's activity level, weight, and more. Ollie then recommends recipes based on that information, which makes the whole dog food shopping experience feel much more personalized than standing in the pet food aisle trying to compare labels. This part of the sign up process is when you can select the Half Fresh plan to use Ollie as a topper.

If your dog has allergies or food sensitivities, those are worth taking into account too. As with any change to your dog's diet, it's sensible to speak with your veterinarian if you have questions about the best option.

This Ollie meal plan was perfect for Frisbee. I could introduce fresh food slowly and it was more affordable than feeding him exclusively fresh food. It felt like a practical way to try something new without stretching my budget too far. 

My dog loved his fresh food topper 

The first change I noticed was how much more interested Frisbee was at mealtimes. Sure, he liked his kibble, but he got way more excited than usual about dinner when I added the Ollie topper. 

His digestion definitely improved within a couple of weeks. I could tell his discomfort had lessened, and his poops looked better than ever. 

In terms of benefits for me, Ollie’s topper option made trying fresh food feel manageable. It wasn’t a whole lifestyle change for Frisbee, but an adjustment that improved our existing routine. 

Should you try a fresh dog food topper?

If you've been curious about fresh dog food but feel hesitant about making a full switch, using Ollie as a topper is an easy place to start. Their Half Fresh plan gives your dog a taste of fresh, human-grade food alongside the meals they already know, while giving you the chance to see how they respond before making a bigger commitment.