A spoon of tuna gets most picky eaters interested in their bowl again. This topper mixes light tuna with egg, rice and carrot so a small can goes further.
Tuna contains mercury, so treat this as a once-a-week topper, not a daily meal.
Why your dog will love this
- Ready in 10 minutes
- Wins over picky eaters
- Makes 4 toppers from one can
Ingredient notes
- Light tuna in water, no salt added (5 oz) Caution
Light tuna has less mercury than albacore.
Canned light tuna in water, occasionally. Mercury builds up over time.
- Egg Safe
Serve fully cooked.
- Cooked white rice Safe
Plain cooked rice is easy on the stomach.
- Carrot, finely grated Safe
Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
Tuna Dog Food Topper Recipe
Light tuna, scrambled egg, rice and grated carrot. A weekly topper.
- 4 of 4 ingredients safety-checked, 3 marked safe
- Wheat-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- 3-Ingredient
- Contains: Egg, Fish
Ingredients
Makes 4 toppers
- CautionCanned light tuna in water, occasionally. Mercury builds up over time. Safe amount: Once a week at most.
- SafeServe fully cooked. Safe amount: Treat-size portions.
- SafePlain cooked rice is easy on the stomach. Safe amount: Part of a meal.
- SafeRaw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking. Safe amount: A few pieces.
Equipment
- Nonstick pan
Instructions
-
Scramble the egg in a dry nonstick pan.
-
Drain the tuna and flake it into a bowl.
-
Mix in the egg, rice and carrot.
-
Divide into 4 portions and refrigerate or freeze.
Tips for success
- Choose light tuna over albacore; it has less mercury.
- Drain the tuna well; the canning water is salty.
- Freeze toppers in an ice cube tray for quick single servings.
Nutrition per topper
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 8.0 g
- Fat
- 2.5 g
- Fiber
- 0.4 g
- Carbs
- 4.0 g
Storage
- Fridge 3 days
- Freezer 30 days
How much to serve
2 to 4 tablespoons over a meal, once a week.
| Small dog (10 lb) | up to 0.50 topper a day |
|---|---|
| Medium dog (30 lb) | up to 1.25 toppers a day |
| Large dog (60 lb) | up to 2 toppers a day |
Last updated September 12, 2026.
How to make Tuna Dog Food Topper
Tuna Dog Food Topper takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 4 toppers. It is an easy recipe. You will need a nonstick pan. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.
- 1 can light tuna in water, no salt added (5 oz): Light tuna has less mercury than albacore. Canned light tuna in water, occasionally. Mercury builds up over time.
- 1 large egg: Serve fully cooked.
- 1/2 cup cooked white rice: Plain cooked rice is easy on the stomach.
- 1 small carrot, finely grated: Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
Step-by-step instructions
- Scramble the egg in a dry nonstick pan.
- Drain the tuna and flake it into a bowl.
- Mix in the egg, rice and carrot.
- Divide into 4 portions and refrigerate or freeze.
Tips for success
- Choose light tuna over albacore; it has less mercury.
- Drain the tuna well; the canning water is salty.
- Freeze toppers in an ice cube tray for quick single servings.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
2 to 4 tablespoons over a meal, once a week. Each topper has about 70 calories. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.
Swaps and variations
No light tuna in water? Use canned salmon. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Why dogs love it
Ready in 10 minutes. Wins over picky eaters. Makes 4 toppers from one can.
Feeding tips for dogs
Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.
Make it ahead
To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.
What to watch for
Mild gas or a softer stool for a day can happen with any new food. Call your vet if your dog vomits more than once, has diarrhea for more than a day, seems tired or in pain, or refuses food. If you think your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.
Safety notes
Tuna: Canned light tuna in water, occasionally. Mercury builds up over time. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat tuna every day?
No. Mercury builds up over time, so keep tuna to once a week.
Is tuna in oil OK?
Choose tuna in water. Oil adds fat and calories.
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