Grain Free Turkey Bone Broth Topper
Verified May 24, 2026
A light turkey-based bone broth topper for dogs and cats, designed mainly to boost moisture and palatability rather than provide full nutrition. It features turkey bone broth with small amounts of pumpkin, cranberries, parsley, and ginger, making it a low-calorie way to add flavor and hydration to your pet’s regular complete diet. This can work well for pets who benefit from extra fluids or encouragement to eat, as long as it’s used alongside a balanced food.
Nutritionally, this is a simple, low-calorie topper meant to enhance hydration and flavor, not a stand-alone diet. The turkey bone broth offers a modest protein contribution while keeping fat very low, and the added pumpkin and cranberries are present in small amounts for variety. It’s generally suitable for most dogs and cats as an extra on top of their regular complete food, especially those who need more moisture or a bit of encouragement to finish meals.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very low in calories (about 26 kcal per cup), which makes it easy to add for flavor and moisture without significantly impacting daily calorie intake.
- Turkey bone broth provides some additional protein and can make dry food more appealing and easier to eat, especially for pets that like wet textures.
- Simple ingredient list without common grain allergens; suitable as a topper for many pets with food sensitivities, assuming they tolerate turkey.
- High moisture content (up to 97%) can help support overall hydration, particularly helpful for cats and dogs that don’t drink much on their own.
Considerations
- This is intended only for intermittent or supplemental feeding, so it must be fed together with a complete and balanced dog or cat food and not as the main diet.
- Contains turkey, which can be an issue for pets with poultry allergies or sensitivities.
- Very low fat may be beneficial for some pets, but also means this is not a meaningful source of energy or essential fatty acids, reinforcing that it’s just a topper.
- Seasonings like ginger and other botanicals are generally well tolerated but could bother very sensitive stomachs in a small number of pets.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Turkey Bone Broth
Turkey bone broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a palatability and moisture enhancer and provides supplemental collagen, gelatin, amino acids and trace minerals that may support hydration, appetite, joint and digestive health in dogs and cats. It should be offered as a supplement rather than a complete nutrition source, and must be low‑sodium and free of harmful seasonings (no onion, garlic, xylitol), with caution for high‑fat broths, bone fragments, or pets with pancreatitis, sodium‑sensitive conditions, or specific food allergies—consult your veterinarian if unsure.
02
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
03
Cranberry
Cranberries are used in pet foods and supplements as a source of fiber and antioxidants (notably polyphenols/proanthocyanidins) and are commonly included for their potential urinary tract–supporting properties in dogs and cats. While these compounds may help inhibit bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract, scientific evidence in pets is limited, and owners should choose unsweetened, preservative-free preparations (avoiding products sweetened with xylitol), watch for gastrointestinal upset or effects on urine pH, and consult a veterinarian for pets with urinary stones or taking certain medications.
04
Parsley
Parsley is used in pet foods primarily as a natural flavoring and breath‑freshening herb that also contributes small amounts of vitamins (notably vitamin K and vitamin C), folate, antioxidants and some fiber. While safe in culinary amounts for most dogs and cats, concentrated extracts, seeds or large quantities can be harmful (containing compounds such as apiol/myristicin), may affect pregnant animals or interact with anticoagulant medications, and can increase oxalate load in susceptible pets, so its use in formulas is typically minor and controlled.
05
Ginger
Ginger is commonly added to pet foods and treats as a natural flavoring and functional ingredient to support digestion and reduce mild nausea, with active compounds like gingerols providing modest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It can be beneficial for dogs (and occasionally cats) with motion sickness or stomach upset when used in small amounts, but high doses should be avoided and caution is advised for pets on anticoagulant medications, pregnant animals, or those with known sensitivities due to potential effects on clotting and occasional gastrointestinal irritation.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Merrick offers premium dog and cat food made with real, whole ingredients and regional produce. The brand is known for its recipes such as 'Grain Free', 'Backcountry', and 'Classic'. Merrick targets pet owners seeking natural and grain-free diets for their pets, with an emphasis on U.S.-sourced meats and fresh, farm-to-bowl ingredients.
Visit MerrickManufacturer
Merrick Pet Care manufactures its food in company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. The company maintains in-house quality control and safety testing, adhering to USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards. Merrick emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and audits suppliers for quality and safety.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Merrick Grain Free Turkey Bone Broth Topper has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Merrick ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Merrick. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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