Why I‘m Obsessed With Open Farm‘s Liquid Food Toppers for My Cat (And You Will Be Too!)
Hey there, fellow cat lovers! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for ways to spoil your feline friend with the best possible nutrition. So when I discovered Open Farm‘s liquid food toppers, I knew I had to share my experience with you. Get ready to elevate your cat‘s meals to a whole new level of deliciousness and nutrition!
First, a little background on Open Farm
Before I dive into the juicy details about their drool-worthy food toppers, let me tell you why I‘m head over heels for this brand in general. Open Farm is all about transparency and ethical sourcing when it comes to their ingredients. They only use Certified Humane meats, wild-caught fish, and non-GMO produce in their recipes. Plus, every package has a code you can scan to trace each ingredient back to its source. How cool is that?
But Open Farm doesn‘t just talk the talk – they walk the walk. They‘ve partnered with organizations like Humane Farm Animal Care and Ocean Wise to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and sustainable fishing practices. And through their Clean Plate Club program, they donate meals to animal rescue organizations for every Open Farm product purchased. As a passionate animal advocate myself, I can‘t help but stan a brand that shares my values.
Why liquid food toppers are a game-changer
Now, let‘s talk about why liquid food toppers deserve a spot in your cat‘s diet. If you have a picky eater or an older cat who‘s lost interest in food, a tasty topper can be the secret weapon to get them excited about mealtime again. Toppers are also a great way to boost your cat‘s hydration, which is crucial for preventing urinary tract issues. Did you know that a whopping 50-60% of cats over the age of 10 will develop kidney disease? Yikes! Encouraging your cat to take in more moisture through food can make a big difference.
Liquid toppers in particular have some unique benefits. They can be poured over dry kibble to soften it and make it more appealing, or mixed into wet food for an extra flavor and nutrition boost. The high moisture content also makes them a smart choice for cats who don‘t drink much water on their own.
My experience with Open Farm‘s Bone Broths and Rustic Stews
Okay, time for the main event: my honest review of Open Farm‘s liquid food toppers for cats. They offer two types – Bone Broths and Rustic Blend Stews – and I‘ve tried them both extensively with my own kitty crew.
Let‘s start with the Bone Broths. These things are like kitty crack in my household! I love that they come in three flavors (chicken, turkey, and beef) so I can rotate proteins and keep things interesting. The sleek, easy-pour packaging is also a nice touch. But what really won me over is the short, clean ingredient list. It‘s basically just humanely raised animal bones simmered in water until all the gelatin, collagen and minerals have infused into a nutrient-packed broth. No sketchy preservatives or mystery meats in sight.
I started by pouring a little chicken bone broth over my cat Ziggy‘s dry food to entice him to eat more enthusiastically. It worked like a charm! He licked his bowl clean and started meowing for more. Since Ziggy‘s getting up there in age (he just turned 12), I feel good knowing the extra hydration and joint-supporting compounds in the bone broth are helping to keep him spry.
My other kitty Marley has a sensitive stomach, so I appreciate that the bone broths are very easy to digest. No more puking or diarrhea after meals, hallelujah! I truly believe the gut-healing properties of the gelatin and amino acids in bone broth have made a difference for her.
Moving on to the Rustic Blend Stews… oh my cod, you guys. These chunky, meaty stews are basically a Michelin-starred meal for your cat. The Harvest Chicken and Homestead Turkey flavors feature humanely raised poultry as the first ingredient, while the Wild-Caught Salmon stew contains MSC certified sustainable fish. You can actually SEE the real shredded meat, vibrant veggies and savory gravy in every spoonful.
I love knowing that Marley is getting a healthy dose of omega-3s from the salmon oil and coconut oil in the stews, which has made her coat insanely soft and shiny. The anti-inflammatory turmeric and antioxidant-rich cranberries are just icing on the cake (or should I say gravy on the kibble?). And can we talk about the smell? These stews are so fragrant, my husband actually thought I was cooking human food the first time I opened a can! Even my dog was begging for a taste.
Tips for serving and storage
As much as I‘m tempted to free-feed my cats a never ending buffet of Open Farm toppers, moderation is key. For the bone broths, the feeding guide suggests about 2 tablespoons per 5 pounds of body weight per day. With the stews, aim for roughly 1 ounce per pound of body weight daily. Of course, every cat‘s needs are different depending on their size, age and activity level, so don‘t be afraid to adjust accordingly. When in doubt, check with your vet!
Here‘s a handy little chart I put together with some general serving size suggestions:
| Cat Weight | Bone Broth Per Day | Rustic Stew Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 2 tbsp | 5 oz |
| 10 lbs | 4 tbsp | 10 oz |
| 15 lbs | 6 tbsp | 15 oz |
Keep in mind that toppers should make up no more than 10% of your cat‘s total daily calorie intake. Don‘t go overboard and replace all their regular food with toppers, no matter how much they beg!
As for storage, I recommend keeping unopened packages in a cool, dry place like your pantry. Once opened, transfer any unused portion to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. I like to portion out individual servings into small glass jars or ice cube trays for easy thawing later. You can even warm up refrigerated toppers in the microwave or on the stove to make them extra appetizing. Just be sure to stir well and test the temperature before serving to avoid hot spots.
How Open Farm compares to other topper brands
Wondering how Open Farm stacks up against other "human grade" cat food toppers on the market? I‘ve done the research and put together this comparison chart for you:
| Open Farm | Brand A | Brand B | Brand C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein Sources | Humanely raised & wild caught | Not specified | Conventional | Conventional |
| Non-GMO Ingredients | Yes | No | No | Some |
| Artificial Preservatives | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Topper Variety | Broths & Stews | Broths only | Stews only | Gravies |
| Detailed Sourcing Info | Yes | No | Some | No |
| Average Price Per Oz | $0.50 | $0.35 | $0.60 | $0.40 |
As you can see, Open Farm really rises above the rest when it comes to ingredient quality and transparency. While they may cost a bit more than some competitors, I personally believe the premium sourcing and lack of artificial junk justifies the price. You get what you pay for, right?
Open Farm FAQ
To wrap things up, I want to address some frequently asked questions about Open Farm toppers that I‘ve seen floating around the internet and heard from my fellow feline foodies:
Q: Can I feed my cat Open Farm toppers as a complete meal?
A: No, toppers are designed to be fed as a supplement to your cat‘s regular complete-and-balanced diet. They don‘t contain the full array of nutrients cats need to thrive, so make sure you‘re still providing a high quality staple food as the main course.
Q: How do I know if my cat has a food allergy or sensitivity to any of the topper ingredients?
A: The most common cat food allergens are beef, fish, and chicken – which are the protein sources in Open Farm‘s toppers. If you notice symptoms like excessive itching, hair loss, ear infections or digestive issues after feeding a certain topper, discontinue use and talk to your vet. They may recommend an elimination diet or food trial to identify the culprit ingredient.
Q: Are Open Farm toppers appropriate for kittens?
A: Yes, Open Farm toppers can be fed to cats of all life stages, including kittens. Just keep in mind that kittens have higher calorie and nutrient needs than adult cats, so toppers shouldn‘t replace too much of their regular kitten food. When in doubt, check with your vet to make sure your kitten is getting the right balance of nutrients.
Q: Can I mix different flavors or types of Open Farm toppers together?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match the bone broths and stews to create your cat‘s dream combo. One of my favorite "recipes" is pouring a little turkey bone broth over a spoonful of the salmon stew. The broth helps thin out the thick stew gravy and ups the hydration factor even more. Just be sure to scale back the total amount of topper you‘re feeding if you‘re doubling up.
The final verdict
Well, there you have it – my unfiltered, unsponsored rave review of Open Farm‘s liquid cat food toppers. I hope my experience and insights have convinced you to give these drool-worthy meal enhancers a try for your own feline friend. And if you‘re already an Open Farm fan, I‘d love to hear about your cat‘s favorite flavors and serving ideas in the comments below!
At the end of the day, we all want what‘s best for our furry companions. And in my humble opinion, that means feeding them the highest quality, most species-appropriate diet we can afford. Open Farm makes it easy to feel good about what you‘re putting in your cat‘s bowl, with their unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and whole food nutrition.
Plus, let‘s be real – the heart eyes and happy tail wags from your kitty when you crack open a fresh package of topper are pretty much priceless. So go ahead and treat your little lion to a nutritional upgrade with Open Farm. I have a feeling you‘ll both be hooked in no time!
