Get Joy Freeze Dried Raw Booster vs Bone Broth Toppers: Do You Need a Broth, a Booster, or Both? (2026)

Updated: July 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Brett Levitzke, DVM, against verified competitor data and Get Joy product facts · See our vet & nutrition experts

Bone broth is one of the biggest clusters on the pour-on topper best sellers, with Native Pet, Brutus, Solid Gold, and Open Farm all charting, and for good reason. A quality broth adds moisture, aroma, and a light collagen boost, and it genuinely helps hydration, softens kibble for seniors or dental-sensitive dogs, and lifts a boring bowl. This one is not really an either-or contest. Broth is the splash, the Get Joy Freeze Dried Raw Booster is the substance, and for hydration-focused dogs a broth has a real role while a daily nutrition upgrade is where the Booster does more per pour.

Here is the honest framing before we compare. A finishing splash of broth does one job at the bowl, and does it well. The Get Joy Booster is designed to change what the whole bowl does for your dog: real raw protein, organ nutrition, functional whole foods, and Belly Biotics, our built-in blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. And the best news is you do not have to choose, because they stack beautifully.

What is the main difference between bone broth and a freeze-dried raw booster?

The main difference is that bone broth is a finishing splash and the Get Joy Booster is a nutrition upgrade. Bone broth adds moisture and aroma to make a bowl more appealing, and it carries a modest collagen and glycine boost, but a splash of broth does not meaningfully change the protein or functional profile of the meal. The Booster does, because it is real freeze-dried raw food carrying protein, organs, whole foods, and a complete live biotic system into every shake.

That difference is why the two are not really rivals. One softens and flavors the bowl; the other changes what your dog gets out of it. Used together, they cover both jobs at once.

Bone broth toppers vs the Get Joy Booster at a glance

Here is the head-to-head on the factors dog parents ask about most. Broth formulas and pricing vary widely by brand, so confirm current details before you buy.

Which does more for your dog's gut health?

The Get Joy Booster does more for gut health because it carries a complete live biotic system while broth does not. Bone broth has a health halo, and some of it is deserved, since hydration matters and collagen and glycine are nice-to-haves. But a splash of broth does not change the functional profile of the bowl. Belly Biotics does. It delivers the complete feed-populate-produce system: inulin prebiotics feed the beneficial bacteria already in the gut, five live probiotic strains (Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bifidobacterium animalis) populate and balance the microbiome, and a yeast-culture postbiotic produces the compounds that support the gut lining and immune function.

Add real raw protein and organ nutrition, and the Booster changes what your dog gets from every meal, not just how the meal smells. Gut health is whole-body health, since digestion, immunity, skin and coat, and even stress response all route through the microbiome. Individual results vary by dog. To go deeper, start with Gut Health 101 and our guide to pre, pro, and postbiotics.

What are you actually pouring on the bowl?

With a bone broth, you are pouring mostly water with collagen and flavor, which is exactly what makes it a good hydration and aroma tool. The best broth brands earn their best-seller status by keeping it honest: Native Pet's powder is three organic ingredients (chicken broth, chicken powder, sweet potato flour) and shelf-stable; Brutus built a following on flavor and added glucosamine and chondroitin; Solid Gold's beef bone broth leans into collagen and turmeric. Confirm each current formula before you buy.

With the Get Joy Booster, you are pouring real freeze-dried raw food: 100% USDA-sourced beef with heart, kidney, and liver at 34% minimum protein, plus pumpkin, flaxseed, and salmon oil, and the Belly Biotics system throughout, with no fillers and no seed oils. Because Get Joy uses a natural competitive-inhibition kill step rather than high-pressure processing, the live probiotics and delicate nutrients survive into the bowl.

Can you use bone broth and the Booster together?

Yes, and it works great, which is the fun part of this comparison: you do not have to choose. Get Joy's own feeding guidance is to shake about 2 tablespoons of Booster per 1 cup of food and, if you like, add a splash of water or bone broth to release the aroma picky eaters love. Broth becomes the finishing splash, the Booster is the substance, and together they hit moisture, aroma, protein, and gut support in one bowl.

Keep the topper layer to roughly 10% or less of daily calories and reduce the base food slightly to keep calories steady. The Booster is about 18.5 kcal per tablespoon and is safe and beneficial for all life stages, including puppies, seniors, and pregnant or nursing dogs. And when the Booster earns its spot, the rest of the gut-first routine is one brand away, since meals are the foundation and the shaker is the easy on-ramp to Get Joy Freeze Dried Raw Meals.

Which is the better value per pour?

The Booster is $14.99 for a 5.5 oz shaker, about $2.73 per oz, and roughly $7.50 on a first subscription order, then 10% off every order after. Broth prices vary widely by brand, format, and size, so the more useful comparison is per function. Dollar for dollar, the Booster delivers protein, organs, whole foods, and a live biotic system, where broth delivers moisture and aroma. If the budget covers one topper, the Booster does more work. If it covers both, they stack.

The verdict: broth, Booster, or both?

The Get Joy Booster is the stronger single pick for daily nutrition and gut support. A bone broth is the better pick when hydration or softening food is the goal, and the best answer for many dogs is both.

Frequently asked questions

Is bone broth good for dogs?

Bone broth is a fine addition for hydration and palatability, and clean products like Native Pet's keep the ingredient list short. It adds little protein and no live biotics, so treat it as a complement to nutrition rather than a source of it.

Can I use bone broth and a shaker topper together?

Yes, and it works great. Shake the Get Joy Booster over the bowl, about 2 tablespoons per cup of food, then add a small splash of bone broth or warm water to release the aroma.

What does a freeze-dried raw booster add that broth does not?

Substance: 34% minimum protein from beef and organs, functional whole foods like pumpkin and flaxseed, and Belly Biotics, a built-in live system of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics for daily gut support.

Which topper is better for picky eaters?

Both boost aroma, but freeze-dried raw meat is the stronger draw for most dogs. Get Joy backs it with a 30-Day Clean-Bowl money-back guarantee.

Is the Get Joy Booster safe for puppies and seniors?

Yes. The Booster is safe and beneficial for all life stages, including puppies, seniors, and pregnant or nursing dogs. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, ask your veterinarian before adding any topper.

Competitor details (broth formulas, ingredients, and positioning for Native Pet, Brutus, and Solid Gold) are drawn from each brand's public listings and retailer pages as of July 2026; formulas and pricing change, so confirm current details on each brand's site. Get Joy figures are from getjoyfood.com and internal product documentation. This article is for education and is not veterinary advice; consult your vet for your dog's individual needs.