Discover Best Dog Foods for Small Dogs Review: Sharing a home with a small dog, regardless of breed, is a privilege most small dog owners would agree to. Not only are they adorable and easy to take along on our adventures due to their transportable size, but they are also great companions that will be there for you when you need them most.
Since our small dogs care for us when we need them, we must care for them throughout their lives by offering them healthy and nutritious food options.
The 5 Best Dog Foods for Small Dogs
Here, we will explore the top 5 best small breed dog foods available on the market. These selections are based on extensive research and personal opinion, considering factors such as quality, popularity, price, durability, and user feedback.
Whether you’re seeking balanced nutrition, value for money, or natural ingredients, this article will help you make an informed decision for your beloved small dog.
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food For Small Breed Dogs
| Features | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Highly Digestible Ingredients | Promotes easy digestion for small dogs’ sensitive stomachs |
| Nourishing Omega 6 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E | Supports healthy skin and promotes a shiny coat |
| High-Quality Protein | Maintains lean muscle mass in small breed dogs |
| Antioxidant Blend for Lifelong Immune Support | Specifically formulated for toy and miniature dogs |
| Natural Ingredients | Made with natural ingredients for a wholesome and balanced diet |
Hill’s Science Diet offers a small breed dog food package that caters to even the pickiest eaters while providing essential ingredients and nutrients for healthy growth. This formula includes chicken meal, pork meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain corn, and whole grain wheat, offering a balanced mixture of plant and animal proteins, carbs, and fiber.
With added vitamins E and C for immunity, DHA for brain development, and omega-3 fatty acids for muscle and bone growth, this dog food supports comprehensive nutritional needs. Including pork fat, fish oil, flaxseed, and oat fiber further contributes to overall health.
2. Purina Bella Natural Bites For Small Dogs
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Bag Size | 12 lb. |
| Main Ingredient | Real turkey |
| Formula | Natural with vitamins and minerals |
| Nutritional Blend | Includes real turkey and real chicken |
| Health Support | Formulated to support the health of adult small breed dogs |
| Immune Health Support | Blend of antioxidants to support your small dog’s immune health |
| Artificial Additives | No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives |
| Nutrient Density | Nutrient-dense bites to aid the higher metabolism of small dogs |
| Dental Health | Crunchy kibble helps clean teeth, freshen breath, and reduce plaque buildup |
Purina Bella natural bites is a top-value dog food brand for small breed dogs. Despite its affordable price, this formula contains a range of healthy ingredients, including chicken by-product meal, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal.
These ingredients offer essential vitamins, protein, fiber, and fats for healthy growth. Purina Bella natural bites provide a complete and nutritious meal, offering excellent value for money. While not the most extravagant option, it delivers good nutrients, enticing flavors, and an affordable price.
3. Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy Breed Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Nutrient-dense kibble and shredded pieces | Bite-sized kibble and small tender, shredded pieces provide a taste and texture dogs love |
| High protein formula | Real chicken is the first ingredient, offering a high protein content for muscle maintenance |
| Fortified with live probiotics | Contains guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health |
| Promotes healthy skin and coat | Enriched with vitamin A and linoleic acid (an omega-6 acid) for maintaining healthy skin and coat |
| Ideal for highly active small dogs | Formulated with high protein to meet the needs of highly active small breed dogs |
| Previously known as SAVOR Shredded Blend | Previously marketed as SAVOR Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula |
| Bag size: 6 lb | Available in a 6 lb bag size for convenient storage and feeding |
This small and toy breed formula offers a blend of animal and plant-based ingredients. Key components include chicken as the primary protein source, barley for energy and stable blood pressure, and animal fat for overall nutrition.
Although including byproducts like poultry by-product meal and Brewer’s rice may raise some concerns, these ingredients still provide nutritional benefits. Purina Pro Plan small breed dog food offers great value for money, supporting growth and development in small dogs.
4. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Protein-Rich Formula | Nutritionally dense crunchy kibble with ingredients such as turkey and oatmeal for whole body health. |
| All Natural Ingredients | Created by nutritionists, veterinarians, and animal lovers, the recipes provide an ideal balance of nature’s finest ingredients. |
| Supports Healthy Body Weight and Immune System | Antioxidants support strong immune systems, probiotics promote digestive health, and balanced nutrients ensure optimal energy levels. |
| Promotes Healthy Skin and Coat | Omega fatty acids contribute to a healthy skin and coat. |
| No Corn, Wheat, or Soy | Free from poultry by-products, wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives. |
| Made in the USA | The diets are prepared in a state-of-the-art facility using only the finest globally sourced ingredients and non-GMO ingredients. |
Wellness Complete Health’s natural dry dog food is ideal for Chihuahuas and other small dogs that prefer natural premium ingredients. This formula contains deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, tomato pomace, turkey, and garlic powder, among other natural ingredients.
It promotes balanced nutrition, supporting growth, immunity, digestive wellness, and high energy. While it lies in the middle ground in terms of price, Wellness Complete Health’s natural dry dog food delivers natural and premium ingredients that cater to health-conscious pet owners.
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Small Breed Dog Food
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Protein Rich Formula | Contains more chicken than ever to provide high levels of protein for building and maintaining lean muscle mass |
| Real Chicken as the Main Ingredient | Made with real chicken to satisfy your dog’s natural love for meat |
| Wholesome Grains | Includes wholesome grains for a balanced and nutritious diet |
| Special Kibble for Smaller Jaws | Features a special kibble size that is ideal for smaller breed dogs with smaller jaws |
| Antioxidant-Rich LifeSource Bits | Contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for immune system support and overall health |
| Made with Natural Ingredients | Uses the finest natural ingredients and is free from chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy |
| No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives | Does not include any artificial flavors or preservatives |
| Bag Size: 11 lbs | Comes in a convenient 11-lb bag size for easy storage and feeding |
Blue Buffalo has made a name for itself with its nutritious large breed packages, and now they offer an option specifically tailored to small breed dogs. This dog food includes various protein sources, both animal and plant-based, such as chicken meal, deboned salmon, and pea protein.
Also, it features energy-inducing ingredients like tapioca starch and pea starch, which are gluten-free and high in calories. While Blue Buffalo claims meat as the main ingredient, the significant presence of different pea products is worth noting. Nonetheless, this dog food offers balanced protein sources for healthy development.
Smaller Portion Sizes
Since small dogs have smaller teeth and mouth. The best recipes for small breeds typically have smaller serving sizes, which can help make the food easier to chew.
The nutritional needs of small breed dogs
Dog food comes in all sorts of shapes and flavors, but all products have one primary goal: to provide your dog with energy and nutrition. The energy provided by food is measured in calories, as you already know. What you may not know is that your dog’s calorie needs are very different from yours, especially if you have a small breed dog.
The nutritional needs of small breed dogs are unique and require careful consideration. Here is an organized breakdown of the key points:
Calorie Needs
- Small breed dogs have significantly lower calorie needs compared to humans and large breed dogs.
- For example, a 20-pound small breed dog may only require around 400 calories per day.
- Small breed dogs have a higher calorie requirement per pound of body weight compared to large breed dogs due to their faster metabolism.
Importance of Protein and Fat
- Protein and fat are crucial nutrients for small breed dogs.
- Protein helps build and maintain muscle mass, preventing obesity.
- Fat provides the necessary energy to support their fast metabolism.
Quality of Nutrients
- Protein and fat should come from high-quality animal sources for optimal bioavailability.
- Carbohydrates are not essential but should be from nutritious and easily digestible sources.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- Small breed dogs require a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals for overall health.
- Antioxidants are particularly important for small dogs due to their longer lifespan, providing protection against free radical damage.
Additional Supplements
- Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can benefit small breed dogs by supporting joint health as they age.
- While smaller dogs are less prone to joint problems than larger dogs, these supplements can still be beneficial.
Understanding and meeting the nutritional needs of small breed dogs is vital for their overall health, proper growth, and longevity. Providing a balanced diet rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients is key to keeping them happy and thriving.
Smaller portion sizes
Since small dogs have smaller teeth and mouths, the best recipes for small breeds typically have smaller serving sizes, which can help make the food easier to chew.
The nutritional needs of small breed dogs
Dog food comes in all sorts of shapes and flavors, but all products have one primary goal: to provide your dog with energy and nutrition. The energy provided by food is measured in calories, as you already know. You may not know that your dog’s calorie needs are very different from yours, especially if you have a small breed dog.
The nutritional needs of small breed dogs are unique and require careful consideration. Here is an organized breakdown of the key points:
Calorie Needs
- Small breed dogs have significantly lower calorie needs compared to humans and large breed dogs.
- For example, a 20-pound small breed dog may only require around 400 calories per day.
- Small breed dogs have a higher calorie requirement per pound of body weight than large breed dogs due to their faster metabolism.
Importance of Protein and Fat
- Protein and fat are crucial nutrients for small breed dogs.
- Protein helps build and maintain muscle mass, preventing obesity.
- Fat provides the necessary energy to support their fast metabolism.
Quality of Nutrients
- Protein and fat should come from high-quality animal sources for optimal bioavailability.
- Carbohydrates are not essential but should be from nutritious and easily digestible sources.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- Small breed dogs require a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals for overall health.
- Antioxidants are essential for small dogs due to their longer lifespan, protecting against free radical damage.
Additional Supplements
- Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can benefit small breed dogs by supporting joint health as they age.
- While smaller dogs are less prone to joint problems, but these supplements can still be beneficial.
Understanding and meeting the nutritional needs of small breed dogs is vital for their overall health, proper growth, and longevity. A balanced diet rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients is key to keeping them happy and thriving.
Tips for feeding small breed puppies
Small breed puppies grow very quickly (like all puppies) and reach adult size more quickly than large breed dogs. With this being the case, a high protein diet is incredibly important for small breed puppies to ensure that their muscles and tissues develop properly.
Smaller puppies will also have higher energy needs than large breed puppies, which means more fat in their diet. Once your pup reaches adulthood, he will still need a high-protein diet, but you may need to reduce the fat content a bit to prevent him from gaining too much weight.
- Opt for a High-Protein Diet: Small breed puppies require a high-protein diet to support proper muscle and tissue development during rapid growth.
- Consider Higher Fat Content: Smaller puppies have higher energy needs than large breed puppies, so including more fat in their diet is essential. However, monitor their weight and adjust their fat intake as they reach adulthood to prevent excessive weight gain.
- Switch to Small Breed Adult Formula: Transition your puppy from a small breed puppy formula to a small breed adult formula when they are approximately 80% of their adult size. Follow the feeding recommendations on the product label and consider the caloric content.
- Choose a Small Breed Formula: Look for a small breed dog food formula that specifically meets the nutritional requirements of smaller dogs, both in terms of calories and nutrients. Aim for a protein content of 22-30% (dry food) and 5.5-8% (wet food), and a fat content of 10-20% (dry food) and 3-5% (wet food).
- Feed Small Breed Puppies Multiple Times a Day: Provide three daily feedings for small breed puppies to ensure they receive sufficient energy to fuel their metabolisms. Allow them to eat as much as they want during this growth phase, but monitor their intake to prevent overeating.
- Be Aware of Food Allergies: Small breed dogs, such as Boston Terriers, Dachshunds, and Cocker Spaniels, may be more prone to food allergies. Common allergens include chicken, pork, beef, eggs, dairy, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog exhibits recurring ear infections, itchy skin, or digestive issues, consider switching to a low-ingredient diet.
- Consider New Proteins and Carbohydrates: To reduce the risk of allergies or prevent their development, many small breed dog owners opt for dog food made with novel proteins and carbohydrates.
| In Addition – The 5 Best Dog Food for Pregnant Dogs may be helpful to you. |
FAQs
What foods should I give my small dog?
The best foods for dogs include meat, rice, and fish. Other safe options for dogs are rice, lettuce, banana, carrot, pear, melon, peanut butter, and spinach.
What do small breed dogs eat?
Small breed dogs typically eat small breed dog food specifically formulated to meet their unique nutritional needs. This includes a balanced combination of high-quality protein, fats, and essential nutrients to support their growth, energy requirements, and overall health.
Why does your pet need small breed dog food?
Small breed dog food is designed to cater to the specific needs of small breed dogs. The smaller kibble size makes it easier for them to eat and digest. Small breed dog food ensures that they receive all the necessary nutrients in appropriate portions without consuming large amounts of food. This helps maintain their weight and supports their overall well-being.
How many times a day should a small breed dog eat?
It is recommended to feed small breed dogs three times a day. They have fast metabolisms and are more sensitive to low blood sugar, so frequent meals help maintain their energy levels.
How do I choose the best food for my dog?
Look for dog foods with a higher meat content in their ingredients. Ingredients are listed from largest to smallest based on weight. Avoid foods that contain by-products of animal origin, such as scales, hooves, or feathers, and opt for those with quality ingredients that humans would eat.
Conclusion
When selecting the best dog food for small dogs, considering factors like nutritional content, value for money, and ingredient quality is essential. The reviewed dog foods, including Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Bella, Purina Pro Plan, Wellness Complete Health, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness, all offer unique features to meet the specific needs of small breed dogs.
Choose the one that aligns with your priorities and provides optimal nutrition for your furry companion’s growth and well-being.