quality dog food for small dogs

Best Dog Food for Small Breeds

Your small breed dog might think he is one of the big dogs, but when it comes to dinnertime his nutritional needs are unique. He needs a diet specially formulated for small dogs to help him feel and act his best. Unfortunately, finding the best dog food for small breeds is not always easy. We have a few tips to help make your search for the perfect canine cuisine easier.

Small Dog Nutrition 101

Small dogs are different in many ways from their larger counterparts, beginning with their nutritional needs. Despite their small size, small and toy breed dogs may actually require more calories per pound than large-breed dogs. Their higher metabolic rates particularly affect their dietary needs in puppyhood, and there are health concerns as they age that diet can help address.

In general, dogs require a wide range of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Dogs, contrary to popular belief, are not strictly carnivores. Domestic dogs rely on grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as meat, for a complete and balanced diet. For this reason, many people prefer to feed their dogs commercial foods. Most commercial foods are affordable, convenient, and contain all of the nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy, and since few owners are experts in dog nutrition, feeding a dry or canned commercial diet takes the guesswork out of balancing your dogs nutritional needs.

Certain breeds may have their own nutritional concerns. Talk to your vet about your dog to see if there are any nutritional risks you should be aware of based on breed, age, or existing health problems.

Best Food for Small Breed Puppies

The assumption that small breed dogs are low maintenance and easy to feed due to their small size is dangerous. Small breed puppies, especially toy breeds, require careful feeding to prevent a condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the scientific word for low blood sugar, and small breed puppies are prone to developing this condition as a result of high metabolic rates and low sugar and body fat reserves. This means they need to be fed a calorie-dense, small breed puppy food anywhere from four-to-six times a day and watched closely for symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

Most complete and balanced small breed puppy foods contain the appropriate amount of nutrients for small breed dogs. They also have smaller kibbles, which are easier for small breed puppies to chew and are less of a choking hazard. Talk to your vet about the risks of hypoglycemia and what you can do to prevent it in your small breed puppy. If you suspect your puppy has hypoglycemia, call your veterinarian immediately.

Best Dog Food for Small Breed Adults

Finding the best food for small breed adults is tricky. There are a lot of options claiming to offer your dog the best nutritional package in a variety of price ranges. You can narrow your search by asking your veterinarian what brands he or she recommends. Veterinarians have access to the latest research on dog nutrition as well as pet food recalls, which makes them a valuable resource during this decision-making process. Depending on your dogs health, your vet might recommend a specific food or several brands that he or she feels offer the best food for small breeds.

Small breed adult dogs require more calories-per-pound than large dogs, and they also need smaller kibbles, which is why diets especially formulated for small breeds are usually best. However, while small dogs might need more calories per pound than larger dogs, that does not mean that owners should overfeed them. One of the biggest concerns regarding dog nutrition is obesity. Obese dogs are more prone to a variety of health issues, and it is estimated that obesity takes as many as two years off of our dogs lives.

Diseases associated with obesity in dogs:

Best Food for Small Breed Senior Dogs

Small breed dogs typically live longer than large breed dogs. This means that your small breed dog could be eating the same food from the time she graduates from puppy food for more than 15 years. A diet rich in antioxidants could help prevent free radical damage over her long lifespan, so ask your veterinarian about the best foods for small breeds that contain plenty of antioxidants.

Both adult and all other life-stage formulas are appropriate for senior dogs. Currently, there is no senior, geriatric, or mature dog food nutrient profile recognized by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Dog foods that cater to seniors do not have to meet specific senior nutrient requirements, and they may not have undergone any clinical trials to test their effectiveness. This does not necessarily mean that senior dog foods for small breeds are a bad choice for your senior pet, but it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about a senior diet before you buy, in order to make sure you get an effective formula.

Senior small breed dogs may develop health problems that require special dietary restrictions or prescription diets. Prescription senior diets, unlike commercial diets, are specially formulated and clinically proven to help treat certain conditions. Your vet may recommend a prescription diet for your senior pet if he or she feels it is necessary.

How to Read a Dog Food Label

One of the first things conscientious owners look at is the label on a bag of food. While this is a good practice, the reality is that dog food labels can be very misleading and hard to interpret. There are a few things to keep in mind as you look at a label:

• Look for the statement complete and balanced
• Check the life stages (ie. puppy, adult, all life stages)
• Examine the ingredients for any allergens your pet may have

Complete and balanced dog foods contain at least the minimum amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients considered necessary for dogs, helping ensure that your pet does not suffer from a nutrient deficiency. Choosing the appropriate life stage also helps keep your pet nutritionally satisfied, and avoiding allergens prevents your dog from suffering from an allergic reaction.

The ingredient list is a good way to see what the primary ingredients in the dog food are, but it will not tell you very much about the quality of the ingredients. The best way to determine if the food is made from good quality ingredients such as meats, grains, vegetables, and fruits is to contact the manufacturer or consult your veterinarian.

The manufacturer should be able to give you a complete nutritional analysis of the product, which you can present to your vet, and can also verify whether or not there is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist on its staff. Most manufacturers have this information available on their websites, and if not, you should feel free to call their customer service representative with your questions. Other questions to ask are:

• Do they follow AAFCO feeding trials?
• Have they participated in clinical studies about their products?
• Do they manufacture their foods in-house where they have control over all aspects of development, or do they outsource?
• Where do they source their ingredients?
• How many calories are in their servings?

Cost of Small Breed Dog Food

Once you have sorted through the various dog food brands and found one that you and your vet think will best benefit your dog, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend. A good rule of thumb to follow for commercial dog food diets is to stay away from the cheapest option. Your dogs food is a vital part of his preventative healthcare, and so you want to invest in it as much as possible. When it comes to dog food, you usually get what you pay for.

On the other hand, an expensive dog food is not a guarantee of quality, either. By talking with your veterinarian and comparing brands of dog food in a variety of price ranges, you should be able to find the best dog food for small dogs that also matches your budget.

Specialty Diets for Small Breed Dogs

There are quite a few new pet food trends going around right now, including raw diets, grain-free diets, and home-cooked pet meals. If you are considering feeding a non-traditional diet to your small breed dog, talk with your veterinarian. There are serious concerns associated with some of these trends, especially raw diets, that pet owners need to be aware of in order to keep both their pets and their families safe.

Some small dogs have allergies to certain ingredients. If your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity, talk to your vet about the best type of food for your dog and what ingredients to avoid.

How Much Should I Feed My Small Breed Dog?

Finding the best dog food for small dogs is the first step toward helping your pet live a long and healthy life. Figuring out how much to feed them is the second. In general, the guidelines on the back of the food bag are a good place to start. Measure out each meal and monitor your pets weight closely to see if he gains or loses weight when you follow the manufacturers instructions, and dont hesitate to talk with your veterinarian to help you determine the best weight for your dog.

Unfortunately for small breed dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts, there is no single best dog food for small breeds. Following these guidelines and consulting with your veterinarian are good ways to find a dog food that works for your wallet and your dog. With a little research, you can feel safe knowing that your dog is getting the best possible nutrition to help her live a long and healthy life.

5 Best Dog Foods for Small Dogs (2024)

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Small Breeds

Small breed dogs are a true delight, bringing a vast amount of love, devotion, and fun to their families. However, the nutritional needs for small dogs differ substantially from their larger counterparts, making a food designed specifically to address their requirements an absolute must for optimal health.

Many small breed dogs can be predisposed to mouth issues which can include tooth loss, plaque accumulation, and gum disease. To help prevent this, selecting a food with bite-sized pieces of kibble can be very beneficial. Kibble specifically designed for small breeds helps to prevent choking and to discourage rapid eating. In addition to this, the texture of the kibble can provide a scrubbing action against the teeth to keep them healthy and free from tartar buildup.

Though the nutritional needs for all dogs are quite similar, the number of calories required will vary depending on the size of the dog and the dogs specific breed. Small breed dogs also have differing activity levels, meaning some will require a slightly different nutritional formulation and caloric count to help fuel their drive and exercise needs. The best foods for small dogs have recipes that have been specifically calibrated to meet their unique nutritional requirements.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Small Breed Dogs

Make no mistake; small dogs love food just as much as their large breed friends. However, controlling portion sizes is key to keeping these littler pooches from gaining excess weight which can cause harm to their bodies.

To best determine how much of the best small dog food a small dog should be fed, it is a good idea to use the dogs weight measured against the foods suggested serving size. This will yield a starting point which can be adjusted until the correct amount has been identified. The dogs appetite and weight will serve as helpful guides.

Care should be taken not to overfeed small dogs. Dogs carrying excess weight on their frames are at a far higher risk of developing health problems such as diabetes or succumbing to injury or illness.

Dietary Requirements for Small Breed Dog Foods

Any food suited to the needs of small breed dogs should be comprised of the highest quality nutrition. Since all dogs are carnivores, protein should be the primary ingredient with whole meats the preferred choice. Meat meals also provide an excellent source of protein.

Meat by-products are inferior in quality. Likewise, plant-based proteins can be very difficult for small dogs to process and utilize effectively. In addition to this, many alternative protein sources such as corn, wheat, and soy can cause allergic reactions in many breeds. Avoid foods containing any of these items as they are not the best dog food for small breeds.

Small breeds can have difficulty maintaining a consistent level of blood sugar. Since small breed dogs are known to have metabolisms that are both high and efficient, they require a diet that is dense in calories derived from the best sources for nutrients. It is also a good idea to break up the small dogs foods into several mini meals fed throughout the day. This encourages stable blood sugar levels to support consistent daily energy.

Some small dog breeds can be prone to skin and stomach sensitivities. For those breeds, a grain-free diet may be best. All others can freely enjoy a grain-free or a grain inclusive formula without suffering any ill effects. Whether drawn from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables, the critical component of any carbohydrates included in a diet for a small breed is that it is high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, and easy to digest.

Also of great importance in a diet for small breed dogs is the inclusion of healthy fats. Healthy fats provide small dogs with the energy they need to remain active and well. But fats also assist with maintaining healthy coat and skin. Healthy fats are best taken from animal origins including chicken fat or oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, or anchovies.

Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Small Breeds

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a food for a small dog:

• Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food