Best Dry Dog Food For Small Dogs
- Last updated on November 21, 2023
- By: Caroline Stowe
Small Breed Dog's Nutritional Needs
Small breed dogs are some of the most popular types of dogs in the world. They are cute and cuddly, yet they require a special type of care to ensure that they stay healthy and active throughout their lives. If you have a small breed dog, then you should be aware of the specific nutritional requirements that need to be met, especially when it comes to their diet.
Small breed dogs have special nutritional needs. These smaller dogs have a higher metabolic rate than regular or large-breed dogs, as such they burn energy more quickly. Also, they need a nutrient-diet that gives them lots of nutrition in a small amount of food. That is because their stomachs is just not big relative to their needs.
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What do consider when buying dry dog food for small dogs:
One of the first things that you will want to consider is nutrition content. Although many dog foods may look appealing because they smell good or come in cute shapes and colors, it’s important that you choose something with high levels of nutrition. Look for foods that are high in protein, fat, and fiber so that your pet can stay healthy and grow properly throughout his or her life.
You will also want to think carefully about the ingredients contained in the dog food. While it’s still important to choose something with a good blend of nutrients, you also don’t want to feed your small breed dog anything containing preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or other additives. These things may look appealing and make the food more appetizing, but they can actually cause health problems in dogs over time.
As such, small breed dog food are formulated
- for high digestibility,
- for small breed dogs with smaller mouths and stomach,
- for short digestive tracts, and
- for higher metabolisms.
When choosing a dry dog food brand for your small breed dog, it’s also important to consider the cost and availability of the product. You want to find something that is reasonably priced yet offers good quality, and you also want to make sure that there are plenty of options available so that you can always keep your dog’s food fresh and provide them with a varied diet.
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10 Best Dry Food For Small Breed Dogs
All of the dog foods on this list meet the nutritional requirements set forth by the AAFCO. Here are our reviews and recommendations for you to choose from based on your puppy’s diet needs. And remember to talk with your veterinarian before switching your pup to a new diet.
Highlights:
Highlights:
Highlights:
- WELLNESS Complete Health, Small Breed.
- Deboned Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe
- High quality proteins and wholesome grains with the nutrients your small breed dog needs to thrive
- No fillers or artificial preservatives
- Antioxidant rich ingredients support strong immune systems.
- Omega Fatty Acids ensure healthy skin and coat
- Probiotics and taurine for a healthy heart
- 12 lb bag.
Highlights:
- HILL’S SCIENCE DIET Small Paws, Adult Dog Food.
- Small breed dog food made with highly digestible ingredients that are easy on your small dog’s stomach
- Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe.
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids – with vitamin E to help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
- High Quality Protein – to maintain lean muscle in small breed dogs
- Antioxidant blend for lifelong immune support
- Made with natural ingredients
- No.1 veterinarian recommended.
- 15.5 lb bag.
Highlights:
- MERRICK small breed recipe.
- Real Deboned Chicken – as the first ingredient providing leading levels of high quality proteins for healthy energy levels and building muscle mass.
- Complete and balanced diet that includes brown rice and ancient grains such as quinoa to aid in digestion.
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids – to promote healthy skin and shiny coat.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin – to help maintain healthy hip and joint function.
- No preservatives, corn, wheat, soy or gluten.
- 12 lb bag.
ROYAL CANIN Dog Food for Small Breed Dogs
Highlights:
- Royal Canin Dog Food For Small Breed Dogs.
- Small Breed Dog Nutrition – made for small breeds 10 months to 8 years old, weighing 9 to 22 pounds.
- Provides energy for small breeds while helping maintain a healthy weight with L-carnitine
- Optimal Level of Fatty acids like EPA and DHA – supports skin and coat health
- Small, highly palatable kibble for miniature jaws
- Enhanced Palatability for small breed dogs.
PURINA PRO PLAN Small Breed Dog Food
Highlights:
- PURINA Pro Plan Small Breed Dog Food
- Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
- High-quality protein – from real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive & immune health
- High nutrient density for higher metabolic rates found in small dogs.
- 6 lb bag.
IAMS Small Breed
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DIAMOND Small Breed Adult Dog Food
Highlights:
- DIAMOND Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Food
- HIGH quality Protein – from real cage free chicken
- Optimal amino acid profile for lean, strong muscles.
- Omega Fatty acids blend for healthy skin and coat.
- Nutrient Rich and Highly Digestible – with Probiotics that survive and thrive in the GI tract
- No corn, wheat, filler
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- 18 lb bag.
NUTRO Small Breed Dog Food
Highlights:
- NUTRO Small Breed Adult Natural Dry Dog Food Plus Vitamins, Minerals & Other Nutrients,
- Farm Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe.
- Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient, with natural fiber for healthy digestion
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Complete daily nutrition for small breed dogs.
- 15 lb bag.
FAQs
Question: How often should I feed my small breed dog ?
Most small breed dogs should be fed two to three times per day. Puppies may need to be fed more frequently, while adult dogs can typically stick to two meals per day. Senior dogs may do well on one meal a day or even less, depending on their health and activity level.
Question: What should I look for in a small breed dog food ?
When shopping for a small breed dog food, it’s important to consider the nutritional composition of the food. Look for dog foods that contain plenty of animal-based proteins like meat, poultry, fish, or eggs as well as healthy fats from sources like salmon oil or coconut oil.
You’ll also want to look for fiber-rich whole grains and other nutrient-dense ingredients. Additionally, make sure your dog’s food is free from artificial additives and fillers that can be difficult for a small stomach to digest.
Question: Are there any special considerations when choosing a small breed dog food ?
Yes, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a small breed dog food. First, because small dogs have higher metabolisms, they typically need more calories per pound than their larger counterparts.
This means that you’ll want to look for a food that is higher in calories and fat. Additionally, small breeds tend to be more prone to certain health problems like dental disease, so you may want to choose a food that contains ingredients known to promote oral health like taurine or probiotics.
Finally, remember that every dog is unique and what works for one may not work for another. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Question: How do I transition my small breed dog to a new food ?
When transitioning your small breed dog to a new food, it’s important to do so gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food in with their current food and slowly increasing the proportion of new food over time. This will give their digestive system time to adjust and help prevent any stomach upset.
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Author:
Caroline Stowe
- Updated on November 21, 2023
Disclaimer: This article doesn’t intend to replace professional veterinary advice, nor should it be used as a substitute for veterinary services, diagnosis, or treatment. The content on this website, including information and opinions expressed herein, are intended for general informational purposes only. In case you have concerns or questions regarding your dog’s health and diet requirements, please consult your veterinarian before doing anything that might affect it.
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