Last Updated on 2 years by Jenny Sovann
The best small breed dog food has been formulated to provide dogs of a smaller size with balanced nutrition. Smaller dogs may have the strength and stamina of larger canines, but their higher metabolic rates mean they have special nutritional needs. Small breed dog food is specially formulated and smaller in chunk size, yet high in protein to meet the high energy requirements of small dog breeds.
As a small breed dog owner, you will appreciate this comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about small dog breed nutrition. We have detailed our favourite foods for your small pup and the things you need to look at to ensure you get foods for your pet. You can analyze which food is best for your pup when you check our Best small bread dog food review. Let’s get started!
Best Small Breed Dog Foods 2023
10. Halo Natural Small Breed Recipe
Price: Fairly priced.
Flavor: Chicken & Chicken Liver.
Special features: Whole meat, sustainably sourced ingredients, highly digestible, dry food, small kibble size, tasty, nutrient-dense.
Check Price on Amazon NowSmall breed dogs need highly nutritious foods for their higher metabolic rates, and the Halo Natural Small Breed Recipe is one of the small breed dog foods for feeding your dog. It specially prepared with whole meat to ensure your pup gets enough proteins for their growth. The ingredients used to make this dog food have been sustainably sourced to ensure the safety of your dog.
Fruits and vegetables have been added to the meal to make it more nutritious, and this will ensure your dog enjoys a balanced diet every time they get hungry. It’s highly digestible as well, and thus your dog will not experience any stomach complications. This nutrient-dense dog food is crunchy and tasty, making it a delicious treat for your dog. The kibbles are in smaller sizes, and this way, they fit perfectly in your dog’s mouth and are easy to chew.
Pros and Cons
- Easily digestible to prevent stomach upsets
- Nutrient-dense meal supports proper growth
- The ingredients have been sourced sustainably to ensure your dog’s safety
- Picky eaters are not comfortable with the new formula.
9. ORIJEN Dry Dog Food
Price: Affordable.
Flavor: Turkey & Chicken.
Special features: Gluten-free, high energy, total support system, balanced nutrition, great taste, small kibble size.
Check Price on Amazon NowSmall dogs have a smaller digestive tract and high metabolism. The food you give them should support their high metabolic rates, and we are happy to report that ORIJEN Dry Dog Food meets this criterion. It has been perfectly formulated with nourishing protein and other nutrients to keep your dog healthy and strong. It supports their high energy needs, and this will ensure your dog has enough energy for their active lifestyle.
Kibble size matters when you are buying dog food. Small dogs need smaller kibble sizes for easy chewing, and this dog food comes in a small size. It also has a taste your dog will love. Thus they will always be looking forward to mealtimes. There are eggs in the dog food that will improve your dog’s eyesight. All the ingredients are sourced from the best farms to ensure your dog consumes fresh produce that is good for their health.
Pros and Cons
- Rich in protein to fulfil your dog’s need for animal protein
- The ingredient variety supports peak health
- Farm fresh produce for maximum nutritional benefits
- Some dog breeds don’t tolerate the high proteins.
8. Taste of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Price: High price tag.
Flavor: Venison & Garbanzo beans.
Special features: Highly digestible, nutrient-rich, trusted ingredients, hardworking anti-oxidants, enhanced food safety, grain-free formula.
Check Price on Amazon NowA well-fed dog is healthy and happy. Such a dog is a great company, and all you have to do to get your dog in this state is get them the amazing Taste of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food. This grain-free formula is highly digestible and provides balanced nutrition for your puppy. It has high protein content from real roasted meat for lean and strong muscles. It also contains vitamins, minerals, fruits, and other superfoods that your dog needs to thrive.
All the ingredients are from trusted sources, and this guarantees the safety of your dog when they consume this food. It doesn’t contain filler materials or artificial flavors and preservatives that are known to bring health complications. This dog food has a delicious taste that will keep your little pup in the mood for more. The anti-oxidants in the food fight free radicals on body cells, and this will help your dog lead a healthy life.
Pros and Cons
- Natural anti-oxidants support a healthy life
- This grain-free formula is highly digestible
- Ingredients used to make this dog food are sourced from sustainable sources
- The carbohydrate content is high and should be reduced
7. Wellness Core Dog Food Small Breed
Price: Affordable.
Flavor: Deboned Turkey & Chicken Meal.
Special features: High-quality proteins, wholesome grains, no artificial preservatives, delicious natural recipes, dry grain.
Check Price on Amazon NowThe health of your dog depends on what they eat. They need nutritious meals every day for them to stay healthy, and the Wellness Core Dog Food Small Breed is exactly what you should get them in this regard. This core dog food is high in proteins and other nutrients that are needed for proper health. It contains wholesome grains that ensure your dog consumes a complete diet every time they are hungry. It doesn’t contain any meat by-products or filler content that are harmful to your dog’s health.
Fatty acids are needed to improve your dog’s coat, and this dog food has enough of them to help your dog thrive. The carbohydrate content is low, and this will ensure your dog doesn’t gain too much weight. It tastes great as well; therefore, your dog will always be excited to enjoy some tasty dog food. The dog food has also been enhanced with anti-oxidants to fight free radicals on the skin and probiotics to improve heart health.
Pros and Cons
- High protein content supports your dog’s higher metabolism.
- Contains wholesome grains and vitamins for your dog’s nutritional needs
- It has limited ingredients making it ideal for dogs with high sensitivity.
- The bags need a zip closure to keep the content fresh.
6. Merrick Lil Plates Small Dog Food
Price: High price tag.
Flavor: Chicken & Sweet Potato.
Special features: Real chicken & sweet potato recipe, natural ingredients, delicious taste, fortified with probiotics, grain-free.
Check Price on Amazon NowThe Merrick Lil Plates Small Dog Food is a nutritious small breed dog food your little pup will enjoy. This chicken and sweet potato recipe is full of nutritional benefits that will see your dog grow healthy and strong. Red deboned chicken is the first ingredient, and this guarantees that your dog is getting healthy portions of proteins needed for strong muscles.
This dry dog food is fortified with probiotics that support healthy digestion. All the ingredients used to make this amazing dog food are natural, and this will ensure your dog doesn’t consume anything that will harm their health. It comes with healthy amounts of fatty acids that give your dog great skin.
Pros and Cons
- Made using natural ingredients that have wholesome nutritional benefits
- Omega fatty acids give your dog smooth skin.
- High protein content needed for strong muscles
- The appearance of the dog food should be improved to make it more appealing.
5. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Price: Low price tag.
Flavor: Chicken & Rice.
Special features: High-quality proteins, fortified with nutrients, easy to chew, high nutrient density, great taste, small size.
Check Price on Amazon NowIt’s important to provide your dog with nutritious food to keep them in good health. Your small dog has unique diet requirements, and their dog food has to be special. They need a lot of proteins and healthy fat for proper growth. The Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Dry Dog Food meets all these requirements making it perfect for your pet friend. It has chicken as the main ingredient, and this will ensure your dog gets sufficient proteins for strong muscles.
The dog food has been fortified with probiotics to boost your dog’s digestive and immune health. It has a delicious taste, and this way, your dog will always be looking forward to meal times. The kibbles are small in size, making it easy for your dog to chew. It’s easy to digest as well, and as such, your dog will not develop any stomach complications.
Pros and Cons
- Nutrient-dense dog food supports your dog’s unique dietary needs
- High in protein to meet your dog’s active lifestyle
- Has live probiotics that boost your dog’s digestive and immune system
- One user complained of receiving stale food.
4. Iams Proactive Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Price: Affordable.
Flavor: Chicken & Whole Grains.
Special features: High protein content, healthy dog food, immune booster, no artificial preservatives, no fillers, complete and balanced dog food, wholesome ingredients.
Check Price on Amazon NowThe Iams Proactive Small Breed Dry Dog Food is one of the best small breed dog food as recommended by experts. It is made of wholesome ingredients to give your lovely dog the nutritional benefits it needs. Your pup should feed on healthy proteins to grow healthy and strong. This amazing dog food is made with real chicken meat for your dog’s protein needs. It will, therefore, help your dog build muscles and become strong.
You should not worry about other essential nutrients for your dog’s development since this dog food also contains veggies and whole grains. This will ensure your dog gets a complete and balanced meal that will boost their immune system and keep illnesses at bay. It doesn’t contain any fillers, thus everything your dog consumes is beneficial to their health and well-being.
Pros and Cons
- Made using farm-raised chicken that has a high protein value
- Uses wholesome ingredients to provide your dog with a balanced nutrition
- Doesn’t contain any fillers, flavors, or preservatives that are harmful to your dog’s health
- The packaging should be improved to keep the food fresh
3. Nutro Wholesome Dry Dog Food for Small & Toy Breeds
Price: Fairly priced.
Flavor: Chicken, Brown Rice, Sweet Potato.
Special features: Real chicken, great taste, natural products, nutritious ingredients, high-quality dog food, small kibble size, easy to digest.
Check Price on Amazon NowYour dog needs a healthy and nutritious meal every day for their growth and natural development. Small breed dogs have high-calorie needs because of their high metabolism, so you need to factor this when sourcing their dog food. The Nutro Wholesome Dry Dog Food for Small & Toy Breeds is rich in nutrients and full of flavor, making it a great pick for your little pup.
It is made with farm-raised chicken which is a great source of proteins for your dog. This will help them grow their muscles and keep them lean. It also contains wholesome vitamins and carbohydrates that are required for healthy growth. The calorie content is not high, and this will ensure your pet friend doesn’t gain too much weight which is unhealthy.
All the ingredients used to make this dog food are natural and easy to digest. The kibble size is small, thus easy on the jaws.
Pros and Cons
- Small kibble size promotes dental health
- Made from real chicken which has a high protein value
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids which promote healthy skin
- Some users complain of a foul smell.
2. Blue Buffalo Life Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Price: High price tag.
Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice.
Special features: Real meat, high-quality protein, nutritious food, natural ingredients, anti-oxidants, healthy oxidative balance.
Check Price on Amazon NowIf you’re looking for nutritious food for your small dog, look no further than the Blue Buffalo Life Small Breed Dry Dog Food. Made with real meat, this healthy dog meal has a high protein content to help your dog build and maintain healthy body muscles. It has been specially formulated for the nutrition needs of small breed dogs with a high metabolism.
Besides real meat, this healthy dog food also contains whole grains, vegetables, and super fruits that are needed for proper growth and development. The food has been fortified with a blend of anti-oxidants that support your dog’s immune system and maintain a healthy oxidative balance.
All the ingredients used to make this dog food are natural and safe for consumption. There are no artificial flavors and preservatives that can harm your dog, making it ideal for your favorite pet.
Pros and Cons
- Packed with essential nutrients that boost your dog’s health and immune system
- Made with real meat, hence a high protein content
- Anti-oxidants support a healthy oxidative balance
- The kibbles should be made smaller for easy consumption
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Small Breed
Price: Low price tag.
Flavor: Chicken & Rice.
Special features: Digestible ingredients, high-quality protein, anti-oxidant blend, no artificial flavours, great-tasting, small kibble.
Check Price on Amazon NowYour small breed dog needs highly nutritious foods to keep them healthy and strong. The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Small Breed is packed with a lot of nutrients that your dog needs for proper growth. It’s made with real chicken to give your dog enough protein content to keep its muscles lean and strong. It is low in carbohydrates, and this will ensure your dog doesn’t get fat from the consumption of this food.
Healthy dog food is easy to digest, and this will prevent any stomach complications from affecting your dog. This dog food also gives your dog healthy and smooth skin due to the vitamin E and nourishing omega fatty acids contained in the food. The food comes in small kibble sizes, thus making it easy for your dog to chew and swallow.
Free radicals can harm your dog by damaging skin cells. The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food contains clinically proven antioxidants that fight the free radicals. This will ensure your dog remains healthy and strong for a long time.
Pros and Cons
- The dog food is in small kibble sizes thus easy to chew
- High protein content helps your dog attain lean muscles.
- Anti-oxidant content fights free radicals in body cells.
- Not suitable for dogs with an extremely sensitive stomach
Choosing The Best Small Breed Dog Foods Buyers Guide
Here are the things you need to pay attention to when choosing dog food for small breed pups.
Kibble size
Small breed dogs have small mouths and the food you get them should be in smaller-sized kibbles for them to enjoy their meal. Your small dog will struggle to consume large and hard foods, so avoid them at all costs. Small-sized kibbles will be easier on your dog’s jaw, and this will make them enjoy their meal. It easy to scrape food plaques off the teeth, and this promotes better dental hygiene.
Quality ingredients
The food you get for your dog should contain healthy ingredients that are needed for the well-being and development of your pup. It should have quality meat products such as deboned chicken, lamb, or beef. Avoid cheap foods that are made with leftover products that are not deemed safe for consumption. If the ingredients used to make the dog food have not been specified, it’s better to avoid that product.
Low carb content
Your precious pup will get fat and unhealthy when you give it food with a lot of carbs. It’s a good idea to control their carbohydrate intake to keep them in great shape. Look for low glycemic carbs on the ingredients such as whole grains, vegetables, and fiber-rich fruits.
High anti-oxidant content
Small dogs live for a long time, and this means you should look for ways to get rid of free radicals that could attack their cells and result in harmful diseases like cancer. The dog food you buy should, therefore, contain superfoods with high anti-oxidant properties such as kales, cranberries, and blueberries. These foods are packed with anti-oxidants that fight free radicals to keep your dog healthy and strong for a long time.
Conclusion
Small breed dogs have special nutritional requirements because of their high metabolism. They need foods that meet their unique feeding requirements, and we have shared the best small breed dog foods you can consider. Use our buying guide when shopping to ensure you buy foods that are ideal for your little pup. Happy shopping, folks!
FAQ’s
Q: What brand of dog food is killing dogs?
A: More than two dozen dogs have died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Aspergillus flavus is a mold that produces aflatoxin, a substance capable of killing pets at high levels, according to the statement.
Q: Is Blue Buffalo dog food killing dogs?
A: According to a post that has been shared over 370,000 times on social media, Fox News recently reported that 70 dogs died after eating chicken jerky treats made in China and that Blue Buffalo has recalled them. There is no truth in this statement. Neither of them was due to pet deaths during the last one in 2016.
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