Best Dog Food For Small Dogs

Why Is My Small Breed Puppy Always Hungry

Just as in humans, dogs appetites can vary greatly. Some are chowhounds and some arent. Remember that smaller dogs and puppies have smaller stomaches so they may feel the urge to eat more often than their large breed counterparts. What you want to watch out for is a sudden increase or decrease in appetite. This can be a sign of an underlying medical condition for which you should contact your veterinarian.

Best Dog Food: What You Don’t Know Can Harm Your Dog

Feeding the best dog food you can afford goes a long way towards insuring your dogs health and it has added benefits to you such as fewer visits to the vet and your dog will enjoy a longer life. But, finding that ideal food sometimes takes a little research.

Dog FoodLabels can be misleading. Words such as Premium,Advanced, or Select, can imply the food is superior to other brands.

But these labels can be completely wrong aswe will show on the list of best dog foods below.Many of the foods that hold these titles are given a score of F, whichif you ask any school student means: Failing.

In case you want to avoid the explanations, you can access the list of Best Dog Foods now. Otherwise, read on…

What To Avoid In Dog Food

Dogs are usually not picky eaters, but that does not mean they can safely eat anything and everything. Certain ingredients should be avoided in dog food to keep dogs safe. Dr. Shepherd provided insight on which toxic ingredients dog owners should look out for, and avoid, when selecting a dog food:

• Garlic powder: Garlic enhances the flavor of food but can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Signs of anemia in dogs include lethargy, pale gums, and weakness. Dr. Shepherd recommends avoiding any dog food that contains garlic powder.
• Raw meat: Although raw food diets have become increasingly popular for dogs, raw meat may contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, and genes that promote antibiotic resistance. Both the CDC and FDA advise against feeding raw meat. Dr. Shepherd points out that freeze-dried meat products should still be considered as raw food, and thus avoided, because their manufacturing process does not get rid of disease-causing pathogens. Read more about the harmful effects of feeding your dog a raw diet.
• Specific allergens: For dogs with food allergies, certain ingredients should be avoided to prevent triggering an allergic reaction. For example, if a dog is allergic to chicken, their diet should not contain any form of chicken a diet containing a novel animal protein source, such as duck or kangaroo, would be a good choice. A food elimination trial is typically used to determine which particular ingredient to avoid.

Also Check: Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Grain Free

Small Breed Dog Food Vs Regular

Different dog breeds are prone to react to the same dog food differently. Smaller breed dogs need varied nutrition as compared to large breed dogs. Also, the various life stages of a dog would demand different food to fulfill their needs. Considering the normal food dog, small breed dog food would differ in several ways. The kibble size for small breed dogs is quite smaller as compared to large breed dogs. Small size kibble can be easily chewed and digested by small breed dogs. Also, because small breed dogs have a high metabolism rate, they need greater nutrition than larger dogs. Their food is formulated keeping in mind the balanced nutritional requirement they possess, unlike large breed dogs. Since the large breed dogs pose a greater exertion on their joints and muscles, their food is equipped to support better joint growth than smaller breed dog food.

Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Dog Food

Rating:

Freestyle Small Breed is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, salmon meal, red lentils
• Type: Grain-free
• Best for:Small breed adults and puppies

This Nulo formula gets the lions share of its meat protein from fresh salmon as well as turkey and menhaden fish meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34% protein, 19% fat and 39% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.

Nulo Freestyle Small Breed is designed to support the higher metabolism and energy levels of smaller dogs. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewMy Corgi/Ruby Spaniel mix just turned 9 and has lost a couple of teeth. This small kibble works GREAT for her- she only has to bite once she loves the flavor and I love the formula. Its good for her joints and skin with the Omegas in this formula. Easy to digest and this brand has NEVER had a recall. Highly recommend this for small breed fur babies!

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What Is Considered A Small Dog

Now that you have looked over our recommendations for small dog food, you might be wondering whether your dog is actually a small dog. In general, if your adult dog weighs between 2-22 pounds, they are considered a small dog. Some people own a toy or miniature breed, but these breeds will fall under the small dog category when buying food. Not exactly sure if your breed is a small dog? The American Kennel Club has a list of their registered breeds and their average weight. This is a great list to have to find out your dogs size.

Cooking Our Way To A Healthier Dog Diet

Ever since I started raising my own dogs, Id always wanted to make their food at home but thought it would be too expensive or too time consuming, or that they wouldnt get the nutrition they needed.

During the month of Bugs doggy depression, I vowed to make her precious life as comfortable as possible.

Both of my pugs had a range of health issues growing up, which I unfortunately found out were common for the breed.

My older one had persistent hot spots and itchiness that no commercial dog food could cure .

Bug was overweight for a while when she was younger, even though she ate the recommended amount of food for her target weight. Eventually, I settled on Wellness kibbles and they did well with that brand.

But, I wanted to explore other options. I wanted to give them real food fresh, nutritious ingredients that I recognized and could even eat myself.

Ive mentioned in my post on homemade whole grain chicken feed that the entire household all share the same whole grains and seeds that we buy in bulk, as well as the bounty that comes from our edible garden.

Everything our animals eat, we can eat.

When it comes to homemade feed for our laying hens, we stick to a tried-and-true formula that works for every layer: 16 to 17 percent protein , vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a wide variety of grains and seeds, and free range of a pasture for weeds, greens, and insects.

Dogs, on the other hand, arent bred for a standard function the way chickens are.

Also Check: Is Wellness Dog Food Safe

Now Fresh Small Breed Dog Food

Rating:

Small Breed Turkey is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Now Fresh product line.

• First 5 ingredients: De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, peas, potatoes, potato flour
• Type: Grain-free
• Best for:Small breed adults

Now Fresh Small Breed derives the largest share of its meat protein from fresh de-boned turkey and dried egg. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 19% fat and 43% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

Small-size, clover-shaped kibble ideal for small to medium breed dogs. Contains probiotics and pre-biotic fiber to support healthy gut bacteria and better digestion. The recipe also includes taurine and L-carnitine for healthy heart function.

Also contains whole dried eggs, natures most complete protein. Which means this ingredient alone naturally includes every essential amino acid a dog needs for optimal health.

A bit pricey. But an excellent, nutritionally balanced design optimized for small and medium breed dogs. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewMy small dogs love this food! They will eat it dry, without anything in it! It is really small kibble but unlike other dry food, they love the taste!

Best Dog Foods For Small Breeds

With that in mind, we did our homework so you dont have to. You really cant do better for a small breed than feeding them A Pup Above.

For top flavor and protein content, we say the best small breed dog food options on the market right now is our fan-favorite Texas Beef Stew. On average, our dog food packs 77% more protein than the rest, and it comes from all natural sources – in this case, grass-fed beef. All of our ingredients are human-grade and pronounceable, like russet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and turmeric. Plus, we offer precise nutritional information on every package so you always know exactly what youre feeding Spot for dinner .

Also Check: Where Is Merrick Dog Food Made

American Journey Active Life Puppy Formula

Formulated for growing puppies with increased levels of protein and fat, this recipe is also rich in DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development.

This recipe features deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as digestible sources of animal-based protein with wholesome grains and fresh fruits and veggies for essential nutrients.

Our 2022 Small Dog Feeding Guide

Puppy This is an endearing time for dog ownerstoy breeds and small breed dogs can be extra adorable during puppyhood. During this time, they should be provided with puppy recipes that have smaller kibbles. Feeding times should be provided three to four times per day to keep your tiny dog at a healthy weight.

Adult During adulthood, your pup should be provided with an adult life stage formula. Feeding times for your small breed adult dogs can be reduced to twice per day since adult domestic dogs dont need to be constantly grazing all day. Snacks in-between meals would be appreciated, though.

Senior During the senior life stage, provide senior dog food or foods made for all life stages. Senior dogs have specific nutrition requirements that their dog food must meet. This is the stage where extra care is needed to ensure your older pup lives a quality life even in his twilight years.

As activity decreases, daily calories should be adjusted. Your pup should still be eating twice per day.

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What Are Dog Foods For Small Dogs

Small dogs are adorable and cute. Kids love to play with them, and you can easily carry them along anywhere. These tiny furballs are also the best companions that are always ready for cuddles when you need them. Hence, taking good care of our small pets is more than just a responsibility and a commitment.

One of the first things they need is food. However, some pet owners tend to give the same type of food to all their pooches, no matter what their size is. You might need to feed tiny pets small kibble puppy food to prevent straining their jaws. There are specific foods for our small canine friends. These dog foods contain enough vitamins, minerals, and proteins to match the energy of your little pups. Aside from these nutrients, these foods must also be tasty, which are perfect for picky eaters.

Your small breed dog is different from its bigger counterparts in many senses, and one of them is the nutritional requirements that your pet needs to thrive. Therefore, foods tailored for small dogs offer the following benefits:

• Higher density of calories to bring the energy that the metabolism of your pet needs
• Tailored macronutrient ratio to promote muscle recovery/development, regulation of hormones and other key biological processes
• Special nutrients to prevent and help to treat common health problems in small breeds
• Smaller kibble size to fit their jaws and mouths perfectly

More Dog Food Articles To Explore

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Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula

This small breed dog food product is made specifically to give a growing hound all the support he needs for excellent development and overall health.

The quality puppy food contains a high amount of crude protein to sustain the energy needs of a growing and highly active little body.

The chicken recipe uses ground white rice as the main carbohydrate supply, while cracked pearled barley offers additional support. A whole plethora of fruits and vegetables such as spinach, coconut, blueberries, papayas, and more provide a natural source of nutrition.

There is also salmon oil in it as an excellent source of fat and healthy omegas to deliver skin and coat health and proper vision and brain development.

Each healthy dry dog food serving comes with species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics to aid your dogs digestive system and immune health.

Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy

Rating:

Core Small Breed Puppy is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Core product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-free
• Best for:Small breed puppies

This Wellness formula gets the greatest share of its animal protein from fresh turkey and poultry meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 42% protein, 20% fat and 30% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

An exceptional grain-free small breed puppy formula.

Sample buyer reviewMy foster loves this. He was really underweight, and this has helped him plump up. He also needs small bites or he chokes. Its has a perfect kibble size!

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The Best Dog Food For Your Small

So, with all that in mind, what should you be buying? There are lots of options on the market that will work well, but the veterinarians we spoke with definitely have a few favorites. In fact, Dr. Carlson gives his dog a variety of them. For my eight-pound Yorkie, I feed a combination, he shares. I really like Ziwi, which is a great addition to a small dogs diet and is very naturally made. Of the packaged kibble options on the market, Im a huge fan of Farmina Non-GMO, a raw, dehydrated kibble that comes in a mini bite-size.

Antje Joslin, DVM, a veterinarian for Dogtopia, is a fan of Royal Canins breed-specific formulas for healthy pets. I like them because they are backed by nutritional science and are palatable. I feed my own dogs the Royal Canin skin-support formula, she says. Purina Pro Plan and Science Diet both have some great foods as well. I would stick with a brand that has nutritional research behind it. And just FYI, she wouldnt recommend choosing a grain-free formulation unless your vet has officially diagnosed your dog with a grain sensitivity. If thats the case, one good option is Just Food for Dogs, which is handmade in small batches.

What Were Looking For:

Meets AAFCO nutritional standards: Its important to look at a brands recall history and to locate an official nutritional-adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials on the bag, box, or can. The AAFCO statement is a sign that the food is nutritionally complete and balanced, explains Dr. Zay Satchu, the co-founder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet. All of the dog food recommended below meets or exceeds AAFCO standards.

Made with high-quality ingredients: While ensuring that your dogs food meets AAFCO standards is a good starting point for your research, when youre shopping for dog food, you can definitely dig deeper. I personally prefer to only select companies that employ a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff and dont just consult with one, says Texas-based integrative veterinary expert Dr. Hunter Finn. Veterinarian Dr. Shelly Zacharias, a vice-president of medical affairs for Gallant, also stresses that dog-food ingredients lists should name the exact type of meat included and should not contain white flour, preservatives such as BHA or BHT, propylene glycol, or rendered fat.

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Homemade Dog Food Sources

• Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
• Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash

Recommended Serving Amounts

• 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
• 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.