Best Dry Dog Food For Small Dogs: Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food Small Paws 1
We chose Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Small Paws 1-6 as our pick for the best dry dog food for small dogs.
Its kibble-sized pieces is specially designed for the mouths of small dogs. Not only is it easy for small dogs to consume, but its also easy for them to digest.
Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Small Paws is available in delicious flavors like chicken meal and rice, lamb meal, and brown rice to suit the tastes of your small dog.
The special formula of Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Small Paws 1-6 supports the muscles and bones of small dog breeds. It features high-quality protein as well as antioxidants to strengthen the immune systems of small dog breeds. The Omega-6 and Vitamin E in this formula contribute to healthy skin and fur.
Basic Criteria For Selecting A Dog Food
Does it meet AAFCO standards for balanced nutrition?
AAFCO stands for the American Association of Feed Control Officials.
This is not a government regulatory agency but a voluntary quality standard group that sets nutritional standards for each stage in a pets life.
Most commercial dog food companies formulate their dog foods for puppy, adult, and senior/mature life stages based on AAFCOs standards.
I use AAFCO’s and FDA’s recommendations to go by, including for this list of best vet recommended dog foods. I think you should too.
Look for the AAFCO statement on the bag or can of dog food if its there, its a sign of quality.
Commercial raw diets and freshly prepared diets should also meet AAFCO requirements or NRC standards.
All of my vets recommended dog food brands meet AAFCO standards.
How reputable is the dog food company?
On the other hand, in an era of Salmonella contamination scares and the 2007 melamine pet food recall, it is hard to know which big brand you can trust these days.
It seems that every food company out there has had problems with bacterial contamination at some point or another, so there is always a risk that dog food brands will be recalled.
RELATED: Vet Recommended Safe Dog Treats for Snacking
Going with a boutique raw diet or freshly-prepared diet wont necessarily prevent food contamination either.
Some food companies have had more problems than others , and those companies are not included on my list.
Food For Sensitive Stomach
A sensitive stomach and food allergies may be a characteristic of a particular breed, or something specific to an individual. Whatever the case, its important to choose the best food to make sure that your dog isnt struggling with pain and discomfort while digesting. If you notice vomiting, loose stools, or excessive gas, it may be caused by a variety of things , but almost all of them can be managed by putting your dog on the right diet.
If the symptoms are continuing, you should consult with your veterinarian to be absolutely sure that its the diet that causes it all. To immediately help your dog, consider switching to a bland diet, of course, only temporarily. It contains boiled, plain chicken and rice, canned pumpkin, etc. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe a probiotic that you will need to add to your dogs food.
Then, its time to research dog foods for sensitive stomachs. Luckily, there are many types and variations available on the market, and most of them are also incredibly delicious. They are usually high in fiber ingredients , low in fats, and contain probiotics. Always look for the best food with a label saying that a product meets AAFCO nutrition standards.
Recommended Reading: Darwin Pet Food Reviews
Best Dry Dog Food According To Experts And Veterinarians
Select is editorially independent. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Finding the best dog food for your furry friend takes effort, of course, but the convenience, price and assortment of dry dog food may make it a good option to consider for your pup. In commercials, the dry dog food kibbles hit the bowl and a good pup comes running every pet owner might want that kind of love story for their dog, and dry dog food also sports some unique benefits for dogs . There are many benefits of dry food, says Shelly Ferris, DVM, the regional director of Petco Veterinary Services. It comes in several varieties. It doesnt spoil easily. It keeps dogs teeth clean in between vet visits and you can easily transition your pet to new foods if needed.
IN THIS ARTICLEDry dog food shopping tips | Best dry dog food
What Is The Best Dry Dog Food For Puppies
Read Also: How Long Will Dry Dog Food Last
When Should I Switch My Dog To Senior Dog Foods
Theres no one true answer to this question, as it depends on your dogs overall health condition, breed, and size for some dogs, its 7-years-old, while others become biologically old at the age of 15. Its best to stay in contact with your veterinarian and to do regular checkups do not switch diets if it has not been recommended. Then, you can rest assured that your vet will tell you when theres time for you to feed your dog like a senior. There are also many different foods for older dogs, so its essential to provide your furry friend with the right nutrition plan.
What Is The Right Food To Feed Your Dog
Good nutrition is feeding your dog the building blocks and energy components that allow them to grow, develop to their potential and stay active throughout their life. There are many ways to feed your dog and hundreds of diets to choose from. Most people tend to use dry and canned dog food for convenience and cost. However, for owners who are open minded about their dog’s diet, there are alternatives to dry and canned dog food that may offer better nutrition for your particular dog.
At Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, we have spent decades educating pet owners about proper dog nutrition for dogs of all ages, breeds, conditions and lifestyles. Because canine nutrition ultimately plays a large part in the quality of your dog’s life, we want to share some veterinary insight with you about proper dog nutrition, whether you are looking for puppy food recommendations, or adult and senior dog nutrition advice.
You May Like: Pedigree Vs Purina One
Is It Ok To Mix Wet And Dry Dog Foods
Its absolutely fine to mix wet and dry dog foods, whether by feeding them alternately, offering both, or mixing the two together. Just remember to make sure that both are complete and balanced, and that you make sure to account for both in your dogs calories. Feeding the amount of dry food the bag suggests but then feeding a bit of wet on top is one of the most common reasons for dogs to be overweight.
Our Picks For Fresh Dog Food:
There’s definitely a relationship between price and quality when it comes to dog food. So it’s not a great idea to buy the absolute cheapest dog food you can find. That’s because ultra-cheap dog foods tend to be filled with lower-quality ingredients to bulk them up and keep their prices down.
“But it’s important to remember that there are many more affordable dog foods that are perfectly good options,” Richardson notes. Translation: You definitely don’t need to break the bank to feed your dog a healthy diet.
There are plenty of high-quality dog foods available at lower prices. As long as a food meets AAFCO complete and balanced standards like the options listed below and makes sense for your dog’s life stage, you’re good to go.
Recommended Reading: Can You Buy Dog Food With Snap Benefits
Nutro Max Adult Recipe With Farm
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Whole Grain Sorghum, 3. Brewers Rice, 4. Whole Grain Oatmeal, 5. Chicken Fat
- No corn, wheat, or soy protein
- Supreme-quality chicken protein delivers amino acids that help with muscle building and maintenance of a healthy metabolism
This holistic blend by Nutros Max boasts an excellent blend of high-quality natural ingredients that serve as a great source of optimal nutrition for your dog. The farm-raised chicken ensures your dog is served the recommended level of protein he needs for growth and maintenance. Rich in fiber and probiotics, the formula is easy to digest by your precious pooch.
What Kind Of Food Is Best For My Dog
This is a subjective question. You must take different factors such as breed, age, gender, body composition, activity level, and temperament of your dog into account before picking up the right option available. But generally, a diet that offers a blend made from quality ingredients is considered healthy and beneficial for your dog.
You May Like: Iams Grain Free Naturals Chicken And Garden Pea
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Barley, 5. Oatmeal
- No corn, wheat, or soy protein
- Fiber-rich content ensures healthy digestion
- Nutrient-dense
- Free of unhealthy fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives
This recipe by Blue Buffalo is another excellent blend that I am personally fond of. It has an interesting combination of meat-based protein, antioxidant-rich whole grain, and healthy fats.
And thats why this blue buffalo formula is one of the healthiest dog food with an impressive nutrient profile flaunts a great ratio of protein and fat that guarantees well-balanced nutrition for your four-legged canine friend.
Made To Fuel The Energy Needs Of Small Breeds
PetSmart
If you have an actual lap dog that weighs between nine and 22 pounds, the Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula Dog Dry Food has everything needed to support a small dogs boundless energy. Small dogs have a shorter, more intense growth period than larger dogs, and they also have higher calorie needs . This dog food supports both, plus it contains L-carnitine for healthy fat metabolism and EPA and DHA to support brain and skin health.
You May Like: Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food 28.6 Lb
Whats The Best Dog Food
Our list includes 10 of the best dog food brands available on the market right now. Of course, not every dog needs the same, and there arent any universal products. You should always bear in mind your pets specific needs, health, and requirements, plus, stay in contact with your veterinarian who knows your dogs medical history and all his health issues then, you are the one who knows your canines preferences. With all that in mind, you will be able to find the best possible option vet recommended dog food. Our list is only suggestions, or inspiration, for you to learn all about the dog food and to start looking.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
This product is Planned to help sound development and body improvement of your little pet. BLUE Life Protection Formula begins with excellent deboned chicken and highlights healthy whole grains formula, in addition to cultivated veggies and natural products. This formula contains the best ingredients improved with nutrients, minerals, and different supplements. DHA present in this food improves the cognitive abilities of your pet.
INGREDIENTS: The most crucial food ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, fish oil, and blueberries. It also contains flaxseed, menhaden fish meal, and cranberries. All these components provide a healthy brain and body development. There Is no corn, wheat, and soy present in this food. To keep it fresh for a longer time, protect from heat exposure and moisture. The glucosamine provides strength to bones and teeth.
HEALTH PROFILE: It provides all the necessary components for bone and muscle growth. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that give shiny fur and improves skin health. Dog Food provides a healthy oxidative balance to the body and removes the toxins efficiently. It supports the immune system and provides all the vitamins essential for your dogs health.
BEST FLAVOUR RANGE: This product is available in many flavors that include chicken, lamb meal, buffalo meals, and Fish with brown rice recipes. It provides you a wide range of flavors that your pet will always cherish.
You May Like: Is Dog Food Covered By Food Stamps
Best Rigorously Tested Dog Food: Ollie
New York City veterinarian Imogen Slome, DVM, believes natural and fresh diets are best for people and dogs, including her pit bull, Sosa. As a vet, Im also extremely cognizant about food safety! There are so many recalls in the pet food industry, so what I like about Ollie is the rigorous testing they do on every batch for food safety, as well as nutritional adequacy, says Dr. Slome. Sosa, like many pit bulls, has sensitive skin and skin allergies, so Dr. Slome feeds her a single ingredient protein, Ollie Turkey, to keep skin issues under control. Ollie creates a personalized meal plan subscription for your pup based on a few simple questions to keep them in optimal health. Look out for these signs your healthy pooch is actually sick.
via amazon.com
How Is Dry Dog Food Processed
Dry food contains very similar ingredients, but instead of adding gravy and canning the product, the meat mixture is pulverized in order to create a consistent dough that can be cooked.
Once cooked, the dough is extruded through specifically shaped holes to form kibble. The kibble undergoes a drying process, and then is sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals and packaged before the fats and oils can spoil.
Some dry dog food diets also add live probiotics to aid in digestive and immune health.
Recommended Reading: How To Soften Dog Food For Puppies
What Are The Top Vet Recommended Dog Foods
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dry
Rating:
Real Beef and Brown Rice is one of five recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic dry product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned beef, pork meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh deboned beef and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
This fully balanced formula contains zinc amino acid complex and 4 other chelated minerals, superior nutritional supplements typically found in higher quality dog foods. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewAfter adopting animals that had been dropped off at my property I thought it was easy to buy cheap dogfood to keep them all nourished. Bad deal! I was contributing to poor health and obesity. I switched over to Merrick and within weeks noticed a change in weight and energy in all my pets.
Don’t Miss: How To Soften Dog Food For Puppy
Healthiest Overall Dry Dog Food: Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog Dry Food Perfect Digestion
After careful evaluation of various brands, we recommend Hills Science Diet Adult, Large Breed Dog Dry Food Perfect Digestion. This company combines rigorous testing, research, and feedback from veterinarians to create high-quality dog food for all breeds. It all comes down to the ingredients.
Protein is essential in the diet of a dog. This dry dog food has protein in the form of chicken, barley, rice, and whole-grain oats. Protein builds and maintains strong muscles and healthy tissue.
Another reason why we recommend this particular food as the healthiest option is its prebiotics. These aid in a dogs digestion, so it enjoys all of the nutritious value in this food without stomach upset.
Vitamins C and E along with antioxidants help to make this the healthiest option for an adult, large breed dog. These nutrients support a dogs immune system so it can avoid illness or recover from common ailments more quickly.
- Many protein options including chicken, oats, and barley
- Contains healthy gut inducing prebiotics for better digestion
- High dosage of vitamins E and C, as well as antioxidants
Hills Science Diet Puppy Best For Puppies
When it comes to feeding puppies, I choose Hills for my dogs. They love the flavor, and I love the fact that Hills employs veterinary nutritionists to formulate their diets. Theyre constantly testing, researching, and upgrading their diets so you know your puppy is getting the best nutrition. They choose high-quality protein but carefully balance the calcium and phosphorus so that your dog gets exactly what they need to grow well.
Hills also advise that this food is suitable for all breeds, which is great if you arent sure what your mix is although if you have a very large breed, I would look to a giant breed puppy food to avoid problems with growth. My only bugbear with this diet is that they dont offer more flavors, as I believe puppyhood is a time for exploring and trying new things.
Read Also: Can You Buy Dog Food On Food Stamps