14 Best Healthiest Dog Food for Small Breeds in 2023

What Are Small Breed Dogs?

When it comes to dog breeds, you can get puzzled merely by looking at the dog’s size, and you cannot judge the strength and capacity they may possess. Small breed dogs are quite lovable and attract everyone’s attention, especially if you are an animal lover. They might not work with loads of energy, but they are of varied types equipped with a different personality, activity level, and coat type. Some are lively and hopping while others are quiet, simply sitting in one corner of your house.

All small breed dogs’ energy levels may vary based on which they might be either laidback or enthusiastic. These small breed dogs also have various coat types such as long straight furry hairs or simply short strands, or some might even possess short curls. Whatever type you might pick up, these dogs are always ready to warm your lap or cuddle around you, providing you with pure and gentle affection. Maltese, Chihuahua, Boston Terrier are some of the common small breed dogs you can have wonderful playtime with.

Why To Consider Special Food For Small Breed Dogs?

Taking care of your pet dog needs much effort, especially if it is a smaller breed dog. However, all types of dogs need to be fed with the best quality food that suits them the most. But with small breed dogs, a little more attention is required to be paid. It is because smaller breed dogs tend to have higher metabolism due to which they need premium-quality, nutrient-rich food. They don’t store up much energy as larger dogs can and thus have to be fed with more frequent meals. Also, they are to be fed with food considering their smaller body size or smaller stomach. They should consume a lesser volume of food that has a higher nutrient-density.

How Much Should I Feed My Small Breed Dog?

To provide your dog with balanced nutrition, it is important to feed him your pup or an adult dog with an adequate amount of required food. The quantity of food that is to be fed might vary based on the age, breed, and weight of your pet. You must be sure that you do not overfeed or underfeed your pup or adult dog. You can take help of the following criteria for dog feeding:

• Pet weight is 3 pounds – 1/3 cup per day
• If weight is 6 pounds – 1/2 cup per day
• Pet weight is 10 pounds – 3/4 cup per day
• If weight is 15 pounds – 1 cup per day
• Dog weight is 20 pounds – 1 2/3 cups per day

In a generalized way, one can state that the smaller breeds need 15-25% more calories than large breed dogs. So, most high-quality food brands recommend 1-1/2 cup of food per 10 kg of body weight.

Best Small Dog Food Brands

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Small Breed

Started in 2003, this brand comes up with one of the best dog foods using high-quality natural ingredients. Their products are crafted considering your pet’s health and do not include any by-products, corn, wheat, or soy. The manufactured products undergo a 6-stage quality checking to not come up with any trust issues.

Iams Small Breed Dog Food

Coming up with pet food for over 73 years, this brand provides a wide range of pet food. The dog food is formulated with natural ingredients keeping in mind the unique pet needs. Since our pets need premium quality food, Iams cater to serve the need well.

Fromm Small Breed Dog Food

Working for pet food since 1904, the brand has always come up with products that offer better health and nutrition to pets. Their dog food consists of smaller kibble that helps to meet the miniature breeds with optimum quality. They have been providing the world with some of the top-quality dog food.

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. 

Special Diet And Essential Nutrients For Small Breed Dogs

• To provide shiny skin and a healthy dog coat, it is essential to feed your pet dog with vitamin-rich fish oil.
• Certain vitamins and minerals cater to provide an improved immune system to your pets.
• Highly-rich protein food aids in providing healthy muscles to your pet.
• The food rich in fiber would lead to better digestion and improved intestinal health.
• A balanced amount of carbohydrates helps in maintaining the required blood sugar level in your pet’s body.

Tips For Feeding Small Breed Puppies And Dogs

• Small breed puppy dog foods are required to pay more attention than large breed dogs and puppies as they have a higher metabolism rate.
• Whatever food you bring for your pet, check what portion or amount is to be fed. All foods are to be fed in a particular amount, so make sure you check the label.
• Small-breed puppies are prone to hypoglycemia and thus have to be kept at a higher blood sugar level.
• Monitor the frequency of their growth and feed necessary food accordingly. In the initial days, they have to be fed 3-4 times a day.
• Pick up the food with a smaller bite-size so that they can consume comfortably.
• Avoid feeding your small breed dog with your table scraps, as giving the dog food helps maintain a balanced diet.

Foods To Avoid For Small Breed Dogs

• Xylitol is an artificial sweetener generally found in candies, gums, and some baked foods. It can be harmful to your dog as it can drop their blood sugar level and cause liver failure.
• Avocado plants in your house can be dangerous to your dog due to the substance called Persin. Unripened fruit contains a high amount of Persin that is not good for your pet’s health.
• Alcohol consumption is bad for humans, and so is for dogs. Just a small amount of alcohol can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, and sometimes very severe conditions.
• Onions and garlic in any form can be dangerous for your pet as they can kill their red blood cells leading to anemia. If consumed in large amounts, it can be poisoning for them.
• Tea, coffee, and other caffeine products can be harmful to your dog. Caffeine and chocolates lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or make your pet over thirsty. 
• Feeding your dog with grapes and raisins is not a good idea either. It can cause kidney failure in dogs making your dog lethargic and dull. 
• Providing your dog with milk-based or dairy products can lead to diarrhea and digestive problems in your pup. It can also cause food allergies to them.
• Fat trimmed meat or bones, either cooked or uncooked, can be unhealthy for your pet’s diet. It can lead to pancreatitis in your dog and even cause a cut in their digestive system. 
• A raw or uncooked egg can also be fatal to your dog due to the presence of salmonella or E.coli bacteria. This increases the chances of food poisoning in your pet.
• Sharing your salty food and snacks with your dog is not a good idea as it can lead to severe health issues, including sodium ion poisoning.

How To Choose Food For Small Breed Dogs?

Providing healthy nutrition and a healthy diet to your pet is of utmost importance, especially in their growing years. Also, the small breed dogs with greater care and concern as they have a higher metabolism rate. To pick up the best dog food for older small dogs, certain factors must be looked into closely before you make the final product. These features and factors will help you to get a balanced, nutrition-rich food for your pet.

Dog Age

As humans need a different type of food at different ages, so do your dogs need. Getting the right food for your pet largely depends upon his age. If your pet is in his initial years or is a small pup, he is likely to have food enriched in more proteins and calories. Whereas if the dog is in adulthood, high-calorie food is not good for him, resulting in being overweight.

Wet or Dry Food

The type of food you are going to feed your pet largely depends on his taste and flavor. Some dogs like wet food, and some are more inclined towards dry food. This best wet dog food for small dogs is an excellent source of hydration but can lead to tooth decay or oral problems. Dry food, on the other hand, helps to improve dental health by killing bacteria. You should prefer to go for food that your pet loves to eat.

Considering Allergens

Certain dogs are prone to some kind of skin or other allergies with a particular ingredient. Look for a commodity that does not cater to such allergies and helps to prevent them. Check the product composition well and figure out if any ingredient is allergic to your pet. Getting a food rich in carbohydrates and proteins might help reduce allergies and improve your pet’s immune system.

Natural Ingredients

Before picking up any stock, you must be well aware of the type of ingredients it is made. Prefer to go with food that is made up of natural ingredients as it will not harm your pet in any way. It will not pose any side-effect or any health issues to your pet. Such products are free from any additives or preservatives that might affect your pet’s health in one way or the other.

Check the Expiration Date

Any product after its expiry is harmful not only to humans but also to pets. When you pick up any packet of dog food, look well for the package manufacturing and expiration. The expiry date will tell you how long the product is likely to work well and how much time you need to consume it. Feeding your dog with food beyond its expiry date would lead to a negative impact on them.

Kibble Pieces

When looking for smaller breed dog food, consider the kibble size that your food contains. Pick up the food with smaller-sized kibbles so that it is easy to chew and provide comfort to miniature jaws. The large kibbles are not that easy to eat for small breed dogs and might often lead to choking hazards. Thus, the size of the kibble would determine the appropriateness of your dog’s food.

Rich in Nutrients

Getting food rich in a balanced diet is quite important for your pet’s health. Pick up food that contains an optimum blend of proteins, fats, nutrients, and vitamins. The food with chicken as its primary ingredient serves the dog best as it provides a flavor that your pet would love to have. Such food helps to provide stronger bones and joints, enhanced body growth, skin nourishment, and a healthy immune system.