Small dogs, despite their size, require careful consideration when choosing the best dog food. They may need less food than larger dogs, but the quality is just as important. Understanding their specific nutritional needs is crucial for making an informed decision.
Nutrition Requirements For Small Dogs
Larger pieces of food could even cause choking risk. When choosing the best dog food for small dogs, consider these guidelines:
Protein: Small dogs need a high-protein diet to maintain energy levels and muscle mass. Opt for fresh, whole foods, preferably raw. If not, seek dog foods with a named animal protein as the first ingredient, aiming for at least 25% crude protein content. Fat: Good quality fat is essential for small dogs’ energy needs. Choose foods with healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids and avoid seed oils, which can cause inflammation. Size and Texture: Small dogs have smaller mouths and teeth, so they require easier-to-eat foods, such as small-sized pieces or softer textures. If feeding kibble, select one with smaller pellets or nuggets. Check the Ingredients: Avoid dog foods with fillers, starches, legumes, grains, sweeteners, artificial colors, and preservatives. Prefer those with whole food ingredients and no synthetic additives. Additional Nutrients: Look for omega fatty acids and recognizable whole food ingredients like fruits and vegetables, which provide phytonutrients and antioxidants. Avoid ingredients that sound synthetic, as they may replace missing nutrients from ultra-processed or low-quality ingredients and are not as well absorbed. Raw Diets for Small Dogs: Raw diets are higher in protein, more digestible, and bioavailable, allowing small dogs to absorb nutrients better. There are commercial pre-made raw diets and DIY recipes available. Pre-Made Raw Diets: These are convenient and affordable, containing raw meats, organs, bones, and produce, designed to be nutritionally complete. Some can be lightly seared for picky eaters. Homemade Raw Diets: If making your own, follow balanced recipes to ensure all necessary nutrients are included. The diet should consist of various protein sources, muscle and organ meat, bones, and fruits and vegetables for fiber, vitamins, and minerals.RELATED: Tips on getting started with a DIY raw diet for dogs. Freeze-Dried Raw Diets are a convenient and shelf-stable option for small dog owners. However, they can be expensive. These diets are made by removing moisture from raw ingredients and packaging them for easy storage and feeding. There are also air-dried and dehydrated diets that are slightly more processed and use heat, which can deplete nutrients. But they typically have higher protein levels and better food-based nutrients than most manufactured dry dog foods and are a better option than kibble or canned foods.
RELATED: Learn why it’s better to feed a raw diet. Are Brands For Small Breeds Good Dog Foods? Not necessarily. Some manufacturers have small breed offerings within existing lines and one well-known brand offers breed-specific formulas. You need to compare ingredient lists and guaranteed analysis to determine if there are differences in nutrients, especially protein and fat levels. Many don’t differ much from standard dog food recipes. The main difference is usually the size of the kibble. This means wet dog foods for all dogs are suitable for small dogs and are a better option than kibble. They usually have more protein, are softer to chew and easier to digest. But a fresh, whole food raw diet is always the best option if you want to ensure your dog gets sufficient nutrients without questionable ingredients. The marketplace has plenty of options for commercial dog food. Here’s a list of some of the best dog food for small dogs. Best Dog Food For Small Breed Dogs: These foods marketed for small dogs score well and are considered low risk dog foods based on dogfoodreviews.com evaluation criteria. You can read individual reviews to see specific benefits and concerns for each line of food. 1. Vital Essentials Mini Nibs (freeze dried), score 10/10. 2. Dr Marty Pets Nature’s Blend Small Breed (freeze-dried), score 9/10. 3. Stella & Chewy’s Small Breed Chicken Superblends (freeze dried), score 9/10. 4. Stella & Chewy’s Lil’ Bites Freeze Dried (freeze dried), score 8.7/10. 5. Farmina N&D Prime With Chicken, Boar, Lamb or Puppy Mini Wet (canned), score 8.1/10. 6. Farmina N&D Pumpkin With Lamb, Chicken, Duck, Quail or Venison Mini (canned), score 8/10. 7. Castor & Pollux Pristine Grain Free Small Breed Chicken, Lamb or Beef Stew (cooked), score 8/10. 8. Stella & Chewy’s Lil’ Bites Savory Stews (cooked), score 8/10. 9. Nature’s Variety Original Paté Mini Beef, Chicken Or Turkey (cooked), score 7.5/10. Best Moderate Risk Dog Food For Small Breed Dogs: This list could have been longer but some “moderate risk” foods contained ingredients not suitable for a “best” list. While most dog foods contain added vitamins and minerals, many had higher carbohydrates, lower protein, ingredients with GMOs or high pesticide use, inflammatory fats, synthetic preservatives and additives like carrageenan. One brand listed broth and water in the top 5 ingredients instead of animal proteins or whole food ingredients.After explaining the need for small dogs to be fed high protein, highly digestible, and nutrient-rich diets, we excluded foods that didn’t meet these descriptions. The following dog foods are some of the best moderate-risk dog foods for small breeds based on our evaluation criteria on dogfoodreviews.com.
1. Orijen Original Small Breed (dry), score 7/10 2. Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Turkey, Lamb Or Duck (canned), score 7/10 3. Wellness Petite Entrees Shredded Medley Small Breed (cooked), score 7/10 4. Freshpet Vital Grain-Free Small Breed Multi-Protein Recipe (cooked), score 7/10 5. Farmina N&D Ocean Mini (dry), score 6.5/10 6. Canidae Pure Petite Grain-Free For Small Breed Dogs Minced Beef And Carrots (cooked), score 6.5/10 7. Nulo Medal Series Small Breed Turkey Or Duck Wet Dog Food (canned), score 6.5/10 8. Halo Holistic Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Duck (canned), score 6.5/10 Commercial diets are notoriously high in carbohydrate, which contributes to dental plaque and can lead to tooth decay and dental issues. Be aware that kibble doesn’t clean teeth despite marketing statements. Here are some options for the best dog food for small dogs with dental problems. Wet or canned food is softer in texture and can be easier to eat for small dogs prone to dental issues like Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. It also contains higher moisture content, which adds extra hydration. Homemade food with meat and vegetables is a good option. You can control the consistency and feed it raw or cooked to make it easier to eat. Softened dry foods are available for small dogs with poor dental health. Dry food soaked in water or broth before feeding can soften it and make it easier to eat. Here are foods you can add to help small dogs maintain strong teeth and gums. Raw meaty bones can help clean a dog’s teeth and massage the gums as they chew. It’s important to choose the right size and type of bone for your dog and always supervise them while chewing. Good choices for small dogs are bones from smaller animals such as goats, pigs, and lamb. Consider lamb neck bones (which are very meaty), pork or lamb ribs. Raw carrots (if they chew them) can help clean your small dog’s teeth and freshen his breath, but your dog may not digest them well, so you may see carrot chunks in his poop. Apples have natural enzymes to break down plaque and freshen breath. Remove the seeds and core as they aren’t good for dogs. Parsley can also freshen your dog’s breath and has antibacterial properties to prevent plaque buildup. Adding a probiotic to your dog’s dinner or rubbing probiotic powder on your dog’s gums can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of gum disease. There are dog foods that aren’t recommended for small dogs (or any size dogs) due to their low-quality ingredients, high amounts of fillers, and lack of essential nutrients.Here are the worst ingredients found in dog foods for small dogs. Artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin can cause health problems in dogs. Meat by-products are low-quality ingredients made from animal parts not fit for human consumption. They can contain skin, hooves, beaks, and represent several species, which can be harmful if your dog has protein sensitivities. Most dry dog foods contain high levels of grains, starches, and legumes. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can reduce manufacturing cost. High glycemic grains and starches like corn, wheat, and soy can be difficult for dogs to digest and lead to food sensitivities and allergies. Synthetic vitamins and minerals are added when dog foods contain fillers, grains, and starches. These laboratory-made nutrients lack cofactors, phytonutrients, and fiber needed for other cellular processes in your dog’s body and are harder to digest. Excessive amounts of fats, carbohydrates, and calories can lead to weight gain and obesity in small breed dogs. RELATED: Avoid synthetic vitamins and minerals in dog food. Feeding a dog of 8 to 25 pounds allows you to buy better quality food, preferably homemade or pre-made raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, or dehydrated food rather than highly processed kibble or canned food. The cost of the best dry dog food for small dogs is higher than cheaper grocery store options. Poor quality foods may price similarly to better foods, so understanding ingredient quality is important. The cost of feeding a small breed dog depends on factors like food quality, dog size and activity level, and special dietary requirements or health concerns. Adding supplements like probiotics and omega-3 fats is a good idea. For older dogs, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, or joint support can be added, increasing the daily or weekly cost. On average, a small breed dog may eat between 1/4 to 1 cup of dry dog food per day. The cost of high-quality dog food ranges from $1 to $4 per pound, with some specialty diets costing more even though ingredients don’t vary much from standard offerings.
Opt for smaller bags of kibble when possible. Fats in the kibble begin to oxidize once the bag is opened, so it’s best to use it promptly.
RELATED: Enhancing Nutritious Value of Dog Kibble
The cost of feeding a raw food diet to small breed dogs varies. It depends on whether you purchase prepared food or make it yourself. To calculate the daily requirement for raw dog food for small dogs, use 2-4% of your dog’s ideal body weight, depending on their age, activity level, and health. If your dog is young and very active, use 4%; for less active or older dogs, use 2%. Adjust the feeding amount based on weight changes: increase if your dog loses weight, and decrease if they gain weight.
Cost of Raw Dog Food for Small Dogs
The cost of raw food can vary widely depending on your location and the availability of raw ingredients. Many providers are regional and operate within limited areas. Based on the formula mentioned, feeding a small breed dog a raw food diet could cost between $1.50 to $5 per day, or $45 to $150 per month.
Feeding small breed dogs requires less food, but it demands the same level of knowledge and information as feeding large dogs. Since small dogs tend to live longer, it’s crucial to provide them with the healthiest diet to support a long, happy, and healthy life.
