People love their small dogs, and for good reason. They offer the same companionship as larger dogs but require less space and food.
But how do you feed them?
You can’t just put anything in front of them or you risk hurting their tiny stomachs.
And lastly, it should be balanced with nutrients that are specifically tailored to what these types of pooches need.
Smaller physical size under 20 pounds weight small dog breeds need special food for their fast metabolism.
These small dog breeds need a balanced nutrition for the benefit to meet their higher metabolism rate.
In this article we will recommend the best small breed dog food that meets the energy requirements of this small breed.
Small dogs need special attention when it comes to food. They have smaller stomachs and are more sensitive to foods with high fat content. The right diet can help them live longer, healthier lives.
If you’re looking for the best dog food for small dogs, here are list of top choices available on the market today:
Top Picks For Best Small Breed Dog Foods
1. Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Recipe
Feature:
Top ingredients: 1-Venison, 2-lamb meal, 3-garbanzo beans, 4-peas, 5-lentils
Food Type: Grain-free dog food
Helpful: Maintenance
Best for: this food is best for Small breed adults
This product has been designed to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
It features a taste that will satisfy your dog’s wild side and a formula that has been balanced with essential nutrients for a healthy skin and coat, immune system support, joint health, energy levels, and stamina.
This recipe is free from wheat or corn gluten which are often used as fillers in lower quality foods that can trigger allergic reactions in some dogs.
2. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Digestion & Skin Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs
When you put your dog’s stomach on the line for its health, you have to make sure it has a high-quality, nutritious diet. One of the best ways to do that is by providing a dry dog food that doesn’t make your furry friend’s stomach upset.
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Digestion & Skin is designed to support your small dog’s digestive, skin and coat health. This small-dog food helps your pet feel & look better. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Digestion & Skin is gentle on your small dog’s stomach and skin, and yet easily digestible. It has a low-allergen formula made without artificial flavors, colors, or fragrances for sensitive dogs.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Dog food is a difficult purchase to make. From ingredients to quality, there are many factors to take into account when you’re deciding on the best dog food for your pup.
Blue Buffalo is a brand that has been around since 1996, and they started out with dry dog food. But what makes them stand out? They have real meat as their first ingredient instead of filler ingredients like corn and wheat. And they use limited preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.
This particular flavor (Blue Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food) is for dogs under 25 pounds in weight. It has no chicken or lamb by-product meals, and it includes natural sources of antioxidants like cherries and carrots. Blue Buffalo also offers wet dog food as well as treats. Check Wet Food
4. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Key Feature of this Brand formulated food.
The Benefits of Small Breed Dog Food
1. Nutro offers dry food for dogs instead of wet food
2. By not moistening it, freshness is preserved
3. Dry food helps dogs who have trouble with digestive problems
4. Dry food helps dogs shed less
5. Dry food is low in carbs and contains no corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes, and has no by-products
6. Dry food has a limited number of ingredients
Nutro Wholesome Essentials dry dog food is great for the smaller breeds, like the Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Maltese. It helps small dogs get enough protein and nutrients in their diet because it is made with wholesome, natural ingredients and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Their formulas help to support the needs of small breed dogs by providing natural nutrients like omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. They never use artificial fillers or sweeteners.
I feed my dog Nutro’s formulas because they provide him with proteins that help keep his coat shiny, and heart and immune system healthy.
5. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic is a small breed dog food that is great for dogs under 20-25lbs who are looking for a healthy meal plan. This food is 100% grain free and is made with a mix of ingredients that are high in protein and low in carbs which is excellent for small breed dogs. It is also made with a variety of fruits and vegetables that are great for your dog not only as a meal but also as a snack.
My Shih Tzu is a picky eater, but she loves the Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food. I used to mix it with chicken or beef broth to make it more appetizing for her, but she doesn’t mind it by itself. It’s very hearty, and doesn’t make her gassy like some other dog foods. Since she was adopted from a shelter, she doesn’t have a lot of teeth, and she has been on a special diet for the past year. The vet says it’s fine for her to have this food, and it helps keep her weight up and her coat healthy. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients to look when selecting for small dog
When it comes to selecting the right dog food for your small dog there are several important things to consider.
Tiny dogs like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese are prone to obesity and even more so if they are fed human food. This is a serious health risk. It is important that you find the best dog food for small dogs.
If your dog has a weight problem you should consult a vet before changing their diet.
When choosing your small dog’s food it is very important that you read the ingredients on the label. You need to make sure that the first ingredient listed is a named meat product. An example of a good quality first ingredient would be chicken or turkey.
By law, pet foods must have an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy and any guarantees such as “complete and balanced”. There must also be a statement about the percentage of protein, fat and fiber in the food and the caloric content of what you are feeding your dog. The caloric content should be between 250 and 350 calories per cup for dogs less than 10 lbs, 350-500 calories for dogs between 10-20 lbs, 500-600 calories for dogs between 20-40 lbs and 600-800 calories per cup for adult dogs over 40 lbs.
How to select the best dog food for small breeds?
Dogs are man’s best friends. And as such, they deserve the highest level of care, especially when it comes to the food that they consume. The small dog breeds are susceptible to heart conditions and other health-related problems. Thus, it is crucial to choose the best dog food for small breeds for them to enjoy a long life.
Selecting the best dog food for small breeds can be difficult. Unlike feeding kittens and puppies, you aren’t just giving your pet any old food. You want to find out which brands, canines, and ingredients will give your pup the best advantage. Moreover, you should try and find a food that is not only nutritionally balanced, but also creates a perfect balance of protein and fat that will not only support your dog’s health but also its overall health as well
What amount of food should a small breed puppy eat per day?
A small breed puppy typically weighs less than 10 pounds when full grown. This means you should feed smaller meals at least 3 times a day so your dog doesn’t feel hungry between meals. You should also have 2 – 3 hours per day for exercise for active dogs; this will help them burn extra calories.
A Yorkshire Terrier, miniature Poodle and Shih Tzu is a small dog breed usually weighing less than 10 pounds when fully grown. This means you should feed smaller meals at least 3 times a day so your dog doesn’t feel hungry between meals.
