Did you know that small dog breeds need a meal curated for their needs?
Some people think that giving smaller breeds regular kibble is a good idea because they feel all kibble is the same; however, they don’t realize that they are underfeeding their furry little bundles of love by feeding them regular kibble.
How so?
Well, the thing is that dog food made for smaller dogs contains more nutrients per granule as compared to regular kibble. Since small dogs have tiny bodies, they only need a little food to survive. So, they design it so that the dog gets all the necessary nutrients from a small amount.
In this blog post, I will share the top 10 dog food brands for small dogs and go through each in as much detail as possible.
Let’s get started!
Small Breed Dogs and their Nutritional Requirements
There are several dog foods available on the market that support various diets—from grain-free to even vegan! However, all dog foods have an everyday goal: they provide your furry friend with the essential energy and nutrition. This ‘energy’ comes from the calories the food contains. Knowing how many calories your furry friend can have in a day is essential.
The average calorie intake of humans is about 2,000 calories per day. However, the average calorie intake of a 10 lb Maltese is about 400 calories! You should also note that small breeds’ daily calorie needs are more significant than larger species regarding calories per pound/kilogram of body weight.
I’ll explain that.
A German Shepherd that weighs 100 pounds usually needs about 2,500 calories; this comes out to be 22.5 kcal per pound/kilogram of body weight. However, a Maltese that weighs 10 pounds needs 400 calories, which comes out to be 40 kcal per pound/kilogram of body weight.
I’m trying to explain that small breeds need a diet rich in calories or energy because they have a faster metabolism.
Protein, Fat, and Small Dogs
Protein and fat are two of the most essential nutrients in a dog’s food. While protein helps your furry friend build and maintain lean muscle mass and protects him from obesity, fat gives your dog the energy to fuel its fast metabolism.
Both of these nutrients must come from high-quality animal-based sources.
Carbohydrates in a dog’s food should be nutritious and easily digestible.
Antioxidants are essential for small dogs as they help protect your furry friend from free radical damage and are responsible for longer lifespans.
Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Small Dog Breeds
As mentioned in the above section, small dogs require higher calories per pound of body weight. Small breed dogs need to be fed carefully to prevent hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar. Small breed dogs are vulnerable to developing the condition because they have soft body fat reserves, sugar, and high metabolic rates.
This essentially means they need to be given food that is dense in calories and observed for symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
Most meals available for small breed dogs in the market provide adequate nutrition and have tiny bubbles that smaller dogs can easily chew without them being a choking hazard. While underfeeding is on one extreme, obesity is on the other.
Some people overfeed their furry friends to avoid the possibility of them developing hypoglycemia, leading to the dog becoming obese. Dogs that are obese are prone to contracting various health issues. These include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Cranial cruciate ligament injury
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Heart and respiratory disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Kidney disease
I recommend you talk to your vet about your furry friend’s ideal daily caloric intake and stick to that for the best results.
Ideal Meal Schedule for Small Dogs
Initially, your doggy wouldn’t like being put on a schedule. However, it is essential that you put him on one to avoid under or overfeeding. You should talk to your vet and create a feeding schedule, keeping your dog’s nutritional requirements and activity level in mind. Following are some guidelines:
- Dogs younger than three months should be free-range eaters
- Dogs that are 3-6 months old should be fed three times a day
- Dogs that are older than six months should be fed two to three times
Try to feed your dog twice a day after he reaches age one.
Don’t give your furry friend just one big meal daily, as all the nutrients aren’t absorbed properly.
Best Dog Food Brands for Small Dogs
In this blog section, I will give you a quick overview of all the dog foods available in the market and share all the essential details.
I’ll cover each dog’s food in detail in the following section.
Take a peek:
| Food Name | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Our Rating | Prices |
| Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food | 32 | 17 | 43 | 4.6 Stars | Check Prices |
| AvoDerm Natural Dog Food | 29 | 11 | 52 | 4.5 Stars | Check now |
| Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | 38 | 13 | 41 | 4.5 Stars | Check now |
| Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food
|
24 | 16 | 42 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nutro Max Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food | 29 | 16 | 48 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | 33 | 18 | 41 | 4.4 Stars | Check Prices |
| Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Healthy Weight Dog Food | 28 | 12 | 52 | 4.4 Stars | Check now |
| Eukanuba Breed-Specific Adult Dry Dog Food | 28 | 18 | 46 | 4.3 Stars | Check Prices |
| Orijen Original Dry Dog Food | 43 | 21 | 28 | 4.3 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe | 41 | 22 | 29 | 4.3 Stars | Check Prices |
Let’s take a detailed look at each of these dog foods.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
Taste of Wild Grain-free Natural Dry Dog food has lamb meat listed as one of its ingredients, which is rich in lean protein and helps develop muscles. This natural kibble also has added minerals, fat, vitamins, and dents to shine your dog’s fur.
This kibble doesn’t contain allergic ingredients like artificial colors, corn, wheat, or added flavors. This dog food is easily digestible as well.
When judging this dry dog food by the quality of ingredients used, the Taste of Wild Grain-free Natural Dry Dog food is an above-average kibble.
However, we need to consider the proportion of macronutrients as well.
The following are the macros:
- 32% of protein, which is above average
- 17% of fat, which is above-average
- 43% of carbohydrates, which is below-average
This dog food contains a moderate amount of meat for medium-sized dogs.
Now, let’s take a peek at the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Helps improve the dog’s immune system
● Maximize the dog’s nutrient absorption ● Contains Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids |
● The brand doesn’t have good quality control |
On to the next one…
AvoDerm Natural Dog Food
AvoDerm Natural Dog Food contains brown rice and chicken, which are good sources of carbohydrates and protein. The healthy weight management formula reduces the dog’s fat intake and is ideal for less active dogs.
The dog food also contains avocados that promote a healthy coat, skin, and immune system. It includes the right amount of vitamins and minerals to positively affect the dog’s overall health.
When judging this kibble by the quality of ingredients, it’s out to be an above-average kibble compared to other dog food brands.
Let’s take a look at the macro nutritional breakdown:
The following are the macros:
- 29% of protein, which is near-average
- 11% of fat, which is below-average
- 52% of carbohydrates, which is above-average
This dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat in it which is excellent. Flax seeds and alfalfa meal also have a protein-boosting effect.
Let’s take a look at the pros, which.
So, here’s the deal:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● This dog food has an average protein
● It contains below-average fat ● The dog food helps maintain the dog’s fur ● It contains premium ingredients like brown rice |
● May cause loose stools
● The dog may stop liking the taste or may need something new after a while |
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Dry Dog Food is one of the best options available for small dogs. This kibble doesn’t contain any grains suitable for dogs with allergies. The kibble is rich in protein and low in fat, ideal for muscular breeds.
The kibble contains all-natural premium ingredients and doesn’t contain corn, soy, added flavors, or coloring.
If you look at the list of ingredients used in the Wellness CORE Natural Grain Dry Dog Food, it comes out to be above-average dog food.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients as well.
The following are the macros:
- 38% of Protein is above-average
- 13% of fat, which is average
- 41% of carbohydrates, which is below-average
When you neutralize the protein-boosting effect of ingredients such as flaxseed, legumes, etc., Wellness CORE Natural dog food contains a significant amount of meat.
That’s just awesome.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains a significant amount of meat
● It is made of premium ingredients ● Free from grains ● Contains a smaller amount of fat |
● Can cause an upset tummy |
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog food contains natural ingredients with added minerals and vitamins. The kibble has no additives or artificial flavors, and high-quality premium ingredients are used.
The kibble support contains no and helps build your furry friend’s immune system. It helps keep your pup’s energy high.
When looking at the ingredients used in the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog food, it comes out to be an above-average dry dog food product as compared to others available.
Let’s take a look at the macros, shall we?
This dog food contains:
- 24% Protein, which is near-rage
- 16% Fat, which is near-average
- 42% Carbohydrates, which is above average
This dog food is a good choice for active dogs.
This dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat in it.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains a good amount of meat
● It is made with premium ingredients and doesn’t use soy, corn, etc. ● Good for the dog’s skin and coat ● Contains a healthy amount of fat |
● Can cause an upset tummy or diarrhea in the initial phase |
Nutro Max Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
The Nutro Max Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog food comes in savory flavors and is made from natural ingredients. The grain-free kibble contains authentic and premium ingredients and has added vitamins and minerals.
The dog food contains no chicken by-products and can be fed alone or mixed with wet foods. The kibble also contains Omega-3 and six fatty acids that help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny.
When judging the Nutro Max Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog food by the quality of ingredients used, it comes out to be an above-average kibble.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients.
This dog food has:
- 29% Protein, which is near-ave sich is near-average
- 48% Carbohydrates, which is near-average
This kibble is a good choice for small dogs that are less active.
This dry dog food contains a moderate amount of meat in it which is also good.
Let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains added vitamins and minerals, which are made with premium ingredients
● Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids help keep the dog’s skin and coat shiny ● Contains a smaller amount of fat |
● May lead to vomiting |
Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This 100% natural, grain-free dog food provides a balanced diet for your small-breed dog. The kibble doesn’t contain any known triggers or allergens and is rich in protein, Omega 3 and six fatty acids suitable for your dog’s skin and coat health.
The kibble is made in the USA and promotes lean music—the kibble is cial colors and flavors and is healthy.
Let us also take a look at the macros, shall we?
So, this food contains:
- 33% Protein, which is above-average
- 18% Fat, which is near-average
- 41% Carbohydrates, which is below-average
This dry dog food contains a notable amount of meat, making it one of the best foods for small dogs.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● It is made with premium ingredients
● Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids help keep the dog’s skin and coat shiny ● Contains added vitamins and minerals ● Contains a smaller amount of fat ● Made in the US |
● May not be suitable for certain breeds |
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Healthy Weight Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health Nutrition Natural Dry Doparticular contains balanced and complete nutrition for your puppy’s needs and helps support a healthy weight. The all-natural dog food is made with premium ingredients and is free of artificial flavors.
The ingredients of this kibble include deboned chicken and peas that satisfy hunger while helping the dog maintain a healthy weight. Elements such as corn, soy, wheat, etc., are not used.
When judging this kibble by the quality of ingredients used, it comes out to be an above-average one.
Let’s look at the macronutrients.
So, this food contains:
- 28% Protein, which is near-average
- 12% Fat wh is near-aver52% Carbohydrates, which is near-average
This kibble contains a significant amount of meat in it.
Let’s talk pros and cons now, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains a significant amount of meat and is high in protein
● Premium ingredients used ● Free from artificial flavors and coloring |
● May cause diarrhea
● The quality control isn’t good |
Eukanuba Breed-Specific Adult Dry Dog Food
This dog food is another good option because it is suitable for your puppy’s health and teeth, containing ingredients that help reduce tartar buildup.
The kibble also contains fiber and prebiotics that aid the optimal absorption of nutrients. This dog food is also high in antioxidants that help reduce free radical damage and help keep your dog looking and feeling young.
Judging this dog food by the ingredients used, it comes out to be an above-average dry dog food.
Let us now take a look at the macros, shall we?
This dog food contains the following:
- 28% Protein, which is near-average
- 18% Fat, which is near-average
- 46% Carbohydrates, which is near-average
This dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat.
Let’s talk pros and cons now, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains a moderate amount of me includes high in protein
● Premium ingredients used ● Contains a good dose of antioxidants |
● May cause diarrhea and an upset stomach in some breeds |
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
The Orijen Original Dry Dog Food is a grain-free formula that is a good pick for small dogs. The limited-ingredient dog food has a single source of protein, and it keeps your dog strong, happy, and healthy.
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food is an above-average dry dog food if we judge it by the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a look at the macros, shall we?
- 43% Protein, which is above-average
- 21% Fat, which is above-average
- 28% Carbohydrates, which is below-average
This dry dog food contains an abundant average, above-average
Let’s weigh the pros against the average
| ros | Cons |
| ● This dog food has an above-average amount of protein
● This also has a below-average amount of carbohydrates ● An abundant amount of meat |
● May cause constipation initially
● Needs to be slowly introduced |
Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe
Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food is high in protein and all essential nutrients. This diet promotes the dog’s health and is made with all-natural ingredients.
The kibble contains healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that promote skin and coat health and give your dog a boost of immunity.
This dog food is an above-average kibble.
Let us first go over the macronutrients that this dog boosts your dog.
- 41% Protein, which is above-average
- 22% Fat, which is above-average
- 29% Carbohydrates, which is below average
This kibble contains an abundant amount above average.
Let’s weigh the above average of the cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Good source of Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids
● Promotes and boosts the immune system ● Contains an abundant amount of protein ● Made with natural ingredients |
● Known to be inconsistent regarding the consistency
● May cause a gas bloat |
Final Words: Top 10 Dog Food Brands for Small Dogs
Small dogs’ nutritional needs are significantly different from those of medium or large breeds.
That’s why you must figure out your furry friend’s daily caloric intake with the help of your vet and choose a kibble that fulfills all of your dog’s needs. You can end up overfeeding or underfeeding your dog, which has dire consequences.
A good and healthy diet goes a long way and determines your dog’s quality of life.
I hope you found all the information in this blog post helpful and that you got your dog the right food according to his needs.
Still have any questions or concerns? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll reply soon.
