Dog food for small breed at Bargain-Pets is a healthy and affordable food that comes in small breed formulas. Our dry dog food for small breeds was created by veterinarians, to help dogs maintain their ideal weight. Try our dog food today by ordering online now.
Dog Food For Small Breed
The best small breed dog foods are designed to provide balanced nutrition for dogs whose ideal adult weight is under 20 pounds.
That’s because small dogs tend to benefit from food optimized for their higher rate of metabolism… and their smaller physical size.
On this page…
We’ll share The Dog Food Advisor’s safest and most recommended small breed dog foods… and we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding small dogs.
The Best Dog Food for Small Dogs
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top best small breed dog foods.
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Recipe
Rating:
Appalachian Valley Small Breed is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils
- Type: Grain-free
- Design: Maintenance
- Best for: Small breed adults
- Price: $$
Appalachian Valley Small Breed derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh venison and lamb meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
A fully balanced, grain-free recipe containing no artificial colors, flavors or toxic chemical preservatives. Highly recommended.Sample buyer review… “I realize that pugs eat just about anything you put in front of them, however, this small kibble really fits their mouths to a ‘T’! Sometimes when I want to spoil them, I’ll mix in some cooked chicken breast, and a little hot water to make a gravy. They love this! The small kibble is easier for them to eat, and they are healthy as small horses! Never had a problem, and vet visits are always top notch! I highly recommend this food for small breeds with small mouths!”
Merrick Classic Small Breed Dog Food
Rating:
Classic Small Breed is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive (rice, barley, oatmeal, quinoa)
- Design: Maintenance
- Best for: Small breed adults
- Price: $$
This Merrick Classic recipe takes the major portion of its animal protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Merrick Classic Small Breed is a solid grain-inclusive recipe with fiber-rich quinoa to help maintain digestion. Easily recommended.
Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food
Rating:
Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh wet recipes covered in our review of the Nom Nom dog food product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Ground turkey, eggs, brown rice, carrots, spinach
- Type: Grain-inclusive (rice)
- Design: All life stages
- Best for: Small breed adults and puppies
- Price: $$$$
Nom Nom Turkey Fare derives most of its animal protein from fresh turkey as well as whole eggs. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 17% fat and 39% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 45%.
If you’ve ever wished you could serve your small dog a fresh home-cooked meal… but without all the fuss… then Nom Nom makes a smart choice.
Top level, human-grade ingredients and a balanced recipe designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Not cheap. But highly recommended.
Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Dog Food
Rating:
Freestyle Small Breed is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, salmon meal, red lentils
- Type: Grain-free
- Design: All life stages
- Best for: Small breed adults and puppies
- Price: $$$
This Nulo formula gets the lion’s share of its meat protein from fresh salmon as well as turkey and menhaden fish meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34% protein, 19% fat and 39% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Nulo Freestyle Small Breed is designed to support the higher metabolism and energy levels of smaller dogs. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer review… “My Corgi/Ruby Spaniel mix just turned 9 and has lost a couple of teeth. This small kibble works GREAT for her- she only has to bite once– she loves the flavor and I love the formula. It’s good for her joints and skin with the Omegas in this formula. Easy to digest and this brand has NEVER had a recall. Highly recommend this for small breed fur babies!”
Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food
Rating:
Original Small Breed is one of 5 dry recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, tapioca, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Design: All life stages
- Best for: Small breed adults and puppies
- Price: $$$
This Instinct Original formula derives the greatest part of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 22% fat and 31% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Instinct Original Small Breed provides an optimal balance of protein, fat and calories to ensure a balanced nutrition for your small dog. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer review… “I love this dog food, and so does my dog. I like all of the ingredients and trust the company. My dog begs for it and devours it. He’s doing very well on it. His coat is shiny, his muscles are defined, and his stools are firm. I rotate this brand with a few other brands so he has some variety, but I’m very picky with which foods I include in the rotation, and only choose brands and formulas of the highest quality.”
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Adult
Rating:
Life Protection Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice is one of 21 dry recipes as well as 5 small breed formulas included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive (rice, oatmeal, barley)
- Design: Maintenance
- Best for: Small breed adults
- Price: $$
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
A small breed formula boasting a fully balanced blend of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins to promote a healthy immune system.
What’s more, Blue is one of the few major brands offering multiple flavor options specifically designed for small dogs…
Which makes Life Protection an ideal choice for those who like to routinely rotate their pet’s diet.
Highly recommended.
Best Dog Food for Small Breeds
The assumption that small breed dogs are low maintenance and easy to feed due to their small size is dangerous. Small breed puppies, especially toy breeds, require careful feeding to prevent a condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the scientific word for low blood sugar, and small breed puppies are prone to developing this condition as a result of high metabolic rates and low sugar and body fat reserves. This means they need to be fed a calorie-dense, small breed puppy food anywhere from four-to-six times a day and watched closely for symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
Most complete and balanced small breed puppy foods contain the appropriate amount of nutrients for small breed dogs. They also have smaller kibbles, which are easier for small breed puppies to chew and are less of a choking hazard. Talk to your vet about the risks of hypoglycemia and what you can do to prevent it in your small breed puppy. If you suspect your puppy has hypoglycemia, call your veterinarian immediately.
Best Dog Food for Small Breed Adults
Finding the best food for small breed adults is tricky. There are a lot of options claiming to offer your dog the best nutritional package in a variety of price ranges. You can narrow your search by asking your veterinarian what brands he or she recommends. Veterinarians have access to the latest research on dog nutrition as well as pet food recalls, which makes them a valuable resource during this decision-making process. Depending on your dog’s health, your vet might recommend a specific food or several brands that he or she feels offer the best food for small breeds.
Small breed adult dogs require more calories-per-pound than large dogs, and they also need smaller kibbles, which is why diets especially formulated for small breeds are usually best. However, while small dogs might need more calories per pound than larger dogs, that does not mean that owners should overfeed them. One of the biggest concerns regarding dog nutrition is obesity. Obese dogs are more prone to a variety of health issues, and it is estimated that obesity takes as many as two years off of our dogs’ lives.
Diseases associated with obesity in dogs:
- Osteoarthritis
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart and respiratory disease
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Cranial cruciate ligament injury
Best Food for Small Breed Senior Dogs
Small breed dogs typically live longer than large breed dogs. This means that your small breed dog could be eating the same food from the time she graduates from puppy food for more than 15 years. A diet rich in antioxidants could help prevent free radical damage over her long lifespan, so ask your veterinarian about the best foods for small breeds that contain plenty of antioxidants.
Both adult and all other life-stage formulas are appropriate for senior dogs. Currently, there is no senior, geriatric, or mature dog food nutrient profile recognized by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Dog foods that cater to seniors do not have to meet specific senior nutrient requirements, and they may not have undergone any clinical trials to test their effectiveness. This does not necessarily mean that senior dog foods for small breeds are a bad choice for your senior pet, but it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about a senior diet before you buy, in order to make sure you get an effective formula.
Senior small breed dogs may develop health problems that require special dietary restrictions or prescription diets. Prescription senior diets, unlike commercial diets, are specially formulated and clinically proven to help treat certain conditions. Your vet may recommend a prescription diet for your senior pet if he or she feels it is necessary.
Choosing The Best Dry Dog Foods for Your Small Dog
There are a huge number of dry dog foods available from supermarkets, pet stores and your vet’s office, so how do you know which one is best for your small dog? Our Memphis vets share some tips on choosing the best food for your small dog.
Choosing a Food for Your Small Dog
Small dogs with an ideal weight of 20lbs or under, tend to have a faster metabolism than larger dog breeds. So, when shopping for a food for your small dog, look for a dry food that has been optimized for a small dog’s fast metabolism. Many foods specially formulated for small dogs also come in smaller kibble sizes to help make it easier for small dogs to enjoy, however feeding your small dog small sized kibble isn’t essential…even tiny dogs can handle regular sized kibble. The nutrition, not the size of the kibble is what counts most.
Ingredients to Avoid
There are a number of controversial ingredients found in dogs foods for small dogs and larger dogs. Here are a few of the ingredients you may wish to avoid in order to ensure that you are feeding your small dog the very best food:
- Propylene glycol (Moisturizer)
- Generic “meat” (Unknown source)
- BHA (Preservative)
- BHT (Preservative)
- TBHQ (Preservative)
- Ethoxyquin (Preservative)
- Menadione (Synthetic vitamin)
- Artificial dyes (Color)
5 Nutritious Dry Foods For Small Dogs
When choosing a food for your dog’s specific needs it’s always best to consult with your vet. No one understands your dog’s heath and nutritional needs better than your veterinarian. That said, here are a few high quality foods for small dogs that your vet may suggest:
Royal Canin
This brand of premium dog food offers a range of dry foods specifically created for different small and toy breed dogs. The range includes:
- Royal Canin X-Small Aging 12+ created to meet the nutritional needs of older toy and miniature breeds
- Royal Canin West Highland White Terrier Adult dry dog food
- Royal Canin Pomeranian Adult dry dog food
- Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy dry dog food
Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Small Bites Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe dog food
- Hills has specially formulated this dry food to fuel the energy needs of adult small breed dogs. This food includes high quality, easy-to-digest ingredients in a small bite size that’s easy for small mouths to chew.
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Adult Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
- Chicken is the first ingredient in this premium small breed dog food that provides complete and balanced nutrition for healthy adult dogs
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Chicken
- Formulated specifically for little dogs, this dry food, contains healthy ingredients such as farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Dog Food
- The first 5 ingredients in this dry food for small dogs features: deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, oatmeal, and ground brown rice. A feast for any small dog.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Adult
- This dry food for small dogs has been formulated with a precise blend of proteins and carbohydrates to help support the higher energy needs of smaller dogs.
If you are unsure about which dry food is best for your small dog, speak to your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to recommend just the right food for your dog based on their age, overall health, and activity level.
How Much to Feed Your Small Dog
Each brand of food contains a different amount of calories, and every dog’s lifestyle and calorie expenditure differs. Whichever small breed dog food you choose, be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on the package, or contact your vet for their recommendations. Your vet understands your dog’s overall health and nutritional requirements better than any dog food manufacturer.
Changing Your Small Dog’s Food
Changing any dog’s food can cause some unexpected consequences in the form of gastrointestinal upset. To transition your canine pal to a new food take gradual steps.
First begin by mixing about 25% new food along with their regular food for 3 or 4 days and monitor your small pup for any signs of tummy upset such as gas, or loose stools.
If your little dog is doing well with the new food gradually increase the proportion to about 50% new food and continue to monitor your dog for any reactions to their change of diet.
Over the course of about 10 – 14 days your dog’s digestive tract should become accustomed to the new food and you can complete the transition. That said, if your dog continues to show signs of gastrointestinal upset, contact your vet for advice. A longer, more gradual transition to the new food may be required, or perhaps it isn’t the right food for your little friend.