Finding the best dog food for small breed dogs is easier said than done. With the number of options available, you’ll likely have a hard time narrowing down your options or figuring out what to consider when choosing. This is especially true if you’re a first-time pet owner.
We understand your dilemma, and we’re here to help. We’ve listed down some of the best dog foods for small dogs and why they contribute to your pup’s balanced diet. Use the information herein choosing the best small breed dog food, so your fur baby can stay healthy and active!
Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to break the bank just to provide the best dry food for your small breed dog. The Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food provides value to money because it’s affordable and packed with the essential vitamins and minerals.
With a minimum of 27% crude protein and chicken listed as its main ingredient, choosing the Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food will ensure that your dog meets their daily protein requirement. This dry dog food is also packed with fortified antioxidants and vitamins to help maintain your dog’s health. It also has omega fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat.
Pros:
- Fortified with antioxidants and vitamins
- Offers high-quality protein
- Affordable
Cons:
- Contains corn products that can trigger an allergic reaction in some small breeds
Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
As the name suggests, this small breed dog food is grain-free. Grain-free foods are better options for dogs because they reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms, including constipation, skin rash, vomiting, and loose stool.
Instead of using corn or wheat, Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food uses sweet potatoes and pumpkins in their recipes. These ingredients are healthier sources of carbohydrates and easier to digest for small dogs. It’s also free from artificial colors and flavors, making it an excellent natural dog food choice.
Pros:
- Grain-free
- Doesn’t contain any corn or wheat
- Excellent source of healthy carbohydrates
Cons:
- More expensive than other small breed dog foods
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Buying the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food will end your search in finding the best dog food for your small dog. This brand is known as the leader in producing high-quality food and continues the tradition by producing this dry food for smaller dogs.
Check the ingredients list of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food, and you’ll see that the brand only uses premium, whole-food ingredients. The first ingredient listed is deboned chicken, indicating that this dog food is packed with high-quality protein, not cheap animal by-products. Its recipe also contains 26% crude protein to keep small breeds lean and healthy.
Aside from protein, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Dry Dog Food also contains glucosamine that helps keep your dog’s joints strong and healthy. On top of that, omega fatty acids are also included in the formula for better skin and coat health.
Pros:
- Made with whole-food ingredients
- Has omega fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat
- Contains glucosamine for stronger joints
Cons:
- Contains grains that might trigger allergies in some dogs
Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dry Dog Food
A small breed puppy has different nutritional requirements than adults and senior dogs, which is why you need to feed them with dog food that’s ideal for their age. Puppies require lots of vitamins and minerals to support their growing brains and bodies – and that’s something that the Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dry Dog Food can provide. It’s packed with ingredients necessary for the needs of growing puppies.
Take a look at the ingredient list, and you can immediately see how high-quality this dry dog food is. The first ingredient listed on it is chicken, followed by several whole-food ingredients necessary for your pup to grow into an adult. It also has DHA to support brain development among pups and omega fatty acids for a healthy and shiny coat.
One thing we love about the Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dry Dog Food is that it doesn’t contain any animal by-products. This means that this dog food doesn’t have any fillers; only high-quality ingredients.
Pros:
- No animal by-products
- Loaded with vitamins and nutrients essential for growing puppies
- Packed with healthy protein from whole-food, high-quality sources
Cons:
- Contains corn
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Dry Dog Food
The Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice for pet owners because it’s specifically formulated to fill the needs of small breed dogs. This is an expensive dog food but is definitely worth buying because of its high-quality ingredients.
The Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Dry Dog Food is made with non-GMO ingredients and is all whole foods, ensuring the highest nutritional value for your fur baby. This also contains omega fatty acids that improve your dog’s skin and coat. It also has lamb meal, which is one of the healthiest sources of protein for canines.
Pros:
- Made with non-GMO ingredients
- Contains no by-product meal
- No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons:
- More expensive than other small breed dog foods
Purina Pro Plan Savor Small Breed Dry Dog Food
There were plenty of things to love about the Purina Pro Plan Savor Small Breed Dry Dog Food. For starters, it listed chicken as its first ingredient, which means that small breed dogs will enjoy the highest form of protein from this dog food. It also has many essential nutrients, such as vitamin A and linoleic acid.
The Purina Pro Plan Savor Small Breed Dry Dog Food also contains probiotics that support healthy digestive health among canines. Having sufficient levels of probiotics helps your small breed dog fight infections, easily digest food, and enjoy a stronger immune system.
Pros:
- Contains live probiotics for healthier digestive health
- Uses real chicken as its main source of protein
- Has higher protein content than other dog foods
Cons:
- Contains by-product meals and corn products
Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
The brand behind this dog food is known to create healthy foods perfect for small breed dogs – and this variety will not disappoint. The Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food contains natural, all-premium ingredients that deliver quality nutrition to small dogs.
The first ingredient listed on the label of the Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is real chicken, which is a great protein source. It also has whole barley, brown rice, and dried beet pulp. All of these are necessary for small dogs to build more muscles and stay energetic.
Additionally, the recipe of the Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food also contains micronutrients, such as chondroitin and glucosamine that aid in bone and joint health. It’s also full of antioxidants that can keep your dog’s immune system strong. Thanks to its crunchy texture, feeding this dog food to your fur baby can also help remove plaque and other bacteria from your dog’s teeth.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Doesn’t contain any fillers, artificial preservatives, and animal by-products
- Contains different micronutrients
Cons:
- Low in moisture
You can buy the Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food from this link.
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
Small dog breeds usually have high energy levels, which is why you should be careful in choosing dog food. You need to make sure that your dog’s diet contains food that boosts their energy levels throughout the day – and this is why the Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is an excellent option.
This natural dry food is designed keeping in mind the high energy levels of small dog breeds. Most of the protein ingredients of this dog food are sourced from seafood, such as salmon meal and herring meal. It also offers a healthy mix of vitamins and fibers sourced from different fruits and vegetables, such as apples, blueberries, and peas.
The wonders of the Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food don’t end there. Its recipe is also free from grains and glutens and boasts a perfect blend of Vitamin E and C that can support your dog’s immune system and overall wellness. So if your small breed dog loves seafood and is hyperactive, you know the best small breed dog food to feed them.
Pros:
- The recipe is perfectly balanced to meet the nutritional requirements of most small dog breeds
- Contains high quality fresh ingredients, as well as chelated minerals and vitamins that are easy to absorb
- Features a variety of complex carbohydrates that are easy on the stomach and nutritious
Cons:
- Might not be suitable for large breed dogs because their slower growth requires different nutrition
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Lamb Formula Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
This is a meaty recipe specifically created for small breed adult dogs. Its recipe is enriched with lamb meal, probiotics, and canola oil – ingredients that contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for the growth and development of adult dogs. It also provides a well-rounded blend of antioxidants and nutrients.
One thing that makes the CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Lamb Formula Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food different from others is that it’s raw coated with freeze-dried lamb for that added meaty goodness. If your fur baby loves to munch on meat, this is the dog food you should feed them.
Pros:
- Raw coated for better taste
- Contains limited ingredients, ideal for sensitive tummies
- Small kibble size to avoid any choking hazards
Cons:
- Some picky eaters don’t like the taste and smell of this dog food
Instinct By Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken
When it comes to the best small breed dog foods, the Instinct By Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken is a tough competitor to beat. Its ingredients have the perfect combination of calories, proteins, and fats, which are highly important to ensure that small breed dogs remain healthy and active.
The main ingredient of the Instinct By Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken is cage-free chicken that guarantees the highest levels of protein for optimum strength and leaner muscles for canines. It’s also packed with calcium and phosphorus for stronger bones and teeth.
What makes the Instinct By Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken different is that it’s specifically designed to provide complete nutritional value packed in a small serving – ideal for all life stages of your fur baby. Its small kibble size also prevents any choking hazards.
Pros:
- Specifically made to meet the nutritional needs of smaller dogs
- Affordable
- Ensures your dog’s gut health and high energy levels
Cons:
- Contains tapioca that might trigger allergies in some dogs
Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Do you want to feed your small breed dog with a power-packed recipe that contains the best ingredients? Then you should give them the Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley. This small breed dog food is packed with the goodness of bison, salmon, ocean fish meal, and pearled barley, which are healthy sources of protein and carbohydrates.
The Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley has become a favorite among many dog owners because it doesn’t contain common allergens, such as soy, wheat, or corn. Instead, it’s packed with several superfoods, such as carrots, cranberries, pumpkins, and blueberries. It also has broccoli and almond oil, which can improve your dog’s gut health and promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Pros:
- Doesn’t contain any artificial colors, preservatives, or anonymous meat ingredients
- Free from common allergens
- Has seafood, which is a healthy protein source for canines
Cons:
- Not ideal for picky eaters
Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food
If you’re looking for the best wet food for your small breed dog, the Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food is a great option. This saucy little recipe contains egg whites, chicken broth, and real chicken that can satisfy your fur baby’s taste buds and provide high caloric content.
The inclusion of omega fatty acids in the recipe can also support your dog’s coat and skin health. Unlike other wet canned dog foods, this canned food is free from potatoes, grains, and soy and contains proteins from natural sources that your small breed dog will surely benefit from!
Pros:
- Uses a grain-free recipe
- Doesn’t contain any fillers
- Made from real meat and whole-food ingredients
Cons:
- Expensive than other small breed dog foods
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Due to its focus on meeting the primal needs of canines, the Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food deserves a position on our list. This dog food is enriched with high proteins and omega fatty acids sourced from salmon oil. This ingredient is known to support high energy levels, as well healthier skin and coat. The recipe used is made from supreme quality natural ingredients to ensure that only the best quality nutrition is placed on your fur baby’s bowl.
One thing that makes the Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food stand out is that it doesn’t contain any fillers or refined grains to compromise on your pup’s protein intake and core health requirements.
Aside from its meaty goodness, the Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food also includes probiotics and antioxidants to support healthy digestion. It also contains potatoes that promote healthy skin, coats, eyes, and nerves.
Pros:
- Uses high-quality ingredients and well-rounded recipes
- Great source of high-quality protein
- Contains chicken meal and turkey meal
Cons:
- Some small breed dogs don’t like the taste and smell
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Diamond Naturals is formulated with a range of wholesome superfoods that provide tons of nutritional benefits for small and toy breeds. Some of the ingredients included in this amazing small breed dog food are real chicken, which is essential for your dog’s muscle maintenance, and barley and white rice, which are both necessary for giving your dog energy throughout the day.
The Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is also packed with omega fatty acids and minerals from whole foods. It also contains pumpkin, kelp, and chicory root that strengthen your dog’s digestive system, and flaxseeds and chia seeds for better skin and coat health.
Pros:
- Has a nourishing formula ideal for small breed dogs of all ages
- Offers optimal protein and fat levels
- Packed with probiotics and fiber to support healthy digestion
Cons:
- Some picky eaters don’t approve of the recipe
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws Dry Dog Food
Are you still unsuccessful in finding the best dog food for small breed adult dogs? If yes, then the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws Dry Dog Food might be the solution to your problems. This dry dog food uses an adult-blend small breed formula that contains vitamins and minerals for small breed adults.
The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws Dry Dog Food has high levels of calcium that can keep your small breed adult dog’s bones strong. It’s also formulated with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, to support a stronger, healthier immune system function.
Pros:
- Contains calcium for strong bones
- Packed with vitamins and antioxidants for healthier skin and a stronger immune system
- The recipe is specifically formulated for small breed adult dogs
Cons:
- Contains corn and has fewer proteins than other dog foods
Work With A Vet ASAP
The number of dog foods designed for small breed dogs can be overwhelming. To make the search easier, reach out to a vet. Vets have the skills and experience to recommend the best dog food based on the pup’s breed, age, and health condition. Working with them will give you peace of mind knowing that what you’re feeding to your small breed dog is the best for them!