Dog Food for Small Dogs
Your furry little friend may identify as one of the big dogs, but he or she may still benefit from a specialized, complete and balanced small dog food. The best food for small dogs is made with premium, purposeful ingredients, and crafted to offer right-sized nutrition for compact canine bodies. Scroll down for options and more info.
Specialized Small Breed Dog Food Recipes
The following recipes were crafted specifically with small dogs in mind.
Our Grain Free Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe features real chicken as the number one ingredient and a recipe formulated without grain. Real sweet potato and pumpkin are tasty, grain-free carbohydrate sources. Highly bioavailable nutrient sources, such as copper proteinate and zinc proteinate help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. In fact, the combination of ingredients in this dry food offer the nutrition your dog needs to help them stay active and healthy, so they can live a big, happy life—no matter what size they are.
Nature’s Recipe Small Bites dry dog food is a delicious and nutritious way to help keep your small dog happy and healthy. The kibble is sized for little mouths to help your little buddy enjoy every bite. The chicken and rice recipe features real, protein-rich chicken as the number one ingredient to help support strong muscles. This wholesome dog food is made with no added corn, wheat, or soy ingredients, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It’s simply a tasty, natural dog food with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Order today to help your small adult dog live his or her life to the fullest.
What Weight Qualifies as ′′Small′′ for a Dog?
Terms like “small” and “large” can definitely be subjective, so the exact definition may depend on who you talk to. But most people agree that the upper end of the spectrum for small dogs is 20 to 25 pounds or so.
At Nature′s Recipe®, when we talk about complete and balanced dog food for “small dogs,” we′re generally talking about breeds and mixes that weigh less than 25 pounds as healthy adults.
Examples of Small Dog Breeds
Some of the most popular examples of small dogs include breeds like French bulldogs, beagles, poodles, Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas, shih tzus, Maltese and dachshunds. Of course, there are others, as well as countless mixed breed small dogs.
Nutritional Needs Specific to Small (Adult) Dogs
While all dogs need the same basic nutrients, dogs of different sizes can benefit from different amounts. A good dog food for small dogs will be made with these factors in mind.
Caloric Needs
Pound per pound, small dogs tend to need more calories than larger dogs. So foods made especially for small dogs tend to be more energy-dense.
Energy density for dog food is measured in kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg). A complete and balanced small breed dog food should offer about 3,400 to 3,800 kcal/kg, while a complete and balanced dog food for large dogs should offer about 3,200 to 3,400 kcal/kg. You can find kcal/kg info on the back of your Nature′s Recipe® dog food bag under “Calorie Content.”
Weight Management
Despite small dogs′ need for more energy relative to their size, it′s important not to overfeed. As much as 60% of small breed dogs are considered obese. If your dog is overweight, a lower-calorie food may be the better choice. Your vet can help you choose.
Other Health Considerations
Small dogs may benefit from lower fat, high fiber dog foods, since these breeds tend to be at risk for diabetes and high triglyceride levels. A high fiber diet can also help prevent constipation, which can be an issue for smaller dogs, due partly to their naturally shorter large intestine.
Finally, because dental disease is more common in small dogs, it may be especially beneficial to feed your small dog dry food before any issues actually start. The texture of the kibble can help remove plaque from teeth as he or she chews. For older dogs who already suffer from dental issues, soft (wet) dog food may be easier to eat.
Does Small Dog Food Mean Smaller Kibble Size?
Kibble size may vary by brand, but Nature′s Recipe® small dog food recipes do feature small kibble especially for your little buddy′s little mouth. Yet, as mentioned above, these small bites still pack big nutrition, specially crafted for small dogs. And of course, they also offer big, delicious tastes dogs love.
Should Small Dogs Eat Grain Free Food?
Most small dogs don′t require grain free food. Still, we understand some pet parents prefer it. That′s why we offer both whole grain and grain free small breed dog food recipes.
Is Small Dog Food the Same Thing as Puppy Food?
Since puppies are small compared to adult dogs (at least at first) it′s easy to assume that whatever counts as a complete and balanced dog food for small dogs would also be a healthy choice for puppies. But in reality, a growing puppy has different nutritional needs from a small adult dog. Adult dog food simply won′t cut it for a pup, and puppy food isn′t ideal for most dogs of all life stages, either.
The recipes on this page are for small adult dogs, not for puppies. However, we do offer a separate selection of complete and balanced puppy food recipes to provide all the nutrients growing pups need, in just the right amounts.
How Much to Feed a Small Dog
Even though small dogs may need more calories per pound than large dogs, that doesn′t mean they need more food, especially if it′s a small dog food that′s already energy-dense. The right amount depends on your dog′s weight and the specific recipe you choose.
Look for the chart on the back of your Nature′s Recipe® dog food bag as a starting point for your dog′s daily food intake, and adjust based on your pal′s specific breed, size, age, level of activity and environment.
Find Complete and Balanced Food for Dogs of All Sizes & Ages
Got more than one dog to feed? Explore our many other wholesome, complete and balanced dog food recipes.
