What is the Best Dry Dog Food for Small Dog Breeds in 2020?
Shopping for the right dry dog food for small dogs isn’t as simple as you a pet parent would want. For instance, the disparities between dry dog food for small breeds and large breeds are quite many and intricate.
Smaller dogs require more calories due to their high metabolic rates. Hence, they should be fed precisely according to their needs. Plus, they require the necessary minerals and vitamins for faster and healthier growth.
Top 5 Dry Dog Food Brands for Small Dogs
Dry dog food can either be made up of meat as the first ingredient, blended with other incredible and savory ingredients. Ever seen a dog get chocked? Well, it’s a gory sight, one that I won’t tread into, but my point is you have to buy your small dog the right dog food.
What is the right dog food? You must ensure that the kibble are small in size and chewable. This also helps in the proper digestion for your pooch. Imagine him hopping onto your lap, after a healthy meal, and simply licking your face with sheer excitement, the small things in life!
However, dog food for smaller dogs is cheaper, so you can let yourself off the leash and buy various dry foods. This will not only brighten your pooch’s day, but also help you in gauging and determining what food your little adorable friend prefers.
After all, sticking to one masterpiece is economical and saves you a lot of time. Below is a list of my top dry foods for small dogs engineered to sieve off the best foods in this crowded market, for your choosing.
Best Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs List
① Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Especially formulated to provide small breeds with a healthy upbringing, the first thing you notice about blue buffalo is the main ingredient which is real meat. This adversely provides high-quality proteins for the puppies, hence leading to muscle development and energy.
Other ingredients include whole grains, garden veggies and fruits. All these promote the rich nutritious value of the Blue Buffalo. Less I forget, these nutrients are enhanced with a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients.
In a magical place where your dog deserves nothing but the most comfortable of meals, the Blue Buffalo contains smaller kibbles as is recommended. Am not done yet! To provide healthy joints and mobility is Glucosamine and for a healthy skin and coat are Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
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② Wellness CORE Grain Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
The work put into this is just outstanding. Basing their production on the fact that dogs need meat for a healthier growth. Wellness CORE packs every formula with a vast concentration of animal protein, hence ensuring these small dogs get the energy they require.
Are pups hard to bring up? Of course, this question varies from one pet parent to another, but one thing is however certain, that with the right dog food, you will have all the stress taken off your hand and Walla! A healthy dog will appear.
This food also contains botanical, probiotics, antioxidants and glucosamine. All acting as an enthusiastic team of superheroes, meant to supplement the nutritional value of the food. Plus, the whole recipe is grain free. More meat, less grains sounds magical!
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③ Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
Most people are obsessed with grain-free dog foods, and Nature’s Recipe taps into this realization like a champ! Providing a grain-free diet, it throws in real chicken as the prime ingredient. Containing high quality proteins, your dog will have exemplary muscle development.
It also has sources of carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and pumpkin, which are grain-free and keep your small dog energetic and equipped for playtime. In the long run, the whole diet is easily digestible. Not forgetting paw licking.
The world is filled with a vast conceptualized idea of what sources of happiness are, hence I say that small dog can be your source of happiness! To do this he needs to be alive and kicking, the rich antioxidant diet in Nature’s Recipe will guarantee this!
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④ Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Farm Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
It serves up a palatable tray made up of farm raised chicken as the first ingredient. The rest of the ingredients also complement the natural bandwagon, hence promoting strong muscles and a healthy metabolism for your small skipping furry friend.
The market is flooded with all sorts of dog foods, and making up your mind could be hectic. Thus the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Food makes choosing a piece of cake. For example, it does not contain any GMO ingredients, by products or artificial colors and flavors!
Do you want your dog to grow up with a smooth and glowing skin? Of course you do! This dog food is specifically formulated with Omega-6 fatty acids and zinc. Both of these minerals work like a charm in promoting healthy skin and coating.
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⑤ Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Small Breed Dry Dog Food
A definite health package! Has your pooch been experiencing any urinary tract issues? If yes well you might just been in luck .The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet is specially formulated to combat any urinary tract health issues in small dogs under 22 pounds.
Urinary tract issues are as stressful for dogs as they are for humans, so why not save your pup from all that pain! The kibbles are small sized to reduce any tartar buildup and encourage your dog to comfortably chew their food!
Like I said before this dog food is widely beneficial to your dog’s health. To support this, it dilutes excess minerals to be specific ions! The method used is Relative Super Saturation (RSS) and it prevents the formation of stones and crystals.
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⑥ Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Breed Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
The wholesome ingredients like chicken meal and barley make this food a darling! Basically, the whole meal is very efficient in making sure that all your dog’s nutritional needs are met to the fullest. It is recommended for small dogs with sensitive stomachs!
A healthy lifestyle for your small buddy is imperative, and Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach Dry food sells exactly that, a healthy lifestyle! Let me propound a bit further, it contains a prebiotic fiber from beet pulp for a healthy digestion and firm stool.
To support a healthy immune system is an antioxidant, Vitamin E and C. This dog food is a sport! It will also have your small pup’s skin and coat glowing in an absolute picture of health. Give your dog the best healthy diet you can!
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⑦ Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken Rice & Vegetables Flavor Small Breed Dry Dog Food
It is made up of whole grains and a special fiber blend which helps in healthy digestions. To top it all up is a chicken flavor that will have your pup hastily devour his meal and lick his bowl! The mere satisfaction from their face is certainly a site to behold!
The dental health of your pup is of the uttermost importance, and Pedigree Small Dog Dry Food sees to it by providing small crunchy pieces that prevent any tartar build-ups. This eventually equates to a tremendous oral health for your small dog.
To vigorously work on the condition of your dog’s skin is the elite omega-6 fatty acid, which nourishes the skin and keeps it sparkling and healthy! This dog food doesn’t emphasize on trashy and useless ingredients, rather it focuses on the target and that’s the health of your pup!
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⑧ Cesar Filet Mignon Flavor & Spring Vegetables Garnish Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Forget those meals that your pup just takes a whiff and walks away. This is not one them, firstly the mixture of quality meat and a garnish of veggies is simply irresistible! Also with a high protein meal like this your small dog will grow into a large breed in no time!
The kibble pieces are delicately designed to be crunchy and with a blend of tender chunks of meat. This next part will blow away your mind! The gourmet recipe is formulated with 26 nutrients that are beneficial to small dog.
The garnish of spring vegetables might ring an air of doubt in your mind, but I advise you to cast it away! They have a delectable mignon flavor that will make your dog’s knees weak and buckle. A desirable combination of flavor and nutrients!
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⑨ Racheal Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Natural Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food
Racheal Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food is a protein and carbohydrate power house! Chicken acts as the first ingredient, ensuring healthy muscle performance which is provided by the easily-digestible animal protein.
On the other corner is a large blend of carbohydrates which provide the energy your little friend needs to go about their business. It doesn’t stop there, this dog food whips out another ingredient rarely seen, and that is cranberries which help in stress control.
Fiber-rich peas, beets and carrots are also included in the ingredients for proper digestion, hence preventing any stomach issues. Additionally with every bite, the small breed takes in tons of vitamins and minerals to support the whole body!
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⑩ Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Fundamentally the Purina Pro is made up of a yummy mixture of chicken and rice, the result is a crunchy and tender blend that revels in the eyes of many pets. The chicken being a source of high quality protein ensures healthy and strong muscles for your pup.
The Purina Pro is also compounded with a lot of vitamins and minerals to guarantee your furry friend a healthy skin and coat, they include; vitamin A, linoleic acid and omega -6 acid. This mixtures comes off as undisputed in nourishing the skin, as you will see with the results.
The digestive health your dog is also covered! Natural prebiotic fiber extracted from wheat bran ensures your small dog has a healthy digestion. You are bound to love this meal and I am not too doubtful that your small dog will woof it up! Pros Cons
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Conclusion & What is the Best Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Taking you through this list has been an awesome journey. Since I am a pet lover myself I am very aware of the hassle involved with choosing the right pet food. In this case, you’re looking for dry dog food for small dogs, the search becomes even harder.
So I refuse to leave you hanging out in the dry! I recommend Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE) for the fulfillment of all your pet’s wildest meal experiences. It is grain-free and has a high protein quality derived from the chicken ingredient.
Not forgetting the importance of carbohydrates, this meal has sweet potatoes and pumpkin for the adequate provision of energy to your dear puppy. Your dog will immediately adjust to this pick vehemently and with sheer excitement! I can definitely guarantee that.
What to Look for in Small Breed Dog Food
Like I mentioned before, there is a common myth that small dogs are easier to feed than large dogs. However, due to the fact that small dogs need more calories than large breeds, one must be careful in choosing the dog food, solely having the health of your pup in mind.
Here are some of the things you must consider when looking for a dry dog food for small dogs.
High in Animal Protein
In your endeavors and search for the right dry dog food, the protein content is very important. Generally, dogs need a minimum of 18% protein and a maximum that could skyrocket to 100 %. So what do you buy? The answer to that is quiet simple and alluring.
You have to check if the first ingredient formulating the meal is a protein source. From there on, the sailing becomes very smooth, since you can simply choose either meat, poultry or even fish. This depends on what your pup munches best!
It would be a shame if I didn’t touch on the health benefits of proteins! So, a high-quality protein diet will help in building the muscles and joints of your small dog. This sounds like a tremendous win to me, your small dogs gets some meat and health up his alley!
Rich in Healthy Fats and Calories
The food should be rich in calories to help in the upbringing of your dear puppy. Moreover, fats also ensure the overall body condition of your dog is an absolute hit! Remember, nothing concerns you most than a healthy and tasty meal when feeding your fur baby.
Nutritionally Balanced
This concept might be a little vague, so allow me to elaborate. Sure there are some foods that have an independent strong suit like proteins or carbohydrates. However, to be on the safe side, you need to choose a nutritionally balanced food!
It would be very detrimental to your small dog’s life if they were to grow up lacking any crucial nutrition. Hence, the food must be well balanced with proteins for muscle strength, carbohydrates which generally provide energy and minerals and vitamins.
The minerals and vitamins can range from omega fatty acids to zinc. They mainly help in nourishing the skin and coat of your dog. The end result is of course a glowing and smooth coat. So once again ensure to check for synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements!
Smaller Kibble Size
This obviously goes without saying, small dogs require the kibbles to be small-sized! This is because they have a smaller mouth and stomach, so for them to be able to comfortably chew their tasty food it must be in small kibbles.
The food can also be crunchy as long as the ingredients are well tendered especially if it is meat. Large kibbles are a definite choking hazard for your little four-legged friend. So take the precautionary measures and buy dog food that comes in small kibbles.
Do Small Breeds and Large Breeds Need Different Food?
All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs. For instance, they all require a high diet of protein, meaning you must appease their carnivorous nature. Whether we’re talking about small or large breeds.
Equally, fats will be of great help in providing a concentrated source of energy for all dogs. What am trying to imply is that some of the nutrients are very important for dogs of all sizes, hence you must not be rash to assume anything.
The difference comes in when we say that small breeds need more calories per pound than large breeds! Thus, their foods must have higher concentration of fat than the regular food. This is to provide the much-needed Calories.
Of course, their food must be in smaller pieces to prevent any choking. This isn’t the case for large dogs, the kibbles can be large in their case since their mouths are bigger and they can savagely chew through almost anything.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
For any pet owner, the first thing they do when shopping is look at the description or rather label on the bag of food. This can be very risky, if you don’t know what you’re looking for and you may just end up going for the fancy words.
You can look for the words complete and balanced, which automatically means that the particular food you intent to purchase has the necessary nutrients. They can even be equal amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Your small dog needs a balanced and nutritious diet if they are to grow healthy and fast, we don’t want any problems arising along the way! This also helps you to identify any unwanted ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.
It is also important to check the life stages. In this case we’re interested in dog food for small dogs. It can be small breeds, puppies or small adult dogs, you can consult your vet to know the precise recommended food for the age of your dog!
