Some owners of small dogs believe that food for their pets should not differ in composition from food for large and medium-sized breeds, and that a small animal should consume only a certain portion corresponding to its weight. This is fundamentally wrong, since the metabolism of such decorative breeds is completely different.
Small dogs need to be fed little and often. Feeding “human” food also does not lead to anything good. The pet begins to overeat, gets sick, and becomes lethargic. Veterinarians recommend purchasing special food for small dogs.
What is the difference between food for small breeds and regular food?
Keeping small and miniature breeds imposes certain nutritional requirements on the dog owner. Specialized food for decorative dogs is created specifically based on the characteristics of their body.
Since the metabolism of such dogs occurs much faster, they need more high-calorie food of high quality. In such feeds it is easy to calculate the daily and one-time consumption rates, which is difficult to do with home-made feed. If a small dog regularly overeats, this can lead to dire consequences.
A decorative dog puppy grows faster and reaches sexual maturity earlier than its relatives of larger breeds. Puppies' food should be more nutritious and high in calories.
Choosing a diet for puppies under 1 year of age
The dog’s diet must be selected taking into account his age and individual characteristics. However, the most important criterion when choosing dog food is the breed of the pet.
For large breeds
Large breed dogs are distinguished by their strength and endurance. It is important to maintain their strength and health, since an improperly organized diet can lead to a number of problems.
The main component in dog food is protein, which is necessary for the growth of the animal.
Proteins are extremely important for the formation and maintenance of optimal functioning of musculoskeletal tissues.
For medium pets
Compared to large breed puppies, medium-sized pets do not grow as actively during the first year. Therefore, they do not need too high a concentration of protein in the feed.
When choosing food for puppies, you should consider its composition
But such pets tend to learn and remember quickly, so the diet should have high nutritional value.
For small dogs
For small breed dogs, it is important to choose food whose pieces the pet can chew without difficulty. But at the same time, they must also be such that when biting them, the surface of the dog’s teeth is cleared of plaque.
Small breed puppies have an accelerated metabolism, so their diet should be dense and satisfying.
The pet’s body must be fully saturated with energy, so food for such animals must be chosen with a high calorie content.
See also:
The best dry food of 2022 for dogs of different breeds - recommendations from veterinarians
Composition of food for small breeds of dogs
Feeds for small breeds vary in the quality of raw materials. The most affordable, but not very useful, are in the economy class line. Frequent consumption of such foods can harm the dog. They include bone meal, offal, various meat production waste, grain and other low-quality components. To ensure that dogs eat it, various flavorings and additives are included.
High-quality food includes only natural products that humans eat. This is natural poultry and animal meat, fish meat, vegetables, herbs, fruits, and sometimes cereals. Such food should not contain GMOs, dyes or other chemicals.
Holistic food has the highest class. These are the best quality and most expensive feeds. They consist of 100% natural products. They are produced using selected poultry meat, beef or dietary lamb with a small addition of eggs, vegetables, fruits and cereals. They can contain up to 80% meat products. They contain no waste, by-products or dietary supplements. For small dogs this is very important.
Next come super-premium and premium food. They contain at least 50% meat, no meat production waste (tails, bones, heads, etc.), or harmful additives. Such food is completely balanced, natural, safe and suitable for feeding all year round. You can easily adjust the serving size. Small granules promote rapid absorption of food.
Food for small dogs can include any high-quality lean meat (except pork), sea fish, vegetables, eggs, rice, oats, herbs, berries, fruits, etc.
Which company should I buy?
Monge is called one of the largest Italian manufacturers of food for dogs and cats. It has been on the market for more than 50 years.
- Belcando is a German company. It is based on the principle of naturalness. Their dog food is all natural. It also consists of ingredients characterized by high quality.
- Petcurean Pet Nutrition launches holistic food Go! Natural. This company is located in Canada. Its representatives guarantee a varied composition and natural ingredients.
- The Czech company BRIT is engaged in the production and development of premium and super-premium feed. This company was founded in June 1994.
- Champion Petfoods is located in Canada. It produces ACANA food. The pet food factory is located in Morinville (Alberta). There the feed is manufactured and then packaged. Thanks to this, quality can be carefully controlled.
- PURINA is an American company that is known throughout the world. It arose through the merger of three large companies producing products for pets: PURINA, Spillers and Friskies.
Types of food for decorative dogs
As a rule, a manufacturer of high-quality food divides its line for small breeds into different types, depending on age, health status and preference.
Many luxury food manufacturers create diets:
- for decorative dog puppies;
- for active small dogs;
- for small older dogs;
- for sterilized animals;
- for animals suffering from various diseases and allergies.
Feed is also divided into dry and wet.
Rating 2022 food for small breeds
The best holistic diets
By-products are not included in such feed. For some manufacturers, the meat component reaches 80%. Such feed contains an optimal balance of substances and is consumed very economically.
Savarra for small breeds
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Savarra for small breeds | The menu of this brand of food may include large quantities of poultry meat (turkey, duck), beef, various vegetables, vitamins and minerals. | Contains no chicken, wheat or corn. The food is considered hypoallergenic. High energy value allows minimizing feed consumption. | The percentage of ingredients is not stated. High price. |
Grandorf
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Grandorf | The food contains more than 60% meat ingredients (poultry, veal, lamb, rabbit), sea fish. Various fruit and vegetable inclusions. Contains up to 18% fat. | Made from high-quality natural products (wheat grain and chicken, sugar and other harmful inclusions are excluded). Does not cause allergies. Very nutritious. Suitable for active dogs. | Old and sedentary dogs gain weight quickly. |
Now fresh
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Now fresh | Poultry (except chicken), salmon, fresh fruits, berries and vegetables (peas, lentils, pumpkin, seaweed, carrots), vitamins and microelements | This food contains the optimal balance of all microelements. Suitable for all small dogs, incl. elderly and prone to obesity. Does not contain grains. Contains iodine, vitamins, Omega acids and other microelements. |
Go!
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Go | Selected poultry (except chicken), beef, salmon, various fruits and vegetables, healthy herbs, minerals and vitamins. | It is easily digested and does not cause digestive problems. A large amount of vitamins. Suitable for small animals of any age. |
Pro plan series PRONATURE
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Pro plan series PRONATURE | 50% - natural meat (mainly duck), 36% – fruits and vegetables; 14% – herbs, spices, fats, vitamins and minerals. | An excellent hypoallergenic balanced food that does not cause digestive problems. Small granule size. |
Belcando series FINEST CROC
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Belcando series FINEST CROC | 28% - dry poultry meat (duck); 17% - rice or oats; duck fat, flour 5% oceanic herring flour; 4% - duck liver, as well as brewer's yeast, egg powder; herbs (nettle, centaury, gentian root, chamomile, fennel, yucca extract, etc. | Does not contain wheat or soy. Helps strengthen bones and improves immunity. Small dogs and their puppies that eat this food are healthier and more susceptible to disease. |
Landor
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Landor | Lamb, duck fat, rice, salmon, vegetables, brewer's yeast, vitamins and minerals. | The balanced menu is suitable for both active young and older small dogs, as well as animals in need of a diet. The menu was created with cancer prevention in mind. Good price. | Small assortment. |
Wolfsblut
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Wolfsblut | Turkey, pumpkin, turkey fat, parsnips, peas, tomatoes, aromatic herbs, berries, elderberries, chokeberries, medicinal herbs (nettle, dandelion, hawthorn, ginseng and Yucca extracts). | Does not contain grain, genetically modified plants, does not cause allergies, improves immunity. Small granules. | High percentage of protein (30%) and fat (17%), although the food is considered optimally balanced with a low fat content. |
One only
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| One only | Dietary rabbit or turkey meat (65%), rice, oats, vegetables, herbs, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. | Excellent food for small dogs of all ages, does not cause digestive problems. |
How to switch a puppy to dry food
There is a stereotype that prepared foods, unlike natural ones, do not benefit the dog’s body, and in addition, they are detrimental to health. In fact, companies are now producing food of human nutrition level, suitable for the human diet. Proven quality brands are complete and healthy because they contain a complex of vitamins, minerals, and microelements.
For newborn small puppies, special small granules with a high calorie content have been developed. Each age has its own product. But if complementary foods were introduced with natural ingredients, then it will be more difficult to switch to dry ones.
Transfer begins with 10-15 g of granules per day, administered over 7-10 days . Gradually replace 1 meal, 2, 3, and bring it up to the daily norm. Complementary feeding with a new brand of food occurs in a similar way. It is important to monitor the dog’s condition and stop the program if you observe a negative reaction. Your pet will need a large volume of clean water.
How to feed a small puppy correctly
Adult animals eat 2 times a day. Babies need frequent meals:
- 5-2 months – 5-6 times;
- 3-4 months – 4 times;
- 5-7 months – 3 times;
- 8-12 - 2 times.
Complementary feeding is introduced to the puppy after 1.5 months , then the baby is gradually weaned from mother's milk and transferred to normal feeding. Small dogs need special dry food; well-known brands have developed special products for newborns or older animals.
It is important that the granules do not cause an allergic reaction or disorder and contain all groups of vitamins and microelements for the development of organ systems (magnesium, calcium, fluorine, copper, zinc, phosphorus).
First, replace one meal, give 15-20 grams dry granules. For babies, it is better to soften the food with fresh warm water until it becomes a thick porridge. Up to 5 months they are bred with goat or sheep milk, kefir, fermented baked milk. This procedure is not necessary, but it makes chewing and digestion easier. Then the product is given according to the brand table. Each pack indicates the required dose for a specific age and weight. Moreover, the share of the liquid part of the portion is not taken into account.
The best super-premium food
Such diets include up to 50-60% high quality meat products. This can be poultry, lean lamb, beef, sea fish, and eggs. Cereals must be of high quality without GMOs. For small popular breeds it is the best option.
Advance
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Advance | 26% meat ingredients (including 17% lamb), beets, corn, animal and fish oil. | Nutritionally balanced for all ages of small animals. | Contains corn. |
Brit
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Brit | 50% boneless chicken meat, chicken fat, cereals, apples, herbs, vitamins and microelements. | The food is made exclusively from natural and easily digestible ingredients. No soy used. Does not cause allergies. Small granules. |
1st Choice
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Choice | Contains 30% chicken meat, brown rice, green tea extract, chicory, yeast, vitamins and microelements. | Does not cause allergies, does not contain soy or chemical additives. There are various menu options. |
Farmina ND
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Farmina ND | 26% natural and 25% or more dry lamb meat, powdered eggs, potatoes, herring, dried vegetables (carrots, peas), vitamins and microelements, dried blueberries and apples, brewer's yeast and medicinal herbs (calendula). | Prevents the development of diabetes, does not cause allergies, as it does not contain grains, chicken and soy. Small granules. The composition includes medicinal herbs that promote immunity stability. Does not cause obesity in sedentary dogs. |
Now fresh
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Now fresh | Fresh turkey, salmon, duck, vegetable oil, fresh fruits and berries, pumpkin, spinach, peas, kelp, carrots, lentils. | Harmless, optimally balanced food. It contains boneless poultry meat and salmon fillet. Without hormones and preservatives, does not contain grain. Does not cause allergies. Reasonable price. Ideal for mini dogs, as the granules do not exceed 7 mm. |
Acana
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Acana | 60% chicken and flounder, fresh eggs, 40% fruits, herbs and vegetables, does not contain grains or potatoes. | An optimal balance of natural, high-quality products is suitable for dogs of all ages, does not cause allergies, and has an affordable price policy. Convenient multi-weight packaging. | Without comments. |
Bosch
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Bosch | 25% chicken, 5% lamb, millet, powdered eggs, corn, poultry meal, chicken and fish oil, peas, yeast, trace elements and vitamins. | Large selection of menus for different breeds and ages. Decent price. Small granules are easy to digest. |
Purina proplan
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Purina proplan | The food is based on chicken and rice. There is corn, beets, fish and chicken fat, chicory. | Large selection of menus for different breeds and ages. The optimal combination of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. |
Monge
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Monge | High percentage (up to 30) of natural meat, vitamins, microelements. | Availability of a line for different ages of dogs. | There is no specificity in the composition of the products, which raises questions about the class of food. Rarely found in stores. High price. |
Eukanuba
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Eukanuba | Chicken and turkey meat (32%), sorghum, poultry fat, wheat, rice, sugar beets, eggs, fish oil, flax seed, etc. | Availability of a separate menu for different breeds, high-calorie food, easy to digest. Does not cause digestive problems. Small granules. Suitable for daily feeding. | High percentages of protein and fat can cause problems in miniature dogs and dogs with low activity levels. |
Fest choice
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Fest choice | 30% - flour from dried chicken or lamb, chicken and fish oil, vegetables (beets, dried tomatoes), chicken liver, flaxseed. | Optimally balanced food. Does not cause allergies. Suitable for all mini and small breeds, recommended for dogs with low activity. |
Orijen Adult
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Orijen Adult | 30% boneless chicken, meat meal, chicken liver, herring (4%), turkey (4%), vegetables and herbs. | High quality composition, good price. | High % protein and low % fiber is only suitable for active and healthy dogs. May cause allergies. |
Premium food
Premium diets include up to 30% meat. This can be poultry, lean lamb, beef, as well as eggs and grains. Some diets add marine commercial fish (flounder, herring, etc.). Such food can be recommended for small mongrel dogs.
Ava
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Ava | Lamb and turkey, rice, peas, corn, fish oil, fish meal, beets, chicory, vitamins and minerals. | Large selection of separate menus for different ages (puppies, seniors, adult dogs). The best option among premium feeds. | It is not always possible to buy in a store; according to reviews, it is not suitable for dwarf breeds (the granules are too large). |
Hills
| Name | Compound | pros | Minuses |
| Hills | Chicken and turkey meat, vegetables, fish, grains. Meat - up to 24%, fat - up to 10%, fiber - 12%. The diet includes nutrients and vitamins. | Good food, contains quality products. High percentage of fiber. There are options for aging animals, dogs with sensitive digestion, diets for weight control, etc. | Not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies. |
Dog chow
| Name | Compound | Minuses | |
| Dog chow | 48% grains, offal, at least 4% chicken, vegetables, chicory, animal fat. | An optimal balance of fats, carbohydrates and proteins is declared. Availability of vitamins and minerals. | Fat of unknown origin. The presence of by-products raises questions regarding the feed's relation to the premium class. |
Best lists
All the foods presented in the rating are good and can provide the puppy’s growing body with everything necessary, but some of them are of special quality.
Happy Dog Mini pate, lamb, liver, heart, with rice - the best wet food
Unlike many wet foods, which are primarily a treat, this product is complete. The manufacturer used lamb meat in its creation, so the pate is perfect for puppies suffering from allergies and will not cause problems with it in adulthood. The food also contains high-quality by-products, healthy rice grains, vitamins and minerals necessary for harmonious development. The delicate texture of the food is especially suitable for small dogs.
Happy Dog Mini pate
1st Choice Puppy, chicken (for small breeds) – the best dry food
Canadian brand 1st Choice food is traditionally considered one of the best in its class. They are distinguished by a carefully balanced composition, which does not contain potentially harmful or simply useless components.
The palatability of 1st Choice Puppy food is very good; it really contains a lot of meat, as well as healthy cereals, microelements and vitamins. The care taken by Canadian experts is evident just by looking at the shape, size and consistency of the kibble, ideal for small breed puppies.
1st 1st Choice Puppy, chicken
Royal Canin Mini Puppy is the most popular among consumers
Royal Canin food is very common in Russia and enjoys stable popularity among buyers. You can buy them even in small cities and towns.
The composition of Royal Canin Mini Puppy food is not ideal when compared with super-premium products, but it does not provoke allergic reactions, is positively perceived by most dogs, and is well eaten.
Royal Canin Mini Puppy
Economy feed
Foods such as Pedigree, Darling, Chappi are classified as economy class. Cheap dry food will help save money, but will have a detrimental effect on the health and life expectancy of your pet.
Pedigree and mongrel small dogs begin to experience health problems. These feeds contain practically no meat; it is replaced by meat industry waste (by-products). There are vegetable fats and many grains of unknown origin, etc.
Veterinarian recommendations
Ivanov P.
I recommend using only high-quality food of at least premium class for feeding dogs of small decorative breeds. Any deviations in the composition of the feed or unsafe inclusions can harm the health of the animal. It is advisable to follow the rules and feeding regime for a small dog. Cheap food should be strictly excluded from the diet.
Samoilova Yu
For toy puppies and small dogs, it is very important to use specialized food. Puppies of such dogs grow very quickly, and they need constant replenishment of the body with vitamins and nutrients. Not every homemade food can provide the necessary substances to the rapidly growing body of a small animal. Therefore, premium grade ready-made food is best suited.
Video “Proper diet and proper feeding of small dogs”
This video provides recommendations regarding nutritional issues for miniature dogs, gives advice on which premium food is best for small pets and puppies and what rational feeding should be like.
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Owner reviews
Marina T.
I feed my dachshund Buddy (now 12 years old) Purina proplan food for older small breed dogs. The dog eats the food with pleasure. We dose the food so that the dog does not overeat and gain weight.
Sergey S.
Our pug started out with economy food. We bought Chappie, but the dog developed a terrible smell from his mouth. Switched to Advance. The dog eats the food with pleasure, does not gain weight, and there is no smell from the mouth. A little expensive, but the dog’s health is more expensive.
Julia K.
I am breeding Yorkshire Terriers. I feed my dogs only high quality food. Savings are inappropriate here. Landor suited my dogs. No complaints. The dogs are active, have beautiful silky fur, and clean their teeth perfectly.
Tatiana S.
I buy Feist Choice for my toy terrier. My Dusya is absolutely happy. He eats the food with pleasure. I buy food on the Internet. The price is reasonable. I haven't found any shortcomings yet.
Our conclusions and recommendations
In conclusion, we note that at the legislative level (in Russia, the USA, EU countries) there is no classification of dog food into economy, premium, super-premium, holistic. Therefore, you should not trust such labels on the packaging, but just re-read the ingredients.
By the way, we talked about how to determine whether food is good based on its composition here. We recommend that you read this article; the information in it will help, at a minimum, immediately distinguish bad dog food.
- Dog food
