Best Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs

Sharing your home with a small dog is pure bliss, regardless of its specific breed. The dogs are not only adorable but also portable and can be taken anywhere easily due to their small size. Small dogs, additionally make excellent companions and will be there for comfort whenever you need them.

Since the small dogs are always there to give you unending admiration, it is good to take extra care of them too. Dogs don’t require much attention. Regular cleaning and good food are all they need. Well, finding good dog food can be challenging, especially for novice dog owners. If you are in this fold, check out our guide below on the best dry dog food for small dogs.

Top 5 Best Dry Dog Foods for Small Dogs

1. The NomNomNow Chicken Jerky

Coming at the top of our list, the NomNomNow Chicken Jerky is a good pick for several reasons. To begin, the NomNomNow is a full subscription service for all kinds of dog food. This provides an assurance that your small dog will benefit from fresh and high-quality dog food every meal. Secondly, the ingredients used in the manufacture of these products are human grade and prepared with the utmost sanitary conditions.

You will certainly love the protein composition that is made from real animal protein and not other chemical components used in substandard dog food. The NomNomNow Chicken Jerky is available in small batches to ascertain that your small pooch clears every serving, preventing wastage.

The NomNomNow Chicken Jerky uses 100% chicken ingredients with no preservatives. It is additionally made from USDA certified chicken breasts. Thus makes them a good choice if you want to maintain your dog’s weight and coat or as well help the dog gain some pounds.

As for the daily meal options, you can choose from pork, beef, turkey and chicken. Each of these options is infused with a plethora of whole grains, fruits and veggies that increase the food’s nutritional value.

2. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dry Dog Food

If you are looking for small dogs food that will keep the small pooch fully fortified with essential body nutrients, the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dry Dog Food is a good option. These small bites dog food is made from deboned chicken with turkey, and chicken meal to provide sufficient proteins. Most pet enthusiasts like this product, as it is grain-free. Note that grains are a common cause of constipation for small dogs.

The decision to use sweet potatoes as the ingredient source of carbohydrates describes a lot about this dog food. The potatoes are an exceptional source of fiber and energy, which is vital for small dogs. There are also cranberries, peas, Irish potatoes and blueberries to maintain a healthy urinary system of the dogs.

Feeding your dogs with Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dry Dog Food is a sure source of healthy muscle tone, zero constipation and provides a long shelf life since the food is dry.

3. The Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a good food of choice for small dogs with a high metabolism. The protein ingredients used is salmon meat, turkey and lamb that provides an excellent protein combination. The kibbles are extra small to make it easy for small pups with small mouths to chew and digest.

Consider getting your small pal this food if you notice a recent unexplained loss in weight or if you need to maintain your pup’s weight. The formulation is made for health-conscious pup owners who like low-carbohydrate diets. The other exciting inclusion in this formulation is the included probiotics.

Probiotics ensure that the digestive system of the dog remains healthy and in an optimum condition to minimize constipation. The formulation also doesn’t have soy, gluten preservatives, coloring and other artificial flavours, making it perfect for sensitive small dogs. The fishy smell of the food is additionally appealing, promoting the dogs to eat better.

4. Ollie Tasty Chicken Strips

The Ollie Tasty Chicken Strips is another best soft dog food for your small pooch. As a dog enthusiast, you definitely recognize that small breeds require small-sized kibbles that they can chew and digest easily. These products are easy to chew, probably making them an ideal pick for small dogs.

The chicken used in the manufacture of Ollie Tasty Chicken Strips is human grade and not the pieces placed in poor quality kibbles. Unlike other products, this dog food doesn’t contain additional fruits, grains and veggies in its ingredient list. They are simply pure chicken strips.

The Ollie Tasty Chicken Strips are made from USDA certified ingredients that are rich in calories, thus an excellent food for a growing healthy pup. They are also a great reward if your small dog is a finicky eater. If your pup prefers beef, you can opt for the savory beef strips from beef sirloin or the trusty turkey strips for those watching weight.

5. The Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food

The Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food is another healthy dog food that you should consider feeding to any new small dog. The food formulation is precise to ensure that the puppy maintains its ideal weight limit. The food is both nutritious, healthy and tasty. It uses savory chicken as the source of proteins coupled with omega – 3 fish oil.

Growing pooch need the essential vitamins and minerals to develop and enhance their motor skills, brains and musculoskeletal body aspects. To ensure maximum health benefits, the food doesn’t include any artificial flavours to provide a real taste of high-quality protein.

The Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food is formulated in small pieces to ease chewing and digestion by the pups. They can be fed to one-year-old dogs and provide enough source of preparation for palates before upgrading. Manufacturers also provide a 100% money-back guarantee to any unsatisfied customer, perhaps proving the confidence they have in their quality products.

Which Nutrients Should Small Dog Food Have?

All the products outlines above are made from varying ingredient mixtures. However, before ranking the formulation as a good small pup food, what should the food contain? Below is a simple breakdown of what the best dog food should contain.

Best Ingredients

The first thing to consider when searching for the best dog food is to check on the ingredient contents. Both FDA and AAFCO have standard requirements about the ingredients to be included in dog food. The authorities also require that the ingredients should be listed in their order of predominance.

Off all the first ingredients listed in any dog food, the main ingredient should be animal proteins. This is usually either in the form of a meal or meat. The source of protein should be indicated with descriptions such as smoked, salmon, turkey, pork, chicken and much more.

Having animal protein as the first ingredient is an indicator that the dog food you are checking is on the right course. Small pups need good amounts of animal proteins to ensure optimum growth of its lean muscles. Proteins are also easy for the canine stomach to digest and absorb.

When choosing the animal protein for your little pup, consider the pooch’s palate. While some prefer lamb, others like beef or chicken. Some may have healthy appetites for novelty meats including kangaroo, rabbit or bison meat.

Meat Meals

It is common to come across dry dog foods that have meat meals as their first ingredient. In most formulations, however, meat meals come second. Meat meals could be in the form of turkey meal, lamb meal, menhaden meal, chicken meal or salmon meal, among others.

Make sure that the meat meal specifies its source. If it doesn’t, ignore the formulation. This is because the meal could have been prepared from animal by-products such as hooves and intestines that dogs don’t like. Just to mention, meat meals have more protein content due to their dehydrated nature compared to whole meats that have some moisture that lowers the protein content.

Fats

Quality fats are not only essential as an energy source but also offers high digestibility. Fats are the first to be digested before carbs and proteins. Essential fatty acids are essential for the health status of small dogs as they promote the better immune system, supple skin, and a glossier looking coat. Omega 3 and omega 6 are good fats to include in your pup’s fat diet.

Sources of good fat include chicken fat, flaxseed, pork fat, sunflower oil, herring oil and canola oils. Including fats in your pooch’s food makes it smell and taste better.

Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are excellent in flavouring and balancing the entire dog food recipe by adding the much-needed minerals and vitamins. Remember, they are also a crucial source of beneficial antioxidants that boost the dog’s immune system of the pup. The fiber in fruits and veggies additionally act as roughage that helps in the digestion of pup food, providing a better bowel movement.

That said, consider having a formulation with spinach, pumpkin, kales, apples, blueberries, carrots and kelp among others.

Carbohydrates

The active nature and high metabolic rate of small dogs make them susceptible to low glucose levels – hypoglycaemia. This is why pups who aren’t allergic to whole grains should be fed with as a carb source. They digest slowly, thus providing long-term glucose stability. Pups that are gluten and grain sensitive should be fed on sweet potatoes, green peas, tapioca starch, which are a good alternative source of carbs.

Probiotics

Small dogs are often prone to serious stomach sensitivities. Due to this, it is prudent to be on the lookout for diets with probiotics. Probiotics and prebiotics help in promoting the growth of good bacteria that keeps the gut healthy and smoothens digestive system. Probiotics are found in natural ingredients such as chicory root and dried beet pulp.

Which Dry Dog Food is Good for Small Senior Dog?

The best choice of food are kibbles that are specifically made for senior dogs or that suit dogs at all life stages. Of much importance is noting that seniors require a high protein content with glucosamine and chondroitin that strengthens and protects the dog’s joints and bones. The diet should also have fruits, vegetables and berries with natural antioxidants and vitamins for good growth.

Which Dry Dog Food is Good for Small Breed Dog?

Whereas some small puppy dog owners prefer the use of puppy food initially then switching over to adult kibbles, there are endless products that suit both stages. You can opt for one product that suits dogs of all life stages, from puppies, adults and seniors, especially if you are rearing them together. This will make it easy feeding the dogs.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to diet, all small dogs deserve high-quality food formulation to maintain optimal health all the time. Finding the right dry dog food with the right nutritional supplements is a recipe to a healthy dog, which you will enjoy its company for years to come. Apart from the ingredients, also consider the pups sensitivity, price of the food, the kibble size and dental health of the dog before settling for a formulation.

Additional Resource 

• Best Brush for a Golden Retriever
• best brush for short hair dogs