10 best food for small breed dogs

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Small breed dogs have a very special metabolism. They literally live faster than their larger relatives – and the heart rate is higher, and the respiration rate, and some other processes. As a result, they need a specially balanced feed that will increase the pet's tone, improve its immunity and protect against many diseases, including those characteristic of breeds and age.

We've compiled a list of the 10 best food for small breed dogs, where owners of small breeds can find a diet that suits their age, budget or other parameters.

Rating of the best food for small breed dogs

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Rating of the best food for small breed dogs	1	Barking Heads Grainless	4.9
	2	Now Natural Holistic Grain Free	4.8
	3	Go! Natural Holistic Grain Free for Sensitive Digestion	4.8
	4	Almo Nature For puppies	4.7
	5	Hill's Science Plan	4.7
	6	Applaws Grainless	4.7
	7	Arden grange	4.6
	8	Vigor & Sage	4.5
	9	Purina Pro Plan	4.5
	10	Eukanuba	4.4

Barking Heads Grainless

Rating: 4.9

Why It: Does not contain wheat or similar grains.

This food does not include grains that are poorly digested by small breed dogs, including wheat and oats. Instead, sweet potatoes are the source of fiber and carbohydrates that your pet needs. A grain-free diet significantly improves the dog's digestion, prevents the development of flatulence and more serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, the composition of the feed includes free-range turkey meat, which is distinguished not only by an improved taste, but also by a high content of natural trace elements. Thus, the food supplements the dog's diet with all the substances necessary for its healthy lifestyle.

The food has passed the necessary veterinary checks and is recommended by specialists from dietetic institutes for feeding small breed dogs. Completely natural composition, without artificial preservatives and flavors. Gluten free.

Advantages

• Contains no grains, gluten, flavors or preservatives;
• Completely natural composition;
• Contains free-range turkey meat.

disadvantages

• Relatively high price, which is justified by the natural composition;
• Not enriched with vitamins, focused on the daily diet;
• Rarely found in offline pet stores.

Now Natural Holistic Grain Free

Rating: 4.8

Why it is: Holistic food made from natural ingredients.

Despite the fact that this food is intended for adult dogs of all breeds, small pets will also like it. This diet also does not include wheat and similar cereal by-products, so that it does not have a negative effect on the digestion of the pet. Instead, rapeseed and coconut oils are a source of fiber and carbohydrates, and they additionally fortify feed.

Due to the exclusively natural composition and high quality ingredients, the feed belongs to the super premium class (the so-called 'holistic'). So, according to the manufacturer, it is made from the meat of only slaughtered lamb raised on Canadian farms. This enriches the pet's diet with high quality, easily digestible protein that the body needs.

The feed is additionally enriched with trace elements, antioxidants and essential acids.

Advantages

• Made from fresh meat;
• Does not contain grain and cereal by-products;
• Additionally enriched with microelements.

disadvantages

• Comparative high cost, it is more profitable to buy in large packages;
• Inaccessibility in offline pet stores;
• Not specialized only for small breed dogs, universal.

Go! Natural Holistic Grain Free for Sensitive Digestion

Rating: 4.8

Why it is: Specially adapted for dogs with sensitive digestion.

This complete food with a BJU balance suitable for small breeds does not 'burden' the pet's sensitive digestive system. Its composition differs not only in the absence of grain and cereal by-products, but also in its mono-protein formula. Thanks to this, a minimum of 'effort' is spent on digestion, and the gastrointestinal microflora maintains its natural balance.

The composition does not contain offal dangerous for sensitive digestion, such as soy and potatoes. Coconut and rapeseed oils are used as a source of nutrients of plant origin, and essential fatty acids are added to the feed in a special easily digestible form.

The main ingredient in the composition is cod fillet. It is not only quickly absorbed, but also a source of essential acids. Therefore, this food will especially appeal to owners of decorative dog breeds – the pet's coat will acquire a healthy, natural shine.

Advantages

• Does not contain grain by-products, potatoes and soy;
• Basic formula, can be alternated with other Go! Natural Holistic;
• Gluten free.

disadvantages

• Price (one of the most expensive feeds in the ranking);
• Difficulty – rarely found in both offline and online pet stores.

Almo Nature For puppies

Rating: 4.7

Why it is: A holistic food specially formulated for puppies.

The main advantage of this food, ideal for puppies, is that it falls into the 'holistic' category. In particular, manufacturers report that meat by-products contained in its composition are classified as suitable for human quality. This has been confirmed by third-party experts from the Italian regulatory authorities.

Unlike the previous feeds in the ranking, the feed contains grain by-products. However, they are specially prepared for easy absorption and do not 'burden' the puppy's digestive system. Plant by-products include processed grains of rice, barley and oats.

There are no artificial flavors in the feed. A natural product is also used as a preservative – rosemary oil. The food does not cause allergies, uses a basic base (can be alternated with other Almo Nature diets), contains an optimal amount of protein.

Advantages

• Only natural ingredients;
• Does not cause allergies;
• Can be alternated with other Almo Nature foods.

disadvantages

• Quite large granules, some puppies may be simply uncomfortable to eat them;
• Contains grain by-products, not suitable for puppies with sensitive digestion.

Hill's Science Plan

Rating: 4.7

Why it is: Low price, noticeable positive effect.

Hill's Science Plan food is designed not only to provide your pet with a balanced diet that includes all the essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. He also improves the health of the dog. The special composition of the feed has a positive effect on the pet's digestive system, the condition of the skin and coat, as well as the oral cavity – and therefore helps in getting rid of the unpleasant odor from the mouth.

The food is additionally enriched with antioxidants that support the immune system and slow down aging. Also crunchy granules help in cleaning teeth and improve oral health. The food itself is absorbed easily and quickly, does not lead to flatulence or similar problems with the digestive system.

Food may well be the basis for a daily diet – it contains a sufficient amount of nutrients.

Advantages

• Improves the condition of the oral cavity;
• Crispy, easy to bite granules;
• Balanced composition.

disadvantages

• Not all dogs eat with pleasure;
• Poor for dogs with sensitive digestion;
• Contains grain by-products.

Applaws Grainless

Rating: 4.7

Why it is: A budget feed that does not contain grain by-products.

Nutritionists from British institutions have been involved in the development of this feed. This ensures a balanced diet suitable for daily use. However, the food does not include grain by-products, which can be difficult for the digestive system of small breed dogs.

Instead, a specially selected blend of vegetables serves as a source of vitamins and fiber. These vegetable by-products have undergone a dehydration procedure, due to which they have retained useful substances, but at the same time they are able to be stored for a very long time without losing food and taste.

For the animal part of the diet, a combination of chicken and lamb is 'responsible'. They are also specially processed to retain their beneficial properties. Thus, this food for small breed dogs is complete and does not need any additives.

Advantages

• Low price (the cheapest complete grain-free feed in the rating);
• Suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion;
• The composition does not contain artificial ingredients.

disadvantages

• May not be suitable for some dogs;
• Sometimes you come across lots from France, with lower quality than British production.

Arden grange

Rating: 4.6

Why it is: Convenient pellets, high natural meat content, low price.

The main advantage of this feed is the relatively high content of natural meat for 'middle' class diets. In particular, it contains about 35% lamb. Moreover, both in the form of by-products after dehydration, and fresh – this provides a high protein content in an easily digestible form.

Also included in the feed are rice and corn. These grains, unlike wheat and oats, offer a sufficient amount of fiber, but they do not put a strain on the dog's digestive system and therefore do not lead to flatulence, a change in the smell of secretions, constipation, or similar unpleasant diseases.

The food is also enriched with nutrients, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. All this makes it complete, suitable for daily use. Also, its composition will include yucca extract – a useful substance that reduces the unpleasant odor of a pet's natural secretions without suppressing the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.

Advantages

• Contains yucca extract that will please owners of only indoor dogs;
• Complete, compact granules;
• High meat content.

disadvantages

• Not all dogs eat it with pleasure;
• Not a very pleasant smell of the food itself and from the mouth after eating;
• Rarely found in both online and offline pet stores.

Vigor & Sage

Rating: 4.5

Why it is: Grain-free, excellent combination of price and meat content.

This premium food has a very rich composition of nutrients and ingredients. So, it includes 45% of chicken meat, more than half of which is added fresh, unprocessed, and refers to muscular (that is, the quality level is close to that suitable for humans). And, despite the lack of an indication of 'grain-free', this food does not contain in its composition by-products based on wheat, oats and similar cereals that can somehow alter the digestion of a dog.

Sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, beets and other vegetables are a source of vitamins, fiber and other nutrients. Thanks to them, the feed is complete, but easy to digest. Of course, it also benefits your pet's health and appearance.

In addition, the food contains ginseng root, a natural antioxidant that slows down the aging process and strengthens the immune system for a long, healthy life for your dog.

Advantages

• High content of chicken meat (one of the highest in the ranking);
• Contains ginseng, flax seeds and other beneficial substances;
• Hypoallergenic.

disadvantages

• Uneven granule size;
• Exact control of consumption is required;
• It is very rare in stores.

Purina Pro Plan

Rating: 4.5

Why it is: Contains a complex of substances that improve dog health.

This premium food contains the OptiHealth nutritional complex, which is specially designed to improve the health of small and miniature dogs. It has a positive effect on all organs and systems of the body. So, thanks to the dried chicory root, the food supports heart health and positively affects the condition of the gastrointestinal tract (this plant is also a source of probiotics).

Other herbal products in the composition improve the condition of the gums and teeth, joints, intestines, serve as a source of fiber, vitamins and microelements.

Also, the feed contains quite a lot of natural chicken meat in the composition – 14%. It is supplemented with dried poultry protein so that the dog gets enough protein for the normal development of the body, its muscular structure and the musculoskeletal system.

Advantages

• Enriched with minerals;
• Contains a lot of chicken meat;
• Approved by veterinarians of the M.I. Skryabin MBA.

disadvantages

• Non-obvious, 'opaque' composition;
• Contains flavoring additives;
• There are many processed products in the composition.

Eukanuba

Rating: 4.4

Why it is: Low price and optimal balance of BJU for small breed dogs.

The balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates in this food is specially prepared for small breed dogs. It takes into account the peculiarities of the gastrointestinal tract and accelerated metabolism. Thus, the food contains 20% more fat than the diets for average dogs, and 8% more protein. Thanks to this, the pet will delight with activity, health, good mood and longevity.

Also, the feed is distinguished by a special form of granules. They are performed in a reduced size, making them easier for the dog to chew and digest.

The food has a high content of dehydrated chicken meat – about 33%. In addition, it contains a whole dry egg, the beneficial substances of which improve the condition of the skin and coat. The feed is additionally enriched with a complex of vitamins and fructo-oligo-saccharides.

Advantages

• High content of meat products;
• Specially balanced formula for small breed dogs;
• Low price (one of the lowest in the rating).

disadvantages

• Lots of processed foods;
• Contains wheat flour;
• Often there are lots produced in Russia with a lower quality than foreign ones.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.