If you share your life with a small dog, you know their personalities and needs are much larger than their physical size!
Properly caring for such a pint-sized powerhouse means recognizing and supporting their unique metabolism, size, and energy needs with the best dog food for small breeds. But with every brand promising the same amazing benefits, it can be difficult to know what is the best food for small dogs. In this practical guide, we’ll help you answer that question and more with vet-approved tips on making safe, nutritious, and appropriate food choices for your small-breed dog.
Why small breeds need specialized dog food
Think your small dog is special? You’re absolutely right! Small and toy breed dogs, generally defined as dogs weighing less than 20–25 pounds, have distinct nutritional needs that set them apart from larger dogs. These needs are both physiologic (i.e., referring to your dog’s small physical size) and lifestyle-based. They include:
- Faster metabolism — Small breed dogs and puppies burn calories more rapidly and require more calories per pound of body weight than medium or large breed dogs.
- Dental health — Small breed dogs are more prone to dental disease because of their small mouths and sometimes crowded teeth.
- Weight management — Thanks to their small stature, small dogs are more likely to become overweight. Balanced protein and fat ratios, along with portioned meals, help them maintain a healthy body condition.
- Energy levels — Small breed dogs don’t know they’re little! These dogs are generally highly active and need a food that provides steady energy to support their daily activities (or mischief).
- Digestive sensitivity — Small-breed dogs can be prone to sensitive digestion and food allergies. Diets made with gentle ingredients and the right blend of fiber can help them enjoy every meal and maintain a healthy, happy gut.
What to look for in a small breed dog food
Shopping for the best food for small dogs can feel overwhelming. It’s not just kibble anymore. There are more formulas, flavors, and brands than ever before. Knowing which qualities to look for can help you look past the labels and colorful ads and focus on the nutrition your small dog really needs.
Factors to consider when choosing the best small dog food include:
- High-quality protein — Recognizable animal-based meat proteins such as chicken, beef, lamb, and duck provide highly digestible nutrition to fuel your small dog’s daily activities and support their overall health.
- Nutrient density — Higher-calorie dog foods help small dogs eat less while getting the necessary nutrition and steady energy.
- Bite-sized pieces — The best dry dog foods for small dogs feature bite-sized kibbles for easier eating.
- Digestive support — Gentle proteins like chicken or lamb and fiber sources like pumpkin, oats, or brown rice are easy on your small breed dog’s digestive tract while providing readily absorbed nutrition and gut-nourishing probiotics.
- Portioning — The best food for small dogs should be easy to split into small, balanced meals. This helps small-breed dogs maintain stable blood sugar (glucose), proper weight, and steady energy throughout the day.
- Life stage formulas— Small breed puppies require added protein and fat for proper growth and development, plus antioxidants for brain and nervous system health. Senior dogs may need a lower-calorie, moderate-protein diet to prevent weight gain and age-related muscle loss. The best dog food for small dogs will have senior, adult, and puppy food formulas.
- Flavor and palatability (for picky eaters) — Small dogs can be finicky eaters, making regular meals a challenge. The best small breed dog foods use irresistible proteins like chicken, beef, or turkey and offer a variety of textures to keep things interesting.
Best dog food options for small breeds
Looking for the best dog food brand for small dogs? The answer is as simple and transparent as our name. With a range of vet-formulated recipes that recognize the unique traits and nutritional needs of small dogs, JustFoodForDogs has something for every pup and pantry.
Shelf-stable meals
Appreciate the convenience of dry food? JustFresh shelf-stable meals provide convenient, high-quality, preservative-free nutrition made with human-grade ingredients. The portioned, resealable pouch is ideal for small breed dogs because it maintains freshness, minimizes waste, and only requires refrigeration after opening.
JustFresh Home-Cooked Chicken — Chicken is a lean, gentle protein that’s easy on the digestive tract but packed with vitamins and minerals to optimize your small breed dog’s metabolism. Like other fresh food options, the soft texture makes it easier for small dogs, especially those with dental disease, to eat, while the added moisture supports healthy hydration.
JustFresh Home-Cooked Variety Pack — Small breed dogs can be notoriously picky, which can make it difficult to ensure they’re consistently receiving complete and balanced nutrition. The JustFresh Home-Cooked Variety Pack lets your small dog enjoy a rotation of flavors and ingredients, making it easy to rotate proteins (chicken and beef) for even greater nutritional value.
Fresh frozen meals
Formulated by a veterinary nutritionist and made with 100% human-grade ingredients, our signature fresh-frozen meals provide small breed dogs with complete, research-backed nutrition and make mealtime easy with simple thaw-and-serve convenience.
Puppy Variety Pack — The best food for a small breed puppy supports healthy growth and development, provides steady energy with wholesome ingredients, and keeps mealtimes tasty and consistent so your puppy builds good eating habits. The Puppy Variety Pack includes two recipes with extra calcium and phosphorus, key nutrients in growth and development. And, because this recipe is formulated for all life stages, puppies of all ages (and puppies at heart) can enjoy!
Best Sellers Variety Pack — Featuring a rotation of meats (turkey, chicken, and beef), this variety pack provides high-quality protein and hand-selected carbohydrates, vegetables, and fiber sources for greater nutrient density in every bite. Your small dog’s equally small stomach will thank you!
Custom diets
The best pet food brand for small dogs is one that not only recognizes the needs of small breed dogs, but also the unique, individual needs of every dog. Custom dog food from JustFoodForDogs board-certified veterinary nutritionist uses your pet’s health history to create a personalized recipe that’s just for them. Each custom dog food recipe is formulated by a nutrition consultant and veterinary nutritionist, working with your regular veterinarian, to ensure complete and balanced nutrients while supporting your small dog’s one-of-a-kind health.
These fresh-frozen diets eliminate the guesswork of home cooking, while delivering precise nutrition to support small dog challenges, including weight management, digestive health, kidney and liver support, a healthy lifestyle, and more.
Tips for feeding small dogs safely
The secret to feeding the best food for small dogs and small breed puppies isn’t just what goes into the bowl, but how you feed it. Good feeding strategies can simplify weight management and promote healthy digestion for maximum nutrient absorption.
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals — Many small dogs may benefit from eating two or three small meals per day. Smaller portions help maintain steady energy and blood sugar and are gentler on small stomachs.
- Measure portions accurately — Use a scale or measuring cup to portion your dog’s meals and prevent overfeeding.
- Transition gradually to new foods — Introduce a new diet or ingredient gradually over 7 to 10 days, slowly adding more new food and reducing the old food. This helps avoid digestive upset such as gas, bloating, and loose poop.
- Avoid toxic foods — Although there are many pet-safe human foods, you should never give your dog chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, or foods containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol. These ingredients are toxic and can be life-threatening for dogs.
- Monitor your small dog’s weight and activity level — Extra pounds can add up quickly on a small dog. Ask your veterinarian how to evaluate your dog’s body condition score so you can monitor their weight at home. Adjust meal portions during less active seasons.
- Ensure fresh water is always available — Water is a critical nutrient for dogs. Providing several water stations throughout your home ensures small dogs don’t have far to travel when they’re thirsty.
- Separate dogs during meal time — Sharing food can create stress and anxiety. This can lead to gulping, choking, or fighting. Separating pets allows everyone to eat in peace.
Best natural dog food for small breeds
Your small breed dog may be short in stature, but satisfying their health needs is a tall order. Feeding the best food for small dogs means recognizing what sets them apart, like their quick metabolism and endless energy, and providing extra support where they need it most, like dental care, healthy digestion, and weight management.
If you’re like many pet parents, what began as a search for the best dry dog food for small dogs has led to a discovery that there’s more to dog food than kibble. Fresh, whole-ingredient dog food lets you satisfy your small dog or pup’s big appetite while supporting their health in every bite. JustFoodForDogs shelf-stable and frozen meals are formulated by veterinarians and hand-crafted in our kitchens, making it easier than ever to provide complete, balanced nutrition tailor-made for pups like yours.
Explore our popular line of fresh-frozen meals and find your dog or puppy’s favorite today. Short on freezer space? Love to travel with your pup? We’ve got something that’ll fill their bowl! Our shelf-stable meals provide the same high-quality ingredients in convenient portioned pouches that are a perfect fit for small breed puppies and dogs.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
