The best foods for small dog breeds

The best super premium food for small dogs

Super premium food brands are considered one of the best. They contain up to 25-50% pure meat. In food for small breeds its concentration is usually slightly lower. By-products of unknown origin and synthetic additives are not included in such feeds. There are grain-free, hypoallergenic, medicinal products. You can feed your dog daily without worrying about its health. Since the choice in pet stores is quite large, we included the five best super premium foods in the rating.

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.

Dry

The rating of dry food for puppies is topped by products whose formulations are selected taking into account the needs of growing animals, depending on the breed. In addition, they promote mechanical cleaning of teeth, are stored for a long time and have a more attractive price compared to canned food. You should not feed your puppy only dry food. It is important to ensure that your dog is drinking enough fluids.

Acana Regionals Grasslands

pros

• For all breeds
• Hypoallergenic
• No grains
• Increased protein content
• Safe

Minuses

• Not identified

From 337 ₽

This Canadian-made food is based on lamb, duck, and offal. It contains herring and pike, which enrich it with Omega-6 fatty acids. It contains lentils, chickpeas, fresh pumpkin, apples, cranberries, blueberries, spinach, cabbage, and seaweed. This is an excellent food for purebred puppies. Can be introduced into complementary foods from 1.5 months and used as the main food for Yorkies and other small breeds.

Acana Heritage (for large breeds)

pros

• High taste qualities
• Large economical packaging (17 kg)
• No vegetable proteins

Minuses

• Makes you thirsty
• High price

From 4,580 ₽

This dry food is completely biologically suited to the digestive tract of large breed puppies. It completely provides the necessary nutrients. Its main meat components are chicken, turkey, and offal. In order to enrich it with Omega-3 acids, herring and flounder were added to it. Adding legumes, vegetables, and fruits to food increases its nutritional value.

Purina Pro Plan Optidigest Lamb with Rice (Medium Breeds)

pros

• With prebiotics and antioxidants
• Suitable for puppies with sensitive digestive systems
• Large package (12 kg)

Minuses

• Granules are heterogeneous in color, size, fat content
• With aromatic additives and products of processing of plant raw materials

From 3,900 ₽

The ingredient composition of this dry food is designed for puppies of medium breeds (terrier, bulldog, setter, corgi, husky, boxer and others). It is based on lamb meat and cereals. It is supplemented with fish oil and multivitamins necessary for the animal’s full growth and immunity.

Royal Canin puppy food 800g (for small breeds)

pros

• Well tolerated by animals
• Improves coat condition
• Good dental care

Minuses

• There is no exact information about meat ingredients on the packaging
• With flavoring additives

From 255 ₽

The components and structure of this dry food take into account the physiology of small breed puppies. It contains everything necessary for their growth and development: animal proteins and fats (poultry), cereals, plant fiber. Its composition is improved by the addition of natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, beta-glucans, and minerals.

Features and classification of food for small breed puppies

Small and large dogs differ not only in appearance, but also in a number of physiological factors. The smaller the breed, the faster metabolic processes occur in the animal’s body. Thus, small puppies mature much faster than large ones: the latter can grow for a year and a half, while the former are fully formed by the age of one year. In addition, “kids” are less prone to obesity. Due to greater energy consumption, they need more nutritious food with an increased content of proteins and carbohydrates, while the content of low-calorie plant fibers should be minimized - the stomach of small breeds is small, and “stuffing” it, creating a feeling of fullness, is not necessary and even harmful .

Food for puppies should differ from food for adult dogs in one more parameter. A growing body requires much more nutrients, in particular calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and other trace elements and vitamins. In a really good product, all of them must be present in high concentrations, otherwise there is a risk of the animal developing rickets, a number of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, joints, and developmental delays.

The third feature of food for small breed puppies is their size. It should be convenient for the animal to take individual pieces into its mouth and chew them. If kibble is too large, the puppy runs the risk of choking.

Feed class

The following classes of dog food are distinguished:

• economy;
• premium;
• super premium;
• holistic.

Economy class food is generally not recommended for feeding puppies, since their composition is based on vegetable protein obtained from cereals. The content of animal components in them is usually 10-15%, while the manufacturer uses bone meal, skin trimmings, sinews and other waste. Such foods usually contain a lot of dyes and flavor enhancers, which is why animals usually eat them greedily, which can lead to overeating. The balancing of such mixtures also leaves much to be desired - they lack important microelements and vitamins. Economy class food can only be used if an additional vitamin complex has been added to the puppy’s diet.

Premium class is a good combination of price and quality. The content of animal products in their composition can be up to 30 percent, while the manufacturer uses meat and offal. They also use higher-grade grains, and in some cases they can be replaced with potatoes. Such food may contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the puppy’s growth, but it is recommended to consult a veterinarian before purchasing, since the quality in this category is very variable. It is the premium class that is the most popular among dog breeders in the Russian Federation.

Super premium class is food in which the basis of the composition is high-quality meat, and the content of grain components is minimal. They are balanced and contain all the components, vitamins and minerals necessary for the harmonious development of the puppy. Such food is perfectly absorbed by the dog’s body, so the animal will be able to eat a smaller portion.

Holistic food is a new word in the creation of animal feed and an ideal balance of all components. They contain up to 80% meat and are enriched with probiotics, vitamins and minerals. The manufacturer describes in detail all the components in the composition of such feeds, does not use dyes or GMOs.

Eukanuba

Eukanuba food is one of the best and most recognized manufacturers of super premium dog food not only in Russia, but throughout the world. The brand has gained wide popularity thanks to the painstaking work of the company’s specialists, who have been developing and improving diets for four-legged creatures for 60 years. Thus, Eukanuba food for puppies contains a lot of proteins and fats, and is designed specifically for the accelerated metabolism that puppies are characterized by. It contains freeze-dried meat, corn, wheat, rice, sugar beet powder, and egg powder. The product is enriched with vitamins and microelements, and the granules are convenient for even the smallest puppies to eat. It is worth noting that special food for puppies must be introduced gradually over several days, mixed with the usual diet.

Variety of assortment:

Dry food is mainly produced for puppies. The line includes food with lamb and rice for puppies of all breeds, medium breeds and small breeds Eukanuba Dog, for puppies of small breeds Eukanuba Puppy, for puppies of miniature breeds Eukanuba Puppy Toy Breed, for puppies with lamb and rice Puppy&Junior Lamb&Rice. They also produce canned Eukanuba Puppy Chicken with chicken in sauce for puppies.

Main advantages:

• Balanced diet
• Small granules
• Good value for money.

Minuses:

• Contains hydrolysates of animal proteins
• Contains a significant amount of high-carbohydrate grains.

Rating of TOP 9 foods for small breed puppies

I deliberately did not include economy-class food in this rating, since they are not suitable for puppies and do not contain everything necessary for their growth. The rating is based on premium and super-premium food, dry and wet, popular among domestic dog breeders.

Royal Canin Mini Puppy

The French company Royal Canin specializes in the production of balanced food for dogs and cats. It has its own production complex in the Moscow region, supplying products to the markets of the Russian Federation and the countries of the former USSR. Royal Canin Mini Puppy food is intended for puppies aged 2 months and older (for younger animals, the brand has a special Junior line in its assortment). Upon reaching 10 years of age, the dog should be switched to complete dry food for adult animals.

The manufacturer adds turkey or chicken protein and offal such as liver, tongue, heart, and lungs to the feed. Rice is the main grain component. The product has a fairly balanced composition, provides the puppy with everything necessary for growth and development, helps improve digestion, improves stool, and slows down the formation of plaque.

Price

from 250 to 2,312 rubles.

• good taste;
• balanced composition;
• quite economical price.

• bags of food do not have a zip fastener;
• The manufacturer uses corn gluten.

Excellent food! Very suitable for a Papillon puppy! The coat is good, the stool is good, there are no problems, he eats with pleasure! RK is on top as always

Video review:

Royal Canin Mini Puppy

Winner chicken (for small breeds)

Good food of domestic production. It appeared on the market relatively recently and has not yet become familiar, which allows the buyer not to overpay for the brand. Contains almost 36% chicken, both dried and fresh, as well as pork liver. The composition of the product is enriched with dried beets - a source of fiber, fish oil, which supplies the dog's body with essential fatty acids that are beneficial for the coat, and chondroitin, which helps the development of joints. The food promotes the development of the nervous system and improves digestion.

Price

from 201 to 3,298 rub.

• high chicken content (30.8% dry, 5% fresh);
• affordable price;
• the presence of vitamin supplements in the composition of fish oil, fiber, and pork liver.

• presence of corn;
• relatively low prevalence of food.

Excellent food. The pet uses it with pleasure. Convenient granule size. Nice price.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Zhuravlev

Expert in the field of pet products, water filters and children's products.

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If a dog eats dry food, it should always have unlimited access to clean water.

Winner chicken

Happy Dog Mini pate, lamb, liver, heart, with rice

Wet food from a famous German manufacturer. Available in the form of a pate, which is especially convenient for small breed dogs, significantly reducing the risk of choking. The manufacturer offers several food options, one of which, containing hypoallergenic lamb meat and healthy by-products such as liver and heart, is designed specifically for puppies. Healthy rice serves as a grain side dish; in addition, the manufacturer adds fish oil and blood plasma to the product. When making pate, no dyes, soy, or flavoring additives are used. The food is complete, its daily dosage is 40-60 grams per 1 kg of dog weight.

Price

from 65 to 70 rub.

• ideal release form for small dogs;
• balanced composition;
• absence of corn and other controversial products in the list of ingredients.

• quite high price per serving.

The dogs are happy. We use it mixed with dry, or on the road as an independent dish.

Happy Dog Mini pate

GRAND PRIX chicken (for small breeds)

Premium dry food produced in Russia using German equipment and appropriate technology. It has a good composition with a fairly high content of animal components. The manufacturer mainly uses chicken meat and by-products, adds rice, chicken fat and sunflower oil, beet pulp, prebiotics, and a number of other useful additives. The food contains no corn or other poorly digestible grains. A convenient bag with a sealed clasp will protect the food from dampness and chapping.

Price

from 295 to 1,080 rub.

• hypoallergenic composition;
• good content of meat protein in the composition;
• high-quality mineral and vitamin supplement;
• ziplock bag.

• not sold everywhere.

The food is good and tasty. My chihuahua eats. The granules are soft, just right for small breeds. Advantages: price, weight, granules are not hard.

Video review:

GRAND PRIX chicken

Pro Plan Optistart, chicken, with rice

One of the most popular feeds, the main advantage of which is the use of the Optistart complex, created on the basis of cow colostrum. It helps maintain the puppy’s immunity during the period when the antibodies received from the mother lose their properties, and their own immune system is not yet strong enough.

The food contains chicken, offal, rice, which is beneficial for the dog’s digestive system, and is enriched with a fairly good complex of vitamins and minerals. Another advantage is its wide distribution - you can buy such food almost everywhere in Russia.

Price

from 280 to 5,334 rubles.

• widely spread;
• chicken and dried poultry protein act as a source of protein;
• contains the Optistart complex, which promotes the harmonious development of the puppy, supporting its immunity and digestive system.

• contains corn and wheat.

The puppy eats this food for two months. There are no problems with digestion. Same with the chair. First we soaked it a little. And then the baby himself chose dry granules. The granules are of the optimal size: they fall on the milk teeth and do not fall out of the mouth. Sometimes I take a portion with me and work with the puppy outside instead of boring feeding. I alternate with the same food with lamb and fish flavors.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Zhuravlev

Expert in the field of pet products, water filters and children's products.

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Some manufacturers also offer breed-specific foods. This is more of a marketing ploy, since it has not been proven that the needs of various small breeds are radically different.

Video review:

Pro Plan Optistart chicken with rice

Royal Canin for sensitive digestion (small breeds)

Wet food from a well-known French manufacturer is produced at the company's plant in the Moscow region. Packaged in convenient portioned sachets, each of which is enough for 2 uses. The pieces have a pleasant, rich smell and contain a large amount of animal products.

The food is suitable for use as a complete food and can be mixed with Royal Canin dry kibble. The vast majority of dogs eat it with pleasure. The product is recommended by the manufacturer, including for dogs with a weak gastrointestinal tract.

Price

from 44 to 722 rub.

• easy to buy;
• convenient pouch;
• Suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion.

• composition is not detailed.

To please the dog sometimes we buy soft food, the smell is very rich, the pieces are small, it is clear that they are straight from meat. There is a little sauce, after dry food our pug licks the plate until it shines)))

Royal Canin Puppy

Belcando Puppy Gravy

A universal food made in Germany that can be given to dogs of any breed, both small and large. In the first case, it is suitable for puppies up to one year old, in the second – up to 4 months.

The product contains several complexes that strengthen the pet’s immune system, promote the normal development of ligaments and joints, and minerals that prevent the occurrence of rickets. 80% of the proteins contained in the feed are of animal origin. Their sources are meat and chicken by-products, fish. When the food is immersed in warm water, the granules release a sauce that makes it easier for your puppy to get used to dry food.

Price

from 549 to 8,050 rub.

• universal;
• balanced composition;
• promotes joint development;
• stimulates the immune system
• When mixed with warm water it forms a sauce.

• corn included.

It is difficult to choose food for dogs of different breeds. We tried 4 different brands of food. But there was no way to please my two picky eaters; they only ate straight food. My other dogs ate all the previous foods. But when you have 5 dogs in your family, it’s inconvenient to feed everyone different food. When ordering Belcando food, I decided that this would be the last food that my pets tried, I thought that if they didn’t like this food, I would give up the food and feed it natural. Fortunately, this food pleased me and my Pets. All my dogs gobbled up the food in a couple of minutes, the plate was shiny. The granules are small, the smell is very appetizing)) As a result, this food will suit all my dogs, I will always buy it. I recommend purchasing this for picky dogs.

Video review:

Belcando Puppy Gravy

Karmy for healthy skin and coat, turkey (for small breeds)

Premium food, the quality approaching the higher, super-premium category. The manufacturer does not use soybeans or GMOs, and turkey is the main source of protein. The food has a high meat content - as much as 36%. The product contains essential omega acids that improve the condition of the coat, so the food is especially suitable for small long-haired breeds. It also stimulates digestion and strengthens the puppy's immune system. The manufacturer uses natural preservatives.

Price

from 593 to 4,712 rubles.

• affordable price;
• high content of turkey meat;
• a complex of microelements beneficial for skin and coat;
• improves immunity and stimulates digestion.

• the name of the cereals used is not indicated;
• not available everywhere.

When I decided to get a dog, the first thing I asked the breeder about was what to feed, they recommended Karmy food. I decided to find out what the food was made of and its cost, I was very pleased with the excellent composition and reasonable price for premium food. My puppy loves it very much. these dry rounds, even when he still had milk teeth, he crunched the granules with great pleasure, they are comfortable for the puppy’s jaw and there is no strong smell from them. The dog eats only food, he has a beautiful, shiny and bright coat, is in a great mood, no problems with digestion, the puppy likes the food and never refuses it.

Video review:

Karmy mini

1st Choice Puppy, chicken (for small breeds)

Super premium food made in Canada. It has an excellent composition that does not contain soy, corn and other “empty” grains, chemical preservatives, dyes and flavoring additives. The main source of animal protein in it is high-quality chicken meat. Grain supplements include rice, oats and rolled oatmeal. The food contains a huge amount of vitamins, microelements and essential omega acids, which contributes to the beauty of the coat, strong immunity, good digestion, and normal development of the musculoskeletal system.

Kibble food is specially adapted for the milk teeth and weak jaws of small breed puppies, so they can be used as complementary food starting from 3-4 weeks.

Price

from 192 to 3,989 rub.

• balanced composition;
• does not contain soy, corn or wheat;
• rich in omega acids;
• a large number of vitamin supplements and microelements;
• contains natural preservatives.

• Not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.

We adopted a toy terrier puppy, even though it was a small dog, but what to feed it became a problem. They gave him different foods, but he ate them very poorly or didn’t eat them at all, and didn’t gain weight. He grew up, but was very thin, they didn’t know what to do. We were recommended Fest Chase for mini small puppies with chicken and to our general joy he eats it with great pleasure, feels great and has gained the required weight. For anyone who has the same problems as we had, I recommend Fest Chase food for mini small breed puppies.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Zhuravlev

Expert in the field of pet products, water filters and children's products.

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If your dog is allergic to chicken, you can try another puppy food from this line, containing lamb and fish. Both of these components are considered hypoallergenic.

Video review:

1st Choice Puppy, chicken

comparison table

I present to the readers a convenient comparative table, which contains all the main characteristics and features of all 9 foods included in this rating. With its help, you can clearly see which food best suits your dog's needs.

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

Hills

Dog chow

Wet

The list of high-quality wet food for puppies includes food that has a balanced composition, is well digestible, and has high taste. It is produced in the form of canned food. It is high in calories and sufficiently replenishes energy expenditure, which is important for dogs during the growth period. Such foods correspond to natural eating habits. Their use does not require special control of the drinking regime. They have a soft pate-like structure.

Dr. Alder`s ALDERS GARANT minced lamb For sensitive dogs

pros

• Universal
• Suitable for puppies and adults
• No dyes or flavors
• Good price
• Available in cans from 400 to 800 g

Minuses

• Unpleasant smell

From 87 ₽

This wet food consists only of meat and offal, fats of plant and animal origin, vitamins and minerals. The contents taste like lamb. It is recommended for use for puppies and as the main food for small breed dogs. In its pure form, it is introduced into complementary foods from the age of 3 weeks.

Four-legged Gourmet Assorted meats with beef for puppies 100g

pros

• Economical packaging 100 g
• For all breeds
• Natural meat ingredients
• Contents are thoroughly crushed

Minuses

• Not identified

From 59 ₽

This food, created for puppies, is classified as premium. It contains about 30% beef, offal and components containing collagen. Jelly and vegetable oil were used as additives. It is recommended for puppies up to 1 year of age. These canned foods can be combined with instant porridges.

Royal Canin 195g (for small breeds)

pros

• Consistency of pate
• Stimulates appetite

Minuses

• No exact ingredients information

From 78 ₽

This wet food is characterized by balance. It is developed on the basis of meat, offal, cereals, animal and vegetable fats. Additions of D3, iodine, manganese, iron and zinc make it complete for replenishing vitamins and minerals in the body during the growth period of the animal. Its soft, mousse-like consistency is easy to grip and chew, making it an attractive food for Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Yorkies and other small breeds. It is recommended to use it for dogs aged 2-10 months.