Canine owners are constantly looking for the best dog food for their pups. What is best for one breed or size of dog is not best for all. If you, like me, are the pup parent to a small breed, there are a few things to remember when picking out their food. Smaller breeds need nutrient-dense food that offers enough protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and calories in a smaller amount of kibble. Proper nutrition can be challenging as smaller dogs need more calories than big dogs but eat significantly less. So, how do you pick the best dog food for small dogs?
The Caine Journal team has researched hundreds of dog food brands and formulas and has determined Baby Blue, BARK Food, The Farmer’s Dog, and Ollie Fresh to be among the best dog food options for small dogs. Let’s get into the details.
| Puppy | Dry | Wet | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Baby Blue | BARK Food | The Farmer’s Dog | Ollie Fresh |
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| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Nutritional Needs Of Small Breed Dogs
Small dog breeds are those that are considered 20 pounds or less when fully grown. These smaller dogs reach about 11 inches tall and are between 10 and 20 pounds. Those smaller than 10 pounds are considered toy breeds. There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting dog food. Of course, owners want to look for food that uses all-natural, quality ingredients, tastes good, and is well-balanced. But what does that mean?
It is pivotal to remember that smaller dog breeds have much smaller stomachs. Because of their smaller stomachs, they have very high metabolic rates. The higher metabolic rate means they use a lot of energy quickly, so their food must be nutrient-dense. Smaller canines cannot eat as much as larger breeds and quickly become full.
Because of their extremely fast metabolism rates, smaller breeds have trouble storing energy and fat. Giving them energy replenishment with smaller meals three to four times a day is necessary for them to have enough energy to be healthy, active, and develop properly. Be careful not to overfeed, as overweight little dogs are prone to many health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and mobility limitations.
Smaller breeds often have a reputation for being picky eaters. While it depends on the unique animal, many small dog owners report picky eating being an issue. I myself have owned several little dogs, and they all have been picky eaters. It’s best not to give in to the fussiness unless an underlying medical issue, dietary sensitivity, or allergy causes it. If you have a picky eater, talk to your vet and work with a veterinary nutritionist to be sure your pup gets a complete and balanced diet.
Another thing owners need to keep in mind is that smaller dogs mature faster than larger dogs. They are often at full adult size and maturity before reaching 12 months old. Smaller breeds are at a higher risk of developing dental disease than larger breeds. Appropriate-sized kibble is essential, as it helps scrape plaque and buildup off teeth.
What To Look For In Small Breed Dog Food
Canines are omnivores, meaning they need elements from both animal proteins and plant materials to survive. There are six essential elements that a smaller breed’s diet must contain. These include water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Canines require essential amino acids from their diet to help provide energy, protein, and elements needed for essential bodily functions.
High-quality dog food should use fresh ingredients. Named meats should always be the first ingredient, followed by easily identifiable foods. Avoid foods that use artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Protein
Protein is an essential element of the small breed dog’s diet. Due to the propensity to be fussy eaters and have sensitive stomachs, highly digestible proteins are best. These come from muscle meat, organ meat, and eggs. It is essential to examine a product’s protein content, what elements provide that protein, and whether it is digestible. Non-digested proteins add no nutritional value to a dog’s diet.
Puppies require 29% protein by weight in their diet, and adults need around 18% dietary protein. These numbers are minimums. Some smaller-sized canines may have trouble digesting red meat and fiber.
Fats
Fat is essential to canine nutrition as it provides energy and nutritional value and is highly flavorful. Fat contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids the body cannot make themselves. Canines must get their Omega fatty acids through their diet. Healthy Omega fatty acids can come from linoleic acid, found in certain oils like sunflower, safflower, soy, canola, and whole grains. Others are found in eggs, fish oils, poultry fat, lean meat, and other sources. Omega three fatty acids are found in some fish oils, cold water fish, and flaxseed oil, among other things.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are important as they provide fiber and energy and play a prominent role in the gastrointestinal tract’s function. Rice, wheat, corn, barley, and oats are grains commonly used. Along with that, fruits and vegetables provide healthy sources of fiber and carbohydrates. Dietary fiber from these sources helps keep the digestive system functioning properly and ensures your pup has proper bowel movements. Fiber also helps the body feel full for longer, so it can be beneficial in curbing your pup’s appetite, especially for pets that are overweight or obese. Be careful not to offer your pup meals with too much fiber, which can cause digestive upset and distress.
Best Dog Food For Small Breeds
We have selected our recommendations based on nutritional content, ingredient quality, flavors, pricing, customer reviews, and other factors. Remember that every dog is an individual and will have unique needs based on their activity level, health, and age. Our top selections meet or exceed the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines, do not use by-products, preservatives, or artificial ingredients, and are manufactured in the U.S.
Best Puppy Food For Small Breeds
Below are some of the top picks for small-breed puppy food.
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Small Breed Healthy Growth Review
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Blue Buffalo’s Baby Blue Small Breed is created specifically for small-breed puppies. It contains elements like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins to promote dental health and strong bones and is the right size to fit a tiny pup’s mouth. Puppy kibble contains DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development. It includes omega-3 and six fatty acids to support skin and coat health. The formula contains no wheat, corn, soy, or poultry by-product meals.
Baby Blue Small Breed puppy kibble starts with deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, menhaden fish meal, peas, dried egg product, brown rice, chicken fat, dried tomato pomace, flaxseed, pea protein, fish oil, as well as ingredients like potatoes, pea fiber, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, and more. The Baby Blue recipe is packed full of essential nutrients that puppies need for development. It does not contain fillers or artificial ingredients that make it hard to digest and add no nutritional value.
Baby Blue kibble contains 29% crude protein (min), 17% crude fat (min), and 5% crude fiber (max). It offers 10% moisture, so owners must ensure dogs get enough water. You can add bone broth to the kibble for added nutritional value and flavor. Baby Blue Puppy Kibble contains 415 kcal/cup and is a tasty pick for energetic little pups. Blue Buffalo also makes a Life Protection formula for small breeds with chicken and oatmeal, another excellent, small-breed puppy kibble choice from the brand.
Price
- Starting at $11.98 ($3.00 / lb) for a 4 lb. bag
In-Depth Blue Buffalo Review
Our full Blue Buffalo dog food review gives more details and information on this well-known brand. We also compare it to other brands like Taste of The Wild and Royal Canin.
JustFoodForDogs Puppy Review
JustFoodForDogs makes a top-of-the-line wet meal option for puppies from human-grade ingredients. The food is top-of-the-line in terms of nutrition and taste. Limited ingredients include all-natural animal proteins, fresh veggies, fruits, and healthy grains. Foods are prepared fresh and then frozen, lasting up to 18 months in the freezer.
JustFoodForDogs makes two puppy varieties: Chicken & White Rice and Fish & Sweet Potato. Both are top quality and very tasty. The chicken and rice recipe is a top pick for all breeds and has a bit more protein and fat, so it is our pick for smaller breeds. That said, your petite pup will be happy with either recipe. Both contain DHA and EPA fatty acids that support brain development, immune system health, and overall development—no fillers, preservatives, or artificial additives.
The chicken and white rice recipe contains chicken thigh, long grain enriched white rice, spinach, carrots, apples, chicken gizzards, chicken liver, fish oil, and the JustFoodForDogs nutrient blend. It contains 8% crude protein (min), 3% crude fat (min), and 1% crude fiber (max). It also has 72% (max moisture) and offers 43 kcal/oz.
Price
- Starting at $72.03 for a small box, 7.8 lbs.
Full JustFoodForDogs Review
View our full JustFoodForDogs review to learn more about this brand and its recipes. We also compare it to The Farmer’s Dog, another top pick.
Best Dry Dog Food For Small Dogs
Dry food is a staple for many dogs, including small breeds. These are some of the top picks for quality and nutrition.
BARK Food Itty Bitty Chicky
BARK Food offers premium kibble, which is available on a subscription or stand-alone purchase basis. There are several reasons we like BARK. For starters, they provide breed-specific nutrition for a growing number of breeds, including several popular smaller breeds. Additionally, BARK uses only high-quality, natural ingredients and makes a puppy-specific formula. All recipes are designed to meet or exceed the AAFCO guidelines. Kibble is made to be the appropriate size for a small breed’s mouth. These recipes are quite nutritious, flavorful, and full of protein.
Most of the brand’s ingredients are local, and all meats are sourced within the United States. Kibble is made at the brand’s production facilities in Kansas. While we recommend the Itty Bitty Chicky recipe for small-breed adults, BARK also makes little buddy bites, a farm-raised chicken and rice recipe developed specifically for puppies.
The Itty Bitty Chicky recipe starts with locally sourced chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, pearled barley, Alaska Pollock meal, chicken fat, dried beet pulp, dried eggs, Brewer’s dried yeast, potato protein, flax seed, and contains other ingredients like natural flavors taurine, L carnitine, vitamins, and minerals. 26% crude protein (min), 14% crude fat (min), 3.5% crude fiber (max), and 390 kcal/cup. The recipe supports bone and joint health, which is vital for smaller pups. The formula is developed to support healthy digestion and keep pups at a proper weight.
Price
- Starting at $18.00 for a 4 lb. bag ($20 for a one-time purchase
My Personal Experience With BARK Food Itty Bitty Chicky
I tried the Itty Bitty Chicky recipe for small breeds with my pup Falkor. Falkor is a Poodle Beagle mix and is about 3 years old. Like many other petite pups, Falkor loves to eat but has picky tastes. Some foods he won’t eat at all, while others he gobbles up without a pause. Falkor thoroughly enjoyed the kibble from BARK. He was excited from the moment the box came in the door. When I mixed the Itty Bitty Chicky in with his old food, he ate all of it first, then dumped out his older chow and looked at me for more. The kibble provided him with plenty of protein for energy and helped with passing regular, healthy bowel movements. I like the petite size, which is perfect for his smaller mouth.
In-Depth BARK Foods Review
View our full BARK Foods review to learn more about the brand and its different recipes.
Best Wet Dog Food For Small Breeds
Wet dog food can be just a treat or a regular part of your dog’s diet, adding flavor, moisture, and texture variety.
The Farmer’s Dog Review
The Farmer’s Dog is a company that delivers human-grade, fresh dog meals to your door. While several options are available, The Farmer’s Dog is a fantastic pick for just about any breed. It is also a wonderful pick for smaller breeds as it uses only human-grade, fresh ingredients. The food undergoes minimal processing. It is then frozen and delivered. Owners simply thaw it out and serve.
The Farmer’s Dog recipes are highly palatable. They currently offer four protein choices: beef, chicken, turkey, and pork. We recommend the beef or chicken recipe for smaller breeds as they have the most protein and fat. The chicken recipe has the highest and contains USDA chicken, USDA chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, chia seeds, salmon oil, and a TFD nutrient pack, which includes essential vitamins and minerals to provide a balanced diet. 11.5% crude protein (min), 8.5 % crude fat (min), and 1.5% crude fiber (max). All recipes are developed by board-certified American College of Veterinary Nutrition experts and meet AAFCO standards. They use locally sourced USDA proteins.
The Farmer’s Dog does not offer a grain-inclusive option, so mixing some cooked rice or kibble with the fresh recipe is important, especially for smaller breeds. While The Farmer’s Dog is pricey, it is reasonable for little-sized pups as a little bit goes a long way, and it is best to mix it with rice or kibble.
Price
- Prices depend upon your dog’s size. Small breeds start at $2 a day
Our Personal Experience With The Farmer’s Dog
Our dog LOVES it! He gobbles it down fast and has had much more consistent bowel movements. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has also lost and maintained a much healthier weight since switching (and their coat is noticeably more shiny and healthy). And since our trial, we’ve been paying customers for more than two years!
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Mom, Canine Journal Creative & Marketing
Detailed The Farmer’s Dog Review
Read our full The Farmer’s Dog review with personal experience to learn more.
Best Dog Food For Small Senior Dogs
Senior dogs need slightly different nutrition than adults and [uppies, as they are not expending as much energy and may not eat as much.
Ollie Fresh Review
Senior small breeds often have trouble with their teeth, so softer chow is a top pick for them. Ollie Fresh is another company that makes human-grade, fresh subscription food. Recipes contain high-quality protein and fresh ingredients and undergo minimal processing. The combination makes it easy for senior dogs to chew and digest. Ollie works with specialized veterinarians to create every recipe. Customers create meal plans based on a dog’s breed, age, health, activity level, and ideal weight. Meets our source from family-run farms in the United States and Australia, and every recipe contains high-quality protein, vegetables, and superfood ingredients, including cod liver oil and chia seeds. All recipes meet AAFCO guidelines.
Ollie offers three subscription portions: full or half-portion fresh meals or a mix of fresh and gently baked dry food. Dry food uses the same top-quality human-grade ingredients as fresh. The mixed-option subscription can be a fantastic pick for senior small breeds.
We like the turkey or lamb options better for smaller pups as they are the highest in protein and fat. However, any of Ollie’s recipes will do well. The turkey recipe includes turkey, kale, lentils, carrots, turkey liver, oats, blueberries, pumpkin, tricalcium phosphate, chia seeds, sunflower oil, salmon oil, and a nutrient and vitamin blend. Contains 11% crude protein (min), 7% crude fat (min), and 2% crude fiber (max). The limited ingredient recipes, minimal processing, and fresh taste all appeal to senior dogs. We recommend mixing the meal with rice or kibble to provide a complete nutritional balance.
Price
- The cost varies depending on your dog’s specific size, portions, and health goals.
Our Personal Experience With Ollie Dog Food
I switched from feeding my small breed Tiny 100% dry kibble to mixing the kibble 50/50 with Ollie. Tiny gobbled up his new mixture immediately and was begging for more. This was a big change from him typically turning his snout up when I feed him only kibble. After a few weeks on the new diet, Tiny continues to love his new food. I’ve also noticed that he doesn’t have nearly as much gas, and his every-other-day vomiting has calmed down a lot as well. The only challenge is making room in my freezer for his food packets and remembering to keep enough thawed in the fridge for his next few meals.
– Sally Jones, Small Breed Dog Parent, Canine Journal Writer & Editor
Detailed Ollie Dog Food Review
Read our full Ollie Fresh review with personal experience to learn more. We also broke down Ollie’s prices and sat down with Ollie’s Head Of Food to learn more.
Best Dog Food For Small Dogs With Allergies
A limited-ingredient diet might help if your pup suffers from allergies.
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Small Breed Salmon & Potato Review
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Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet is developed to support immune function, digestion, and skin and coat health. It is fortified with healthy nutrients like Omega fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics, taurine, and glucosamine. Wellness’s recipe is formulated to be single-protein sourced and has easily digestible elements.
Some smaller canines can develop sensitivities or allergies to common dietary ingredients. The most often found are beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, soy, and wheat gluten. So, owners may need to find options without those ingredients to satisfy their pups’ nutritional needs. Incorporating fresh foods into your dog’s diet can help with these allergies, but owners still need a reliable kibble. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient contains no meat by-products, chicken, beef, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Wellness’s limited-ingredient kibble starts with salmon, salmon meal, peas, potatoes, canola oil, dried crowned potatoes, tomato pomace, ground flaxseed, and natural fish flavor and contains a nutrient and vitamin blend. The kibble contains 29% crude protein (minimum), 14% crude fat (minimum), and 5% crude fiber (max). It packs 450 kcal/cup.
Price
- Starting at $47.98 ($4.57 / lb)
Try An At-Home Dog Allergy Test
If you suspect your pup has allergies, it’s best to talk to your vet. You can also try an at-home allergy test, which can help with the diagnosis and give you a little more information.
Best Dog Food For Picky Eaters Small Breed
Picky eaters may like a little more variety or different proteins in their diet.
Stella & Chewy Small Breed Red Meat Raw Blend Kibble Review
Stella & Chewy’s makes a protein-rich baked kibble coated in freeze-dried raw meat. Along with that, real freeze-dried raw meat bits are mixed in. Stella & Chewy’s is a low-carbohydrate kibble that contains 28% carbohydrates. Along with high-quality animal proteins, kibble contains organic fruits and vegetables and has added taurine and probiotics for digestive health. It is a grain-free kibble, so owners will want to add some rice, oats, or grain-inclusive kibble.
Stella & Chewy’s uses grass-fed, responsibly sourced animal proteins, and kibble is oven-baked for less processing. Kibble contains beef, pork meal, peas, lentils, salmon meal, chickpeas, pea protein, sunflower oil, lamb, tomato pomace, beef liver, beef kidney, free-range venison, beef fat, natural vegetable flavor, flaxseed, sun-cured alfalfa, beef heart, beef tripe, fenugreek seed, pumpkin, coconut flour, and pumpkin seeds. It also contains organic cranberries, organic spinach, organic broccoli, organic beets, organic carrots, organic squash, organic blueberries, salmon oil, added taurine, dried kelp, and other vitamins and minerals.
Not only does Stella & Chewy’s provide top-quality nutrition, but the kibble also has a delicious taste that canines cannot resist. Contains 36% crude protein (min), 14.5% crude fat (min), and 6% crude fiber (max). Offers your little pup 432 kcal/cup.
Price
- Starting at $64.36 for 10 lb. bag
Detailed Stella & Chewy’s Review
Learn more in our full Stella & Chewy’s dog food review with personal experience.
Best Dog Food For Small Dogs With Sensitive Stomach
A sensitive pup’s stomach might benefit from a chicken-free diet.
American Journey Active Life Small Breed Formula Review
American Journey makes top-quality, limited-ingredient kibble suitable for pups with sensitive stomachs. The Active Life Small Breed kibble contains salmon, vegetables, and brown rice. Specifically, it is made to be tiny enough for your pup to chew and has limited ingredients to promote healthy digestion comfortably. It contains no corn, wheat, or soy and is a high-protein, grain-inclusive formula.
The recipe contains deboned salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, chicken meal, rice bran, peas, chicken fat, natural flavor, dried tomato pomace, sun-cured alfalfa meal, flaxseed, salt, dried egg product, carrots, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, dried plain beet pulp, fish oil, blueberries, cranberries, and vitamins and minerals. It contains 27% crude protein (min), 17% crude fat (min), and 6% crude fiber (max) and provides 371 kcal/cup.
American Journey makes several varieties of limited-ingredient kibble that are perfect for pups with sensitive stomachs. The first ingredient is always real meat, fish, or poultry. We like that the kibble is simple, all-natural, and made specifically to fit in the mouths of smaller breeds.
Price
- Starting at $31.43 for a 14 lb. bag
Our Personal Experience With American Journey Dog Food
Our dog Barley was suffering from anal gland issues, so we did an elimination diet and found he was allergic to poultry. When I was looking for poultry-free dog food for Barley, I also focused on higher fiber to further support anal gland health. So we landed on this food, which is fish-based and also 6% fiber (a little higher than average). Since switching to the American Journey food 6 months ago, Barley has had zero anal gland issues.
– Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Mom, Canine Journal Co-Founder
Detailed American Journey Dog Food Review
Learn more in our full American Journey review. We also compare them to other brands like Blue Buffalo.
Best Healthy Dog Food For Small Dogs
Human-grade dog food is a top pick for a healthy small-breed diet.
Spot & Tango Review
Spot & Tango makes all-natural, fresh, and shelf-stable options. The highly nutritious, human-grade, whole-food option is incredibly healthy. Owners create a customized meal plan that comes complete with portion-specific scoops depending specifically on what their pets need. Spot & Tango offers three fresh recipes and three shelf-stable recipes. Fresh recipes are freshly frozen to preserve nutritional value. UnKibble is put through a unique fresh drying process to retain taste and nutritional value.
Owners can pick what food type works best for their pup, fresh or dry. Both have the same high-quality human-grade ingredients and use minimal processing. Pups with sensitive teeth may want to pick the fresh option, while those who like crunchy chow should go with UnKibble.
Fresh recipes come in three options: turkey & red quinoa, beef & millet, or lamb & brown rice. UnKibble comes in cod & salmon, beef & barley, chicken & brown rice, or turkey & sweet potato. We recommend the cod & salmon or beef & barley for your smaller breed, though all are tasty and will satisfy your pup’s nutritional needs and palate.
Price
- Prices depend upon your pup’s size and the specific meal plan selected. Smaller breeds can start at $1.06 per meal.
Our readers can save 50% off the following pricing for your first 2-weeks (plus free shipping) with the code CANINEJOURNAL50 at this link.
My Personal Experience With Spot & Tango
I tried the fresh and UnKibble options from Spot& Tango. These recipes were huge hits with my dogs. The ingredient quality is far better than most food. My small breed, a Poodle Beagle mix, loved both, and my larger breed dog really enjoyed the UnKibble. Mixing it with their regular kibble added flavor variety, giving them a meaty taste they cannot resist.
Full Spot & Tango Review
Learn more in our full Spot & Tango review with personal experience.
Best Weight Management Dog Food For Small Dogs
If you have an overweight small breed, it’s important to get them at a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise. A dog food specifically for weight loss may be a good option.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Fat Dogs Adult Low-Calorie Wet Chicken & Salmon Review
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Natural Balance Original Ultra Fat Dogs is a canned food developed to taste great while keeping dogs at a healthy weight. Though not developed specifically for little pups, canned food is easy to eat, and owners do not have to worry about large pieces being too big to chew. The recipe is developed to support healthy digestion and ideal weight for all breeds. Ingredients like L-carnitine and a protein and fiber blend help canines feel full for more extended periods of time and help to burn fat, which helps keep them at a healthy weight.
Ingredients include chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, potatoes, salmon, brown rice, oat fiber, pea fiber, dried plain beet pulp, dried tomato pomace, Brewer’s dried yeast, natural flavor, carrots, dried spinach, dried kelp, dried cranberries, and dried blueberries, as well as vitamin and nutrient blend Including L-carnitine and vitamin E. The recipe contains 28.02% protein, 15.85% fat, 10.6% fiber, and 282 kcal per 13-oz can.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Fat Dogs formula does not compromise the taste or quality of the ingredients. Owners report their dogs enjoying the taste and losing weight while on Natural Balance food. Some owners mix with additional water and dry food to offer that tasty crunch. Essential vitamins and minerals support overall health, including healthy muscles, bones, skin, joints, and healthy heart function. The recipe can be a complete meal or a topper.
Price
- $47.76 ($0.31 / Ounce) pack of 12 13-oz. cans
Detailed Natural Balance Review
Learn more about this brand and its other recipes in our full Natural Balance dog food review.
Don’t Forget Teeth Cleaning
Dental cleaning is essential for all dogs, but especially for smaller canines. These little pups have a high tendency to develop periodontal disease before they reach three years old. Owners should participate in regular brushing of their dog’s teeth several times a week. Additionally, dental treats and systems like BARK Bright can help maintain fresh breath and scrape debris, plaque, and tartar off teeth. Having your small-breed dog’s teeth checked at regular veterinary appointments is advisable. Most veterinarians will recommend professional cleaning once a year.
What About Supplements?
Owners of smaller canine breeds worry about their pet’s health and are constantly concerned that their pups are getting enough nutritional value from their food. One way to ensure your dog receives a healthy, balanced diet is to feed them the best quality food you can afford. Some dogs may need supplements or vitamins. However, it is best to check with your veterinarian before adding these, especially if you have a health concern about your dog. Many supplements are available, including for allergies, skin and coat health, joint support, calming, and multivitamins.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle has raised small and toy breeds of dogs for over 20 years. She knows feeding a smaller dog is tricky and has had a few extremely picky eaters. Over the years, she has learned a great deal about feeding dogs a high-quality diet and how it benefits their overall health. As a writer for Canine Journal, she has spent countless hours analyzing dog food brands and trying many firsthand with her own dogs. Danielle spoke with small-breed dog owners and members of the Canine Journal team to get their input and first-hand experience on the best dog foods for small breeds.
