18 Best Dog Foods For Small Dogs 2023

Did you know that smaller pups tend to burn more calories per pound than larger dogs?  At the same time, they have smaller mouths and stomachs, so you should look for specialized dog food for small dogs.

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Smaller pups require specially formulated dog foods, which can provide them with the energy and nutrients they need in size and form comfortable to chew and digest.

We have chosen the finest dog food for small dogs for 2023, made of real meat, poultry or fish, with no by-product meals or other potentially harmful ingredients for you, so you can choose the perfect one to buy for your teeny-tiny fur baby.

 

Read on to find out which are the top-rated small-breed dog foods on the market.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley

Calories: 397 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 26%

Minimum crude fat: 15%

Diet: no corn, no soy, no wheat

Key features:

• Formulated to meet the higher energy needs and caloric burning per pound of smaller breeds
• Smaller kibble is designed to be easy to chew and to clean the tooth tartar
• The kibble has added LifeSource bits, which include a blend of 7 powerful antioxidants
• Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• The added garden vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• The whole grains are a source of healthy and sustained energy
• The food has Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin
• The glucosamine in the kibble helps promote joint health
• It doesn’t contain by-product meals, corn, soy, or wheat
• Sold in bags of 3, 6, and 15 lbs.
• There is also a Small Breed Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice recipe and a Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice recipe in the Blue Buffalo Life Protection series

Nutro Ultra Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, whole brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran

Calories: 348 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 26%

Minimum crude fat: 15%

Diet: no wheat, no soy, no corn

Key features:

• Formulated to provide small dogs with a perfectly balanced mixture of lean proteins, veggies and fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils
• Made of high quality combined protein sources (farm-raised chicken, pasture-fed lamb, and salmon) for lean and strong muscles and an amazing taste
• The food has the right protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratio to support the high energy needs of smaller dogs
• The fatty acids will keep your dog’s skin healthy and make its coat shiny and smooth
• The kibble is full of antioxidants for a healthy and strong heart and immune system
• The taurine in the recipe supports the hearing and the eyesight
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Available in bags of 4, 8, and 15 lbs.
• You can also opt for the Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management, Senior, or Toy Breed dry food recipes

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, potatoes, peas

Calories: 396 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 36%

Minimum crude fat: 16%

Diet: gluten-free, grain-free, no soy, no wheat, no corn

Key features:

• Based on the ancestral diet which is mostly meat
• The first ingredient is deboned turkey which is a high-quality protein suitable for the higher energy needs of smaller dogs
• No fillers or grains are used in the recipe
• The omega fatty acids will help make the coat of your small pup shiny and keep its skin healthy
• The added glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy joints
• The gluten-free and grain-free kibble is the perfect everyday complete meal for small breed dogs
• Sold in bags of 4 or 12 lbs.
• Also from the Wellness Core series, you can get the Small Breed Healthy Weight Deboned Turkey recipe or the RawRev Small Breed Original Recipe with Freeze-Dried Turkey

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• Main ingredients: venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils
• Calories: 370 kcal/cup
• Minimum crude protein: 32%
• Minimum crude fat: 18%
• Diet: grain-free

Key features:

• The first ingredient is real venison and it is paired with other top-quality proteins including lamb, duck, eggs, and fish
• It contains real veggies and fruits which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants
• The coat and skin of the dog will be healthy thanks to the included omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
• The probiotics in the kibble will promote a healthy gut flora and digestive system
• The recipe is grain-free, without fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives
• Offered in bags of 5, 14, and 28 lbs.

Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Dog Food

Main ingredients: lamb, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb liver, lamb kidney

Calories: 318 kcal/level scoop

Minimum crude protein: 35%

Minimum crude fat: 33%

Diet: limited ingredient diet, grain-free, GMO-free no corn no wheat no soy,

Key features:

• Made of grass-fed, free-range lamb from New Zealand
• Free of antibiotics, hormones, and other harmful additives
• The kibble is air-dried to preserve the nutrients
• Contains 96% fresh meat, bones, and organs as well as New Zealand green-lipped mussels
• Supports joint health
• 95% digestible dry food with a high caloric value so you can feed your pup with smaller quantities
• No corn, soy, grains, wheat, potatoes, rice, fillers, glycerin, sugars or rendered meals
• Offered in bags of 1, 2.2, 5.5, and 8.8 lbs.

Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, turkey meal, tapioca

Calories: 456 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 37%

Minimum crude fat: 16%

Diet: raw, high-protein, grain-free, gluten-free, no corn no wheat no soy

Key features:

• Made of cage-free chicken
• A mixture of small kibble with freeze-dried raw bites
• The freeze-dried proteins and ingredients maintain all their nutrients, their taste, and all healthy enzymes
• A sensible and more convenient alternative to feeding your small dog with raw food
• Doesn’t contain grains, fillers, and gluten
• The calcium and phosphorus in the recipe promote healthy bones and teeth
• Glucosamine for joint health
• Available in bags of 4 and 10 lbs.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Farm Raised Chicken

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, split peas, whole brown rice, brewers rice

Calories: 377 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 24%

Minimum crude fat: 15%

Diet: no wheat, no soy, no corn, GMO-free

Key features:

• Real farm-raised chicken is the number 1 ingredient
• It doesn’t contain genetically modified products, any by-product meals, soy protein, wheat, corn or artificial flavors
• The kibble is small and has a shape and texture which promotes the natural reduction of the tooth tartar buildup
• A premium, all-natural food with the perfect mix of protein, fats, and carbs for small-sized dogs
• Contains optimal levels of healthy omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids as well as zinc for a beautiful coat and healthy skin
• The natural fiber helps improve the digestion and the nutrient absorption
• Available in 3, 5, and 15 lb. bags

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small & Toy Breed Savory Chicken & Vegetable Stew Dog Food Trays

Main ingredients: water, chicken, pork liver, brown rice, carrots

Calories: 83 kcal/tray

Minimum crude protein: 3.5%

Minimum crude fat: 2.3%

Texture: stew

Key features:

• Premium wet food for small dogs
• Without artificial colors or preservatives
• Sold in conveniently sized peel and serve trays of 3.5-oz
• Made of high-quality lean protein
• With gentle fibers for a healthy digestion
• Sold in cases of 12 3.5-oz trays

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed Light Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken meal, pea fiber, whole grain wheat, whole grain sorghum, corn gluten meal

Calories: 297 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 20%

Minimum crude fat: 7%

Diet: weight control

Key features:

• Designed for small-sized dogs which are prone to weight gain
• Contains 19% fewer calories than the original recipe
• Includes vitamins C and E for a boost of the immune system
• Only natural high-quality ingredients are used for the recipe
• Suitable for dogs aged 1-6 years, with a weight of up to 25 lbs.
• Available in bags of 4.5 and 15.5 lbs.

Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Organic Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: organic chicken, organic chicken meal, organic sweet potatoes, organic chickpeas, organic peas

Calories: 368 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 26%

Minimum crude fat: 15%

Diet: organic, grain-free, no wheat, no soy, no corn

Key features:

• Made of organic chicken, and organic veggies and fruits with no hormones, antibiotics, fertilizers, chemicals, or other harmful contents
• The added prebiotics and probiotics will help improve the digestive system
• The added superfoods are nutrient-rich and will satisfy the hunger and meet the energy needs of smaller dogs
• An excellent source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, coconut oil promotes shiny coat and flawless skin
• The bite-sized kibble is suitable for small pups
• Made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients in a certified organic kitchen
• Sold in bags of 4 and 10 lbs.

Halo Holistic Chicken & chicken liver All Life Stages Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, dried peas, oatmeal

Calories: 413 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 17%

Minimum crude fat: 17%

Diet: GMO-free

Key features:

• Made of real chicken without any rendered meat or fish meal
• GMO-free veggies and fruits provide the vitamins, antioxidants, and fibers your small dog needs to be healthy, active, and happy
• It contains no antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• The kibble is covered with DreamCoat which contains fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin
• A very tasty and highly digestible formula for the pickiest eaters, and for less need of cleaning up after your pup
• Sold in bags of 4 and 10 lbs.

Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: bison, ocean fish meal, peas, oatmeal, chicken fat

Calories: 420 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 28%

Minimum crude fat: 18%

Diet: no soy, no corn, no wheat

Key features:

• Made of delicious and lean bison
• Includes a carefully selected mix of 20 nutrient-dense superfoods
• Small-sized kibble
• Doesn’t include any corn, soy, or wheat
• Available in bags of 4 and 12 lbs.

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken meal, dried potatoes, peas, chicken fat, dried sweet potatoes

Calories: 358 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 26%

Minimum crude fat: 13%

Diet: grain-free, no soy, no corn, no wheat

Key features:

• Made of top-quality proteins and only real natural ingredients
• Promotes healthy skin, nails, and a shiny less-shedding coat
• Grain-free dry food suitable for pups with sensitivities
• Provides the perfect mixture of essential nutrients specially formulated to meet the energy needs of smaller sized dogs
• Sold in bags of 4 and 12 lbs.

AvoDerm Natural chicken meal & Brown Rice Formula Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken meal, ground whole brown rice, ground whole white rice, oatmeal, chicken fat

Calories: 354 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 26%

Minimum crude fat: 16%

Diet: no corn, no wheat

Key features:

• Formulated for small dog breeds weighing up to 20 lbs.
• Each small-sized kibble contains optimal and balanced nutrition
• Has all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your pup healthy
• With a well-balanced ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
• It will make the coat of your fur baby shiny and will keep its skin healthy

Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Grain-Free Small Breed Grass-Fed Beef Stew Canned Dog Food, 3.5-oz, case of 12

Main ingredients: beef, beef broth, water for processing, beef liver, dried egg whites

Calories: 99 kcal/bowl

Minimum crude protein: 9%

Minimum crude fat: 2%

Diet: gluten-free, grain-free, no soy, no wheat, no corn

Key features:

• Wet food is made of 100% responsibly sourced ingredients
• The first ingredient is free-range, grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free beef
• The stew includes organic carrots, peas, and spinach
• A grain-free recipe
• It can be used as a complete meal or as a topper for kibble
• Offered in cases of 12 3.5-oz trays

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula Small Breed

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, dried sweet potato, dried peas

Calories: 365 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 21%

Minimum crude fat: 10%

Diet: sensitive digestion, limited ingredient diet, grain-free, no corn, no wheat, no soy

Key features:

• The limited ingredient food id perfect for small dogs with food sensitivities or allergies
• Made of real premium-quality chicken for a savory taste and for lean muscles
• The omega fatty acids from the flaxseed and salmon oil will help keep the skin healthy and the coat gorgeous
• Small-sized kibble which can be eaten and digested by the smallest pups
• No grains are used in the recipe
• The dry food will help the dog clean its teeth naturally
• Sold in bags of 4.5 and 12 lbs.
• You can also buy the Natural Balance L.I.D. Small Breed Bites are available in other recipes such as Sweet Potato and Fish, Lamb Meal and Brown Rice, Potato and Duck, and Beef

See also: Recommended Dog Foods with Reviews

K9 Natural Lamb Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Main ingredients: lamb, lamb liver, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb blood

Calories: 258 kcal/cup

Minimum crude protein: 35.5%

Minimum crude fat: 37%

Diet: high-protein, raw, gluten-free, grain-free, no corn no wheat no soy, GMO-free

Key features:

• 100% natural diet mimicking the diet of wolves
• Made of 85% raw meat, blood, organs, and bones from grass-fed, free-range New Zealand lamb raised without hormones
• A delicious recipe for the fussiest eaters
• No gluten, no grains, no fillers, no GMO products, and no artificial preservatives are used in the recipe
• Promotes healthy skin and coat
• Suitable for all life stages
• Available in bags of 1.1, 4, and 8 lbs.

Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food

Main ingredients: chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, cod, peas

Calories: 161 kcal/13.2 oz can

Minimum crude protein: 8.5%

Minimum crude fat: 4.5%

Diet: gluten-free, grain-free, no soy, wheat, or corn

Key features:

• Made of real chicken and chicken liver as a lean and healthy protein for your small-sized pup
• The calorie levels are calculated to suit the needs of small dog breeds
• No potatoes, grains, wheat, soy, preservatives, or by-product meals are included in the wet food
• A smooth and palatable pate texture
• The food will make your dog’s coat shiny and its skin healthy
• Sold in cases of 24 3-oz cans or cases of 12 5.5-oz cans

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