🏆 In a hurry? Here’s our #1 pick:
What are the BEST dog foods for small dogs ?
The SimplyBestOf.com editor's choice is the Hill’s Science Diet Small and Toy Breed Dry Dog Food.Â
The first step to a healthy, happy pet is having the right food.
Namely, the best food for small dogs.
Keeping your small dog healthy and happy is a priority for all pet owners.
This is because when you regularly give your little dog the right nutrients, they are much less prone to having health problems and could live a longer life, meaning more good times for the two of you to share.
Why pick the best food for small dogs?
This list is targeted at owners of small dogs who are searching for the perfect dog food for their small dogs.
Having the best dog food for small dogs helps your pets’ metabolism, high energy, and nutrition.
This is especially true when you consider that small dogs often have problems with their health.
The best food for small dogs can really make a difference for your pup’s well-being.
What small dog foods and brands are out there?
There are currently a wide range of small dog food brands, and they offer an assortment of meat options, from chicken, beef, lamb, fish and duck, to a host of grains, rice, and vegetables in each mix.
Some mixes are only dry food, some are a mix of soft and dry, and others have kibble designed for dental health.
Each dog food for small dogs also provides specific food for each breed and age of small dog to ensure the right kind of nutrients at each stage of life.
Our Reviews of Dog Food for Small Dogs
This list of best dog food for small dogs allows you to choose the right dog food for your pet.
So, consider your little pal’s food preferences and dietary needs when selecting one of these options, but know that these are hands down the best dog foods for small dogs out there.
All of the dog foods that we review here are available for home delivery, so try one of these dog foods today and vote for your favorite!
Contents [hide]
-
The 6 Best Dog Foods for Small Dogs
- 1. Hill’s Science Diet Small and Toy Breed Dry Dog Food
- 2. Iams Proactive Health Adult Minichunks Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs
- 3. Purina Beneful IncrediBites Food for Small Dogs with Real Beef or Chicken
- 4. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs
- 5. Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs
- 6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Food for Small Dogs
Hill’s Science Diet Small and Toy Breed Dry Dog Food |
Hill’s Brand offers a Science Diet dog food for small dogs with either Chicken Meal and Rice or Lamb Meal and Rice. Science Diet offers food specific to small dog age, includin…
Hill’s Brand offers a Science Diet dog food for small dogs with either Chicken Meal and Rice or Lamb Meal and Rice. Science Diet offers food specific to small dog age, including puppy, adult 7+, adult 11+ and Adult light to fit all stages of your pet’s life.
A 4.5 lb. bag at $13.97 or 15.5 lb bag at $28.69 are available with Amazon prime.
Science Diet is proud to produce a dog food for small dogs that does not have any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, just nutritious ingredients that benefit your dog.
This brand of food is meant for small dogs weighing 25 pounds or smaller when they are adult size.
Each bag is resealable to maintain freshness and make storage easy.
Most customers’ small dogs really liked this dog food, and were happy with it.
Some small dogs wouldn’t eat it, but it was a preference issue not a brand issue.
Many customers bought this best dog food for small dogs in pet stores, and then switched to purchasing it from Amazon because the price on Amazon is much cheaper.
A few purchasers had issues with their bags arriving ripped and full of bugs, but Amazon’s customer service dealt with the problem immediately.
With extra immunity boosters to promote longer life spans in your pets, nutritious ingredients and real meat, Hill’s Science Diet is one of the best dog foods for small dogs.
Pros:
• Variety of Choices
• All natural ingredients
• Cheaper to purchase on Amazon
Cons:
• Some packages arrived ripped
• Some small dogs wouldn’t eat it, preference issue
Iams Proactive Health Adult Minichunks Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs |
Iams makes a healthy adult dry dog food for small dogs with chicken and egg proteins.
This brand of dog food for small dogs also includes beet pulp designed to aid in digestion, especially in obtaining and us…
Iams makes a healthy adult dry dog food for small dogs with chicken and egg proteins.
This brand of dog food for small dogs also includes beet pulp designed to aid in digestion, especially in obtaining and using nutrients from this food.
Fatty acids from chicken fat and fish oils keep your pet’s coat shiny for optimal health.
Proteins from chicken and eggs help with healthy muscles.
Carbohydrates from whole-wheat products help maintain your small dog’s high metabolism and energy.
Iams also offers a weight control option for heavier dogs or small dogs with lower energy levels.
7 optimum nutrients are included to keep your pet’s heart nourished and healthy.
Iams also includes a prebiotic in their dog food for small dogs to help your pup digest their food to the maximum capacity.
Minichunks sized kibble allow your small dog to eat this food easily.
Customers who fed this to their small dogs reported that their dogs really enjoyed this dog food for small dogs.
This particular bag of kibble is meant for small dogs aged 1 to 6 years old, but Iams also offers a puppy mix for 1-12 month old, a mature dog food for 7 years and up, and a senior dog food for 11 years and older to ensure nutrition for your small dog at all stages of life.
Amazon stocks Iams in 3.3-pound bags, 7 pound bags, 15 pound bags, 30 pound bags and 38. 5-pound bags, so if you want to test out how your small dog likes this food a small size is available, or the largest bag allows you to stock up on food with no worries.
One customer had an issue with a bad batch, but this is extremely rare and the company is very careful in screening for poorly made batches of this dog food.
Most small dogs really enjoyed this dog food, and Iams has 60 years of producing dog food as a backing to their name.
Additionally, Iams also offers a 100 percent guarantee, so if any issues occur their customer service will take care of the problem.
No preservatives, artificial dyes or sugars are added to this dog food product. Iams is one of the best dog foods for small dogs with its years of expertise and products available for all stages of your dog’s life.
Pros:
• Variety of bag sizes
• Iams has food unique to each stage of life
• 7 nutrients, including prebiotic
• Chicken and Eggs provide needed protein
• 100% guarantee, 60 years of experience
Cons:
• Occasional bad batch
• Hit or miss on Small dog taste preference
Purina Beneful IncrediBites Food for Small Dogs with Real Beef or Chicken |
Purina Brand dog food makes the Beneful type of dog food, with Incredibites made with real beef or chicken specifically for small dogs.
Amazon offers a 15.5lb bag for $13.98, a 6.3 lb bag for $15.19, or a pack of 3, 3.5LB bags for $1…
Purina Brand dog food makes the Beneful type of dog food, with Incredibites made with real beef or chicken specifically for small dogs.
Amazon offers a 15.5lb bag for $13.98, a 6.3 lb bag for $15.19, or a pack of 3, 3.5LB bags for $17.94.
Each bag is resealable to keep food fresh and storage easy.
Purina’s Beneful dog food for small dogs is made with real, farm-raised beef with carrots and peas for extra nutritional value.
This brand of dog food for small dogs is made to assist with higher metabolisms that small dogs have.
27 grams of protein are in each cup of dog food to promote healthy muscles while real vegetables, including carrots; peas spinach and sweet potatoes add 23 vitamins and minerals to every bite.
The kibble in this best dog food for small dogs is a mixture of soft chewy bites mixed with harder dry food for a satisfying crunch.
Eight different varieties of Beneful dog food for small dogs are available, with original or incredibites options, beef or chicken options, and the age of your dog, puppy or adult, options to meet all of your small dog’s health needs.
Customers who purchased this dog food for their pooches were mostly happy with the results.
Each small dog has a different preference and digestion, but for this brand most pet owners found that their dogs liked the Beneful dog food and that it made them healthier.
Purina’s Beneful brand did have some issues with making dogs sick a few years ago, but the company has evaluated the problem and the dog food is safe for small dogs again.
This is one of the best dog foods for small dogs on the market for health and nutrition for your pet.
Pros:
• Real Chicken or Beef
• 27 grams of protein per cup
• 23 Vitamins and Minerals
• Multiple Age and size options
Cons:
• Some dogs didn’t like it
• Previously made some dogs sick, company fixed issue
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs |
Wellness CORE brand makes dog food for small dogs in a variety of flavors for all breeds and ages.
Amazon offers a 4 pound and 12 pound bag delivery options.
This dog food…
Wellness CORE brand makes dog food for small dogs in a variety of flavors for all breeds and ages.
Amazon offers a 4 pound and 12 pound bag delivery options.
This dog food comes in Ocean Whitefish, herring and Salmon, Original Turkey and Chicken, and in Wild Game Duck, Turkey, Boar and Rabbit with choices for puppy, adult or reduced fat to fit all your dog’s needs.
Each mix is completely grain free but packed with protein to keep high metabolisms and small dogs with high energy happy and healthy.
This dog food is made without any wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives to ensure an all natural food for your small dog.
Wellness CORE brand includes vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to support a healthy skin and coat in your dog, along with healthy eyes, gums, and teeth.
Probiotics, Prebiotics and fiber are included in their dry food for better digestion and a boosted immune system.
The increased level of real meat in this dog food for small dogs provides superior proteins and carbohydrates to support muscle maintenance and provide the nutrients needed to sustain high energy levels.
Customers who fed this dog food to their small dogs found that their pets were very happy and satisfied.
Many were trying to help their small dogs maintain a healthy weight and Wellness CORE dog food really assisted in keeping pets in shape. One issue with this pet food is the moisture content.
The food is a dry dog food with some moisture for softness, and occasionally the moisture trapped in the bag causes some bad batches with mild mold content.
Wellness is working hard to fix this issue, and has changed the packaging to solve the issue.
The mold problem is very rare, but check each bag to ensure freshness before feeding to your small dog.
At the end of the day, I’d rather feed my dog fresh food then get stale, less nutritious food from another brand. So the possibility of mold kind of speaks to the fact that these are such high quality ingredients!
Wellness Core is one of the best dog foods for small dogs available, and with it’s high real meat content your small dog will really benefit.
Pros:
• Real Meat
• High in Protein and carbohydrates for energy
• Multiple Varieties available for all ages
• Probiotics and Prebiotics included for better digestion
Cons:
• Some moisture issues
• Mild mold in rare batches
Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs |
Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food contains roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavor dry dog food in 3.5 pound or 15.9 pound bags.
This dry dog food for small dogs includes antioxidant, vitamins…
Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food contains roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavor dry dog food in 3.5 pound or 15.9 pound bags.
This dry dog food for small dogs includes antioxidant, vitamins and minerals to keep your dog thriving.
A whole host of grains, vegetables and proteins help maintain digestion and a shiny coat in your small dog.
Additionally, the designs of the shape of the kibble bites are meant to assist in keeping your dog’s teeth clean.
Customers who bought this dog food for small dogs noted that their pets really liked this food, and were very satisfied.
Some dog owners were not happy with the size of the kibble, and said that their small dogs had trouble chewing the larger bites of the kibble.
Older small dogs in particular had some trouble with how hard the kibble is for them to chew.
One customer said that their small dogs were very fussy when it came to dry food, but that their pets ate this Pedigree dry dog food right away.
Another customer said that their dogs wouldn’t eat it, so it all comes down to pooch preference.
Most dogs really liked this food, and their owners were happy with the inexpensive price.
This is the best dog food for small dogs who are younger and for owners looking for a less expensive dog food option.
Pros:
• Variety of bag sizes
• Most small dogs liked this food
• Kibble made to help dental health
• Full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
Cons:
• Kibble is hard for some older dogs to chew
• Kibble is larger, difficult to eat for very small dogs
• Some dogs didn’t like this
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Food for Small Dogs |
Blue Buffalo makes a dry adult dog food with life protection specifically formulated for small dogs.
Blue Buffalo offers a 4lb bag, a 6lb bag, a 15lb bag, and a 30 lb bag all available for order on Amazon Prime for easy delivery.
This small dog fo…
Blue Buffalo makes a dry adult dog food with life protection specifically formulated for small dogs.
Blue Buffalo offers a 4lb bag, a 6lb bag, a 15lb bag, and a 30 lb bag all available for order on Amazon Prime for easy delivery.
This small dog food is made with all natural ingredients, including actual meat, grains, vegetables and fruits for a complete spectrum of nutrition for your small dog.
Each food is specially formulated for each individual breed and size of dog, with Toy Breed Chicken and Brown Rice, Small Dog Chicken and Brown Rice, Small Dog Fish and Brown Rice, Small Dog Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice, and Small Dog Lamb and Brown Rice options to fit all spectrums of small dog needs.
Small dogs from 5 to 30 pounds are included in this list, with both small and toy breeds represented. Blue Buffalo small dog food includes real meat, such as chicken, lamb and fish aid in muscle maintenance and development, proteins and carbohydrates for increased energy, and Glucosamine for joint health.
Additionally, vitamins, chelated minerals and antioxidants aid with immune system health, while omega 3’s and 6 fatty acids provide nutrition for a healthier skin and coat.
The small kibble bits are in circle and triangle shapes, and about the size of a pea, which is good for small dog dental health.
Customers who bought this for their small dogs had mixed results. Many had dogs who did very well on it, and where showing signs of healthier coats, which indicates good nutrition.
Other customers noticed that initially, their small dogs did very well on the Blue Buffalo Brand, but the formula must have changed.
Many small dogs were ill after the formula change, experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Another issue was that the store-bought bags of dog food seemed to be cleaner and better for small dogs than the bags ordered off of Amazon.
Multiple times the Amazon ordered bags arrived ripped or previously opened, which made customers uncomfortable to give to their small dogs.
This is the best small dog food brand to try out in a smaller sample first, to see how your dog reacts to it.
Often the richness of this Blue Buffalo food is too much for their stomachs. Small dogs who didn’t have problems were very happy with this brand of food.
Additionally, owners noticed that this dog food has a very strong and distinctive smell to it that was unpleasant for people, and many dogs refused to eat it due to the odor.
Pros:
• Real Meat: Fish, Lamb, Chicken options
• Includes Glucosamine for Joint Health
• High in Protein, carbohydrates, and fatty acids for health
• High Quality, all natural ingredients
• Lots of Breed and size options
Cons:
• Strong Smell, some dogs won’t eat it
• Amazon packages come ripped open often
• Made a significant number of small dogs sick
• Formula changes often
If you liked this article click here to check our reviews on the best grain free dog food.
SimplyBestOf.com reviews the best consumer products available to make your life easier when shopping. Check out our other recent reviews.
The best food for small dogs is healthy and perfectly sized. Comment below with your woof’s favorite chow!