Dog Food For Small Dogs Buyer’s Guide
Although big and small dog breeds are pretty similar in different physical and behavioral features; they’re quite different when it comes to nutritional needs. For that very reason, choosing the best dog food for small dogs can be overwhelming, especially considering the vast number of brands available today, each of which claims to offer the best ingredients and highest nutritional value.
No need to break into a cold sweat though, as we’ve already done the heavy lifting for you, but you still need to pick the ideal product for your pup. For that, we went through all of the resources available online and offline and researched the subject thoroughly to clear up any confusion you might have in your mind. So, for all the Yorkies and Chihuahuas out there, here goes our guide:
What Are The Nutritional Needs Of Small Dog Breeds?
Food, in essence, exists to provide us with enough energy to go with our days with ease. The same goes for small mutts. As you know, energy is measured in calories, which come from macronutrients; proteins, carbs, and fats. While a healthy, sedentary adult needs around 15 calories per pound of body weight for a total of around 2,500 calories every day, a small adult Yorkshire Terrier, for example, needs 40 calories per pound, which add to approximately 500 calories in total. Such a measly number, huh? I mean, compared to the 2,250 calories per day that a 100-pound German Shepherd - the very same breed the 46th POTUS has - needs, Yorkies aren’t that big of eaters.
The devil’s in the detail though. As mentioned above, a small pup needs 40 calories per pound of body weight, while a big dog typically needs 22.5 calories per pound. In other words, the smaller the dog, the more energy-rich the food should be, as their metabolism is much faster.
It’s not only about the quantity though, as the quality of the dog food is equally important. Each dog has specific nutritional requirements depending on the age, breed, and health state. Generally, proteins and fats are essential nutrients for small dogs, as they can ensure proper development, growth, and metabolism throughout the years. For optimal bioavailability, look for dog food brands that offer both of these nutrients from animal sources. Carbs come in next when it comes to importance, but there’s nothing special about them for small breed dogs. Just make sure that they come from easy-to-digest sources.
Other than protein, fat, and carbs, your dog also needs minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, all of which can protect your dog against free radical damage, which can yield severe results in the long run.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food According To Your Mutt’s Age
Your dog’s nutritional needs greatly depend on his age. Puppies, adults, and senior small breed dogs require different amounts of calories and proteins to accommodate their growth and energy needs.
Puppies need the highest calories and protein content to support their growth and development, so keep that in mind when choosing your dog food brand. They also need more vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and water to grow up healthy and in good shape. As a general rule of thumb, you should feed your puppy sold food during his first three to eight weeks.
Upon reaching adulthood, your dog, especially a small one, will need fewer calories as they can quickly lead to obesity. On the other hand, they need vitamins, calcium, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids for a solid immune system that can resist illnesses and diseases.
Finally, senior small breed dogs require special care as they go through several physiological changes that can make the feeding process a bit tricky. When your small dog reaches an older age, look for dog food brands that are rich in fiber with fewer calories and fatty acids to ensure a proper metabolism.
Which Ingredients Should You Look For?
When looking for the best dog food for your tiny beagle, there are some ingredients that you should look for, which can make for the healthiest experience. Those components include:
Veggies
Just like humans, small breed dogs need vegetables (fruits as well) to get the necessary minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that ensure proper bodily functions and prevent illnesses and diseases, so make sure the product you choose contains fruits and vegetables.
Whole Meat
Human grade whole meat, which is approved for human consumption, is healthier than other types of meat, as it goes through a more thorough inspection before hitting the market, which means that it offers the highest nutritional quality.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are an integral part of any pup’s diet, as they provide dogs with both energy and easily digestible fiber capable of ensuring good digestive health.
Natural Preservatives
While it’s best to get a dog food brand that doesn’t contain any preservatives whatsoever, if these components are a necessity, look for a product that contains natural ones, such as Vitamin E and C.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. To ensure the healthiest muscle development for your little pooch, make sure to look for the right amino acids in the dog food label, which include arginine, histidine, and leucine among others.
Which Ingredients Should You Avoid?
We hear you. “Do this, don’t do that,” we’re starting to sound like your mother, right? Believe us; it’s going to be worth it in the end, as the last thing you want is to fill your pup’s little stomach with dangerous ingredients, such as:
Food Dyes
Food dyes, besides being useless as dogs don’t care about their food’s color, can be hazardous for your little mutt’s health, as they’re basically chemical additives that provide zero nutritional values and can result in severe illnesses and diseases (even cancer sometimes).
Rendered Fat
Rendered fat, or generic animal fat, comes from roadkill, dying, or diseased livestock, along with expired grocery meats. Yep, it is as scary as it sounds.
Ethoxyquin
Ethoxyquin (we know that it’s hard to pronounce) is a preservative that’s often found in dog food. Ethoxyquin was initially developed as a herbicide, aka a substance that’s toxic to plants, and it has been associated with severe side effects, such as leukemia (blood cancer), blindness, and kidney damage. Should we say more?
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is used by some manufacturers to prevent bacterial growth. As you probably already know, not all bacteria are harmful. Unfortunately, Propylene Glycol cannot tell the difference, so it inhibits the growth of both bad and good bacteria, which is necessary for proper food digestion and absorption.
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive agent that has many applications and enters in several processes, such as modifying gelatin and corn starch and converting corn starch to syrup. Since it’s not a natural agent, it’s only reasonable to try to avoid it when looking for the best dog food for small dogs.
What Are the Different Types of Dry Dog Food Brands?
Generic Brands
These brands usually contain cheap ingredients and sweetening fillers, both of which can make the digestion process laborious for your tiny Dachshund or Pembroke Welsh Corgi. It’s worth noting that some of these brands do offer premium ingredients while still being super cheap, such as Purina Natural, which is reviewed above.
Premium Brands
Premium dry dog food brands offer superior quality compared to generic brands, but not as good as super-premium brands. A good example in this category is Pedigree.
Super Premium Brands
Super premium brands are super expensive, but they also offer superior quality when it comes to the balance and nutritional value of the ingredients, making them the ideal choice for those looking for the best growth, development, and energy level for their small companions. Wellness is an excellent example of this category.
