The 7 Best Puppy Foods for Small-Breed Dogs

Pint-sized and perky, small breeds like Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Boston Terriers make wonderful additions to the family. Bringing a puppy home is hugely exciting, but it also means lots of changes and new responsibilities. Of of the biggest is making sure your small friend has a well-balanced diet that addresses his nutritional needs. So, what’s the best puppy food for small breeds?

Below we’ll explore the nutritional requirements of small-breed puppies and suggest some of the best puppy food for small breeds to keep your young friend happy and healthy.

Canine Nutrition Basics

Protein is the foundation of a healthy diet for all puppies, regardless of breed, since it’s necessary to support growth and development. Fat is a concentrated source of calories that’ll help your pup absorb fat-soluble vitamins. While your puppy has no specific requirement for carbohydrates, healthy sources can provide essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has determined the minimum requirements for key nutrients in dogs: a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat for canine growth and reproduction (puppies and lactating females). These numbers are higher than what’s recommended for adult dogs, since puppies require more protein, calories, and other nutrients than adult dogs do—a result of their developing bodies and greater caloric expenditure.

To meet these requirements, feed your puppy a high-quality puppy food made with real, whole-food sources of these nutrients. Animal protein like meat or poultry should be the focus, with higher-than-average fat and limited carbohydrate content. Not all dog foods have the same calorie content, so it’s also a good idea to consider calories per cup and follow feeding recommendations for your dog’s age and weight.

Checking for an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy on the label is a good way to weed out the really bad dog foods, but it doesn’t guarantee high quality, since AAFCO’s standards are about meeting the minimum—and you probably want better than “minimum” for your pup. That’s why it’s worth digging a little deeper into the needs of your specific pup.

Specific Nutritional Needs for Small-Breed Puppies

Small-breed puppies encompass many different types of dogs. But the one thing they all have in common? They’re small! As such, their pint-sized bodies have different needs compared to large-breed puppies.

For starters, small dogs reach maturation more quickly than large breeds. Puppies are generally switched onto adult food once they’ve reached 80% of their expected adult size, which for small dogs means 9 to 10 months, as opposed to larger breeds, which reach similar points in 12 to 18 months.

Though puppyhood for small dogs is shorter, these pups still face some important nutritional considerations during this period. Whereas large-breed puppies need to watch factors such as calories and calcium that can contribute to overgrowth and orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, not getting enough calories is a risk factor for small-breed puppies.

Hypoglycemia occasionally affects small-breed puppies as well, according to the Hound Health Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Dog Happy, Healthy & Active by Betsy Brevitz, D.V.M., and though it may not be a common occurrence, it can be fatal and requires immediate veterinary attention.

Why are these issues potentially exacerbated in small-breed puppies? Their bodies, while small, have a much higher metabolic rate and energy requirement than large-breed dogs.

Don’t be fooled by their mini stature; though they may not be able to eat as much in one sitting as a large-breed puppy, due to a tinier stomach, those small meals need to be densely packed in calories, protein, and fat to keep up with their speedy metabolisms and ensure they are getting enough of the nutrients they need.

Mother dog with her puppy licking his lips

Teerasuwat / Pixabay

Puppy Food for Small Breeds: Wet vs. Dry

When choosing a diet for your small-breed puppy, your first decision is whether to feed your dog wet or dry food, or a combination. According to the Clinical Nutrition Service (part of Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University), wet food can be easier for dogs to chew and swallow and is also a good option for picky eaters. Canned food also has higher water content, which can be beneficial for dogs with certain health considerations. Fat and protein are typically more prevalent in wet food as well, so this may be a good option for your small-breed pup.

As for dry food, kibble can be harder for your small-breed puppy to chew (unless it is sized accordingly). However, dry food makes less mess when feeding and cleaning up after mealtimes and also has a longer shelf life than wet (be sure to check the date on the label before buying). Dry food is also thought to help maintain dental health in dogs (in accordance with regular teeth cleanings and dental chews).

Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies: To Grain or Not To Grain

In addition to choosing wet versus dry food, you may also find yourself wondering about grain-free diets. Some owners prefer grain-free as it is believed to be closer to the traditionally carnivorous Canis genus diet and can be easier on a dog’s digestive system, especially if your dog has grain allergies or sensitivities.

However, grain-free diets have been potentially linked to heart issues in canines by the FDA, so it’s best to check with your veterinarian before switching or starting your dog on one. Single, whole-grain dog food is another potential option, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: dog food made with a single whole grain (as opposed to a compound of different grains).

The Best Puppy Food for Small Breeds

Now that you know a little more about what ingredients are best for your small-breed puppy, here are some great food options available for purchase.

Wellness Natural Complete Health Natural Dry Small-Breed Puppy Food

Wellness small-breed dry puppy food

Made with small-breed pups in mind, this smaller-sized kibble is just right for their tinier mouths.

Wellness is known for its quality ingredients and lack of by-products, fillers, and artificial flavors in its pet food formulas. Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oatmeal, and salmon meal are among this recipe’s top ingredients. 

Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Lamb & Sweet Potato Small-Breed & Puppy Canned Food

Red and white can of Nulo puppy food

This is for the minis out there! Served in smaller portions for smaller bodies, this grain-free recipe is low-glycemic (good for keeping blood sugar levels stable) and gluten-free.

Made in the USA, its top two ingredients are lamb and turkey, and it contains zero corn, wheat, or soy. 

Blue Buffalo Dry Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe for Small-Breed Puppies

Bag of Blue Buffalo small-breed dry puppy food

Blue Buffalo’s Chicken and Oatmeal Life Protection Formula is made with small puppies’ health in mind. No by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this bag!

Deboned chicken starts the ingredients’ list, accompanied by wholesome grains, fruits, vegetables, and key fatty acids like DHA and ARA—found in mother’s milk—that are important for cognitive and retinal development. 

Solid Gold Mighty Mini Grain Free Small & Toy-Breed Wet Food

Solid Gold canned puppy food

Stay golden, mini pup! Chicken and chicken liver are the leading proteins of this recipe, accompanied by pumpkin, chickpeas, and carrots to provide healthy nutrients.

Made in the USA without fillers, this recipe is packed with omega fatty acids to support your puppy’s brain and eye development. Meant for toy dogs of all stages, this small-breed puppy food comes in several flavors.

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Pint-Sized Puppy Plate

Container of Merrick Lil' Plates puppy food

Free of grains, gluten, corn, wheat and soy, Merrick’s recipe for pint-sized pups features deboned meat and includes a mix of fruits and veggies.

These single-serve portions pack in the nutrition while having zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Whole Earth Farms Small-Breed, Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

Bag of Whole Earth Farms dry puppy food

Packed with wholesome nutrition for small breeds, this recipe features salmon meal as the primary protein. Chicken meal, salmon, and whitefish provide supplementary sources of protein.

Made in the USA, this recipe is developed to support your puppy’s healthy digestion and reduce shedding.

American Journey Active Life Puppy Formula

Bag of American Journey dry puppy food

Formulated for growing puppies with increased levels of protein and fat, this recipe is also rich in DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development.

This recipe features deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as digestible sources of animal-based protein with wholesome grains and fresh fruits and veggies for essential nutrients.

Talk to Your Vet Before Choosing Any New Food for Your Puppy

We’ve selected some great puppy foods for small breeds. But before introducing any new foods into your dog’s diet, we suggest consulting with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you understand any health issues your puppy may be experiencing and can recommend a dog food that’s going to best support their specific health needs.