The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Small Breed Puppy Food
When it comes to finding the perfect food for your small-breed puppy, the options can be overwhelming. With no official nutrient standards established for feeding small or medium-breed puppies, each company is free to create its own unique formula. This is why we recommend that puppy owners consider small breed brands that guarantee adherence to AAFCO nutrient profiles for “Growth” or “All Life Stages.” In addition, look for brands that offer the following:
 | |
| Best Small Breed Puppy Foods |
1. Above-average Protein
Small breed puppies need a higher protein content to support their rapid growth and development. Ensure that the puppy food you choose contains an above-average protein level to provide the essential building blocks for your pup's muscles, organs, and overall health.
2. Avoid Generic “Meat” Ingredients
When reviewing the ingredient list, be cautious of dog food brands that use generic terms like "meat." Instead, opt for products that specify the source of protein, such as "deboned chicken" or "turkey meal." This transparency ensures that you know exactly what your puppy is consuming.
3. No Risky Chemical Preservatives
Quality small-breed puppy food should steer clear of risky chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin. Opt for options that use natural preservatives, ensuring your pup's safety.
4. Avoid Cancer-Causing Coloring Agents
Many pet food products contain artificial coloring agents that can potentially harm your puppy. Look for foods free from these harmful additives to keep your dog safe and healthy.
5. Favorable Fat-to-Protein Ratios
A balanced fat-to-protein ratio is crucial for small-breed puppies. This ratio impacts their energy levels, growth, and overall well-being. Look for foods that maintain an ideal fat-to-protein balance.
6. Moderate Levels of Carbohydrates
While carbohydrates are a source of energy, small-breed puppies do not require an excess of them. Ensure that the food you choose contains moderate levels of carbohydrates to support your pup's specific needs.
To make your decision easier, we've compiled a list of the top 10 best small-breed puppy foods for 2023:
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Life Protection Small Breed Puppy is one of 21 dry recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, menhaden fish meal
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (oatmeal, barley, rice)
**Profile:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $$
Blue Buffalo's Life Protection Small Breed Puppy food derives the majority of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. This recipe contains 32% protein, 19% fat, and 41% estimated carbs, creating an ideal fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%. It's a solid grain-inclusive option for small-breed puppies.
Typical buyer review: "I love this! This is a good price for the amount of food, It lasted me so long even for 2 puppies, and I love the fact that this is for SMALL BREED PUPPIES and that it’s a known and good brand. Yeah, there’s other puppy food but it’s hard to find small breeds and puppy food in one unless you want wet food... this is the only one I buy until my pup is a teen or adult then that’s when I will change it."
2. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh
**Rating:**
Turkey Recipe is one of 4 fresh-made foods included in our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** USDA Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, parsnips
**Type:** Grain-free
**Life stage:** All life stages
**Best for** Puppies and adults, all breed sizes
**Price:** $$
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh-specific poultry formula derives most of its meat protein from fresh USDA turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 19% fat, and 40% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%. All Farmer’s Dog recipes are human-grade, designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. It's a rare and unusual finding.
The company creates a customized feeding plan based on your dog’s ideal weight, age, breed type, and activity level, delivering pre-packaged meals in appropriate portion sizes. It's an exceptional, fresh, grain-free option for small dogs of all ages, especially puppies.
Sample buyer review: "My dog was beginning a downward slope. We decided to make a change to her food… and we chose Farmer’s Dog… The difference is ASTOUNDING. She eats with gusto, her energy levels are back up, and her teeth and coat are even better quality… she’s like a whole different dog. I honestly feel that Farmer’s Dog saved her."
3. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Small Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Chicken, chicken meal, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (rice, barley)
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $
This Diamond Naturals formula takes the majority of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 24% fat, and 32% estimated carbs, which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 69%. It's an affordable option available in several sizes.
Sample buyer review: "We’ve got a 10-week-old Cavapoo puppy and he loves it! He was originally on ProPlan but his stools were very soft and the vet recommended switching his food. Our pup picks out the Diamond Naturals food and leaves the rest. He’s only about 3.5 lbs, so the really small kibble is perfect for him."
4. Raised Right Dog Food
**Rating:**
Raised Right Beef is one of 11 fresh recipes included in our review of the Raised Right product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries
**Type:** Grain-free (carrots, cranberries)
**Profile:** Maintenance
**Best for:** Adult dogs only
Raised Right Beef derives the lion's share of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 61% protein, 24% fat, and 8% estimated carbs, delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%. It's one of the best fresh, human-grade dog foods on the market, offering a wide recipe selection that's ideal for picky eaters.
5. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Complete Health Small Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oatmeal, salmon meal, barley
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (oatmeal, barley, rice, oats)
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $$
This Wellness formula acquires the largest part of its animal protein from fresh turkey and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 21% fat, and 40% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 68%. Wellness is an excellent company with multiple puppy recipes.
Sample buyer review: "A newly adopted ~2 yr. old rescued Shih Tzu, Zachary, was obviously neglected. Matted sparse fur and prominent spine/ribs called out for some good food and lots of it. So, we chose Wellness. He has moved from 8 lbs. to 10 lbs. in two weeks. He loves the food, and it seems to be doing the trick we asked of it. What a good boy!"
6. Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Now Fresh Small Breed Puppy is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Now Fresh Grain-Free product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, peas, pea flour, potatoes
**Type:** Grain-free
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $$
This Now Fresh formula gets the major portion of its animal protein from fresh turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 20% fat, and 41% estimated carbs, which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%. It's an exceptional grain-free selection for small-breed puppies.
Sample buyer review: "I discovered NOW puppy food for small breed puppies a couple of years ago. The kibble pieces are the smallest ones I have found and perfect for my pint-sized puppies to eat since they have no teeth to chew with when first starting out. I always had to grind up the kibble, but not anymore. They do great on them too and love to put a couple in their mouth and take them to their bed to munch on."
7. Holistic Select Grain Free Small and Mini Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Small and Mini Breed Puppy is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Holistic Select Grain Free product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Anchovy and sardine meal, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, chicken fat
**Type:** Grain-free
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $$
This Holistic Select formula derives the majority of its meat protein from anchovy, sardine, and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 19% fat, and 34% estimated carbs, producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%. It's a terrific grain-free growth option.
Sample buyer review: "My chihuahua puppy has been super picky about any food I get for her, but she LOVES this food. The kibbles are really small and perfect for her little mouth. I’ve also noticed an improvement in her stool. She’s had some constipation issues, but this food has really made a difference in the appearance of her stool. I am definitely a fan."
8. Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws Puppy
**Rating:**
Small Paws is one of 6 dry recipes included in our review of Hill’s Science Diet Puppy product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain sorghum, chicken fat, whole grain corn
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (wheat, sorghum, corn, barley)
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $
Sample buyer review: "I have used Science Diet forever and would not change from it! My dogs and cats all do very well, and I am a loyal customer."
9. Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy
**Rating:**
Core Small Breed Puppy is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Core product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, chicken fat
**Type:** Grain-free
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $$
This Wellness formula gets the greatest share of its animal protein from fresh turkey and poultry meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 42% protein, 20% fat, and 30% estimated carbs, which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%. It's an exceptional grain-free small-breed puppy formula.
Sample buyer review: "My foster loves this. He was really underweight, and this has helped him plump up. He also needs small bites or he chokes. It has a perfect kibble size!"
10. Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Small Breed
**Rating:**
Proactive Health Smart Puppy Small Breed is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Iams Proactive Health product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Chicken, ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, dried beet pulp
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (corn, sorghum)
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $
This Iams product takes the vast majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 20% fat, and 39% estimated carbs, producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%. It's a high-quality recipe ideal for small-breed breeder puppies.
Sample buyer review: "I highly recommend Iams small bites puppy food. Great nutritional value and a great price. You get what you pay for in dog food. My Boston Terrier pup loves it!"
11. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Chicken Formula
**Rating:**
Wholesome Essentials Puppy Chicken is one of 19 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Wholesome Essentials product line.
**First 5 ingredients:** Chicken, chicken meal, brewer rice, whole brown rice, whole grain oatmeal
**Type:** Grain-inclusive (rice, oatmeal)
**Life stage:** Growth
**Best for:** Small breed puppies
**Price:** $
This Nutro formula takes the lion’s share of its meat protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat, and 44% estimated carbs, which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%. It comes enthusiastically recommended.
Sample buyer review: "I’ve been feeding my senior dog this brand since 2012, so of course when I brought a puppy home, this was my go-to choice! I gradually switched the puppy over from the food he was previously eating with no trouble at all. I’ve noticed that the puppy eats all of this food where he would nibble and leave the other brand in the bowl all day. Both my dogs love this food and will be Nutro pups for life."
**Is my puppy a small breed… or a medium breed?**
If you expect your puppy to weigh 20 pounds or less when grown, then your dog is considered a small breed. In comparison, a medium-breed puppy will weigh 20 to 50 pounds when she reaches adulthood.
**Can my small-breed puppy eat regular puppy food?**
Yes, a small-breed puppy can safely eat any quality puppy food, including those designed for large breeds. Just be sure the food states that it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for "Growth" or "All Life Stages."
**When should I switch my puppy to adult dog food?**
Adult dog foods contain different nutrients than puppy foods, so it’s important not to switch your puppy to adult dog food too soon. The best time to switch your puppy to adult food depends on your dog’s breed type. The table below can help you determine when to switch your puppy to adult dog food:
- **Breed Type:** Small breed
- **Adult Weight:** Under 20 lbs
- **Switch:** 9 – 12 months
- **Breed Type:** Medium breed
- **Adult Weight:** 20 – 50 lbs
- **Switch:** 12 – 14 months
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples, or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews. However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
0 Comments