Are you in search of the top-quality food for your small breed puppy?
Regrettably, no official nutrient standards have been set for the feeding of small or medium breed puppies.
This implies that every company has the freedom to develop its own design.
We suggest that puppy owners should only consider small breed brands that are guaranteed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for “Growth” or “All Life Stages” and also contain:
- Above-average protein
- No generic “meat” ingredients
- No risky chemical preservatives
- No cancer-causing coloring agents
- Favorable fat-to-protein ratios
- Moderate levels of carbohydrates
For August 2023, The Dog Food Advisor presents the top 10 best small breed puppy foods.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy
Our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line includes 21 dry recipes, one of which is Life Protection Small Breed Puppy.
- 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
The majority of the meat protein in this Blue Buffalo recipe comes from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Upon analyzing the label for dry matter, we found that the recipe has 32% protein, 19% fat, and an estimated 41% carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 59%.
A reputable company offers a grain-inclusive option that is suitable for small breed puppies.
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh
Our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line includes Turkey Recipe as one of the 4 fresh-made foods.
- 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
Our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line includes four fresh-made foods, one of which is the Turkey Recipe.
- 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
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy
Our review of the Diamond Naturals product line includes 13 dry recipes, one of which is Small Breed Puppy.
- 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
The Diamond Naturals formula primarily derives its meat protein from freshly sourced chicken and chicken meal. According to our analysis of the dry matter label, the composition of the recipe consists of 36% protein, 24% fat, and 32% estimated carbohydrates, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 69%.
There is an option available at a reasonable price in various sizes.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy
Our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line includes 13 dry recipes, one of which is the Complete Health Small Breed Puppy.
- 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
The majority of the animal protein in this Wellness formula is obtained from fresh turkey and chicken meal. Our analysis of the dry matter label indicates that the recipe contains 31% protein, 21% fat, and an estimated 40% carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 68%.
A company of great quality that offers a variety of puppy formulas.
Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy
Our review of the Now Fresh Grain-Free product line includes 11 dry recipes, one of which is the Now Fresh Small Breed Puppy.
- First 5 ingredients: De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, peas, pea flour, potatoes
- Type: Grain-free
- Life stage: Growth
- Best for: Small breed puppies
The primary source of animal protein in the Now Fresh formula is fresh turkey. When we analyze the dry matter label, the proportions are 31% protein, 20% fat, and 41% estimated carbs, leading to a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 64%.
Highly recommended, this is an exceptional choice for small breed puppies that are grain-free.
Holistic Select Grain Free Small and Mini Breed Puppy
Our review of the Holistic Select Grain Free product line includes Small and Mini Breed Puppy, which is one of the 11 dry recipes.
- First 5 ingredients: Anchovy and sardine meal, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Life stage: Growth
- Best for: Small breed puppies
The main sources of meat protein in this Holistic Select formula are anchovy, sardine, and chicken meals. According to our analysis of the dry matter label, the formula consists of 39% protein, 19% fat, and 34% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 49%.
An excellent choice for promoting growth without grains.
Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws Puppy
Our review of the Hill’s Science Diet Puppy product line includes 6 dry recipes, one of which is Small Paws.
- 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
The primary source of animal protein in this Hill’s Science Diet Puppy formula is chicken meal. After analyzing the dry matter label, we found that the recipe contains 30% protein, 20% fat, and 42% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 67%.
This is a well-established company that offers a wide variety of puppy recipes to choose from. The selection is exceptional.
Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy
Our review of the Wellness Core product line includes 12 dry recipes, one of which is called Core Small Breed Puppy.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Life stage: Growth
- Best for: Small breed puppies
The primary source of animal protein in this Wellness formula is fresh turkey and poultry meals. According to our analysis, the recipe contains 42% protein, 20% fat, and 30% estimated carbs on a dry matter basis. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 47%.
This puppy formula is exceptional and specifically designed for small breeds, with the added benefit of being grain-free.
Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Small Breed
Included in our review of the Iams Proactive Health product line is Proactive Health Smart Puppy Small Breed, which is one of 12 dry recipes.
- 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
The majority of animal protein in this Iams product comes from fresh chicken. When analyzing the label based on dry matter, we found that the recipe contains 33% protein, 20% fat, and 39% estimated carbohydrates, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 60%.
An ideal recipe of high quality for small breed puppies.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Chicken Formula
Our review of the Nutro Wholesome Essentials product line includes 19 dry recipes, one of which is Wholesome Essentials Puppy Chicken.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, whole brown rice, whole grain oatmeal
- Type: Grain-inclusive (rice, oatmeal)
- Life stage: Growth
- Best for: Small breed puppies
- Price: $$
This Nutro formula primarily derives its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. When analyzing the dry matter label, we found that the recipe has 30% protein, 18% fat, and approximately 44% estimated carbs. Consequently, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 59%.
Highly recommended with great enthusiasm.
Ollie Fresh Dog Food
Ollie Fresh dog food is suitable for all life stages and breeds. It is considered the best choice for small breed puppies as it contains selectively chosen ingredients to offer optimum nutrition for your dog. Additionally, the portions are skillfully balanced to assist in maintaining your dog’s weight and overall conditioning.
Ollie, a subscription service, simplifies your life by delivering accurately measured meals to your doorstep. Upon registration, you will provide information about your dog’s age, size, and activity levels. This ensures that Ollie food is precisely portioned to cater to your dog’s specific requirements.
Although the storage requirement for Ollie fresh food is the only drawback, it is a minor inconvenience. You will have to store this food in the freezer and thaw it in the fridge before giving it to your dog. Nonetheless, this slight inconvenience is worth it for the assurance that Ollie offers, as it ensures your dog receives optimal nutrition.
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed
If you’re on a budget, you might want to consider Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula. It is reasonably priced and contains chicken as the primary ingredient, which is great. However, some of the other ingredients, like corn gluten meal, are not as nutritious. Nevertheless, it is still a good source of protein.
The kibble is specially made small for smaller puppies and contains fish oil for additional omega fatty acids, including DHA for their brain and vision development. Probiotics are also added to establish a healthy gut biome from an early age, which aids in preventing future stomach upset. The puppy’s overall health is supported with an ample amount of antioxidants included. There are no artificial colors or flavors present in the kibble.
Even though there are a few sub-par ingredients, this is unquestionably the most cost-effective puppy food for small breeds.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Merrick is a dog food company that is generally known for its high-quality products. One of their options, the Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food, is also reliable. It is made using a blend of wholesome ingredients, with deboned chicken, chicken meal, and sweet potatoes as the top three components. Nevertheless, it falls slightly short on protein and fat content, particularly for puppies. Nonetheless, the protein in the food is mainly sourced from animals and is of good quality, making it beneficial.
Including glucosamine and chondroitin is important for maintaining the health of hips and joints. While this is less crucial for smaller breeds, it is necessary for puppies from breeds susceptible to joint problems. Additionally, omega fatty acids, including DHA, are included to support your puppy’s skin and coat, as well as promote brain health and development, making it an excellent option for growing puppies.
If your dog is not sensitive to grains, it is not advisable to choose grain-free food as it may be potentially linked to the FDA’s specific heart issues. However, grain-free food may be beneficial for puppies with a sensitive stomach.
Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Despite being expensive, Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food offers several benefits. The primary ingredient is chicken, followed by chicken by-product meal. Additionally, the food consists of grains, vegetables, and a few other animal products such as eggs. The protein content in this food is relatively high, suggesting that a significant portion of it originates from animal sources as per the ingredient list.
Due to its relatively high calorie content, your puppy may require a lower amount compared to other products. It is important to consult the feeding instructions when determining the cost, as the purchase price might not accurately reflect its expense.
This food is specifically formulated for extra small and toy breeds of dogs that are expected to weigh under 23 pounds as adults. It promotes muscle development by incorporating calcium, phosphorous, and animal protein. Additionally, DHA, in the form of fish oil, is included to stimulate brain growth.
Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food
The Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food is designed specifically for small breed puppies weighing between 9 and 22 pounds during the first ten months of their lives. The kibble size is extremely small to make it easier for small puppies to consume. Although this dog food is well-known and often regarded as “premium,” its actual quality may not be as high as initially perceived.
The initial ingredient is brewer’s rice, which is not the ideal choice for our smaller puppies’ dietary needs. As the second ingredient, we have chicken by-product meal, which is the sole source of animal-protein listed among all the ingredients. Although chicken fat is listed as the first ingredient, the remainder of the ingredient list consists of grains and low-quality vegetables.
Considering the ingredient list, it is not surprising that the protein content is not high. Similarly, the fat content is also not high, indicating that this food is rich in carbohydrates.
Although this food is intended for puppies, its nutritional profile is lacking in many aspects.
