TOP-20 Best Small Breed Puppy Food

Every dog breeder knows how important it is for a pet to eat tasty and healthy food. Therefore, it is important to understand food and choose only the highest quality and best food for small puppies, because it is food that is the key to wellness.

Puppies lead a much more active lifestyle than most adult dogs, so their diet should have enough protein and carbohydrates. The number of useless components (wheat, soy, corn) should be minimized. Also, such ingredients often lead to gastrointestinal problems. At the age of one year, a dog’s body, more than ever, needs a balanced diet and an increased intake of various useful substances. A young animal develops quickly and requires a lot of protein and fat, vitamins, and minerals for proper growth. A puppy’s immune system is not yet strong enough, so puppies are prone to allergic reactions, and the digestive system is sensitive to changes in diet and unbalanced composition at this young age. Natural feeding is difficult to organize at home to meet all the needs of the growing body. ^[3]

For feeding a puppy, it is better to choose premium dry or wet food or holistic food made from natural, high-quality ingredients. These foods are much more expensive than the others, but they are of very high quality. For daily nutrition of healthy puppies, premium and super-premium diets are also suitable. Their compositions are balanced and do not require adjustments. Economy-class food is not recommended for long-term nutrition of a growing body that requires an increased number of vitamins and minerals.

You must choose the food according to the breed and size of the dog. Small breeds have an increased metabolism, and they need to consume feed with high nutritional content, which is well absorbed. For example, dachshunds, yorks, chihuahuas, toy terriers, and other miniature breeds are prone to heart problems, so their diet must be high in fluoride and calcium. The best puppy food for toy breeds must be the size of pellets. ^[6]

When introducing a new brand of food to your puppy, you should monitor its health. If the puppy eats well, is active and looks perfect, it means that the food is suitable.

What is the Best Rated Puppy Food for Small Dogs?

When choosing the best food for small breed puppies, the list of ingredients is a crucial indicator. It is necessary to buy food without artificial flavors, preservatives, and antibiotics. The first thing you should pay attention to is the protein source, such as chicken. Puppies first need good sources of protein and fat, and then carbohydrates and other nutrients.^[5]

We did a lot of research to find the twenty best small breed puppy food, listed the pros and cons of each brand, and compared them by rated and quality. In this article, we have collected and compared some of the best puppy food for small breeds in 2020.

*Ratings are formed by the author of the article and based on own research and customer reviews.

Toy Breed Puppy Food Products Reviews

1. Royal Canin — Small Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin is a brand that should be paid attention to if you are looking for the best dog food for small breed puppies.

Suitable for	Small Breeds, Extra Small & Toy Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Brewers Rice Chicken By-Product Meal Chicken Fat
Caloric content	3,891 kcal/kg, 354 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $40

It has small pieces that fit small jaws to create for the nutritional needs of dogs up to 10 months old. The good thing about this choice is that it contains prebiotics and a bunch of antioxidants, vitamins, and, of course, a protein that you’ll find in any dog food.

Prebiotics help your canine pal benefit from healthy digestion every time. The food also contains biotin, calcium, folic acid, taurine, L-carnitine, and even rosemary extract.

The cost can be a small drawback for people on a tight budget.^[1]

Key Benefits:

• The food contains specific nutrients to support digestive health
• Proven kibble technology helps reduce the formation of tartar

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2. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy

Wellness food is designed to meet the needs of small breed puppies. This food is suitable for puppies from the earliest ages, to meet the unique needs of small dogs, preserving their health thanks to nutrient-rich whole food.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Deboned Turkey Chicken Meal Oatmeal
Caloric content	480 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $13

The small size of the feed pellet helps the pet to chew food comfortably. The feed ingredients are entirely natural. It does not contain artificial colors or flavors, preservatives, or meat by-products.

Puppies of small breeds have a longer life span than large breeds, and they need a sufficient level of antioxidants that this puppy food provides.

Key benefits:

• Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins and minerals, help support healthy growth
• Oatmeal and barley are a source of carbohydrates for energy

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3. Hill’s Science Diet — Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food

Food for dogs Hill’s provides Science Diet Puppy healthy development of your pet. Small pieces of dry food contain nutrients that are necessary for a healthy puppy’s lifestyle. The food is made from wholesome ingredients, such as fresh chicken flour and barley. Such a balanced diet will meet the needs of your pet and support the healthy development of the brain, eyes, and skeleton, as well as strengthen immune function. Each ingredient contained in the feed meets strict requirements for purity and nutrient content that exceeds industry standards. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy will provide your dog with the nutrition he needs for health and happiness.^[2]

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Meal Whole Grain Wheat Cracked Pearled Barley
Caloric content	374 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $30

Key benefits:

• A mix of antioxidants and vitamins E and C helps support a healthy immune system
• Made from natural, high-quality ingredients, it does not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

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4. Merrick — Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Dry Dog Food

Natural recipe Merrick Lil ‘ Plates was explicitly created to satisfy the appetite of small puppies. This food does not contain grains – only chicken, potatoes, and peas. Tummies will easily digest these foods. High levels of omega-3 and fatty acids support a puppy’s healthy skin and shiny fur. It also contains DHA to support brain health.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Deboned Chicken Chicken Meal Potatoes
Caloric content	3,602 kcal/kg, 397 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $35

Key benefits:

• Probiotics help digestion
• Contains DHA to support healthy brain development in a puppy

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5. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet puppy food provides a balance of ingredients and minerals to support your puppy’s development. The recipe is designed to meet the needs of your fast-growing dog. This puppy food is made from natural ingredients and contains DHA from fish oil and high-quality protein for muscle growth. A balanced set of minerals will strengthen your puppy’s bones and teeth.

Suitable for	Small Breeds, Extra Small & Toy Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Meal Whole Grain Wheat Whole Grain Sorghum
Caloric content	397 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $30

Hill’s conducts annual quality checks for all production facilities to ensure they meet the high standards your pet deserves.

Key benefits:

• Made from high-quality natural ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• Made in the USA, this is a complete and balanced diet recommended for puppies under 1 year of age

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6. Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy

Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy formula is intended exclusively for pups of pure Chihuahua breed from 8 weeks to 8 months. Representatives of the Chihuahua breed are usually picky, so it is difficult to get them to proper nutrition for healthy development. Chihuahua pups are less able to digest proteins, which leads to fermentation in the intestinal tract.

Suitable for	Small Breeds, Extra Small & Toy Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken By-Product Meal Brewers Rice Chicken Fat
Caloric content	3,846 kcal/kg, 352 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $20

Key benefits:

• Optimal bite-size and texture for a Chihuahua’s muzzle
• Helps maintain good digestion

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7. Nutrisource, Dry Dog Food, Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula

The NutriSource formula is designed to provide optimal nutrition and easy digestion for the healthy growth of small breed puppies. The size of the feed is intended for little breed puppies and differs in small size forms that can be quickly eaten by small dogs. Chicken is the primary source of protein, which helps maintain muscle mass and strength.

Suitable for	Small & Medium Breed
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken meal Сhicken Brown rice
Caloric content	3,924 kcals per kg, 400 kcals per cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $40

Key benefits:

• Contains all the essential nutrients for optimal health of your pet
• Does not contain animal by-products or whole corn

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8. Bil Jac Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

Bil Jac Super Premium food is designed for small breed dogs. The feed, which helps to improve the condition of the dog’s skin and fur, is a carefully developed formula for feeding little breed puppies with reduced fat content. The feed does not contain grains, gluten food, or grain protein concentrates.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Chicken By-Products (Organs Only, Source Of Arginine) Corn Meal
Caloric content	3998 kcal/kg, 412 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $20

The feed includes corn flour, chicken, dried beet pulp, oatmeal, yams, brewer’s yeast, and flaxseed. Omega-6 fatty acids, at least 2 70% * omega-3 Fatty acids, at least 0. 30%.

Key benefits:

• Carefully designed for the care and nutrition of small breed puppies

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9. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Puppy, Small Paws for Small Breeds, Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Recipe

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy is delicious dog food for small breeds that contains high-quality ingredients that ensure the availability of critical nutrients for the healthy development of your puppy. The feed includes real chicken meat, brown rice, and a mix of vegetables. This dog food is made from natural ingredients and is easy to digest. This food is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Thanks to the nutrients, your tiny puppy’s muscular development is supported.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Broth Chicken, Pork Liver Brown Rice
Caloric content	88 kcal / 3.5 oz (99 g) tray
Form	Dry Food
Guaranteed Analysis	Crude Protein – 31.5% min Crude Fat – 17.4% min Carbohydrate / NFE – 51.1 Calcium – 1.43 Phosphorous – 1.13 Potassium – 0.91 Sodium – 0.65 Magnesium – 0.087
Price	from $19

Key benefits:

• The easily digestible formula for your young dog
• Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust

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10. Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food

This premium, high-protein puppy food meets all the needs of active small dogs. Each ingredient is carefully selected to provide your puppy with the best nutrition. Thanks to its fine granules, this puppy food makes chewing easier for your little dog, and its highly digestible formula helps ensure that nutrients are available and absorbed. This high-quality puppy food contains chicken meat to meet the need for high-quality protein in your dog’s body.^[4]

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Corn Gluten Meal Brewers Rice
Caloric content	3,922 kcal/kg, 1,779 kcal/lb, 417 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $14

Key benefits:

• Antioxidants help support a puppy’s immune system
• Grain-free

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11. Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy

This complete and balanced puppy food is designed to ensure the proper development of your puppy’s body and moral maturation. High-quality animal proteins and optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus help support muscle growth and bone health. The ingredients contained in the feed promote healthy brain development. Optimized fat and carbohydrate levels give your puppy concentrated energy for growth. A mix of natural fibers and prebiotics promotes gentle digestion. The main ingredient is chicken.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Chicken By-Product Meal Corn
Caloric content	3,922 kcal/kg, 1,779 kcal/lb, 417 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $13

Key benefits:

• Supports healthy brain development with clinically proven levels of DHA for smarter, more trainable puppies

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12. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food

Blue Life Protection Formula for puppies contains ingredients that stimulate the healthy growth and development of a puppy. This food is a product of Blue Buffalo, a company based in the United States. The feed contains high-quality ingredients, such as real meat, fruits, and vegetables. High-quality protein from real chicken helps your dog form and maintain healthy muscles.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Deboned Chicken Chicken Meal Brown Rice
Caloric content	398 kilocalories/cup; 3,686 kilocalories/kg
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $47

Key benefits:

• The formula contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, carefully selected by veterinarians and nutritionists, to maintain a healthy immune system.

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13. Natural Balance Puppy Formula Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken, Duck & Brown Rice Wet Dog Food

The original formula with chicken, duck, and brown rice is created to fully meet the needs of your puppy—this food created by experienced nutritionists that offers an optimal balance of premium proteins and essential nutrients.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Broth Chicken Chicken Liver
Caloric content	1335 kcal/kg, 225 kcal/6-oz can, 490 kcal/13-oz can
Form	Wet Food
Price	from $20

Key benefits:

• Supports healthy skin, hair, and muscle development
• Supports strong immune function
• Supports the development of the nervous system and healthy digestion

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14. Royal Canin X-Small Puppy

Royal Canin x-Small Puppy Food promotes healthy growth and development of your puppy. This food contains all the nutrients your puppy needs during the intensive growth for the first 10 months. Also, food provides support for the immune system and helps digestion.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken By-Product Meal Brewers Rice Corn
Caloric content	3,884 kcal/kg, 412 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $35

Key benefits:

• Suitable for even the most energetic puppy.
• Provides optimal chair quality thanks to a specially selected blend of fibers

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15. Castor & Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe

Organix feeds are the leader in the production of environmentally friendly pet food. High quality is maintained through the use of natural and safe ingredients.  Prepared in the USA with all quality standards.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
Special Diet	Grain-Free, Organic, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Organic Chicken Organic Chicken Meal Organic Sweet Potatoes
Caloric content	3,619 kcal/kg, 362 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $40

Key benefits:

• #1 ingredient is organic, free-range chicken
• Does not contain grain
• No chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, and no added growth hormones or antibiotics

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16. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Small Breed Puppy Dry Raw Coated Formula with Salmon

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
Special Diet	Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet High-Protein No Corn No Wheat No Soy Raw
TOP-3 Ingredients	Salmon Salmon Meal Lentils
Caloric content	3,500 kcal/kg; 3.50 kcal/kg; 1,587 kcal/lb; 525 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food, Freeze-Dried
Price	from $30

CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite food consists of 8 key ingredients that are suitable for sensitive small dogs. When creating food, meat without bones is used, which is sure to please even the most fastidious of small dogs. Also, the feed includes ingredients such as peas, lentils, and beans. Picky little dogs will love the excellent taste and small size of the grain.

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17. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition dry dog food for Yorkshire Terriers contains a combination of nutrients to meet the unique needs of a Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Natural ingredients give the food an excellent taste and provide easy digestibility. A mix of antioxidants and vitamins E and C helps support a healthy immune system.

Suitable for	Extra Small & Toy Breeds, Small Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
Dog Breed	Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken By-Product Meal Brewers Rice Chicken Fat
Caloric content	3,881 kcal/kg, 380 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $15

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18. Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food, Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe, is healthy, natural, protein-rich dog food for adult dogs made with carefully chosen, authentic ingredients for everyday health. Also, this food provides an optimal balance of nutrient-rich whole foods to fulfill the unique health needs of your dog, providing whole-body nutritional support to promote complete health. Wellness Complete Health Wet Canned Dog Food supports your dog’s balanced natural nutrition, all with natural and delicious ingredients to provide a guaranteed great taste that dogs love.

Suitable for	Small Breeds, Extra Small & Toy Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy and Adult
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Meal Peas Pea Starch
Caloric content	3,780 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $30

Key benefits:

• Premium protein sources, such as chicken meal and whitefish meal, aid in building and maintaining your dog’s lean muscle mass, while also fueling your small breed dog’s high energy needs
• Antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits, such as peas, apples, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and spinach, are a wholesome addition to Earthborn Holistic Small Breed. Vitamins, minerals, and beta-carotene to help maintain your dog’s immune system

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19. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin knows what makes your French bulldog puppy happy. Royal Canin French Bulldog dry puppy food is a specially designed food created specifically for your purebred French bulldog puppy. This food is specially designed for the short snout and bite of your French bulldog, which allows it to chew the food quickly. An exclusive blend of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system to keep their body secure. Different nutrients strengthen the skin barrier for healthy skin. And the combination of highly digestible proteins, precise fiber content, and high-quality carbohydrate sources supports healthy digestion, helping to reduce flatulence and unpleasant stool odors.

Suitable for	Small and Medium Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Brewers Rice Chicken By-Product Meal Wheat Gluten
Caloric content	3881 kcal/kg, 373 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $20

Key benefits:

• Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred French Bulldogs 8 weeks to 12 months old
• Exclusive tailor-made kibble helps a French Bulldog easily pick up and chew their food

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20. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe

Your little pup is growing at a fast rate, and you’ll need a quality dog food that can keep up with his or her growing needs. Hill’s Science Diet Food is made from natural ingredients that ensure the development of small breeds of dogs. Due to the small size of the pellets, the puppy can chew the food without problems. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy dry food provides the right balance of ingredients and minerals to support puppy development, so they get the best start in life & grow to their full potential.

To help your growing dog’s brain and eye development, this puppy food made with natural ingredients contains DHA from fish oil, as well as quality protein for lean muscle growth.

Suitable for	Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds
Life Stage	Puppy
TOP-3 Ingredients	Chicken Meal Whole Grain Wheat Cracked Pearled Barley
Caloric content	374 kcal/cup
Form	Dry Food
Price	from $45

Key benefits:

• It contains a healthy mix of antioxidants
• This premium pet food supports your puppy’s brain and vision development
• Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
• No.1 Veterinarian Recommended

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Best Food for Small Puppies – FAQ

Related: How Many Treats Per Day For A Puppy

Article Sources:

1. Managing your puppy’s weight and keeping active – Royal Canin
2. Choosing the Best Dog Food for Your Pet – Hill’s Pet Nutrition
3. Is Your Puppy Ready for Adult Dog Food? – Iams Pet Food
4. What Should You Feed a Puppy? – Purina Pet Food and Trends
5. Puppy Feeding Fundamentals – American Kennel Club (AKC)
6. How much do you really know about dogs – World Animal Protection
7. Foods that can be poisonous to pets – The Human Society of the United States