Dog food for small dogs – big flavour in small bites
Small dogs have a fast metabolism, a small stomach and a jaw that calls for something rather different from large kibble. That's why dog food for small dogs isn't simply a smaller helping of the same thing – it's meals where bite size, energy density and composition have been considered specifically with the smaller breed in mind. In this collection you'll find meals, PÂTÉ and treats tailored to exactly that need, from our meal boxes for smaller breeds to the air-dried snacks in the Finest and Training ranges.
The small dog eats less at a time, yet needs just as much nourishment as a large dog per kilo of body weight. In other words, every single mouthful has to earn its place. That's why we work with fresh produce, human-grade ingredients and carefully chosen local and regional delicacies, so the meal delivers genuine nourishment without unnecessary fillers. If you'd like to compare across ranges, you can broaden your search in our complete selection of dog meals and see which profiles suit your dog's everyday life.
How to choose the right meal for your small dog
Start with life stage. A puppy of a small breed grows quickly and needs a meal composed for growth, while an adult dog typically calls for a steady nutritional profile, and a senior dog often thrives best on a meal that takes the golden years into account. If you're just setting out with a little puppy, you'll find an overview and practical advice in our puppy universe, where we guide you through everything from feeding quantities to the transition between meals. The BEGINNING range is created for the finest of beginnings with luxurious, grain-free puppy meals, and you'll find THE BEGINNING PÂTÉ from this range in the collection.
Next come activity level and digestion. Some small dogs are on the go all day long, others lead a life with fewer miles underfoot, where a meal with a gentler energy density is the better match. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, BALANCE with 30% fresh turkey, rice and oats is composed to restore digestive balance – a meal with grain, and for that very reason distinct from our grain-free recipes. If you're unsure what suits best, our nutritional advisers are on hand by phone, chat and email to help you read your dog's needs before you decide. And if the meal is to be grain-free, you can go straight to our grain-free meals, where a grain-free recipe is combined with human-grade ingredients and a generous proportion of fresh and dried meat or fish.
PÂTÉ and toppings for the fussy eater
PÂTÉ is one of the finest tools at your disposal when a small dog turns fussy or needs extra moisture in the diet. The collection includes HIGHLAND LIVING PÂTÉ with 65% turkey and duck, NAUTICAL LIVING PÂTÉ with 65% salmon and cod, and KINGDOM LIVING PÂTÉ with 65% wild boar and pork. They can be served as a meal in their own right or used as a topping that lifts aroma and flavour, making the bowl altogether more tempting for a dog who might otherwise eat with hesitation.
If you'd like to expand the repertoire, explore the full selection of PÂTÉ for dogs and find the flavours your dog loves most. Variety is a real advantage with small breeds, where appetite can shift from one day to the next, and where a few grams more or less makes a noticeable difference to weight.
Treats in the right size
Treats count towards the daily energy budget, and with a small dog that soon shows. Small, air-dried snacks such as those in the Training range are ideal for training sessions with frequent rewards, while the more generous chews from the Finest and Delights ranges suit those moments when your dog is given time to settle in and savour. Chewing is also a natural part of oral hygiene, and you can read more about the connection between teeth, chewing and bad breath in dogs before you stock the treat drawer.
If your dog puts on weight easily, it's worth deducting treats from the daily ration and keeping an eye on the waistline over time. Our guide to a healthy weight in dogs helps you assess where your dog stands, and how to adjust without the meal losing any of its nourishment.
