As pet parents, there’s no better feeling than bringing your new puppy home for the first time, but it’s a big responsibility. Puppies need to be trained, walked, stimulated, and fed the right food to support their rapid growth and high activity level. Feeding your puppy specialised puppy food is the best choice for supporting their growth and providing them with the vital nutrients they need, but small and large breeds have different requirements. If dry dog food is your provision of choice, which dry dog food is best for small breed puppies in particular?
Read our comprehensive guide here to find out more about the considerations you should make when choosing dry dog food for your small breed puppy, as well as the best ingredients and brands to look out for, and how it compares to raw and wet dog food options.
Before purchasing puppy food, consider these elements to make the best decision for your dog
Certain pups can be picky with their food, so it is important to find the best balance for them
Compare dry dog food to other options available
Browse our stocked options at Fetch
Here’s how we can assist
What to Consider When Choosing Dry Dog Food for my Small Breed Puppy
Puppies can’t just eat normal adult dog food; there’s nothing stopping you from feeding your puppy an adult diet, but it isn’t recommended as it does not meet your dog's nutritional needs. Puppies need food that supports healthy growth, digestive health and teeth, which is why there are special puppy formulas perfect for small and large breeds alike. Factors to consider include:
- High in calories and essential nutrients: puppies have high metabolisms, which is increased even further if they’re a smaller breed. Look for puppy food that is rich in protein to support their rapid muscle growth.
- Easy to chew: small breed puppies have tiny teeth and mouths, so they can’t chew on large kibble or pieces of meat. Keep an eye out for small breed puppy food that is tailored to your dog’s small size; consider cold pressed dog food for a tasty, softer dry food option that is easier to chew and digest. For small kibble pieces, try Orygo cold pressed dog food.
- Fat levels: fat is key for growing puppies; it contains essential fatty acids and is high in calories, which can keep up with the metabolism of your furry friend. Try not to feed them too much fat, as they can become overweight. Always check the feeding guidelines on the food you buy.
- A balanced diet: providing the right amount of calories and protein is essential, but puppies also need other vitamins. Check the ingredients of the puppy food you intend to buy and ensure it isn’t packed with filler ingredients such as rice.
What Ingredients are Best for Small Breed Puppies?
Certain ingredients to consider when looking for small breed puppy food include:
- Poultry: meats such as chicken, turkey and duck are great sources of protein, and can support muscle growth and development in a small dog or puppy
- Fish: Salmon and other fatty fish contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which can contribute to a healthy skin and shiny coat as well as brain development
- Digestible carbohydrates: sweet potatoes are an excellent example of carbohydrates for your puppy, as they are rich in nutrients and fibre
- Vegetables, such as carrots and brocolli
Although these ingredients are recommended, they may not suit every puppy. If your dog is showing signs of an allergy, a sensitive stomach or an intolerance to something in their food, consider booking in for a wellbeing consultation with one of our canine nutrition specialists, who can craft a bespoke diet tailored to your pup’s needs.
How Does Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies Compare to Raw and Wet?
If you need help deciding between dry, wet and raw dog food for puppies, consider our table below.
| Feature | Dry Puppy Food | Wet Puppy Food | Raw Puppy Food |
| Nutritional Balance | Often formulated for complete nutrition, especially for small breeds. | Generally well-balanced, but varies by brand | Can be nutritionally complete, but requires careful planning |
| Portion Control | Easy to measure; energy-dense, ideal for small breeds with high metabolism. | Lower calorie density, so puppies may need larger portions. | Requires precise weighing. |
| Convenience | Convenient, long shelf life, easy to store and feed. | Convenient but bulkier, needs refrigeration once opened. | Least convenient; needs refrigeration/freezing and hygiene precautions. |
| Dental Health | Opt for low sugar dry food, as it can still leave a coating that contributes to poor dental health. | Soft texture doesn’t promote dental health. | Doesn’t support dental hygiene; may require brushing or chews. Raw meaty bones can help with dental health. |
| Palatability | Often less appealing unless coated in fats or flavours. | Highly palatable; strong aroma entices picky eaters. | Very palatable; often seen as “natural” and enjoyable for dogs. |
| Cost | Usually the most economical option per meal. | More expensive than dry food. | Often the most expensive due to fresh ingredients but can be cost effetive for smaller breeds. |
| Impact on Growth | Provides stable, measured nutrition to support healthy bone and muscle development in small breeds. | Supports good growth, especially with high protein and moisture content; less suitable as sole food for high-energy breeds unless complete. | Can support strong growth and lean muscle, but risks deficiencies if not properly balanced. Opt for premade completes for balance. |
What is the Best Dry Food to Feed a Small Breed Puppy?
Puppies deserve a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements, with food specifically designed for puppies and their growth. Our best puppy food options at Fetch are:
Nourish Rite Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Food – Turkey
Specially designed for puppies of a smaller breed, this recipe is made from 60% turkey and duck, providing your pup with the right amount of protein to support muscle development. It also contains a joint care pack to support cartilage metabolism and comes in a small bite form, perfect for small breed pups.
Puppy Feeding Calculator
Nourish Rite Premium Puppy Chicken and Rice
Nourish Rite’s more premium option for puppy food contains responsibly sourced chicken, with Omega 3 and 6 to help maintain a healthy coat and skin. This option also contains particular vitamins and minerals to build your puppy’s immune system.
Orygo Cold Pressed Puppy with Superfoods
Another premium dog food option, Orygo cold pressed puppy food is made from 100% fresh ingredients, and contains 85% meat as well as their own superfood formula. This formula is specially tailored to provide an extra boost of health for your puppy, carefully chosen by Orygo’s veterinary team.
Alpha Spirit Puppy Cold Pressed Grain Free Dog Food
As another cold pressed option, Alpha Spirit puppy food is much easier for your puppy to digest than regular dry food. This option is supposed to replicate your puppy’s natural diet, containing 85% meat and fish such as turkey, mackerel, sardines and duck.
You can browse our full collection of dry puppy food options here.
Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies at Fetch
At Fetch, we only stock high quality dry puppy food for small breeds, as well as treats and probiotics to support their growth and health. If you want to craft the perfect diet for your puppy’s needs and breed, our canine nutrition specialist can craft a specialised diet in one of our wellbeing consultations, tailored to your dog and your lifestyle.
Get in touch with a member of the team today to discuss your puppy's health needs.