The 10 Best Small Breed Dog Foods

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What We Look For

Best Small Breed Dog Foods

FAQs

How we created this small breed dog food list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best small breed dog food.

We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best small breed dog foods.

Key small breed dog food considerations

Protein Content

Small Kibble Size

Nutrient Density

Joint Support

Hill's Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag

Hill's Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

3,796

$80.99Chewy Price

($2.32/lb)

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.7/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds, Extra Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat

Special Diet

Natural, With Grain

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Iams Proactive Health Minichunks with Real Chicken & Whole Grains Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Iams Proactive Health Minichunks with Real Chicken & Whole Grains Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

5,578

$46.98Chewy Price

($1.57/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.4/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.5/5

Great

Nutrient Density

4.4/5

Great

Joint Support

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Extra Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp

Special Diet

With Grain

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Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 36

Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 36

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

2,221

$39.98Chewy Price

($0.32/oz)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.5/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.7/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Extra Small Breeds, Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Grilled Chicken Flavor: Chicken, Beef Lung, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Water

Special Diet

Flax-Free, Molasses-Free, Pea-Free, Grain-Free

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Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

2,712

$59.99Chewy Price

($4.29/lb)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.6/5

Excellent

Joint Support

4.7/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds, Extra Small Breeds

Lifestage

Adult

Top Ingredients

Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal

Special Diet

With Grain

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Purina Beneful IncrediBites Adult Variety Pack Chicken Beef & Salmon Small Breed Wet Dog Food, 3-oz can, case of 30

Purina Beneful IncrediBites Adult Variety Pack Chicken Beef & Salmon Small Breed Wet Dog Food, 3-oz can, case of 30

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

3,193

$25.28Chewy Price

($0.29/oz)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.4/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

With Real Beef: Beef Broth, Beef, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Meat By-Products

Special Diet

High-Protein, With Grain

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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

3,498

$41.98Chewy Price

($2.80/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Small Kibble Size

4.5/5

Great

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Extra Small Breeds, Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Special Diet

No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain, Natural

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Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dog Kibble Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dog Kibble Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

1,704

$16.98Chewy Price

($1.22/lb)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.5/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.4/5

Great

Joint Support

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [Preserved With Bha/Citric Acid]), Meat And Bone Meal

Special Diet

With Grain

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Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 6-lb bag

Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 6-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

4,118

$20.68Chewy Price

($3.45/lb)

Promo, Save 20% with code PROPLAN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.5/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.5/5

Great

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds, Extra Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Corn Protein Meal

Special Diet

High-Protein, With Grain

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Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food Topper, 5.5-oz bag

Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food Topper, 5.5-oz bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

1,377

$15.99Chewy Price

($2.91/oz)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.7/5

Excellent

Small Kibble Size

4.7/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.7/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Chicken Heart, Dried Pumpkin

Special Diet

High-Protein, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Raw, Pea-Free...

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Nutro Natural Choice Adult Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 13-lb bag

Nutro Natural Choice Adult Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 13-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

1,480

$37.98Chewy Price

($2.93/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Protein Content

4.5/5

Great

Small Kibble Size

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutrient Density

4.5/5

Great

Joint Support

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this small breed dog food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Extra Small Breeds, Small Breeds

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Split Peas, Brewers Rice

Special Diet

No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Human-Grade, Molasses-Free, High Fiber...

View Item Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Small Breed Dog Foods

What small breed dog food is recommended by vets?

Veterinarians often recommend small breed dog foods that cater specifically to the nutritional needs of smaller dogs, such as higher calorie density, smaller kibble size, and ingredients that promote overall health. Some top recommendations include: Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws: Designed specifically for small breeds with high quality protein and small kibble size. Royal Canin Small Breed Adult: Formulated to meet the unique energy needs of small dogs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed: Features natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals.

What is the best puppy food for small breeds?

The best puppy food for small breeds provides higher levels of calories, protein, and essential nutrients to support rapid growth and development. Look for formulas with: Smaller Kibble Size: Easier for tiny mouths to chew. DHA for Brain Development: Found in fish oil or egg. High Quality Protein: Promotes healthy growth and muscle development.

What is the best dog food for small senior dogs?

Small senior dogs benefit from food designed to support aging joints, digestion, and energy levels while catering to their smaller size. Look for senior specific formulas with: Lower Calories: To maintain a healthy weight as activity levels decrease. Added Joint Support: Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. Easily Digestible Ingredients: For optimal nutrient absorption. Small Kibble Size: To accommodate dental changes in older dogs.