Top 10 Best Dog Foods For Toy Breeds
When it comes to dog food, one size does not fit all, and if you have a toy breed, you know what we mean. Kibble size is important because if it’s too big for small doggies, they will have a tough time eating. Not only that, but we want our little doggies to have the most beneficial nutrition available, and that takes weeding through the vast choices you have today.
With so many options, how do you go about finding the right dog food? What should you look for? If you’re in this dilemma, you’ve come to the right spot. In this guide, we’ll compile 10 products that we feel are excellent options for your toy breed dog, and we’ve ranked them based on consumer reviews. Our list comes complete with pros and cons, as well as nutritional information about each one. If you’re ready, let’s dive into the products.
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Toy Breeds
Iams ProActive Health Toy Breed Dog Food — Best Value
Iams ProActive Health is the best dog food for toy breeds for the money because it provides adequate nutrition for your dog while remaining at an affordable price. The recipe contains chicken and chicken by-product meal as the main ingredient for a total amount of crude protein at 27% to help build strong muscles and bones.
The fiber total is 4%, and the sources include beet pulp and flaxseed — with the added probiotics, your dog’s digestive system will remain healthy. The recipe does not contain fresh fruits or vegetables, but the seven essential nutrients nourish the heart and support healthy skin and coat. Finally, the addition of L-Carnitine burns fat and keeps the metabolism active so your dog stays trim and fit.
This is not a food for dogs with sensitivities because it contains chicken, brewer’s yeast, grain, and dried egg. However, it is a food that offers a complete and balanced formula so your dog has plenty of energy and vitality.
- Not ideal for dogs with allergies
- Supports skin and coat
- Includes L-Carnitine
- Affordable
- High in protein and fat
- Great source of fiber
- Probiotics for digestive health
- Ideal for optimal heart health
Blue Buffalo Toy Breed Adult Dog Food
For a grain-free option, Blue Buffalo offers a formula that is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs and/or food allergies. It contains chicken and chicken meal with pea protein, peas, and tapioca starch. It would be more ideal if higher-quality legumes were used, such as lentils and chickpeas, for the added nutrients they provide.
This formula includes two animal proteins that increase the chance of food sensitivity, and the sweet potatoes and other vegetables and fruit are toward the bottom of the ingredient list, which indicates that less is used in the recipe. It includes LifeSource Bits that are formulated to protect the immune system and provide a healthy oxidative balance. On the downside, this food is pricey but contains glucosamine to support mobility and joint health.
- Not ideal if your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach
- Veggies and fruit in a small amount
- Contains low-quality legumes
- Two animal proteins
- Pricey
- Ideal for sensitive stomachs and food allergies
- Protects immune health
- Glucosamine present
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food – Best Overall
Our choice for the best overall dog food for toy breeds is The Farmer’s Dog. This food is crafted and formulated to meet the individual needs of your tiny canine. The Farmer’s Dog builds recipes from simple, fresh meat and vegetable ingredients, then works with veterinary nutritionists to ensure each meal is balanced and proportioned to your dog’s requirements. Your toy breed dog won’t have the same nutritional needs as a giant Great Dane, for example, and The Farmer’s Dog allows you to pinpoint and feed just what your pup needs to stay healthy.
The Farmer’s Dog is an online subscription-based food delivery service, so you will need reliable internet access to easily manage your account, which could be an issue for some owners. The food is shipped fresh, without preservatives, and must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Because of this, the company only ships to the lower 48 states, leaving toy breeds in Alaska or Hawaii out of luck. Many toy breed owners like the idea of preparing fresh food for their pups, but some homemade diets don’t contain all essential vitamins and minerals in the correct amounts. The Farmer’s Dog solves that dilemma by offering made-to-order, slow-cooked meals, developed with the help of veterinary professionals to ensure adequate nutrition.
- Doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii
- Not ideal for dog owners without reliable Internet access
- Prepared and cooked fresh with simple ingredients
- Formulated to your dog’s precise nutritional requirements
- Ships directly to your home
Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food
This formula by Wellness Complete is designed to meet the needs of toy breeds for all life stages. The kibble is just the right size for their small mouths and cleans the teeth because of the crunchy texture. Since your toy breed has higher energy needs, the recipe has 30% protein and 17% fat.
Your dog will love the flavor combination of chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and brown rice. The vegetables and fruit add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will keep your dog healthy and full of life. Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to aid in supporting healthy joints, and omega fatty acids are great for skin and coat health.
Toy breeds need extra support for healthy digestion, so Wellness includes prebiotics, probiotics, and plenty of fiber. On the downside, this formula is pricier when compared to others. However, it offers ideal nutrition for toy breeds.
- Pricey
- High in protein and fat
- Tasty
- All life stages
- Small kibble
- Cleans teeth
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin
- Supports healthy digestion and immune system
Eukanuba 90769 Puppy Toy Breed Dog Food – Best for Puppies
This formula from Eukanuba is ideal for small breed puppies because it contains the ideal nutrition to support growth and activity. This is a chicken-based recipe that uses chicken by-product meal, corn, and wheat, so it is not ideal for dogs with food allergies. However, it has a high amount of protein at 32% and fat at 21%, so your puppy can build lean muscle and strong bones and have plenty of energy to get through the day.
Puppies need to receive adequate amounts of DHA for brain development, and Eukanuba provides this in the recipe. The blend of natural fibers and prebiotics makes it easy to digest while supporting the digestive health of your pup. Antioxidants are included to support the immune system for increased vitality and to prevent sickness.
- Not ideal for puppies with food allergies
- Antioxidants for immune health
- Supports the digestive system
- Ideal for small breed puppies
- High in protein and fat
- Provides DHA
- Easy to digest
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo life protection formula is ideal for adult toy breeds because it offers small-bite kibble and meets the high energy requirements of these dogs. It is a flavorful chicken and brown rice recipe with oatmeal, barley, and flaxseed for added fiber and other nutrients.
It provides 26% protein to help build lean muscles and 15% fat to provide plenty of energy throughout the day. Blue Buffalo uses LifeSource Bits that are a blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients to support the immune system. Omega fatty acids are included for healthy skin and coat, while glucosamine offers joint protection for your little dog. On the downside, this food is pricey but doesn’t contain corn, wheat, soy, or any by-product meals that aren’t ideal for some dogs.
- Pricey
- Supports digestion
- Builds lean muscle
- LifeSource Bits
- Tasty and easy to chew
- Builds healthy skin and coat
- Meets energy needs
- Glucosamine included
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Toy Breed Dog Food
This dog food is specifically made for toy and small breeds in all life stages by Solid Gold. It is a grain-free and gluten-free recipe that is ideal for those with digestive issues and/or food sensitivities. It has a high amount of protein to help build lean muscle and plenty of fat for your high-energy dog.
The kibble is the perfect size for little mouths and is formulated with fruit and vegetables to provide antioxidants and other nutrients for optimal nutrition. Chicken is the single source of protein, and with the added pumpkin, it makes it gentler on the digestive system.
On the downside, it doesn’t contain chondroitin or glucosamine to help protect your dog’s joints, but it does contain probiotics that are essential for the digestive system.
- No joint support
- Ideal for sensitive stomachs
- Probiotics included
- Grain-free
- Gluten-free
- Fruits and vegetables used
- Great for food sensitivities
Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food
Diamond Pet Foods offers a formula for small breeds that has balanced nutrients that are necessary for small breed dogs. The small kibble is easy for your dog to chew and helps keep their teeth clean by reducing plaque. The main ingredient is chicken and chicken meal, followed by barley and white rice. The flavor combination is enjoyed by most dogs, and the added vegetables and fruit provide vitamins and phytonutrients to keep your dog healthy.
This recipe has 27% protein, 16% fat, and 3% fiber with antioxidants for immune health and omega fatty acids to keep the skin and coat shiny and healthy. Since small dogs can have sensitive digestive systems, the use of soluble and insoluble fiber helps support and maintain this system. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives used, and the proprietary blend of K9 Strain Probiotics supports the digestive and immune systems.
On the downside, this is not a recipe for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies, but otherwise, it is a great option to provide optimal nutrition for dogs who don’t need grain-free food.
- Not ideal for dogs with food sensitivities
- Supports immune and digestive health
- No artificial ingredients
- Optimal nutrition for small breeds
- Easy to chew
- Tasty
- Includes fruits and vegetables
- High in protein and fat
Nutro Ultra Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Nutro Ultra is an adult food formulated for toy breeds that includes chicken, lamb, and salmon, which are lean sources but high in protein. The salmon provides amino acids that are essential for optimal growth and to stay healthy, while the blend also provides a robust flavor that dogs love.
Taurine is included for heart health and benefits eyesight and hearing. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and it is manufactured in its own facility to ensure the highest safety and quality. Nutro Ulta contains whole brown rice, rice bran, and oatmeal, which are great sources of fiber but aren’t always ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
The company takes pride in using non-GMO ingredients that can be traced back to the supplier.
- Not grain-free for food sensitivities
- Robust flavor
- Includes Taurine
- No artificial ingredients
- Ideal for adults
- Lean protein sources
- High in protein
- High in fiber
- Non-GMO ingredients
Hill’s Science Diet Toy Breed Dog Food
For your senior toy breed, Hill’s Science Diet offers food that is formulated for dogs older than seven years. The main ingredients are chicken meal, rice, and barley that provide lower amounts of protein and fat to prevent weight gain as your dog becomes less active. The amount of fiber is high at 7%, so the digestive system is supported to remain healthy and functioning correctly.
The addition of omega-6 fatty acids provides nourishment to your dog’s skin and coat, and antioxidants help support the immune system to prevent illness. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and it is made from natural ingredients so you can rest assured that you are providing healthy food for your senior pet.
On the downside, it is not formulated with supplements to protect and support healthy joints. But it includes Taurine, which is great for heart health.
- No joint support
- Includes omega-6 fatty acids
- Supports the immune system
- No artificial ingredients
- Ideal for senior toy breeds
- Low in protein and fat
- High in fiber
- Taurine added for heart health
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Toy Breed Dog Food
This formula is suitable for adult toy breeds because it has whole grains that are easy to digest and chicken as the main ingredient for lean protein. The kibble is a great size for small mouths, and it has natural prebiotic fiber to support the digestive system.
It contains brewer’s rice and corn, which is not ideal for dogs with food sensitivities. It has a high amount of protein at 30%, and crude fat sits at 17%. The fiber content is somewhat lower compared to other toy breed foods, so it does not provide a high amount of digestive support. Antioxidants are included to keep the immune system healthy, and omega fatty acids help keep the skin and coat in top-notch shape.
On the downside, it contains poultry by-product meal, which is a controversial ingredient, with some claiming that it offers inferior nutritional value.
- Contains poultry by-product
- Not ideal for food sensitivities
- Low fiber content
- Small kibble
- Supports the immune system
- Ideal for adults
- Whole grains
- Fatty acids included
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for Toy Breeds
This section offers considerations to keep in mind when deciding which dog food is best for your toy-sized pet. Small dogs require different nutrition than larger ones, and they can suffer from health issues that need to be addressed to prevent illnesses from occurring.
Also, find a kibble that is small in size so it is easy for your little dog to eat in order to prevent choking or other digestive concerns if they don’t chew their food thoroughly. Speak to your veterinarian if you have specific concerns regarding the right diet for your toy dog.
Life Stage of Your Toy Breeds
Toy breeds require protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, just like other dogs. However, they have specific nutritional needs to keep in mind. Toy breeds require more calories per pound due to their higher metabolic rate.
- Adults: As adults, toy breeds still have faster metabolisms compared to larger breeds. But you have to be careful not to overfeed them because they can become obese, which will bring forth other health concerns, such as diabetes and arthritis. As your adult dog matures into a senior, less protein and fat will be needed to maintain their weight. Since they aren’t as active, it is ideal to find food geared toward senior toy dog breeds.
- Puppies: With a faster metabolism, they require more energy to sustain themselves. You will find that some breeds are more active than others. The more active they are, the more calories will be required. Since they don’t have a large amount of fat stored, they can experience low blood sugar, so it’s important to feed them small meals throughout the day. Purchasing a puppy food that is specific to their size is the ideal choice, so they can receive the appropriate amount of nutrients needed for a growing dog.
Nutritional Needs
- Fat: This is an essential ingredient because it provides your dog with energy, as well as fatty acids. Fish and flaxseed provide omega fatty acids. A high amount of crude fat is fine if your dog is young and active. As your dog ages, you will want to reduce the amount of fat to prevent obesity.
- Protein: High-quality protein is essential for developing lean muscles and providing energy. Most of the protein will ideally come from animal protein, and if you have a dog that has a sensitive stomach, you should choose a food with only one protein source. A growing dog requires more protein to help build muscles, and a senior dog won’t need as much to maintain their muscle mass.
- Vitamins and other nutrients: Small dogs don’t suffer from joint issues the same as large dogs, but they benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin in their diets. Vitamins and minerals are essential for optimal health, and your dog needs antioxidants to prevent free radical damage and to protect the immune system.
Ingredients to Avoid
Try to avoid fillers and artificial ingredients because these don’t provide any nutritional benefit. Be careful of foods that use fillers as the main ingredients. You don’t need a grain-free food unless your dog suffers from food sensitivities or other allergens because grains are a great source of fiber otherwise.
Final Thoughts
It can be difficult to find a well-balanced, quality food that is ideal for toy breeds. This reviews list highlights 10 of the best dog foods that are ideal for toy breeds, so you can choose the right one for your dog.
The best overall dog food for toy breeds is the The Farmer’s Dog because it provides optimal nutrition using protein and vegetables. The best value is the Iams ProActive health, which is formulated for small breeds to support the heart, immune, and digestive systems while remaining an affordable price.
We hope our list and buyer’s guide helps you find food that fits your expectations and provides optimal nutrition for your dog. We know that you, as a dog owner, strive to provide the best for your pet, and a good start is to feed them a good diet so they stay healthy and vibrant throughout their life
