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After 60 hours of research, reviewing dozens of top-rated brands, we have concluded that these are the best small breed puppy food brands money can buy!
Our research uncovered a few essentials that most pet owners ask for. These include price, ingredients to boost a puppy’s developing brain, antioxidants for the immune system and a kibble size small breed puppies can handle.
We also made sure to find prices that are easy on a puppy owner’s wallet. The result is our curated list of 12 top-rated puppy foods for small breeds trusted by puppy owners around the world.
Because small breed puppies have their own needs, you’ll want to check out the Q&A, too. Be sure to scroll down after the reviews to find it.
Here’s what our team found out.
OUR #1 OVERALL BEST CHOICE
Royal Canin Puppy X-Small Dry Food
- For extra-small breeds
- Ideal size and shape kibble
- Puppies go for the aroma and taste
- Boosts the immune system
- For puppies up to 10 months old
GREAT VALUE
Hill’s Science Diet Small Breed Puppy Food
- Verified customers back the product
- Extra-small kibble size
- Contains DHA for brain and eyes
- Ideal for extra-small breeds
- Veterinarian recommended
Small breed dogs have their own nutritional needs. That’s especially true of the all-important puppy stage.
There’s a lot to consider here. Small breed puppies can have a temperamental digestion, for example. It’s also important to find a kibble size their jaws can handle.
Flavor is a factor as well. We made sure to check out verified reviews to find out which choices are appealing to a wide range of small breed puppies.
12 Best Small Breed Puppy Food Brands
Royal Canin Puppy X-Small Dry Food
For puppy owners who want a blend just for extra small breeds, Royal Canin has this easy to eat, easy to digest formula. Verified buyers confirm that their puppies thrive on the recipe.
The formula is ideal for breeds expected to have an adult weight of eight pounds or less. It should be given to pups up to 10 months of age, at which time nutrition needs change slightly, Royal Canin says.
This very popular choice has ingredients to support the immune system, which can be temperamental in very small breeds, verified reviewers say. It’s high in protein, antioxidants and vitamins just for pups.
It’s also very easy for tiny puppies to eat, according to verified customers. The extra-small size and shape are just right for small jaws. And users say their dogs love the taste.
Main features
- For extra-small breeds
- Ideal size and shape kibble
- Puppies go for the aroma and taste
- Antioxidants to boost the immune system
- Can be fed to pups up to 10 months old
Our Rating
Hill’s Science Diet Small Breed Puppy Food
Customers have given this kibble an impressive five stars. Verified reviews say their veterinarians back up Hill’s claims of the formula being ideal for small breed puppies.
Protein and healthy fats help build a small pup’s muscles. There’s also DHA for the brain, an important nutrition element during this fast-growing time, verified users say.
The feed is just 7mm across, so it’s easy for puppies to eat. The kibble is tasty, according to reviews. Pups get plenty of antioxidants and minerals in this formula, as well as healthy fiber sources.
If you’re transitioning from a different kibble, Hill’s provides a chart of how much to mix. It’s made in the U.S. using carefully sourced global ingredients, according to Hill’s.
Main features
- Verified customers back the product
- Extra-small kibble size
- Contains DHA for brain and eyes
- Ideal for extra-small breeds
- Veterinarian recommended
Our Rating
Castor & Pollux Organic Small Breed Puppy Recipe
Verified buyers say they like that the first ingredient is organic free-range chicken. There’s also chicken meal to make the recipe digestible for small breed puppies.
The formula contains what the company calls its superfood blend with flaxseed, blueberries and coconut oil. Ingredients are certified organic.
To support a small puppy’s immune system, there are antioxidants and probiotics. There’s also Omega fatty acid for eyes and brain and chondroitin for joint health.
Castor & Pollux has a handy chart of how much to feed for different goal weights. The recipe is cooked in an organically certified kitchen, which verified reviewers applaud.
Main features
- Organic ingredients
- Free range chicken
- Supports a small puppy’s immune system
- Supports healthy brain, eyes and joints
- Produced in the U.S.
Our Rating
Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Food
Verified buyers say they like that Blue Buffalo keeps grains out of this food. There’s also no corn, wheat or soy.
The recipe contains Blue Buffalo’s Lifesource Bits, a proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The company says the formula was developed with the input of veterinarians, which verified buyers say is a plus.
Deboned chicken is the first ingredient. The addition of DHA and ARA, found in mother’s milk, gets thumbs up from verified buyers. There are also veggies and fruits like peas, carrots and cranberries.
Blue Buffalo provides a chart if you’re transitioning your puppy from another food. Freedom Small Breed puppy food comes in two convenient bag sizes; save on the larger size.
Main features
- Contains proprietary Lifesource Bits
- Developed with the input of veterinarians
- DHA and ARA for eyes and brain
- Kibble size is ideal for small breeds
- No corn, wheat or soy
Our Rating
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy
Verified buyers like that this formula includes the company’s Lifesource Bits. They’re packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in a precise formula, according to Blue Buffalo.
The formula is meant to be preventive by supporting healthy growth during puppyhood. It contains DHA and ARA, which are found in mother’s milk. That makes it a great transition food, verified buyers say.
Blue Buffalo lists plenty of all-natural ingredients. The first is chicken for muscle growth. Grains, veggies and fruit supply antioxidants.
Blue Buffalo stresses that this small breed puppy food has no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. The kibble size is small so it’s easy for your puppy’s jaws to handle.
Main features
- Includes all-natural ingredients
- No soy, corn or wheat
- Antioxidants for immune system
- DHA & ARA for brain development
- Contains Lifesource Bits
Our Rating
Pedigree Choice Cuts Puppy Wet Food
The morsels in Pedigree Choice Cuts Puppy are small enough for puppies to enjoy, according to enthusiastic reviews. Young dogs also seem to love both flavors.
Pedigree says the recipe is balanced for puppies, including small breeds. The pouches make serving sizes convenient to dole out, verified customers say.
The food is nutritious as it is, but it can be mixed with dry food. Pedigree has a handy chart so you know you’re giving the right balance of kibble to wet.
Buyers say they like that real chicken is the first ingredient. The formula has calcium for growing bones. The morsels have a delicious gravy that’s appealing to pups, according to reviews.
Main features
- Real Chicken or Chicken and Beef in gravy
- Ideal nutrition balance for puppies
- High in protein
- High in calcium
- Low cost; made in the U.S.
Our Rating
Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy Food
Wellness Natural Pet proudly states that its kibble is grain-free. It’s 59% protein to support a growing puppy’s muscles.
The recipe includes antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies but not fillers, according to the company. There are also no meat byproducts and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The small-size kibble is easy for puppies to chew on, verified reviewers say. The food includes DHA for healthy brain and eye development.
Wellness Core is made in the U.S. The company publishes an assay guaranteeing nutrient percentages, something not every company does. Verified buyers say it shows in the quality of the feed.
Main features
- 59% protein
- DHA for a healthy brain and eyes
- No grains or artificial fillers
- No artificial preservatives
- Guaranteed nutrition profile
Our Rating
Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed
Verified buyers say they appreciate the low price of this 4.5-star rated choice. You get a significant savings by buying the larger bag.
U.S. farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient in this puppy food. The kibble size is small for little jaws. The company says teeth stay cleaner due to the kibble’s crunch.
Little Bites Small Breed is packed with natural ingredients like peas, brown rice and carrots. Cranberries have been added to deliver protective antioxidants just for small breed puppies.
In addition, there are Omega fatty acids for a shiny coat, bright eyes and your pup’s developing brain. The unique mix has plenty of protein for active, growing dogs, verified reviewers say.
Main features
- Protective antioxidants from cranberries
- Omega fatty acids for eyes, coat and brain
- U.S. farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
- Natural proteins, carbohydrates and fat
- Economic choice
Our Rating
Iams Smart Puppy Small Breed Dry Food
Verified customers say Smart Puppy lives up to the claims. Almost 1,500 reviews give the recipe a 4.75-star rating.
Iams says the formula was created to proactively help small breed puppies grow and stay healthy. The first ingredient is chicken to build strong muscles. There are 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk to transition your puppy to dry food.
The “smart” in Smart Puppy comes from the inclusion of DHA. It helps a puppy’s brain develop and grow, Iams says.
The kibble size is right for toy or small breed puppies, according to verified reviews. There’s no wheat, soy or artificial preservatives. Wholesome grains and beet pulp aid digestion and help a puppy’s energy levels.
Main features
- 22 nutrients that are found in mother’s milk
- Ideal kibble size for toy or small breeds
- DHA for brain development
- First ingredient is chicken
- Veterinarian-recommended
Our Rating
Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Food
This recipe is made for puppies expected to grow to no more than 23 lbs. at adulthood. Verified reviewers say their toy to medium-size puppies thrive on the formula.
DHA is included for brain development. According to Eukanuba, the right amount of DHA helps brains develop and makes training easier.
The recipe can be fed to small breed puppies up to 12 months old. Protein, fat and carbs are formulated to support the extra energy a puppy uses.
For a puppy’s sensitive stomach, there’s fiber and a prebiotic blend. Vitamin E is added for antioxidants that Eukanuba says can help the immune system.
Main features
- For toy to medium-size breeds
- DHA for brain development
- Antioxidants to boost immune system
- Easy for puppies to digest
- First ingredient is chicken
Our Rating
Pedigree Puppy Chicken & Beef Dinner
Verified buyers who give their puppies wet food give Pedigree Puppy one of the highest ratings we investigated. Pedigree keeps this complete recipe at a low cost, which buyers appreciate.
Both of the flavor choices appeal to growing puppies, buyers say. Like more expensive choices, Pedigree Puppy has DHA for healthy eyes and a sharp brain.
This ground dinner has a soft texture so puppies of any size can eat it easily. Verified reviewers like that it’s made in the U.S.
Pedigree offers Chicken & Beef or Lamb & Rice flavors. Verified customers add that the addition of rice makes the food easy for puppies to digest.
Main features
- Small-ground, soft texture
- Two flavor choices
- DHA for a puppy’s developing brain
- Made in the U.S.
- Economic puppy food choice
Our Rating
Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dry Food
Like other Nutrish foods, Bright Puppy’s first ingredient is U.S. farm-raised chicken. It’s high in protein to keep up with a puppy’s energy needs.
Verified reviewers give a thumbs-up to the DHA in this formula. It’s included for a puppy’s developing brain, according to Iams.
Brown rice, carrots, peas and beets help a puppy’s digestion, according to verified buyers. The added chicken meal gives a boost of calcium for growing bones and teeth.
Verified customers like that there’s fruit in this recipe. Fruit ingredients contain antioxidants to help prevent health issues later, Racheal Ray says. Choose the larger bag and get a significant savings.
Main features
- First ingredient is U.S. farm-raised chicken
- Contains DHA for a puppy’s growing brain
- Heath-boosting antioxidants
- Gentle fiber for a puppy’s digestion
- Choose the larger bag and save
Our Rating
Small Breed Puppy Food Q&A
Verified customer reviews show that the actual nutrition needs of small breed puppies can be confusing. We included the most common questions and asked veterinarians and other puppy pros to give their input. Here’s the scoop on small breed puppy food and your own pup’s needs.
Is wet or dry food better for small breed puppies?
What usually holds pet owners back from trying dry food for their small breeds is the kibble size. Larger chunks are just too difficult for small-size pups to handle.
Veterinarians say either wet or dry food can adequately meet all of a puppy’s needs. Ultimately that choice is yours. If you feed your puppy dry food exclusively, make sure there’s always a bowl of fresh water available.
Can my small breed puppy eat smaller portions of any regular dog food?
Maybe, depending upon the nutrition content. That means ingredients just for puppies, a ratio that’s appropriate for a puppy’s high energy level and the kibble size.
That does mean quite a bit of research if you’re not buying a dog food made specifically for small breed puppies. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian.
How many months should I give puppy food rather than adult food?
Most small breed dog food formulas are ideal for a puppy’s needs up to at least 10 months of age. After that, puppies may need less of some nutrients, and more of one or two nutrient macros.
Some puppy food brands can be given to your dog up to age 12 months. Check the manufacturer’s statements to find out.
If my puppy seems excessively hungry or isn’t growing, should I try to get her to eat more of the food or should I switch brands?
Either of these is an issue to ask your veterinarian. However, do make sure you’re feeding your puppy kibble or wet food that’s made specifically for small breeds. If not, try a customer reviews-supported brand that has the right nutrition for your puppy.
Some puppy foods say they’re grain-free. Others say grain is good. Which is true?
This will depend upon the actual grains. Some grains are essentially non-irritating to puppies. Others may be harder for some puppies to digest.
Rice is a grain that many small breed puppies do very well with, for example. Oats can be soothing to the digestion too. If it’s nutritionally complete, either option may work well for your puppy.
Why does my puppy need vegetables and fruit?
In the wild, dogs don’t generally eat either of these except for what they may ingest when consuming an animal’s stomach contents. However, wild dogs may not always get complete nutrition; you want your puppy to have the best possible start.
Usually, fruits or vegetables are included in puppy food for their antioxidant content. Small breed puppies can benefit from this added level of protection.
Conclusion
As with all puppies, small breeds do the majority of their brain, eye and other development during their first few months. That means they need nutrition made just for them.
While some adult dog food may be nutritionally complete for puppies, these may have nutrient ratios that aren’t ideal for youngsters. That’s why a puppy food can benefit your dog during this stage.
Small breed puppies grow fast, so make sure you’re choosing the best small breed puppy food. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve given your pup the very best start to a long, healthy life.
Melanie Henson Copywriting 
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