Best dog foods for toy breeds
Toy breeds, weighing 15 pounds or less, need calorie-dense, nutrient-rich food to support their high metabolism.
The best dog food for toy breeds should contain real protein sources like chicken or beef for muscle health, moderate to high-fat content for energy and coat health, and small kibble size to prevent choking.
Essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, calcium, and glucosamine support skin, immune, bone, and joint health.
Avoid fillers like corn gluten, artificial preservatives, and unidentified meat by-products, which can cause digestive issues.
Top brands include Blue Buffalo, Nutro, Halo, Eukanuba, and Wellness, with prices ranging from $19.98 to $44.98.
Which dogs are considered toy breeds?
Toy breeds are small dogs, weighing 15 pounds or less as adults, often resembling stuffed animals. These breeds include
- Toy Poodle
- Pug
- Papillon
- Russian Toy Terrier
- Manchester Toy Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Chinese Crested
- Chihuahua
- Shih Tzu
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Pocket Beagle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Maltese
- Pomeranian
- Havanese
- Biewer Terrier
- Italian Greyhound
- Schipperke
- Affenpinscher
- English Toy Spaniel
- Mini Schnauzer
While they share a small size, their energy levels differ—breeds like the Papillon are highly energetic, while others, such as the Shih Tzu, are more laid-back and enjoy lounging.
Best Dog Food for Toy Breeds
Here’s our quick guide on the best dog food for toy breeds to make it easier for you to select:
- Best Overall: Blue Wilderness Toy Breed Chicken Formula Dry Food – $37.98 for an 11-lb bag = $3.45 per lb.
- Best Price-Effective: Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Small Breed Recipe Dry Food – $25 for a 10-lb bag = $2.5 per lb.
- Best for Toy Puppy: Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Food – $43.59 for a 15-lb bag = $2.9 per lb
- Best for Toy Adult: Nutro Ultra Small Breed Chicken Dry Food -$34.98 for a 5-lb bag = $6.9 per lb.
- Best for Weight Management: Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Small Breed Formula with Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Food – $41 for a 10-lb bag = $4.1 per lb.
Blue Wilderness Toy Breed Chicken Formula Dry Food
Blue Wilderness Toy Breed Formula, launched by Blue Buffalo on February 9, 2012, is designed for extra small, toy, and small breeds.
With 36% protein from deboned chicken and 16% fat, it supports lean muscle growth and fast metabolism, reducing hypoglycemia risk.
The 425-calorie-per-cup recipe includes calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine for bone health, and omega fatty acids for skin and coat.
Free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives, it suits sensitive dogs like the Papillon.
Ideal for dogs with grain allergies, toy breeds up to 5 lbs need ¼ to ½ cup daily. An 11-lb bag costs $37.98.
Nutro Small Breed Ultra Chicken Dry Food
Nutro Small Breed Formula, launched on May 13, 2009, is designed for small, extra-small, and toy breeds.
Key ingredients include chicken, whole grain sorghum, brown rice, and oats, providing 26% protein for muscle strength.
With 17% fat and 442 Kcal/cup, it supports metabolism and energy needs. The 4% fiber ensures regular bowel movements, while 15 superfoods like blueberries and chia seeds offer antioxidants, probiotics, and prebiotics for immune and digestive health.
Ideal for dogs with tummy issues, toy breeds weighing 10 lbs need ⅔ cup daily. A 5-lb bag costs $34.98.
Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Small Breed Recipe Dry Food
Halo’s recipe, launched on September 28, 2011, is crafted for small, extra-small, and toy breeds, using key ingredients like chicken, dried egg products, and chicken liver.
It provides 27% protein for muscle development, with 17% fat and 413 calories per cup to support high-energy dogs. Free from meat meals and artificial additives, it aids digestion and nutrient absorption.
Wholesome grains offer energy and fiber, while omega fatty acids ensure a shiny coat. Sourced from certified U.S. farmers, it includes taurine and L-carnitine for heart health.
Dogs weighing 5 lbs need ½ cup daily. A 10-lb bag costs $25.
Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Food
Eukanuba Small Breed Formula, introduced on July 15, 2015, is designed for toy puppies, providing 32% protein, 21% fat, and 465 Kcal/cup for muscle growth and energy.
Key ingredients include chicken, corn, and wheat. It contains DHA for brain development and trainability, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, and vitamin E for immune support.
Prebiotics and natural fiber promote digestion, while optimized carbohydrates boost energy. Suitable for puppies that tolerate grains, a 5-lb puppy requires 1 ½ cups at 6-11 weeks, decreasing with age.
A 15-lb bag costs $43.59. Pair with Eukanuba wet puppy formula for added benefits.
Wellness Toy Breed Complete Health Dry Food
Wellness Toy Breed Formula, launched on May 11, 2013, is designed for extra small, small, and toy breeds, providing essential nutrition for petite dogs.
Key ingredients include deboned chicken, turkey meal, and ground brown rice, delivering 30% protein and 17% fat, with 462 calories per cup for energy and muscle support.
Calcium, phosphorus, chondroitin, and glucosamine promote bone and dental health, while beta-carotene and omega fatty acids ensure a healthy coat. This small kibble is suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Daily intake ranges from ⅛ to ½ cup, depending on weight. A 4-lb bag costs $19.98.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Small Breed Formula with Chicken & Freeze-Dried Dry Food
Instinct Raw Boost Formula by Nature’s Variety is designed for extra small, toy, and small breeds.
With chicken as the primary ingredient, it boasts a protein content of 35% to support muscle growth. Each cup contains 469 Kcal and 20% fat, ideal for active toy dogs.
The formula includes glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and phosphorus for joint and bone health, along with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health.
It also features probiotics and prebiotics for digestive support and is free from grains, corn, and artificial preservatives. A 10-lb bag retails for $41
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Adult Dry Food
Merrick Classic Formula is designed for extra small, toy, and small breeds, featuring real deboned chicken as the first ingredient to support muscle growth.
Launched on January 14, 2016, it includes chicken meal, brown rice, barley, and turkey meal. The formula incorporates healthy grains like quinoa for fiber, promoting digestive wellness.
Enhanced with omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, it supports skin, coat, and joint health. With 404 calories per cup and 16% fat, it boosts stamina while remaining free from corn, wheat, soy, and peas. A 12-lb bag costs $44.98.
Solid Gold Holistic Grain-Free Mighty Mini Dry Food
Solid Gold Formula, introduced on March 14, 2016, is designed for small, extra-small, and toy breeds, featuring chicken as the primary ingredient.
With a high protein value of 30%, 18% fat, and 450 Kcal per cup, it supports muscle health and provides energy for active dogs.
The formula includes DHA for cognitive health and focus, along with vitamins C and E to protect against infections. Omega fatty acids promote skin and coat health, while probiotics support gut health.
Made with 20 nutrient-dense superfoods, it’s suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and grain allergies. An 11-lb bag costs $33.29.
What Facts Should You Consider While Buying Dog Foods for Toy Breeds?
Toy breeds require nutritious meals for healthy growth and development. They need small kibble sizes to avoid digestive issues, as larger kibbles can be difficult to chew.
High-quality proteins, such as turkey, beef, chicken, and fish, should be the first ingredient, with multiple protein sources in the top five ingredients for optimal strength.
Due to their fast metabolism, toy breeds require calorie-dense food, particularly puppies, who need more calories to prevent hypoglycemia.
Fats and wholesome carbs, like quinoa, provide energy. To prevent obesity, adhere to proper portion sizes, and choose foods with L-carnitine and high-quality fiber for weight management.
What are the other dog foods for Toy Breeds with different health conditions?
Toy breeds are prone to various health issues, requiring a balanced diet to mitigate disease effects.
For those with pancreatitis, a low-fat diet is crucial for healing and preventing future flare-ups.
Recommended options include Royal Canin Low Fat Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Adult Dry Food and Hill’s Prescription Diet Low Fat Chicken Flavor i/d Digestive Care Dry Food.
For toy breeds with allergies, it’s essential to choose foods free from common allergens. Identifying specific allergens can guide dietary choices.
Recommended foods for allergies include Rachel Ray Nutrish Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Limited Ingredient Dry Food and Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Limited Ingredient L.I. Dry Food.
What is the Toy Breed feeding schedule?
Toy breeds should have three to four small meals daily to lower obesity risk.
Puppies require more calories for growth, while seniors need fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight.
| Weight | Daily intake |
| 3 pounds | ⅓ cup |
| 6 pounds | ½ cup |
| 10 pounds | ¾ cup |
| 15 pounds | 1 cup |
| 20 pounds | 1 ⅔ cups |
Is it necessary for small dogs to eat only small-size kibble?
Small-sized kibble is essential for small dogs for several reasons.
First, their small mouths and tightly packed teeth make them prone to bacteria buildup and gum disease, so smaller kibble helps reduce this risk and promotes oral health.
Additionally, large kibble can be a choking hazard and may lead to digestive upset.
Small dogs also have smaller stomachs, limiting their capacity to consume large pieces.
Finally, due to their high metabolic rates, toy breeds require nutrient-dense kibble in smaller sizes to meet their dietary needs effectively.
