Best dog food for a Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apsos are a small, sturdy breed with a long lifespan, and their feeding needs centre on two things: a kibble sized and shaped for a small mouth, and support for dental health, since small breeds are generally more prone to dental problems than larger dogs. A small-breed complete food, ideally with a dental-support element, tends to suit the breed well.
Feeding a Lhasa Apso
A small breed
An adult Lhasa Apso typically weighs 5–8kg, so a healthy Lhasa Apso eats a modest amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A small breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 12–15 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
A shallow, wide bowl suits a flat face
A flat-faced dog cannot reach into a deep bowl without pressing its nose into the sides, which is uncomfortable and makes it gulp air. A shallow bowl, and food that does not have to be chased around it, is the easier arrangement.
How much should a Lhasa Apso weigh?
Adult 5–8kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.8–1.3 kg | 17% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 1.4–2.2 kg | 27% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 2.7–4.3 kg | 54% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 5–8 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a small breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Lhasa Apso
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Lhasa Apso's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Why size and dental health matter most
As a small breed, a Lhasa Apso has a proportionally smaller mouth and jaw than a medium or large dog, and small breeds as a group are more prone to crowded teeth and a build-up of plaque and tartar. A small-breed kibble, sized for their mouth, encourages more chewing than a large piece that gets swallowed almost whole, which helps mechanically clean the teeth a little as they eat.
Small breeds also tend to have faster metabolisms relative to their size than large dogs, meaning a calorie-dense small-breed food is generally a better fit than a standard adult formula, which can be too energy-dilute to meet their needs in a sensible portion size.
Managing a sensitive stomach
Like many small breeds, Lhasa Apsos can be prone to a sensitive stomach, and sudden food changes or rich treats are a common trigger for an upset. A consistent, good-quality complete food, introduced gradually when changing brands, generally suits this breed better than frequently switching between different foods.
If your Lhasa Apso has a history of loose stools, vomiting, or seems to react to certain ingredients, a limited-ingredient or single-protein food can help narrow down what does and does not agree with them. Persistent digestive upset is worth discussing with your vet rather than working through foods on your own.
What to check on the label
Look for a small-breed label, a named protein source as the main ingredient, and, if dental health is a concern for your dog, a kibble described as supporting oral health or a texture designed to encourage chewing. Long-coated breeds like the Lhasa Apso also benefit from a food that supports coat condition, since their coat is a defining feature of the breed and needs to be kept in reasonable shape.
As with any small breed, avoid overfeeding — it is easy to overestimate how much a small dog needs, and excess weight puts unnecessary strain on joints in a breed that is not built to carry it. Our small-breed and dental-focused ranges are a sensible place to start comparing options.
Common questions
- Do Lhasa Apsos need dental chews as well as food?
- Many owners find dental chews a useful addition alongside a small-breed food, since small dogs are generally more prone to plaque build-up and crowded teeth. Regular tooth brushing, where a dog will tolerate it, remains the single most effective thing you can do for dental health, with chews and food as a helpful extra.
- How often should I feed a Lhasa Apso?
- Most adult Lhasa Apsos do well on two meals a day, though this can vary with individual appetite and any digestive sensitivity. Puppies typically need more frequent, smaller meals, and your vet can advise on a feeding frequency suited to your particular dog's age and health.
- Are Lhasa Apsos prone to weight gain?
- They can be, partly because it is easy to overestimate how much a small dog actually needs and partly because they are a breed that enjoys food. Measuring meals rather than free-feeding, and keeping treats genuinely occasional, helps keep a Lhasa Apso at a healthy weight.
- What ingredients should I avoid for a Lhasa Apso with a sensitive stomach?
- There is no universal list, since sensitivities vary between individual dogs, but a food with a long list of fillers, artificial additives or multiple protein sources can make it harder to identify what is causing a problem. A simpler, single-protein recipe is often easier to manage if you suspect a sensitivity, ideally with guidance from your vet.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.