Best dog food for a Papillon
A Papillon's food needs come down to two things more than any other breed trait: it's a small dog with a genuinely tiny mouth, and it's a lot more energetic for its size than its dainty look suggests. That means small kibble sizes matter more than they would for a bigger breed, and portions need managing carefully since a Papillon can put on weight quickly if treats and meals aren't kept in balance.
Feeding a Papillon
A toy breed
An adult Papillon typically weighs 2.5–4.5 kg, so a healthy Papillon eats a small amount — often under 100g of dry food a day 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 toy 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 14–16 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.
How much should a Papillon weigh?
Adult 2.5–4.5 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.5–0.8 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.7–1.3 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.5–2.7 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 2.5–4.5 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 toy 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 Papillon
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Papillon'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 Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
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 Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
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 Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
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 kibble size matters more for a Papillon
Papillons typically weigh somewhere in the region of three to five kilograms fully grown, with a correspondingly small jaw and teeth. A kibble sized for a medium or large breed can be awkward or uncomfortable for a dog this size to pick up and chew properly, which is part of why small-breed formulas exist in the first place, the shape and size of the biscuit is designed around a smaller mouth, not just a smaller bag.
A dog that struggles with kibble size may swallow pieces closer to whole, gulp their food, or simply eat less than they should, worth watching for if you've recently changed food and your Papillon seems to be eating differently.
Managing weight on a small, active breed
Despite their delicate appearance, Papillons are genuinely lively little dogs, and it's easy to underestimate how few extra calories it takes to tip a three-kilogram dog into being overweight. A handful of treats that would be nothing to a Labrador can be a meaningful chunk of a Papillon's daily food.
Sticking to the feeding guidance on the pack for your dog's weight, and treating any extras, training treats included, as part of that total rather than on top of it, is the simplest way to keep a Papillon at a healthy weight over time.
Wet, dry, or a mix
Dry food is the more practical everyday option for portion control with a dog this small, since the pieces are consistent in size and easy to measure precisely. A small over-scoop matters more, proportionally, for a Papillon than it does for a bigger dog.
A little wet food mixed through can help with palatability for a fussier Papillon, or simply for variety, as long as it's factored into the same daily total rather than fed as an addition.
Common questions
- How much should I feed my Papillon?
- Follow the feeding guidance printed on the food you're using, based on your dog's actual weight, and check in with your vet if you're unsure whether your Papillon is at a healthy weight. Papillons are prone to gaining weight quickly, so it's worth checking rather than guessing.
- Do Papillons need small-breed dog food specifically?
- It isn't compulsory, but a small-breed formula is generally sized and shaped for a smaller mouth, which many Papillons find easier to eat comfortably. It's a reasonable starting point rather than an essential rule.
- Are Papillons prone to any food sensitivities?
- There's nothing specific to the breed that means Papillons need a special diet, but like any dog, an individual Papillon can be sensitive to a particular ingredient. If you notice ongoing digestive upset or skin issues, that's worth discussing with your vet rather than switching foods repeatedly on your own.
- Is wet or dry food better for a Papillon?
- Either can work as part of a complete diet. Dry food tends to be easier to portion precisely for such a small dog, while wet food can help tempt a fussier eater, many owners use a mix of both.
Related
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.