Best dog food for a Pomchi
A Pomchi, the Pomeranian x Chihuahua mix, is a toy-sized dog with the small, fast metabolism and small mouth typical of both parent breeds, and that shapes what to look for in food more than anything specific to the crossbreed itself. Small kibble size, easy digestibility and steady, frequent meals matter more here than they would for a larger dog.
Feeding a Pomchi
A toy breed
An adult Pomchi typically weighs 2–5 kg, so a healthy Pomchi 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 12–16 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 Pomchi weigh?
Adult 2–5 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.4–0.9 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.6–1.5 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.2–3 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 2–5 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 Pomchi
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Pomchi'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 size drives most of the decision
Toy breeds have a faster metabolism relative to their size than larger dogs, and very small puppies in particular can be at risk of blood sugar dropping too low if they go too long between meals — a reason frequent small meals rather than one or two large ones tend to be recommended for toy breed puppies specifically.
A small kibble size, or wet food, matters practically too — standard-sized kibble can be genuinely difficult for a very small jaw to manage comfortably, which is part of why small and toy breed specific formulas usually come with a smaller kibble shape as standard.
Dental health is a bigger factor than it might seem
Small and toy breeds are generally more prone to dental crowding and earlier dental disease than larger dogs, simply because the same number of teeth are fitted into a much smaller jaw. A dental-supportive kibble texture, alongside regular brushing where your dog tolerates it, is worth building in from early on rather than treating as an issue for later.
Joint health is also worth keeping in mind — small breeds including Pomeranians and Chihuahuas can be prone to luxating patella, a kneecap that slips out of place, and while diet does not prevent this directly, keeping a Pomchi at a healthy weight reduces unnecessary strain on joints generally.
What to look for on the label
A small or toy breed formula with a small kibble shape, a named protein source, and reasonable calorie density for a genuinely small, low-activity-relative-to-size dog is the general starting point. Wet food or a soaked kibble is also worth considering for a young puppy still adjusting to solid food, or an older Pomchi who finds hard kibble less comfortable.
Toy breeds can also be more prone to being fussy eaters than larger dogs, so a food with a genuinely appealing aroma and texture is not a trivial consideration — a nutritionally ideal food a Pomchi refuses to eat consistently is no help at all.
Common questions
- Why do small dogs need smaller kibble?
- A toy breed's mouth and jaw are considerably smaller than a medium or large dog's, so standard-sized kibble can be awkward or uncomfortable to eat. Small breed formulas are shaped specifically to be easier to pick up and chew for a small mouth.
- Are Pomchis prone to dental problems?
- Both parent breeds, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, are generally considered prone to dental crowding and earlier dental disease due to their small jaw size, so a Pomchi is worth keeping an eye on for this from a young age, alongside regular brushing where possible.
- How often should a Pomchi puppy eat?
- More frequent, smaller meals are generally recommended for toy breed puppies than for larger breed puppies, partly because of their fast metabolism and higher risk of low blood sugar if meals are too spaced out. Follow the guidance on your specific puppy food or ask your vet.
- Do Pomchis have joint problems?
- Both parent breeds can be prone to luxating patella, a kneecap that slips out of its normal position, so a Pomchi may carry some of that risk. Keeping a healthy weight reduces unnecessary strain on the joints generally, though it does not prevent a structural issue on its own.
Related
Sources
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.