Best dog food for small dogs
The best dog food for a small dog is not simply a smaller bag of a standard recipe — small breeds burn energy faster relative to their size, reach adulthood sooner, and need a kibble small enough to chew comfortably, so a food built specifically for small breeds tends to reflect all three. Harringtons Small Dog Lamb is one example of a recipe sized and formulated with exactly that in mind.
What actually changes for a small breed
Small dogs have a faster metabolism relative to their body weight than large dogs, which means a small-breed recipe is usually more energy-dense per gram than a standard adult food — a small dog needs to get more out of a smaller volume of food than a large dog does. Kibble size is the other obvious difference: a piece sized for a Labrador is genuinely harder for a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier to chew comfortably.
Small breeds also reach adulthood faster than large ones, often by around nine to twelve months rather than the eighteen months to two years a giant breed can take, which affects when a dog should move from a puppy recipe to an adult one. A small-breed-specific range accounts for this shorter timeline rather than using a generic life-stage cutoff.
What to check on the label
Look for kibble described as small or mini-bite, and check the recipe is labelled for small or toy breeds specifically rather than assuming any standard adult food will do. The calorie content per 100g is worth comparing too — a genuinely small-breed recipe tends to run higher than a standard adult formula for the reasons above.
Beyond size and energy density, the same rules apply as any other dog food: a named protein, a sensible ingredient list, and a recipe matched to your dog's life stage and any known sensitivities.
What we stock
Our dry and wet ranges both carry small-breed and small-bite options, including Harringtons Small Dog Lamb, sized and formulated specifically for smaller dogs rather than adapted from a standard recipe. If your small dog has a sensitive stomach as well, our sensitive range overlaps with several small-breed-suitable recipes.
As with any dog, body condition matters more than the feeding guide printed on the bag — small dogs vary in build even within a breed, so use the guide as a starting point and adjust based on how your own dog looks and feels.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
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 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
Common questions
- Do small dogs really need different food from large dogs?
- In practical terms, yes — mainly in kibble size and energy density, since small dogs burn more energy relative to their weight and need a piece they can chew comfortably. A large-breed formula is not dangerous for a small dog, but it is not built with their needs in mind either.
- When should a small breed puppy move to adult food?
- Small breeds usually reach adult size faster than large ones, often by around nine to twelve months, though this varies by breed. Check the specific guidance for your breed or ask your vet if you are unsure when to make the switch.
- Is wet or dry food better for small dogs?
- Either can work well — dry food is often more practical for a small dog's dental health, while wet food can suit an older small dog with fewer teeth or a fussier appetite. Many owners feed a mix of both rather than choosing one exclusively.
- How much should a small dog eat each day?
- This varies by breed, weight, age and activity level, so the feeding guide on the specific bag you buy, adjusted to your dog's body condition, is the right starting point rather than a single figure that applies to every small dog.
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.