Beta for small breed dogs
Beta's small-breed line exists because a Chihuahua and a Labrador don't need the same food, even at the same life stage. The main things that change are kibble size, matched to a small jaw, and energy density, since small breeds burn through energy faster relative to their size than larger dogs do.
Why small breeds need a different kibble
A small dog's mouth and jaw are simply too small to comfortably manage a kibble sized for a large breed, which affects both how easily they can eat it and how much chewing it actually gets before being swallowed. Small-breed kibble is made noticeably smaller for exactly this reason.
Small dogs also have a faster metabolism relative to their body weight than large breeds, meaning they typically need more energy per kilogram of body weight, not less. A small-breed formula is built with that in mind, rather than simply being a scaled-down version of a standard adult recipe.
What's in the small breed range
Beta Puppy Small Breed Chicken is the entry point for small and toy breed puppies, sized and formulated around their faster growth and higher relative energy needs during the early months. It sits alongside Beta's standard puppy formula, which is built for larger breeds with a slower, more prolonged growth period.
Once a small breed reaches adulthood, which typically happens earlier than it does for a large breed, moving onto one of Beta's adult recipes is the next step, still in a kibble size appropriate to a small mouth.
Moving from puppy to adult
Small breeds reach their adult size considerably earlier than large breeds, often somewhere around nine to twelve months rather than the eighteen months or more a giant breed might take, so it's worth watching your individual puppy's growth rather than assuming a fixed date applies. Your vet can help judge when a puppy has genuinely reached adult size.
As with any change, move between formulas gradually over about a week, mixing progressively more of the new food in each day rather than switching everything over in one sitting.
For this need
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
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 Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Common questions
- Why is small-breed kibble smaller?
- It's sized to suit a small dog's jaw and mouth, making it easier to pick up, chew and eat comfortably. A large-breed kibble can be genuinely difficult for a very small dog to manage, which is part of why the two aren't interchangeable.
- Do small dogs really need more energy per kilogram than large dogs?
- Yes, generally - smaller dogs have a faster metabolism relative to their body weight, which is why small-breed foods are often more energy-dense than a standard adult recipe rather than simply being a smaller-kibble version of the same thing.
- When should a small breed puppy move to adult food?
- Small breeds typically reach adult size earlier than larger breeds, often by around nine to twelve months, though this varies between individual dogs. Watching your puppy's actual growth, alongside advice from your vet, is more reliable than working from a fixed age.
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.