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.
Beta Puppy Small Breed Chicken
Complete dry food for small breed puppies, chicken-based, also suitable for gestation and lactation
£8.55
Beta 1+ Adult Dog Small Breed Chicken
BETA's chicken recipe formulated for small-breed adult dogs, with feeding amounts from 1kg
£8.35
Beta Puppy Breed Turkey
Large-breed puppy food with a feeding table set by expected adult weight
From£8.55
Beta 2+ Adult Dog Large Breed Turkey
BETA's turkey recipe formulated specifically for large-breed adult dogs over 25kg
£43.19
Beta Puppy Turkey & Lamb
Small-breed puppy food with turkey and lamb, also suitable for adult toy dogs
£48.79
Beta Puppy Chicken
Complete dry food for growing puppies, chicken-based, also suitable for pregnant and nursing dogs
From£8.55
Beta 1 Adult Dog Chicken
BETA's standard complete dry food for adult dogs with no particular dietary need
From£8.35
Beta Light Turkey Dry Dog Food 2kg
BETA's small-bag turkey recipe for adult dogs prone to weight gain
£8.55
Beta 1+ Adult Dog Light Dog Turkey
BETA's turkey recipe for adult dogs prone to weight gain, with a separate weight-loss ration
£48.79
Beta 1+ Adult Dog Sensitive Salmon
BETA's single-salmon dry food for adult dogs with sensitive skin, coat or digestion
£48.79
Beta 7 Senior Dog Chicken
BETA's lower-fat chicken kibble formulated for dogs aged seven and over
From£8.55
Beta 1+ Adult Dog Turkey & Lamb
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey and lamb, and no artificial colours or preservatives
£43.19
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.