Why do toy and small dogs have specific diets?
Dogs are considered toy or small if they reach up to 20 lb as adults. Despite their size, toy/small dogs require more energy per body weight (kcal/lb) per day. Toy/small dogs also need nutrient-dense foods because of their small stomachs.
What is different in pet foods for toy/small dogs?
Because toy/small dogs need more calories per unit of body weight, a more calorie-dense diet (more calories per cup) allows them to eat less while still obtaining the calories they need. Diets for toy/small dogs are usually higher in fat than diets for bigger dogs, because fat provides more calories than the same amount of protein or carbohydrates. The higher fat results in more calories per cup, which makes excessive weight gain a concern when feeding pets these diets.
Due to these dogs’ small size, it's easy to create excesses by overfeeding even slightly. Similarly, feeding a seemingly small but an inappropriate portion of treats (or unbalanced food) can quickly result in either a deficiency or excess of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are essential nutrients and must be provided in the diet. However, deficiencies and excesses can lead to problems in puppies and adult dogs.
Protein is essential in the diet, and puppies require a little more because of their growth. Higher protein and other nutrients might be necessary for toy/small dogs to support a healthy hair coat.
Finally, toy and small dog foods need to be highly digestible. Dry kibble must be formed in small pieces so a small dog can eat it easily. Diets for toy/small dogs may also have more antioxidants, because these dogs have a long life expectancy, and antioxidants can help prevent cell damage over that extended aging period.
What are the best pet foods for toy/small breed puppies?
Pet food labels have limited information to compare different products. However, if the label includes a statement by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), that the pet food is appropriate for puppies or appropriate for all life stages, you know that it is safe. Specific AAFCO statements vary, depending on how it was developed.
The AAFCO statement will be like one of these:
- "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (Pet food name) provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth of dogs."
- "(Pet food name) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth of dogs."
- "(Pet food name)” provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth of dogs, and is comparable in nutritional adequacy to a product which has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests."
A pet food that displays statement 1, above, has undergone a feeding trial in which puppies ate the food for several months, were examined by veterinarians, and showed no abnormalities related to nutrition.
A pet food that displays statement 2 or 3 has not undergone a feeding trial but has been formulated following AAFCO guidelines for nutrient levels for puppies. This food is also safe. Most pet foods do not undergo feeding trials and many puppies eat these diets without issues.
Pet foods can be formulated to meet all life stages, including growth.
How much should I feed my toy/small dog?
There are many formulas to calculate daily energy intake requirements for your dog, but the requirements can differ significantly for each dog. Review what your pet eats, how much they eat, and their body condition score (BCS) with your veterinarian. Below are a few recommendations to ensure your dog receives an adequate amount of food.
- Use a growth chart based on your puppy's sex and expected adult weight (e.g., www.waltham.com/resources/puppy-growth-charts).
- Ensure your dog has an ideal body condition score (BCS). The target is between 4 and 5, using the 9-point scale. For more information, see the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Body Condition Score Chart for Dogs online, and the “Body Condition Scores” handout.
- For puppies, it is safer to keep them with a BCS of 4/9 to prevent them from becoming overweight.
- For adult dogs, adjust the amount of food if you notice weight gain or loss. That can happen when they become more or less active, after neutering/spaying, or due to other factors.
- Measure the amount to feed your pet, ideally using a digital kitchen scale. Once you get used to it, it takes only a few seconds each time. Using cups is not precise, even if the same person is feeding each time.
- Note that pet food labels can be used as a reference for amount, but they often overestimate your pet's energy requirement.
- To avoid unbalancing your puppy's diet, avoid using treats/other foods when they are growing. Once they are adults, up to 10% of the calories can come from treats/other foods that are not complete and balanced.
How long should I give puppy food to my toy/small dog?
It is essential to feed a puppy diet until your dog's skeleton has fully grown. For toy breeds, it happens between 6 and 9 months, and for small dogs, between 8 and 10 months. Check with your veterinarian about your dog's age for skeleton maturity.
How should I feed my toy/small dog?
Because of the small stomach, feeding smaller meals is recommended until your puppy is 4 months old. Below are some feeding tips for toy/small dogs.
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Provide at least 3 small meals for puppies younger than 4 months, or at least 2 meals for adult dogs.
- Ensure your pet always has access to water but avoid excessive drinking.
- Limit your dog's activity to avoid intense exercise right before or after meals.
Should I give adult food or supplements to my toy/small puppy?
The simple answer is no, and they should only receive foods appropriate for growth or all life stages. Typical adult dog foods can have very different energy content and may not provide all the essential nutrients for growth.
Avoid nutritional supplements (with minerals and vitamins) unless recommended by your veterinarian. Any supplement can unbalance the diet and increase the risk of nutrient deficiency or excess.
