Small Breed Dog Food

Small Breed Dog Food 

In the commercial dog food industry, there are no nutritional requirements specific to small breed dogs. In fact, small breed dogs are expected to do well with any dog food labeled as nutritionally complete by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). However, advances in canine nutrition helped figure out that small breed dogs have specific nutritional requirements. Apparently, a dog’s size is an important factor in determining their specific dietary needs.

Small Dog Breed Nutritional Needs

Small dog breeds come with their own unique nutritional needs specifically due to their size. These breeds have higher ratios of surface area to body weight than larger breed dogs. Because of this, they have a high metabolic rate and therefore high energy requirements.

Importance of calorie-dense food

Small breed dogs have a smaller digestive storage capacity compared to large breed dogs. Therefore, small dogs need food that is nutrient and calorie-dense. This will ensure that the dog’s compact stomach is absorbing enough essential calories and nutrients.

Special dietary needs of small breeds

The higher metabolic rate of small breed dogs means that they burn off calories faster than a larger dog. It is imperative that they should be fed with a calorie-dense food several times a day to compensate for this. Moreover, small breed dogs have a smaller jaw and dentition. This simply means that they will have a preference for dog food with small kibble size. Additionally, small breed dogs tend to be picky eaters. It is also important to feed highly palatable foods to these dogs.

Key Ingredients to Look For 

When choosing a small breed dog food, you should choose a diet that possesses the following:

• High-quality proteins - these should always be on top of the list and may include poultry, red meat or fish.
• Easily digestible carbohydrate sources - important as energy sources, these may include whole grains (e.g. brown rice), legumes (e.g. peas), and root vegetables (e.g. potatoes).
• Essential fatty acids - omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important in supporting normal physiologic function, cell membrane structure and cell function.
• Natural preservatives - Vitamin E and vitamin C are commonly used to naturally preserve pet foods. Beneficial nutrients - high-quality dog foods may include probiotics for digestion, glucosamine for joint health and micronutrients for immunity.

Ingredients to Avoid

Researchers found that some commonly used ingredients in dog food are harmful. These include the following:

• Artificial preservatives - BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin may cause health problems, dental disease, dry skin, and allergic reactions.
• Artificial dyes and flavors - these additives are linked to allergies, digestive problems and behavioral issues.
• Non-specified meat and animal by-products - these are cheap ingredients used to make low-quality dog food.

Buying Guide: What to Consider

Before purchasing a specific small breed dog food, here is a list of things to consider first.

• Age - age-specific formulas such as puppy, adult and senior small breed formulas are designed for the different needs of dogs in their specific life stage.
• Ingredient quality - this factor is directly related to the nutritional value of the ingredient, and the dog food recipe as a whole.
• Cost - it is more appropriate to analyze this by determining the cost to feed per day rather than the cost of bag.
• Preference - it is useless to buy a dog food that your dog wouldn't want to eat so it is just reasonable to invest in a highly palatable food that appeals to your dog.

Dog Food for French Bulldogs

In any dog breed, the basic requirement of the recommended dog food should be nutritionally complete and balanced. Since French Bulldogs are considered as small breed dogs, they will benefit from small breed dog foods available in the market.

French Bulldogs are known to be predisposed to obesity and it is important that owners address this through weight management. Aside from this, providing high-quality small breed dog food is equally important. BULLY MAX 26/14 SMALL BREED DOG FOOD is a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food that is a perfect choice for French Bulldogs. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that help support healthy brain function, vision, immune system and skin & coat. Moreover, these fatty acids are also helpful in allergy management in which Frenchies are prone to. The BULLY MAX 26/14 SMALL BREED DOG FOOD is also fortified with a powerful, gut-healthy postbiotic that helps support digestive and immune system health.