14 of the best dry dog food for small dogs to keep them healthy inside and out

Designed for breeds weighing up to 10kg, this Royal Canin Mini food is formulated to meet the energy needs of your pint-sized pups. It contains L-carnitine to help your pooch maintain a healthy metabolism and Omega 3 to keep their coat looking shiny and glossy.

We and customers onlike like that the kibble size is adapted as it makes the kibble the right size to fit your smaller pooch's miniture jaw and makes it easier for them to break it down. Something to keep in mind is that one of the main ingredients of this food is maize so it won't be suitable for dogs with any allergy, intolerance or sensitivity to this product.

Reviewed by Rosie and her Yorkshire Terrier cross, Gina: "Gina has always been a picky eater but for the past year or so, she’s been consistently enjoying Royal Canin Mini Adult kibble without hesitation. Now that she’s getting older and her teeth aren’t as strong, it's important to find food she can still chew easily. The small, specially designed kibble pieces in Royal Canin Mini Adult are perfect for her - just the right size and texture for her small mouth, making it easier for her to break them down and enjoy her meals."

Want to know more about this food and others from Royal Canin's vast range? Check out our full Royal Canin dog food reviews.

Ideal for Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and other toy breeds, as well as puppies, this Scrumbles food is packed full of natural ingredients with added probiotics so it's gentle on digestion. This is a great hypoallergenic choice for pooches with sensitive tummies as it's made without common allergens like gluten, wheat, potato, dairy, and eggs. It's also got salmon oil, which contains Omega 3 and DHA to support cognitive development.

The fact this food is made using human-grade meat is something that customers love, with it containing 65 per cent chicken. Some reviewers did feel that the kibble was a little harder compared to other kibbles their dog has tried, though.

Keep your pooch feeling great both on the inside and out with Pooch & Mutt. It contains lean chicken and a host of fresh and natural nutritious vegetables including kale, spinach and cranberries so your dog's mouth will water the minute the food hits the bowl. Omega 3 and glucosamine provide joint protection while prebiotics aid healthy digestion and promote overall physical and mental health. It also has added chamomile, which is known for its natural calming abilities.

Customers say the small bite-sized pieces of this Pooch & Mutt kibble are just the right size for their pooch to chew. They also appreciate that this food is made with natural ingredients and is free from grain, cereal, gluten, GM products, artificial flavours, colours and preservatives. Some customers have had issues with getting their fussy dog to eat it, so something to keep in mind if your pooch can be a picky eater.

Combining wholesome, natural ingredients with tasty flavours, this adult small breed food by James Wellbeloved will help keep your pooch energised and in good shape. With lamb as a natural protein source, plus antioxidants and prebiotics, it's tailored to the needs of smaller canines to keep their coat glossy, their skin in good condition and their tummy healthy.

A great value food that dogs love, which helps improve coat condition while smelling and tasting good, sums up what customers say in the reviews. Although, just keep in mind that you'll need to store it properly in an air-tight container as it's made from natural ingredients to keep it fresh.

With meaty chunks and whole grains for tasty goodness, each Bakers meal contains the everyday nutrients your small dog needs. The fibre from the wholegrains helps to support digestion while the added quality protein supports muscle strength. It's also packed with antioxidants for a healthy immune system. The added Vitamin D keeps teeth and bones healthy and strong while Vitamin A and Zinc aids with keeping your hound's skin and coat in tip-top condition.

Dogs love this food, according to the customer reviews but it's worth keeping in mind that this food doesn't have a high meat content and the main ingredient is cereals but for a budget option, this will go down a treat.

AVA uses high-quality and easily digestible protein and freshly prepared ingredients to create an extra tasty kibble for your small pooch to wolf down, and it's grain-free with no added wheat or wheat gluten so perfect if they've got a sensitive tummy. Omega 3 and 6 keep skin and coats in great condition while the vitamins and minerals included care for your dog's joints, teeth and bones. There are also MOS and FOS prebiotics thrown into the mix to maintain internal body health.

As a slow-release source of carbohydrates, this AVA recipe ensures your small breeds has enough energy to see them through to their next meal time. This food isn't suitable for dogs under eight months, but once they reach that eight month mark, you can feed them this food all the way until they're eight years old.

Ensure your small or mini dog weighing up to 10kg is getting everything they need during the prime of their life with this Hill's Science Plan food. A source of high quality protein, the small kibble and easy-to-digest ingredients are made for smaller pooches while the blend of Omega 6 and Vitamin E makes sure their skin and coat look and feel great. It also contains the brand's special small and mini antioxidant blend for lifelong immune support.

Customers like this food as they feel like it provides all the nutrients their small dog breed needs while also supporting skin and coat condition, digestive health and joint care. Compared to other foods on our list, this age range for feeding this food is smaller, stopping at six years but it'll mean that between the ages of one and six, your pooch is getting a quality food.

Pedigree is always popular with dog owners so we just had to include them on our round-up. The small kibbles have a specially designed texture to help clean your dog's teeth and it's formulated with whole wheat, a source of complex carbohydrates, for slow energy release to keep your pup going until their next mealtime. This food is also rich in fibres to support your pup's digestion.

As it's a mixer food, you'll need to buy wet food seprately to ensure you're giving your pooch a completely balanced meal, however this Pedigree Small Bite Mixer Dog Food is a great choice if you're looking for quality food at a low price to supplement a wet meal.

This specially made Harringtons Complete Natural Small Breed Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Rice recipe is packed full of natural ingredients that have been carefully balanced for a smaller dog's digestive system. Flavoured with lamb for a great source of protein with a delicious chicken gravy inside and outside to get your hound's tail wagging. It has added FOS prebiotic to help maintain healthy digestion and yucca to help reduce unpleasant odours from flatulence.

Customers say the kibble is a good size for their small dog and that they love the taste. It is only available in a 1kg bag size so you'll need to buy a few at a time if you want to stock up, but that being said, this pack size is good if you want to trial your pooch on a new food and you're not sure if they'll like it.

Even small seniors can enjoy dog food with a tailored kibble size as they approach their twilight years, thanks to the Little Paws - Golden Years Dry Dog Food from Barking Heads. Your golden oldie will be chowing down on a recipe that provides slow-release carbs and essential vitamins and minerals that supports their joints and helps them maintain a healthy weight when they've got this in their bowl. This adapted nutrition will fuel your small senior's energy needs as well as support their immune defence and vital organ functions as they age gracefully.

'My dogs lick the bowl clean every single meal since changing to Barking Heads' is a comment from one happy customer. Other reviewers like that this food is made with natural ingredients and is the right size for elderly small dogs to break down with their teeth. Although some customer reviews say that since the recipe changed, the kibble has gotten bigger despite still being on the small side.

Lily's Kitchen Countryside Casserole Dry Food has been a firm favourite with fluffs and their owners for years, but now the brand has created a version made with smaller hounds in mind. It's still made with the delicious blend of freshly prepared meat, fruit, veg and herbs loved in the original recipe but with a smaller kibble so pint-sized puppers can get their gnashers around it more easily. It contains the required essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals your little one needs, helping them to be happy and healthy.

This food is wholesome, tasty and full of goodness, say reviewers online. Customers have been waiting for Lily's Kitchen to make a small breed version of this food for years so as you can imagine, it sells out quickly so you may find it regularly goes in and out of stock, but reviewers say it's worth the wait.

Specially formulated in a more effective way for dogs to absorb the nutrients they need for their dry food, the Pro Plan Small & Mini Everyday Nutrition is packed full of goodness for your little one. The concentration of the nutrients supports a faster metabolism of smaller dogs and also helps support their joints for their active lifestyle. A natural source of fibre, the recipe is clinically proven to help improve intestinal health as well as aid dental care by reducing tartar accumulation by up to 36 per cent. Not forgetting, it's also good for a healthy heart, too.

Customers love all the great health benefits this food provides their dog, with this being the main reason they chose the food. Some have also noticed the difference with how active their dog is after switching to this recipe. It's worth noting that wheat and maize are listed among the main ingredients so won't be suitable for dogs with allergies, sensitivies or intolerances to these ingredients

Enriched with essential minerals and Vitamin D and containing an antioxidant blend with Vitamin C and E, the Iams Small & Medium Breed Dry Adult Dog Food supports strong bones and a healthy immune system. The high-quality animal protein in this recipe not only provides an irresistible taste for your pooch while supporting your pet's overall health, but it's especially good for their muscle health. The crunchy kibble has tailored mineral levels to meet the needs of your small pooch.

The food is rated highly by customers for being good quality and value for money while tasting good nad making their pup's coat shine. As it's available in a 12kg bag, you'll want to make sure you've got somewhere to properly store it to stop it from going stale before your pooch has finished the bag, however, this big bag is great for those who like to bulk buy their food.

If you believe your small pup has an intolerance or allergy of some kind, try the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Small Dogs Food. It contains a hydrolysed soya protein isolate which reduces the likelihood of triggering an allergic reaction in your dog, thanks to its low molecular weight. It also helps to support the natural protective barrier role of your dog’s skin and includes specific nutrients that contribute to maintaining good oral health.

This food is a great option to feed your pup during a food elimination trial, but you should run it over with your vet before switching your hound to it as it should only really be fed on a recommendation by an expert.