Small dogs can technically eat big dog food, but it is generally not recommended. The nutritional needs of small dogs differ from those of large dogs, and their bodies require specific amounts of nutrients to support their growth, metabolism, and overall health.
Big dog food is formulated to provide the necessary nutrients and energy for large dogs, which have different requirements due to their size, metabolism, and potential skeletal issues. On the other hand, small dog food is specifically designed to meet the needs of smaller breeds, considering their smaller mouths, teeth, and higher metabolic rates.
Feeding a small dog with big dog food can lead to several issues:
Nutritional imbalance: Big dog food may not contain the appropriate balance of nutrients required by small dogs. They may lack the necessary amounts of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals needed for optimal health in smaller breeds.
Caloric excess: Big dog food is often more calorie-dense to meet the energy requirements of larger breeds. Feeding this to small dogs can result in excessive calorie intake, leading to weight gain, obesity, and related health problems.
Digestive issues: Small dogs may find it challenging to chew and digest larger kibble sizes meant for big dogs. This can result in discomfort, choking hazards, or even gastrointestinal problems.
To ensure the well-being of your small dog, it’s best to choose high-quality dog food specifically formulated for small breeds. These foods consider their unique nutritional requirements, smaller kibble sizes, and appropriate calorie content. Consulting with a veterinarian can help determine the best diet for your small dog based on their specific needs.
Contents
What are the specialities of small and large dog foods?
Small dog foods are usually sold in smaller, biodegradable bags. One advantage to purchasing small dog food is the cost savings versus large dog food. When comparing small vs large dog foods, you will find that many foods are very similar in terms of protein, fat and fibre content but differ in price due to the packaging and brand name.
Big dog foods usually have the same nutrition levels as small dog food but are more expensive due to the name-brand recognition and large bag packaging.
The main difference between the two is that small dog foods weigh less than large dog foods, so you must be careful when handling small bags of cat chow; sometimes, they will crush in shipping. On average, a 10lb bag of big dog food weighs 15 lbs and costs $30-40 versus a smaller bag of cat food which is usually 6-7lbs and costs $20-25.
Can You Feed Large Dogs Small Dog Food?
You can feed large dog food to a small dog, but you must be careful. Sometimes, it’s better to give them their special meals. Another thing to remember is that it’s dangerous for small dogs to eat big-dog food.
Some ingredients are not suitable for smaller dogs, and they certainly don’t need the extra fat either! Small dog food is formulated with smaller breed needs in mind, so they contain more calories, vitamins and minerals than they need. This can lead to various problems, including diabetes, weight gain and even pancreatitis.
Small dogs eat small-dog food, and large dogs eat large-dog food unless the dog is a senior or has special needs. The senior dog may require special feeding due to his lack of ability to maintain normal body functions; therefore, it’s better for him to be on smaller portions from the start.
Can You Feed a Medium-Sized Dog Large Breed Food?
Yes, but only if you can add supplements. If you do not, the dog may have a bloated stomach and weight problems. If you can supplement, feed your dog large-sized dog food. It will be just fine. Dogs are omnivores, and they need meat to keep their bodies running.
If you are feeding your dog kibble, you need to add some meat. Otherwise, the dog will not get enough vitamins and minerals from the kibble alone. So, it is a good idea if you can supplement it with some meat from time to time. There are some people out there that say that they feed their medium-sized dogs with large-sized dog food.
Can I Feed My Puppy Small Breed Dog Food?
No. It’s better to feed them the same thing you’re feeding your adult dog instead of feeding them something for small dogs. If you go out and buy a large bag of puppy food, think again – it’s not good for your dog.
Why? The size and habits of an adult dog can change when they hit 18 months of age or so, but a puppy makes this change at about one year old. If you want the best for your puppies, start them with an adult formula.
You should also be aware that adult dog food is a little better for your dog overall. The proper balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals a puppy needs are already in the adult formula.
Many people think puppies will not eat adult food because it is bigger and coarser, but you can mix it with some puppy food to gradually get them started. If you mix it well, they will start enjoying the taste of the richer, larger food over time.
What to do if you accidentally bought large-breed dog food?
Now, there are a few things you can do to make it more tolerable for your puppy. Ensure your puppy does not have too much fat in his meals. If he does, you may want to mix the food with water or use dry food just for drinking.
You can also try mixing the food with chicken broth, as this flavour will go well with it. Also, you can add some puppy chow to it to give your puppy a little variety. If you mix the food with some chicken broth and mix it well, then add some rice or boiled potatoes to give him a little more fibre, he’ll be fine.
You will want to introduce the new food slowly to avoid upsetting your pup’s stomach. If you are worried that the food is too rich or fatty, you can bring him over slowly.
Can You Include Raw Food in Your Dog’s Diet?
Yes, you can include raw food in your dog’s diet. However, it’s not as common to feed raw as you think. Some dogs will eat it when they are bored or when they are hungry. The problem with raw food is that it can become a choking hazard if the dog eats bones and other hard items that may be included in the food.
If you want to feed your dog some raw food, ensure that he only eats the ingredients, not any bones or anything else. You can also bake the raw food to kill any bacteria that may be present. If you decide to go with raw food, then make sure you can purchase it from a reliable source and one that is not too expensive.
Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s cheap! You will also have extra costs included in your dog’s diet. In addition, you need to make sure that you buy a brand of raw food that contains all the right nutrients for your dog.
Best 10 Tips to Get the Right Small Breed Dog Food
- Does your dog have any allergies? Consult with a vet to discover what food your dog is sensitive to. They can also advise on the best way to introduce new foods.
- Watch the diet of your dog. Try not to feed him too much food as this could lead to obesity, which is dangerous for dogs since it can result in several health problems such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease; so, try to keep them on a healthy diet instead of giving them too much food.
- Can you feed your dog small breed dog food, or do you need to feed him a large breed dog food?
- What is your dog’s ideal weight? You’ll want to limit his intake if he is overweight and increase it if he is too thin.
- Small dogs need more calories than large dogs as they take more energy to run and are also more active than large breed dogs; so, if your small breed dog is not very active, you may need to cut back on the number of calories he takes in.
- You will also need to monitor his food intake if he is not growing normally.
- If your dog has a sensitive stomach, then you can feed him small breed dog food instead of large breed dog food; this is because a sensitive stomach dog may not be able to handle large amounts of protein and fat, so it’s better to purchase small breed dog food that doesn’t have too much protein or fat in it.
- You should feed your dog small breed dog food in the morning and the evening.
- You should not give your small breed dog kibble when he has no teeth, as this can lead to him choking; if he does, you can easily harm his throat.
- You should give your dog some supplements when you feed him some large-sized food, especially if you only feed him one type of food.
Homemade Food for Your Dog
You can try making your homemade dog food according to the instructions provided on the dog food label. You want to ensure you use only the right ingredients in such a diet.
If you want to make sure that you are only giving your dog healthy food and nothing harmful, then keep a keen eye on the information printed on all the ingredients in such foods. If you don’t know something, then look it up on the internet before buying it for your dog.
Generally, your food should have at least 30-40% of proteins, such as animal meat, eggs, dairy, and seafood. 40% should also include vegetable nutrients, with 10% dedicated to carbohydrates. In addition, ensure your portion contains fat, fatty acids, and calcium.
Final Thoughts
The best small-breed dog food should be made with high levels of protein and fat yet low levels of fibre. Most dog owners prefer to make homemade food for their dogs because it prevents them from harm.
If you make homemade small-breed dog food for your pet, you should consult with your vet beforehand to ensure that he is not sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients in the batch. If your small breed dog is not well, you could consult your vet and ask them to recommend the best dog food for your pet.
In addition, you will want to ask the vet what supplements you need to give your small pet. Also, make sure you monitor how much food he has in his meals at all times; too much food can lead to many medical issues, so it’s always important to keep an eye on his diet regularly.
