Finding the best dog food for toy poodles can be difficult because there are so many options on store shelves! You want to ensure your dog is getting his vitamins and other nutrients… so which should you choose?
Toy breeds are more susceptible to digestive issues than larger breeds. These can often be rectified by changing their diets to something created specifically for their size.
They can also experience dental issues in their small mouths and it can be difficult to know how much protein, carbohydrates, and fat they need. Of course, toy poodles will also need to be fed properly to ensure that their coats remain shiny and tangle-free.
Luckily we have found the five best dog foods for toy poodles so you can narrow down your search!
In this guide, we’ll talk about the top dog foods for toy poodles and about how to choose the best one for your pup. Let’s get started!
- Pros
- No by-products: only quality protein sources are added to this kibble.
- Ideal for small mouths: bite-sized kibble pieces are ideal for tiny jaws without stressing them.
- Also comes in wet food: option to use the same formula in a wet food style to ensure that your toy poodle gets enough water.
- Cons
- Only comes in a small bag: no option to opt for a larger bag to save money by buying in bulk.
Our favorite dog food for toy poodles is from Blue Buffalo, a popular dog food brand known for its quality ingredients. Real meat is first on the ingredients list so you can be sure your dog is getting a high-quality source of protein.
Chicken will help strengthen your dog’s muscles and keep them repairing themselves quickly after every play session and walk.
This toy breed dog food is ideal for toy poodles thanks to the small size of kibble pieces. These are optimized for protecting their gums and teeth without posing a choking hazard.
A great blend of antioxidants can be found within this dog food, as well as vitamins and minerals to protect their immune system and liver function. There are no poultry by-products in this food or any useless filler grains such as corn or soy. We ranked this as the best dog food for toy poodles because it is nutritious and specifically designed for toy breeds.
- Pros
- High-quality ingredients only: there are no fillers, artificial components, or by-products in this dog food.
- Antioxidant-rich: lots of the ingredients feature plenty of antioxidants to aid and protect your poodle’s health.
- Made in the USA: created from globally sourced ingredients in the USA.
- Cons
- High-fat content: each portion of this food will have no less than 17 percent of fat, which is a little high for toy poodles.
Next up is a dry food featuring the highest quality protein and wholesome grains. You won’t find any by-products, filler ingredients, or artificial preservatives within this formula, ensuring that your toy poodle only gets the best at mealtime.
The guaranteed levels of Omega fatty acids ensure that your dog’s coat and skin are protected, keeping it shiny and soft no matter what. Antioxidants and probiotics are also a big focus with this dog kibble, protecting their heart and digestive system.
Feeding your dog this food will show an improvement in their entire body, including their coat and skin, energy levels, digestive health, immune system, and eyes, teeth, and gums. This toy poodle food is guaranteed to be more than 30 percent crude protein, keeping your dog strong and happy.
- Pros
- Popular brand: Purina is a global brand that provides food for toy poodles all over the world.
- Natural prebiotics: protects digestive health and keeps your dog's body absorbing as many nutrients as possible.
- Designed for racing toy breeds only
- Cons
- By-products used: chicken by-products can be found within the ingredients list.
Purina is another popular brand all over the world, so there must be a reason why it has captured such an impressive global audience, right? This toy breed kibble comes in a 5-pound bag and is high in both protein and calories, ensuring that your dog’s energy levels and muscles are protected.
Natural prebiotic fiber is included in the formula for this food, ensuring that the intestinal bacteria are suitably nourished for good digestive health. It is also full of other minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to protect their bones and teeth.
This dog food is specially formulated for racing toy breeds that love to run for miles. This is not true for all toy poodles, as some prefer to enjoy a more sedentary lifestyle. If your pooch is a couch potato, this dog food may not be the best option for her.
- Pros
- Easy on the stomach: designed to be easily digestible for tiny stomachs.
- Great for the coat: omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E keep their curls bouncy.
- Extra-small kibble: easy to eat by even the smallest of toy breeds.
- Cons
- Poor-quality first ingredient: chicken meal is the first ingredient rather than proper chicken.
Hill’s Science Diet is the number one veterinarian-recommended dog food brand. Their Small Paws kibble is designed to be as easy as possible on your toy poodle’s stomach and digestive system.
The kibble is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E to nourish your poodle’s coat and skin, keeping it healthy. A blend of antioxidants is also found within this food for lifelong immune support.
These kibble pieces are 7.5 x 4.5mm, which is much smaller than the traditional kibble found on the market. This will help keep your toy poodle’s teeth and gums clean, mitigating dental issues and tooth decay. Hill’s Science is one of the best dry dog foods for a toy poodle, but it does have a higher price point.
- Pros
- Grain-free: no fillers are added to this formula.
- Real chicken only: this food is easy to digest thanks to the beneficial and gentle ingredients.
- Supportive formula: protects and aids gut health, immune system, and coat appearance.
- Cons
- High-fat content: each portion will be at least 18 percent fat, which is high for toy poodles.
Last but not least, Solid Gold Mighty Mini dog kibble is a natural and holistic formula free of gluten and grains. The tiny pieces of kibble are easy to eat by even toy puppies, and it is one of the smallest kibbles on the market.
Real chicken is used which is easy to digest by sensitive stomachs. Chickpeas and pumpkin are full of fiber to promote gentle and healthy digestion.
Omega fatty acids will ensure that your toy poodle’s coat is shiny, supple, and soft. Superfoods within the formula provide plenty of antioxidants to protect the immune system. Prebiotics are also used to support gut health. If you’re looking for the best puppy food for a toy poodle, you should consider Solid Gold.
How to Choose a Dog Food for Toy Poodles
As promised, we will now look into why feeding your toy poodle the right food is so important to their health. Make sure to take the following under consideration when comparing different toy poodle foods to get the best for your furry friend.
Health Issues in Toy Poodles
Toy poodles are prone to more health issues than standard poodles due to the extra breeding it takes to get them so small. They are prone to bladder stones, cataracts, and skin tumors.
No matter their size, all poodles are also more susceptible to bloat, retinal issues, thyroid problems, and much more.
To avoid these issues, feeding them a healthy diet full of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, prebiotics, and antioxidants has never been more important.
Ingredients
Chicken, turkey, and other types of poultry are considered the best sources of protein and therefore are great for toy poodles.
However, you should always steer clear from poultry by-products in the ingredients list. These are not directly from the main poultry source and made of much lower quality ingredients, increasing the fat content rather than the protein.
Fish is another good source of protein, but it’s not as beneficial to your dog as poultry. Potatoes, fruits, and vegetables should be included in your toy poodle’s diet, but not in excess. These three ingredients should only make up around 10 percent of his diet.
Grains are a controversial subject when it comes to dog food. Some animal nutritionists believe that they shouldn’t be put in at all as they are commonly seen as filler ingredients that offer nothing to your pooch’s nutritional needs.
Macronutrients
Protein
Protein is the most important nutrient in your toy poodles diet and the protein source should be the first ingredient on the ingredients list. In fact, at least 85 percent of your dog’s diet should be made up of protein.
Protein feeds the muscles and supports your dog’s heart, while also aiding their immune system. Animal protein is best for any dog, and by-products are not a suitable source of protein.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates should only make up a small amount of your toy poodle’s diet. The larger the dog, the more carbs he’ll need. This is because carbohydrates are a good source of energy.
However, as toy poodles don’t need that much energy as they aren’t running or walking for too long, they will only need a small portion of carbs in their diet.
Carbohydrates come from potatoes and some grains. These ingredients should be far down the ingredients list.
Fat
Again, there shouldn’t be too much fat in your toy poodle’s diet. Fat can also provide energy, but too much of it can cause serious health conditions.
As toy poodles are so tiny, the fat they need is insignificant. The protein source will often offer enough fat, so there should be no other fatty ingredients within the dog food formula.
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are great for a dog’s skin and coat, as well as digestive and eye health. This is very important for toy poodles when you want to preserve their coats and keep them as shiny as possible.
Antioxidants and Prebiotics
Antioxidants work to protect your dog’s liver function as well as their immune system. The more antioxidants your dog consumes, the better their immune system will work and their natural defenses can protect them from disease.
This is important with toy poodles. As they are so small (and are, therefore, closer to the floor) they are always at higher risk for diseases. Antioxidants can prevent them from getting seriously ill.
Prebiotics also work to maintain the health of your toy poodle’s digestive system. Any prebiotics is good to encourage the digestive system to absorb as many vitamins and minerals as possible from every meal.
Prebiotics also prevent your dog from suffering from upset stomachs and diarrhea, which is never nice… for the owner or for the dog.
Wet or Dry?
Dry food is considered best for toy poodles as it helps to protect their teeth and gums.
Dry food is also less rich and therefore won’t upset your pooch’s stomach as much as wet food will. Due to these facts, we have focused on dry food for toy poodles rather than wet food.
Your poodle might prefer wet food; however, and it contains more water which can help to prevent bladder stones. So, you might decide to feed them a mix of dry and wet food.
As long as your dog is consuming a good amount of kibble every day, you can give them a mixture to get the best of both worlds.
Conclusion for the Best Dog Food for Toy Poodles
Toy poodles are picky eaters that require nutritious meals, and smaller-sized kibble is typically best. We’ve done the research to help you find the best dog food for toy poodles. All the choices on our list are designed for small dog breeds, options that will keep your puppy healthy and happy. All you have to do is choose the one your pup likes best!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are toy poodles picky eaters?
All dogs can be picky eaters so it’s not just a trait known for toy poodles. Some toy poodles can be picky eaters, but some can be very driven by food.
A great thing about toy poodles is that they all have different personalities, so it is possible that your pooch is a picky eater. However, this is not true for every toy poodle.
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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