Dog Nutrition 101: 
Nutritional Needs of Small Breed Dogs

by Janice Jones     |Last Updated 12-29-2022

Dog Nutrition 101 is the topic of this page, especially how it relates to small breed dogs. 

Dogs need a balanced diet that consists of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to keep their bodies in top shape and healthy.  

There seems to be some controversy over dog nutrition in recent years. 

Some people feel that dogs are carnivores and only need to eat meats where others think dogs are omnivores and should eat a wide range of foods including meat, vegetables, fruits and grains. The omnivore theory dates back to dogs in the wild. 

Early dogs would eat the entire carcass of an animal including the stomach contents, organs, skin and meat, providing them with a wide variety of nutrients.

Much research has been done into canine nutrition, but unfortunately a lot of the studies are done by the pet food industry.  Just like humans, dogs need certain items in their diet in the right amounts and in forms that can be digested by dogs.

To be a informed consumer of dog food, there are a few topics on dog nutrition 101 that you should know.

For this Dog Nutrition 101 page, we will look at six essential items that all dogs need.

• Water
• Protein
• Fats
• Carbohydrates
• Minerals
• Vitamins
  

Dogs must eat foods containing the right amounts of all of these six diet components in order to stay healthy.  

A dog food that meets all of the requirements for complete canine nutrition is called “Complete or Balanced”

Water

We often forget to consider water as an essential part of the diet, but you or your dog would not live long if you were deprived of water. 

An adult dog’s body is made up of about 50 to 60 percent water.  A puppy is about 80% water. 

Dogs need clean cool water at all times.  Dogs that eat dry food will require more hydration than dogs on a moist diet.

Pregnant and lactating dogs need more water.  You need not worry about providing too much water.  Dogs will drink what they need.

Small Dog Nutrition 101:  Proteins Explained

Proteins are needed to grow all body tissue—bones, muscles, hair, nerves and everything else.  Often referred to as the building blocks of tissue, Proteins are complex organic molecules that are made up of one or more chains of amino acids, 23 of them to be exact. 

Dogs produce some of those amino acids within their bodies but others must come from the diet.  Those that are required to be in the food are called essential amino acids because the body cannot produce them.  Nonessential amino acids are those manufactured within the body.

Essential Amino Acids

The 10 essential amino acids are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

Those essential amino acids needed by dogs come from both animal and plant sources.  Protein in the diet from animal sources such as eggs, meat, and fish is considered a higher quality complete source. 

Plant sources of protein are considered incomplete and come from vegetables, fruits, and grains. 

Digestible Proteins

Even though it might appear that dogs would do better on a 100% meat diet because it provides protein, in actuality, it is not that simple.  They need both kinds because they work together to keep the dog healthy ensuring that all normal parts of the body function properly.

Digestibility of the protein source is a major factor.  A dog food can have a high protein content but if the type of ingredients that comprise that protein cannot be easily digested, it is of little value to the dog.  A digested food is able to be used by the body.  The most digestible sources of protein in the diet are eggs, muscle and organ meats. 

Non digested sources of protein are excreted without adding any nutrient value to the dog. 

You can determine the amount of crude protein in a dog food by looking at the guaranteed analysis on the label.  Unfortunately, that will not tell you anything about digestibility. 

A food could have a crude protein value of 32% but if only 55% of it is digestible, the dog is being starved of the amount of amino acids needed by his body.

According to the National Research Council, a growing puppy requires a diet that is about 29 percent protein (by weight).

This protein should provide about 20-25 percent of his dietary calories. Adults need about 18 percent dietary protein.

If there is more protein in the food than is needed by the dog’s body, the extra protein is metabolized and used as an energy source. 

Small Dog Nutrition:  Fats Explained

Fats provide the body with energy and add to the flavoring of the food. Fats vary in nutritional value with both the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids being high on the list.  They are considered essential fatty acids because the body cannot synthesize them.  The must be obtained through the diet. 

The Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids should be present in one form or another in dog foods, although the AAFCO does not recognize them as essential nutrients.  If they are present, they should be in the right quantity and proper ratio. 

Better foods will provide them in a higher quantity such as 2.2% Omega-6 to 0.3% Omega-3. 

Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Examples of Omega-6 Fatty Acids include:

Linoleic Acid (found in corn, soy, canola, safflower, sunflower oils, whole grains, body fat

Arachidonic Acid (found in body fat of poultry, lean meat, egg yolks, some fish oils

Gamma Linoleic Acid:  (found in black currant seed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil)

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Examples of Omega 3 Fatty Acids:

Alpha linoleic Acid:  (found in Flaxseed oil)

Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid:  (found in cold water fish and their oils)

Small Dog Nutrition 101:  Carbohydrates Explained

Next is the carbohydrate group that includes both the simple sugars found in fruits and milk to the starches and fibers found in grains.  Carbohydrates provide energy for the dog and assure that the intestinal tract functions smoothly and efficiently.

Common carbohydrate sources in dog foods are corn, rice, wheat, barley and oats. 

The carbohydrates must be processed properly, they are easily metabolized by the dog’s body.  Grains can add to the overall protein content, but they also add valuable nutrients to the diet. 

Higher quality foods may also contain vegetables and fruits.

Even if the grain offers little of nutritional value, many dog food manufacturers will add it because it contributes to the overall fiber needed for intestinal health. 

Dietary fiber aids the digestive system by helping to move the stomach contents through the intestines. 

Too much fiber can cause loose stools, gas and increased stool volume and frequency. 

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds needed by the body in tiny amounts to assist in regular metabolic processes.  Each vitamin acts in a different way and all are needed in the food. 

Dogs cannot make their own vitamins. 

You might see vitamins listed on the list of ingredients using the following names:

Vitamin A:  Retinol, Beta carotene
Vitamin D: Calciferol
Vitamin E:  Tocopherol
Vitamin K:  Naphthoquinone
Vitamin B1:  Thiamine
Vitamin B2:  Riboflavin
Vitamin B3:  Niacin
Vitamin B5: Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin 6: Pyridoxine
Vitamin B8: Biotin
Vitamin B9: Folic Acid, Folate
Vitamin B12:  Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic compounds required by the body.  Since they cannot be synthesized, they must be provided through the diet. 

The body cannot synthesize any of them, so dietary supplementation in proper balance is vital. Some minerals are required in minute amounts called trace minerals. 

Examples of trace minerals include:  Cobalt, Magnesium, Boron, Copper, Fluoride, Iodine, Iron, Molybdenum, Silicon, Manganese, and Zinc

Others are needed in larger quantities such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, potassium and sodium.

Higher quality dog foods contain Chelated, amino acid chelate, amino acid complex, proteinate, sequestered minerals.  These forms are more easily absorbed by the body than minerals supplied in other forms. 

If you see words such as "oxide", "sulfate" or "phosphate" on the ingredients list, they are less easily absorbed mineral sources.

Small Dog Nutrition 101

Small dogs grow faster than large breed dogs reaching maturity at a younger age, usually long before their first birthday.  They also have a faster metabolism compared to large breed dogs which mean that small breed dogs have a higher caloric requirement per pound of body weight than their larger cousins.  It also means that more protein and fats in the diet are necessary for optimal health.

Small dogs also have smaller stomachs, so less space to hold large meals.  Since they need to consume large qualities in relation to their body weight, they require small meals, several times a day. 

Puppies especially do better on three meals a day until they are six months old.  If small dogs do not eat on a regular basis, they can be prone to blood sugar drops that result in hypoglycemia.

Small dog breed dogs do better with smaller sized pieces of kibble.  Many commercial dog food companies now offer specific foods for the size of the dog and some even offer breed specific foods. So, what is the best food for small breed dogs?  Everyone has their opinions. 

If you plan to offer a commercial dog food, it is best to find a company that understands the unique digestive requirements of small breed dogs.  Stay away from those that claim to have a small breed brand just because it comes in small pieces.

The size of the kibble is obviously a factor in how easily the dog can eat it, but it should also contain:

• More high-quality protein and fats than brands for larger breed dogs
• More calories
• Good sources of digestible starches
• Ingredients that provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• No harmful additives such as artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• Small bite size pieces

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References and Further Reading

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