Small dogs have their own special dietary requirements that must be taken into consideration to help them thrive.
Small is beautiful
Small dogs are cute, they're cuddly - and they also have surprisingly complex dietary requirements.
Smaller dogs have a higher surface area to body mass ratio relative to their larger cousins, which means they have much faster metabolisms and burn energy at a far higher rate. A Pomeranian, for example, needs more than twice as many calories per pound as a Great Dane!
How to get more into less
It's only natural that smaller breeds have smaller mouths and stomachs. But that makes things tricky when you're faced with cramming in so much energy. Smaller stomachs mean they can't effectively digest a lot of food at one time. So feed your small dog little, but often. Small breed adults often need to be fed two to four times a day to meet their specific nutrient and calorie needs.
But resist the temptation to feed kitchen or table scraps to fill the gap. Specially formulated small-breed foods are a far healthier alternative. Manufactured small breed foods contain more high-quality protein, more fat and more carbohydrates, packed into a smaller kibble size to encourage chewing and improve digestion.
Young and old
One of the best things about small dogs is that they mature more quickly and age more slowly. Small-breed puppies start the weaning process at around three to four weeks and are considered mature by their first birthday. Their larger counterparts, by contrast, can take twice as long to reach adulthood.
Large breeds also tend to age much quicker - some as early as five years old - whilst some small breeds won't reach their golden years until they are 10. So in this case, less can mean more!
But beware! Small breeds also have a particular tendency to become fussy eaters, especially if their owners give in easily. Sticking to a regular feeding routine throughout their adult lives is the best way to avoid finicky eating.