Anyone who has a dog will have noticed that when buying maintenance food, they have to choose from various types, such as Small, Small Breed, Toy, Medium, Large or Maxi, etc… Let’s take a look at what they are and why dogs are not all the same from a nutritional point of view.
When considering nutritional requirements, ideally we should divide dog breeds into three subgroups based on size. Broadly speaking:
- Small <10Kg
- Medium 10-30 kg
- Large >30kg
Today we’re talking about small dogs and their differences and specific nutritional needs. Let’s start with the main physiological differences between small dogs and others.
- Greater body surface area relative to body mass
- Higher heart rate
- Faster puppy-to-adult growth
- Smaller mouths and weaker chewing strength
- Predisposition to tartar and bad breath
So, let’s take a look at what characteristics a good food for them should have.
HIGH-ENERGY FOOD
Looking at the first two points (greater body surface area relative to body mass and heart rate), it’s clear that a small dog has a higher metabolism and therefore greater energy requirements than larger dogs. Just consider that a 2 kg dog needs around 200 kcal a day, while a 20 kg dog needs around 1,000 kcal (only 5 times as much, not 10 times as much in relation to body weight). So if we gave the same food to the two dogs above, the Toy dog would need to eat proportionally more food than the medium-sized dog. But, proportionally, small dogs’ capacity to eat is equal to, if not often less than, that of large breeds, and they probably wouldn’t be able to finish the recommended portion of that food. In addition, a small dog’s appetite is often “fussy,” with days when they eat less and periods of loss of appetite. This is due not only to genetic traits, but also to owners’ mismanagement of treats and snacks, as we’ll discuss in more detail later.
The best alternative, then, is to give them food with more energy and a higher concentration of nutrients, so they can eat the right amount to meet their needs and avoid nutritional deficiencies.
When should you switch to adult food?
Small dogs actually reach adulthood earlier than medium- and large-sized dogs. They then age more slowly and live longer than large breeds. For small dogs, you can switch to adult food at 7 to 9 months. In large or giant breeds, however, bone development can continue until 12-24 months. It’s worth remembering that puppy foods need to have certain characteristics that differ from adult foods, such as their calcium/phosphorus ratio and the amount of essential fatty acids.
PAY ATTENTION TO TEETH AND CHEWING
The higher incidence of dental conditions such as tartar and bad breath has led to the development of foods that help reduce these problems, such as kibble with a specific texture that provides an abrasive mechanical action on the tooth surface during chewing.
Finally, the size of the kibble should be in proportion to their mouth and their ability to chew.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating treats and snacks. Even small bites for us are large for them, and an extra biscuit can make a difference in these cases. So, pay attention to the calorie content of snacks and give them in the right amounts! The risk is providing energy through snacks with low nutritional value, making our little friends feel full and lose their appetite.
For the same reason, you need to be even more careful with toxic foods! Chocolate, onions, grapes and nuts are all potentially toxic to them.
Also, for Toy dogs, beware of small fruit pits such as plum and apricot pits, because if swallowed, they could get stuck in the small intestinal loops of these dogs.
Dr. Simone Falci
Veterinary Nutritionist
Bibliography
-Relationships between heart rate and age, bodyweight and breed in 10,849 dogs” Hezzell MJ, Humm K, Dennis SG, Agee L, Boswood A. J Small Anim Pract. 2013 Jun;54 (6): 318-24.
-Fediaf guideline