Kibble Size: Why It Matters for Small Breed Dogs

Dry kibble is a popular meal option for many pet parents, owing to the ease and convenience associated with it. Unlike perishable food, it does not require refrigeration and hence is easy to store. This also makes it the perfect dog food to travel with for quick on-the-go meals. It does not spoil easily when left in a bowl for a while and hence is ideal for free feeders. However, dry kibble also has other important advantages. While it is nutritionally balanced and complete with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, it also provides a crunch—something that is integral for a dog’s oral health.

Dogs have always enjoyed a good chew or crunch in their food, ever since their primal pack days. The texture of dry kibble ensures that dogs chew before they swallow, which helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup along with improving digestion. This is also why kibble eaters tend to have better breath than those that eat home-cooked food.

Another advantage of dry dog food is kibble size—normal-sized kibble for bigger dogs and small kibble for toy, small and medium dogs. Regular kibble is an excellent choice for bigger dogs as it encourages proper chewing time in larger mouths. They have wider jaws and stronger teeth which makes it easier for them to chew on relatively bigger pieces of food. Unless they are fast eaters, there is no real danger of choking. If bigger dogs are fed small kibble, it might result in them swallowing without actually chewing the kibble. However, small kibble is very beneficial for their smaller cousins.

Small dogs have small mouths and tightly packed teeth

Small dogs have small mouths and their teeth are very tightly packed together, to the extent that there are enough spaces for bits of food to lodge, attract bacteria and cause an infection. This characteristic puts them at a higher risk for gum disease. That’s why small dogs require kibble that is small enough to fit into their mouths along with being specially designed to keep their teeth clean.

Small dogs have smaller stomachs

Naturally, small dogs also have smaller stomachs. This means that they may not have the capacity to eat a full recommended serving size of regular (bigger) kibble. If they do not eat enough, they will not get the appropriate amount of nutrients and energy that they require to keep healthy.

Small dogs require higher nutrient density

Because of their small capacity, they require small-sized kibble that has higher nutrient density. Therefore, even if their serving size is smaller than that of bigger dogs, they will not miss out on necessary nutrients. Moreover, small dogs tend to have higher metabolic rates.

When looking for dog kibble for your small breed dog, make sure it is complete, balanced and specially designed keeping in mind the nutritional needs of small dogs, like Pedigree Small Dog. Pedigree Small Dog is formulated with small kibble to help keep teeth clean, promote proper chewing and swallowing and help support teeth and gum health. Pedigree Adult Small Dog - Lamb Flavour (1-7 years) contains quality protein to help support healthy muscles and keep dogs active and agile. It also contains Omega 6, Linoleic acid, Omega Fatty Acids and Zinc to support healthy skin and coat. It is also available for puppies (3-12 months) in Lamb Flavour with DHA to support brain development, calcium to support healthy teeth and gums, extra protein for energy and muscle development, 23 vitamins and minerals to support healthy metabolism and Vitamin E to help support natural defense.

Small dogs have their own special care needs because they are so little. So make sure to consult your veterinarian before switching your pooch’s diet. And while they are small in stature, they make up for it with big personalities. So don’t forget to let them live large!