Small dogs are more agile, have a faster metabolism and get cold more easily. Some are also quite picky. This has an impact on their diet: they need high-quality, easily digestible food that tastes delicious and also provides them with sufficient energy.
Small dogs are generally defined as all dogs that are less than 40 centimetres high at the shoulder. Most weigh no more than ten kilograms, some are as light as 1 kg. Although size has a significant impact on the amount of food a dog needs, the activity level is also crucial. Many terriers are known to be constantly on their feet and running around. They have a much higher energy consumption than dogs that prefer to take it easy.
And "the equipment" also has an impact on how much food small dogs need. A dog with a thick coat and undercoat is much better equipped to cope with energy loss than a slim dog with a thin coat. Even the height of a dog can influence the amount of food it needs: In winter, dogs with short legs cool down more quickly because the distance between their body and the cold ground is shorter and they are more likely to come into contact with snow.
The above examples make it clear that you cannot simply say that a dog weighing four or eight kilograms needs exactly so much food. The feeding recommendations are therefore only ever a guide and represent a good average value. How much food your small dog actually needs may vary upwards or downwards. Assess your dog's activity, weight, size, coat condition and external circumstances. If you are not sure about the amount of food, you should assess your dog visually (the experts call this determining the body condition score=BCS) and weigh him occasionally. Or ask your vet or breeder about your dog's optimum weight. This will give you a good guide.
If your dog is a little too fat, reduce the amount of food a little. Or consider whether you might be overdoing it with treats. With small dogs in particular, many dog owners underestimate the fact that a snack can make up a relatively large proportion of the required amount of energy. If this is not deducted from the food, there is a risk of obesity.
The diet of small dogs differs from that of large dogs: a ten-kilogram dog does not eat about a quarter of a forty-kilogram dog. It needs more food as a percentage. There are several reasons for this: Small four-legged friends are often more agile than their larger counterparts. They also have a more active metabolism, which leads to higher energy consumption.
Physics also plays a role for them: a smaller body cools down faster than a larger one and therefore requires more energy, for example to maintain body temperature by shivering. In relation to their body size, small dogs therefore need more food than large dogs.
But be careful: of course they should not be overfed, because being overweight is not good for any dog. In a small dog, a difference of just one kilogram can already mean significant overweight. Always keep an eye on the amount of food. This is relatively easy with wet food, where you can give half the weight of a bowl with the weight printed on it, for example. With dry food, it may be worth weighing the food.
Tip:
As small dogs have a relatively short gastrointestinal tract, it is beneficial for their digestion and energy intake if the daily ration is divided into two or three portions.
Small, active dogs have a high energy consumption. They need twice as many calories per kilogram of body weight as a large dog. They therefore need high-quality food that provides them with sufficient energy and all the important nutrients. But this alone is not enough. The food should also taste good to the little gourmet, otherwise there may be leftovers in the bowl.
Vom Feinsten" is just the right choice to satisfy their demanding and picky tastes. Firstly, it is packaged in practical 150 gram bowls, which is an ideal portion for small dogs. Secondly, the delicious food is available in a large selection: How about "turkey and lamb", "beef with chicken fillet", "chicken with banana " or "poultry with pasta". Treat your four-legged friend to our delicious food - it will make your dog's heart beat faster.