About DogFoodSmallDogs.com
We're a small team of dog lovers and nutrition researchers dedicated to helping small breed owners make confident, informed feeding decisions.
Our Story
DogFoodSmallDogs.com was founded in 2024 by James Harper after a frustrating experience trying to find reliable nutrition information for his newly adopted Chihuahua, Pebbles. Every "best dog food" article he found was either full of vague generalities, obviously SEO-stuffed filler content, or transparently pushing the highest-paying affiliate product regardless of quality.
Small breed dogs have genuinely different nutritional needs than large dogs — different calorie densities, different kibble sizing requirements, different dental health considerations, different metabolic rates. Yet most resources treated "dog food advice" as one-size-fits-all.
We built this site to be the resource we wished existed: rigorously researched, vet-reviewed, honest about affiliate relationships, and specifically focused on small and toy breeds. We apply a Paw Score system (1–5 paws) that considers real factors — ingredient quality, palatability, nutritional completeness, value — not just marketing claims.
We're based in the US and review products available to US consumers. All prices reflect current US retail pricing from Chewy.
How We Review
Every Paw Score we assign is based on a consistent 6-factor methodology:
Ingredient Analysis
We evaluate every ingredient against AAFCO guidelines, checking protein sources, filler ratios, and the presence of problematic additives.
Nutritional Profile
We cross-reference guaranteed analysis panels with NRC (National Research Council) minimum requirements for small breed dogs at each life stage.
Feeding Trials
Select foods are tested with a panel of small dog owners over 4–8 weeks. We track palatability, stool quality, energy levels, and coat condition.
Value Assessment
We calculate cost per daily serving (not just bag price) to give you an accurate picture of what a food actually costs to feed your dog.
Regular Updates
We revisit every article at least twice per year — and immediately if a brand changes a formula, issues a recall, or changes pricing.
Vet Review
Any article making health claims is reviewed by Dr. Mitchell before publication. We don't publish nutrition advice we can't support with evidence.
Our Team
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, DVM
Veterinary Advisor
Dr. Mitchell is a small animal veterinarian with 14 years of experience in companion animal nutrition. She reviews all health-related content to ensure accuracy.
James Harper
Lead Reviewer & Founder
James has owned small dogs for 20+ years — currently a Chihuahua named Pebbles and a Pomeranian named Rosie. He founded this site after struggling to find trustworthy small breed nutrition advice.
Lauren Chen
Content Researcher
Lauren holds a BS in Animal Science from UC Davis and specializes in evaluating pet food ingredient quality, AAFCO compliance, and nutritional profiles.
Our Commitment to You
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Transparent about affiliates. We earn commissions from Chewy links. This never influences our ratings — we turn down partnership offers from brands that don't meet our standards.
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Not veterinary advice. Our content is for informational purposes only. For health concerns specific to your dog, always consult a licensed veterinarian.
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No sponsored rankings. Brands cannot pay to rank higher in our reviews. Our product placement is based solely on merit.
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Kept current. We display "Last Updated" dates on every article and review each one at minimum twice per year.
Contact Us
Have a question, a product suggestion, or want to report an error in one of our articles? We read every message.
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