- Home
-
Shop
-
About Us
- Contact Us
- Blog
-
Questions
Small dogs may eat less than their larger counterparts, but that doesn’t mean their nutrition matters any less.
In fact, because small dogs eat relatively small meals, every part of those meals needs to count.
Whether you have a Chihuahua, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Maltese, small terrier or another small breed, raw feeding can be a practical way to provide variety and quality animal ingredients while keeping portions appropriate for your dog.
This guide covers how much to feed, meal size, suitable raw bones, picky eaters and how to make raw feeding easier for smaller dogs.
Yes. Small dogs can eat raw food just like larger dogs.
The main differences are usually portion size, the size and texture of the food, and choosing bones and treats that are appropriate for a smaller mouth and jaw.
The overall diet still needs to provide appropriate nutrition rather than simply being a bowl of raw meat.
A balanced raw feeding programme may include:
There is no single feeding amount that suits every small dog.
How much your dog needs depends on:
A very active 5 kg terrier may need considerably more energy than a sedentary 5 kg companion dog.
Use feeding guidelines as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
The best indicator is your dog’s body condition. You should generally be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, while still seeing appropriate muscle coverage and a visible waist.
For more general feeding guidance, see our Raw Dog Feeding Guide.
One of the biggest differences when feeding a small dog is simply the size of each meal.
A large dog might tolerate fairly generous variations in portion size without much impact. With a small dog, an extra 50 or 100 grams can represent a much larger percentage of their daily intake.
That makes accurate portioning particularly useful.
If you have a very small dog, weighing meals can help you maintain a consistent intake while you work out exactly how much food suits them.
Most healthy adult small dogs can be fed once or twice a day, although many owners prefer two smaller meals.
Puppies, very young dogs and some dogs with individual dietary or medical needs may require more frequent feeding.
If you are feeding a puppy, see our Raw Feeding Puppies NZ guide for more detailed information about growth, meal frequency and nutritional balance.
Small dogs have a reputation for being picky, although plenty will happily eat almost anything.
Raw food can be very appealing because of the smell, texture and variety of animal proteins available.
If you have a selective eater, rotating appropriate proteins can help provide variety without constantly changing the entire feeding routine.
However, avoid turning every refusal into an opportunity to offer something more exciting.
Healthy dogs can quickly learn that refusing one meal results in something better appearing.
Small dogs can eat many of the same suitable animal proteins as larger dogs.
Depending on your dog and the overall feeding programme, options may include:
Protein rotation can provide variety and may be particularly useful for dogs that enjoy different flavours and textures.
If your dog has suspected food sensitivities, our Novel Proteins for Dogs NZ guide may help you understand some of the alternative protein options available.
Yes, but choosing an appropriately sized bone is especially important.
A bone suitable for a large dog may be completely inappropriate for a small breed.
Suitable options depend on the individual dog’s size, chewing style and experience.
Whatever you choose:
Small dogs do not need tiny bones simply because they are small. A bone should still be large enough that your dog needs to chew rather than simply swallow it.
Browse our raw bones for dogs.
Yes. Green tripe can be included as part of a varied raw feeding programme for small dogs.
Because small dogs eat smaller portions, you may only need a relatively small amount at each meal.
Tripe has a strong smell that many dogs find particularly appealing, which can make it useful for selective eaters.
You can learn more in our Green Tripe for Dogs NZ guide.
Some small dogs have sensitive digestion or do better with simpler meals.
If you are introducing raw food to a dog with a sensitive stomach, consider starting gradually and introducing new proteins one at a time.
This makes it much easier to identify which foods agree with your dog.
Avoid assuming that one protein will suit every dog.
Some dogs tolerate chicken beautifully, while others may do better with lamb, venison, possum or another alternative protein.
If digestive problems are persistent or severe, talk to your veterinarian rather than relying on dietary trial and error alone.
One advantage of feeding a small dog is that their daily food requirement is usually much lower than that of a large breed.
That can make it easier to incorporate premium proteins, novel proteins and different raw ingredients without needing large quantities.
Buying larger packs and portioning them into smaller meals can also be economical if you have suitable freezer space.
Generally, yes, provided the food is appropriate for the individual dog.
The biggest differences are usually:
You do not necessarily need a completely different diet just because your dog is small.
You simply need to make the feeding programme appropriate for their size and energy needs.
Small dogs can gain weight surprisingly quickly because even small extras can add a meaningful number of calories to their day.
Remember to account for:
If your dog begins gaining unwanted weight, reducing meal portions slightly is often more practical than removing useful variety from the diet altogether.
Monitor body condition rather than relying only on the number on the scales.
We offer a wide range of raw dog food, bones, treats and natural feeding options suitable for dogs of different sizes.
For small dogs, easy-to-portion frozen products can make it much simpler to feed the amount you actually need without unnecessary waste.
Explore our raw dog food range
Shop raw bones
Explore novel proteins for dogs
Yes. A 5 kg dog can be raw fed, provided the overall diet is nutritionally appropriate and portions are adjusted for the individual dog.
There is no single amount that suits every dog. Start with an appropriate feeding guide and adjust according to your dog’s weight, activity level and body condition.
Yes, but bones should be chosen according to the dog’s size and chewing style. Always supervise and never feed cooked bones.
Yes, but growing puppies have specific nutritional requirements. A puppy diet needs to be appropriately balanced for growth rather than simply being a smaller version of an adult raw diet.
There is no single best protein. Variety can be useful, and the right proteins depend on your dog’s individual tolerance, preferences and overall feeding programme.
Many picky dogs enjoy raw food because of its aroma and variety, but constantly changing meals in response to fussiness can sometimes encourage selective eating.
Yes. Proteins such as possum, venison, rabbit, hare and kangaroo can be fed to small dogs where appropriate.
Raw feeding a small dog does not need to be complicated.
Focus on appropriate portions, suitable food and bone sizes, variety and your dog’s body condition.
Because small dogs eat relatively small quantities, it is often easy to offer a varied raw diet without needing a huge amount of freezer space or food at each meal.
Start simply, monitor your dog and adjust the diet according to what works for them.
Read our Raw Dog Feeding Guide