Size matters: how dog food is formulated for different breeds
It’s natural to assume that all dog food is the same. After all, it often looks and smells that way to us! However, things aren’t that simple. One glance at the shelves will show you just how many varieties there are. And though it might be tempting to dismiss this as clever marketing, there are key differences between them. For example, puppy food, adult dog food, and food for senior pups all have different nutritional content. That’s to enable them to support the disparate needs of these age groups. And the same is true of foods formulated for large and small canine breeds. But can big dogs eat small dog food? And if not, why isn’t it suitable for them?
One of the most obvious differences between meals for little and large dogs is the size of the kibble. Toy and small breeds have smaller teeth and jaws than big pups, so sometimes find nibbling on larger biscuits tricky. Conversely, tiny kibble could pose a choking hazard for giant pooches because they can easily swallow it whole without chewing.
However, many of the most important variations in foods for different breeds aren’t visible. The nutritional requirements of small and large breed dogs are not the same. For instance, little pups have higher metabolic rates than their bigger cousins.(1) As such, they have to eat more calorie-dense meals. Some breeds are also more susceptible to certain medical issues. This affects the type of nutrients they need to consume to stay healthy.
High-quality manufacturers tailor their foods to meet these size-specific needs. So, can big dogs eat small dog food? Technically yes, but it won’t be optimal for their wellbeing and might even result in health problems.
The science behind big dog nutrition
Let’s take a closer look at the unique nutritional needs of large pooches. This should help illustrate why the answer to the question ‘can big dogs eat small dog food?’ is no.
Calorie density
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that large pups need to consume more calories overall than little ones. However, what’s less intuitive is that they actually require fewer calories per kg of body weight. This is because they have a slower metabolic rate and burn those calories more slowly. But big dogs also have larger stomachs – meaning they have to eat a greater volume of grub to feel full. To reduce the chances of them becoming overweight, it’s best to feed them meals that have a lower caloric density. Likewise, large breed dog food tends to have a slightly reduced fat content to lessen the risk of obesity. This issue is particularly important when your big dog is a puppy. Rapid weight gain and growth can cause decreased bone density and raise the risk of developmental orthopaedic diseases.(2)
Nutrient needs
As well as having less fat per cup, chow made for large dog breeds normally has a lower protein content. Another factor to consider is that big mutts often have a more sensitive digestive tract than small pups. Meals take longer to pass through their colon, and they have increased fermentation in the large intestine.(3) This can affect the type and amount of fibre producers use in foods for giant breeds. For example, big dog food might include more non-fermentable fibre than grub for little pooches.
Joint health
Because of their size, large and giant dog breeds are more susceptible to joint problems than their smaller cousins.(4) Their heavier weight puts more strain on their bones and joints, which can lead to issues like osteoarthritis and dysplasia. Because of this, producers tend to add more nutrients important for joint health into meals created for big dogs. These include glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids. Along similar lines, manufacturers carefully control the levels and ratio of calcium and phosphorus in large breed puppy food. This is to ensure healthy skeletal development in growing pups. Such concerns are a key consideration when asking the question ‘can big dogs eat small dog food?’. Joint problems may be painful and make it difficult for animals to move around, reducing their quality of life. Making sure larger mutts get the specific nutrients they need could lessen the risk of such conditions.
Can big dogs eat small dog food?
Small breed dog food is not toxic to large pooches. If they eat it once or twice, it shouldn’t cause them any serious or long-term problems. However, regularly giving your big dog meals that are specifically designed for small or toy breeds isn’t ideal. It won’t provide them with all the nutrients they require to be healthy and may result in them developing harmful conditions. So, if you’re in a pinch and have no alternative options, you can feed your big dog small dog food. Just remember that it should be in emergencies only. It’s best to switch to grub that’s specially created for large or giant breeds as soon as possible. This will ensure your canine companion enjoys a diet that’s suited to their unique needs and supports their health.
What happens if a big dog eats small dog food regularly?
Can big dogs eat small dog food as a one-off? Yes, that shouldn't be a problem. Can big dogs eat small dog food all the time? No. This is likely to result in long-term effects that are detrimental to their health and wellbeing. For example, we mentioned above that food for small dogs is more calorific. Because of this, feeding it to large pooches – especially without adjusting the portion size – might cause them to gain weight. Obesity raises the risk of a number of harmful conditions in our pets, including arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pancreatitis. To help avoid this, if you do need to feed your big dog small dog food, reduce the serving size.
Another concern that arises when you give large dogs food made for small pups is nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the specific vitamins or minerals that are lacking, this could cause an array of unwanted symptoms. These include a dull coat, fatigue, a weakened immune system, and skin conditions.
For big and giant dogs, the most pressing issues relate to the bones and joints. This is especially true while they’re still puppies, because experts have linked excessive growth to developmental orthopaedic diseases. Large pooches are more susceptible to joint problems, and the ingredients in their food reflect this. If they don’t obtain the right balance of nutrients for their needs, these conditions are more likely to arise.
How to correct your pet’s diet
Can big dogs eat small dog food? No, because of the potential negative effects on their health this is not advisable. If you’re feeding your large pup food for tiny dogs, it’s best to switch to one made for big breeds. However, we don’t recommend doing so all at once. Sudden alterations to their diet may cause tummy troubles for our furry friends, so a gradual change is preferable. Give your mutt a mixture of the old and new foods, slowly increasing the proportion of the new one. After a week, only dish up the large breed dog food. If your pet experiences digestive issues at any point, speak to a vet for personalised advice on how to proceed.
Best practices for feeding big dogs the right way
Having answered the question ‘can big dogs eat small dog food?’, let’s explore some other feeding tips for large pups. Apart from choosing size-appropriate food, what else should we do to look after their needs?
Portion control is important for helping larger mutts avoid weight gain. We suggest measuring out their meals and using a breed-specific chart to see how much your pooch should be eating. Don’t forget to factor in treats when working out the correct quantity of food to give them! It’s a good idea to monitor their weight too, as this helps ensure your canine companion remains in optimal health. If you’re unsure whether your pet is a healthy weight or the amount to feed them, check with a vet.
In addition, large and giant pooches are more at risk of bloat and a dangerous condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). To reduce the chances of your pup experiencing these, feed them three smaller meals a day rather than one big meal.(5) It’s also wise for them to avoid intense exercise shortly before or after eating.
Gulping down their food too quickly is another risk factor for bloat and GDV. If that sounds like your pooch, try some strategies to slow down your dog’s eating speed. These include using puzzle feeders or slow feeder bowls, and ensuring your pup has a calm environment to eat in. If you have multiple animals in your home, dishing up their dinner in different places could also help.
How Boosie.co functional pet food can support big dogs
Another way to ensure your large dog gets all the nutrients they require is adding extra ingredients to their meals. For example, this could be eggs, brown rice, blueberries, strawberries, vegetables like carrots and broccoli, or cooked meat. As well as bringing further vitamins and minerals to your pet’s bowl, these make the flavour and texture of their dinner more interesting.
We mentioned that one reason the answer to ‘can big dogs eat small dog food?’ is ‘no’ is joint health. More specifically, larger pups need to consume more omega-3 fatty acids to keep their joints in top shape. The good news is that there are several canine-friendly ingredients that are rich in this nutrient. These include cooked, deboned and unseasoned fish such as salmon and cod, and small amounts of unseasoned seeds.
At Boosie, we offer a range of functional foods that can help fill in nutritional gaps in your pet’s diet. One we especially recommend for joint health is chia seed oil. That’s because it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids – particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – and has anti-inflammatory properties. Other great inflammation-fighting ingredients include turmeric, ginger, and our organic ashwagandha powder.(5)
Can small dogs eat big dog food?
So far, we’ve focused on the issue of big dogs eating small breed dog food. But if you have a little pooch, you may be wondering is it ok to feed a small dog large breed food. The answer is essentially the same. It shouldn’t cause them harm if they tuck in once or twice, but it won’t meet their size-specific nutritional needs. For instance, they might not obtain enough calories to match their energy requirements. The balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients could additionally be incorrect. Not to mention, if you give your little dog kibble that’s too chunky, they could struggle to physically eat it. Overly large biscuits could also present a choking hazard. As such, it’s best to buy small breed dog food for your pocket-size pup.
Can big dogs eat small dog food? The verdict
It’s ok to feed a large dog small breed dog food as a one-off in an emergency. However, it’s not a good idea to do this regularly. Food for small dogs doesn’t meet the unique nutritional requirements of large and giant breeds. As such, in the long-term it may result in nutrient deficiencies and the development of harmful health conditions. In particular, big pooches need meals that are less calorific and contain nutrients that support their joints. Choosing a dog food designed for their species-specific wellness needs will help ensure your big pup remains in optimal health. Which is exactly what our furry friends deserve!
