5 Tips to Keep Your Smallest BFF (Best Furry Friend) Healthy & Happy

Even though your small breed dog might act like a big guy, he truly does have some unique nutritional needs.  Here are 5 tips to help you keep your smallest BFF healthy and happy!

By Dr. Katy Nelson

· They eat small amounts: Small dogs may have big personalities, but they don’t have big stomachs. That means the food we feed them has to be positively packed with nutrition to get them all the vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and carbohydrates they need to maintain their busy schedules. Since they need to consume large qualities in relation to their body weight, they require small meals, several times a day.

· They need smaller pieces of food: Their mouths are obviously smaller than their larger counterparts, so they need smaller bites to accommodate. Look for a food that is customizable for their bite size or already comes in smaller bites for their little mouths. When you choose your dog food, keep an eye out for products specifically made for them. I like to use Freshpet Select grain free bite sized morsels – they are fresh real foods in the perfect size.

· They are prone to becoming overweight: We love to carry around our little pups, so often they don’t get the exercise that they need to burn off the calories they’re consuming…especially when Mom and Dad give them treats all day just for being so darn cute! So even though it may look like a tiny amount, make sure you’re feeding them just enough calories to maintain their optimal weight.  For a small breed dog, even one or two pounds can be devastating to their little joints and set them up for arthritis, heart disease and even a greater risk of cancer in the future.

· They grow up faster than larger breeds: Small dogs grow faster than large breed dogs reaching maturity at a younger age, usually long before their first birthday. They also have a faster metabolism compared to large breed dogs which mean that small breed dogs have a higher caloric requirement per pound of body weight than their larger cousins. It also means that more protein and fats in the diet are necessary for optimal health.

· They are prone to dental disease: Even if you feed a hard kibble to your small breed pup, you still need to engage in proper dental hygiene. Talk with your veterinarian about which toothpaste and brush combo they recommend, and how often you should be brushing your pup’s teeth. A minimum of three times weekly has been shown to prevent tartar buildup and ward off gingivitis.

Dr. Katy Nelson is the host and executive producer of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy” on Washington, D.C.’s news channel 8. She is the medical director of Pet Health for Stop Aging Now, a leading nutrition and lifestyle company that relies on the latest clinical research to guide them in their efforts to help people and pets. She is also an Ambassador for Freshpet, fresh pet food company that can be found in your pet food aisle in its own refrigerator. She is a Certified Veterinary Journalist (CVJ) accredited by The American Society of Veterinary Journalists (ASVJ) and is passionate about health and fitness, striving to help dogs and cats to live the longest, fullest life that they can lead by staying fit and trim.