Gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & supporting development in growing puppies
A delicious complement to the superior nutrition of Science Diet dry dog food
Delicious, highly digestible recipe, gentle on stomachs. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat
Precisely balanced nutrition in two delicous flavours to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Water is the most important nutrient of all and essential for life. Animals can lose almost all their fat and half their protein and still survive, but if they lose 15% of their water, it will mean death.
Where you store your cat and dog food can make a big difference in the quality and freshness once it is opened. Here are some common questions and recommendations for optimal storage for all of Hill’s dry and canned cat and dog food.
Learn what to look for in healthy pet food & nutrition, including ingredients, quality of the manufacturer, your pet's age, and any special needs they have.
Try to get down on your dog’s level – literally – and take a good look around. Does the sofa loom high overhead and the slippery kitchen floor seem to extend for miles? This is your dog’s environment, so it’s important to see things from his perspective. Ask yourself a few key questions:
Small, miniature and toy breeds are a celebration of the wide variety of the mini canine form:
Some are compact and sturdy, like Jack Russell Terriers, French Bulldogs or West Highland White Terriers.
Others, such as Italian Greyhounds, Prague Ratters and Chihuahuas, can be quite sensitive and delicate, naturally requiring gentle handling and careful treatment.
There are several breeds that have very distinct features, such as the iconic long-backed Dachshund, round-headed Japanese Chin, or the hairless Chinese Crested.
Whatever your dog’s size and shape, be sure to take his needs into account when considering things like the size and shape of his bed, food and water dishes, leash and collar or harness type, temperature requirements, and more.
Being a small dog in a big world can be a challenge. However, small dogs very often get away with naughty or dangerous behaviours that would never be tolerated in their larger breed counterparts. These little Napoleons often first use these behaviours as a kind of defence mechanism, but it can quickly turn to habit if not corrected early on. Owners should keep in mind that pulling on the leash, running away when called, snarling or biting are all equally bad behaviours whether coming from a 2kg Chihuahua or a 50kg Rottweiler. In both cases the right socialization and training can work wonders.
Learning and practicing appropriate behaviour in a wide variety of situations from an early age will help a dog of any size feel reassured and relaxed, helping prevent behaviours that are undesirable or downright dangerous. Seek help from a reputable trainer who knows your breed, or search for a local group obedience class.
Small breeds have different calorie requirements than large dogs. Since they have more surface area per kg than large dogs, they typically expend energy at a faster rate for normal body functions like keeping warm, etc. They also spend more energy on simply getting around. Walking down to the end of the block may cost your neighbour’s Labrador 100 steps, while your Lhasa Apso may need 400 to cover the same distance.
Small dogs may need more calories per kg daily than large dogs do, but they should still be safeguarded against gaining too much excess weight. Obesity is just as dangerous for small dogs as it is for big dogs.
These tiny tots need more calories per ounce of bodyweight, and can’t stockpile energy reserves in the way larger breed pups can, so they require more frequent calorie-dense meals.
Mini breed puppies should be fed small meals frequently throughout the day to compensate for their small stomach capacity and rapacious need for energy. Read food labels for optimal feeding amounts and ask your vet for advice tailored for your individual little darling’,s needs.
As with any breed, small pups should be protected but not babied. Although it may take a stout heart to look a fluffy little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in it’s big brown eyes and say “No!”, it must be done. Early training for small breed dogs sets the stage for a more relaxed, dependable and better-behaved canine companion later on.
Small dogs often live significantly longer than their large and giant breed counterparts. Maltese, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Dachshunds are all well known to live to be over 12 years old. The median lifespan for Miniature Poodles and Border Terriers is nearly 14 years of age, with the maximums reported to be nearly 20 years of age – venerable, to be sure!
With all of this long life very often combined with city dwelling, small dogs need extra protection to maintain good health well into their golden years. In between regular trips to the vet, small dogs can really benefit from extra antioxidants to help their bodies combat the effects of ageing and urban life.
The smaller kibble size in our dog foods for small dogs has been designed specially for little pups, making it easy for tiny canines of all shapes to pick up and chew the kibbles.
Giving a complete dog food with a superior antioxidant bundle, Omega-3&6 fatty acids, a small kibble size and nutrition tailored to suit your dog’s lifestage, combined with a tempting taste, will ensure that your dog gets exactly what he needs for a long and happy life. A wide range of Science Diet and Prescription Diet foods are available to support better health in small dogs.
One of our staff authors prepared this article for you
Delicious, highly digestible recipe, gentle on stomachs. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat
Gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & supporting development in growing puppies
For the faster metabolism of Small & Mini dogs
A delicious complement to the superior nutrition of Science Diet dry dog food
A dog with a sensitive stomach has special needs. Learn more about sensitive stomach symptoms in your dog, what you can do to help sooth your pet’s insides and get recommendations on sensitive stomach dog food.
Learn what you can feed your pregnant or nursing dog to keep her and her new pups healthy.
Selecting the right food for your puppy is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life., Learn more about how to select the right puppy food.
Though it may seem like your four-legged friend loves nothing more than to nap on the couch, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy just like people do.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.