The 5 Best Dog Food For Miniature Schnauzers

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This very popular Schnauzer breed, also called a spunky dog, is of German origin. This breed has a lifespan of about 12–15 years and usually makes a great guardian dog.

The coat’s exterior is covered with wiry fur, while the undercoat is soft. Moreover, it is prone to fat-related health problems like pancreatitis, diabetes, eye problems, and bladder stones.

This dog breed barks more than it bites, and it is very easy to train. Furthermore, an adult Mini Schnauzer weighs about 15 pounds. Obedient, loyal, friendly, alert, spirited, and easy-to-please, the Schnauzer is a great dog to have.

At a Glance: Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we have highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Dog Food For Miniature Schnauzers

Overall Best 1. The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Allergies 2. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Overweight 3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Seniores 4. Instinct Raw Boost Senior Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Puppies 5. Fromm Puppy Gold Dry Dog Food View on Amazon Read Review
Protein 24% Min	Protein 29% Min	Protein 28% Min	Protein 36% Min	Protein 27% Min
Fat 15% Min	Fat 14% Min	Fat 11.5% Min	Fat 16.0% Min	Fat 18% Min
Fiber 6.5% Max	Fiber 5.0% Max	Fiber 18.8% Max	Fiber 4.0% Max	Fiber 5.5% Max
Calories 446 kcal/cup	Calories 448 kcal/cup	Calories 245 kcal/cups	Calories 478 kcal/cup	Calories 420 kcal/cup

5 Best Rated Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers Reviewed and Compared

These small-sized dogs are quite easy to care for in terms of feeding. They are not so selective in what they eat, but they react to some ingredients.

The better the quality of the dog food brand you feed your Mini Schnauzer, the more money you may spend. This dog breed is not very hard to please in terms of feeding, but it will be nice to have it looking very healthy.

Look for a recipe that is rich in protein to support lean muscle mass, low in fat to control calories, and made with digestible carbohydrates and beneficial supplements.

Overall Best

1.

The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 24% Min
• Fat: 15% Min
• Fiber: 6.5% Max
• Calories: 446 kcal/cup

Pros

• 100% human grade dog food
• Great for different medical conditions
• Increases hydration levels and prevents bladder stones formation
• Keeps coats looking glossier
• Very easy to mix with other ingredients

Cons

• Pricey
• Preparing a serving is time-consuming

This is the overall best dog food for Mini Schnauzers. This 100% human grade dog food is far better than feed-grade food. It is of dehydrated ingredients to help preserve the nutrients. Moreover, the major protein sources are free range chicken, ranch-raised beef, cage-free turkey, and wild-caught fish. You will not see any byproducts, additives, fillers, GMO ingredients or preservatives in this USA-made food. Also, this complete and balanced dog food is perfect for your adult and less active senior pet. Some of the benefits of this high quality food include an increased appetite, better digestion, and improved weight. Additionally, other benefits include increased energy levels and healthier skin and coat. As a result, it is the healthiest and tastiest option for your spunky pet.

Best For Allergies

2.

Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 29% Min
• Fat: 14% Min
• Fiber: 5.0% Max
• Calories: 448 kcal/cup

Pros

• Eliminates stomach problem
• Eradicates itching and other allergic reactions
• Very easy to digest
• Helps to keep dog’s skin and coat very healthy
• High quality US-made food

Cons

• The new formulation may not work well for some dogs
• Price has gone up

This dog food is the best for Mini Schnauzers that have allergies and sensitive stomachs. Major ingredients of this recipe are salmon anchovy and sardine meal. It offers the best digestive support and optimal nutrition. Moreover, it also contains live yogurt cultures, prebiotics, and probiotics to enhance the growth of healthy gut bacteria, enhance digestion, promote regularity, and increase immunity. Furthermore, digestive enzymes will help in breaking the food down and absorbing minerals and vitamins.

Also, in this stomach-friendly recipe are antioxidants, natural fiber, fruits, and vegetables. These help in improving cellular health, maintaining a healthy output, increasing nutritious value. This high-quality feed also contains ingredients that most mini schnauzers do not react to. It also contains no fillers, artificial flavors, colors, wheat-gluten, and meat byproducts.

Best For Overweight

3.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 28% Min
• Fat: 11.5% Min
• Fiber: 18.8% Max
• Calories: 245 kcal/cups

Pros

• Solid dog food for weight management
• Protects the teeth from decay
• Improves joint health and mobility
• Maintains high energy levels

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Cans are too small for the price

This dog food is the best for overweight Mini Schnauzers or those that need to lose weight. It is a dry food that is high in both fiber and protein with lots of essential minerals and vitamins. The fiber is also both soluble and insoluble. It is a special formula meant for effective weight management. With this veterinary diet, which contains a high level of natural fiber, your dog will remain full in between meals. It also keeps their energy levels up and their skin healthy. The nutrition offered by this Satiety Support is complete and balanced. Plus, it prevents tooth decay using sodium tripolyphosphate.

Best For Seniores

4.

Instinct Raw Boost Senior Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 36% Min
• Fat: 16.0% Min
• Fiber: 4.0% Max
• Calories: 478 kcal/cup

Pros

• Manages weight effectively
• Kibble size is perfect for Mini Schnauzers
• Increases the energy levels of seniors
• Improves their appetite
• High quality dog food with no horrible smell

Cons

• Quite pricey
• The raw bits are too scanty

This is the best dog food for senior Mini Schnauzers. Unlock the potentials of your senior Spunky dog with this nutrient-rich diet. Its primary ingredient being real chicken, it promotes strong and lean muscles. Moreover, it has some freeze-dried pieces of raw meat mixed with the kibble. Seniors are prone to some health issues but the antioxidants will help provide immunity. It also contains fatty acids to keep their coats and skin healthy, with probiotics to promote easy digestion. Additionally, the natural DHA from the chicken eggs will promote the health of their brain and eyes.

Being inactive also makes these aging dogs gain too much weight. L-Carnitine will support a very healthy metabolism by burning excess fat. This USA-made dog food also features glucosamine and chondroitin for their hips and joints. The calcium and phosphorus in this diet will keep their teeth and bones strong. Furthermore, it has no grain, gluten, wheat, corn, soy, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Best For Puppies

5.

Fromm Puppy Gold Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 27% Min
• Fat: 18% Min
• Fiber: 5.5% Max
• Calories: 420 kcal/cup

Pros

• Guarantees super shiny coats and healthy skin
• The kibble size is small
• Puppies will enjoy excellent digestion
• The food has a fresh smell
• Ensures your puppy enjoys strong bones and teeth

Cons

• Very expensive on Amazon
• Hard to find in local stores

This is the best dog food for puppy Mini Schnauzers. This complete and balanced meal has duck, chicken meal, chicken, oatmeal, and pealed barley as its main ingredients. The food contains every nutrient required by puppies for optimum health. Moreover, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus is perfect for puppies too. It is also rich in DHA from salmon oil which is great for the development of the eyes and brain. Corn, wheat, and soy are not in this dog food. With ingredients that are inspected by USDA before delivery, this food is safe and fresh. Furthermore, pregnant and nursing Mini Schnauzers will do very well on this diet. Your little pets will thrive on this formula.

Understanding the Dietary Needs of Mini-Schnauzers

Dogs require a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet.

Carbohydrates provide energy as well as fiber and essential nutrients. Your dog needs these ingredients in specific ratios.

If your dog suffers from food allergies, it becomes more important to carefully choose the ingredients that provide these nutrients. Here are some things to look for in hypoallergenic dog food:

• Animal Proteins: Any hypoallergenic dog food should start with an animal protein like meat, poultry, or fish as the main ingredient and provide a minimum of 18% crude protein. Novel proteins like venison, turkey, and rabbit are commonly used in hypoallergenic dog foods.
• Healthy Fats: Most of your dog’s fat intake should come from animal sources because its body can better metabolize animal fats than plant fats. Your dog needs a minimum of 5% fat.
• Digestible Carbohydrates: When it comes to food allergies, grains are a common culprit, so look for dog food made with grain-free carbohydrates like vegetables, beans, or legumes.
• No artificial additives: Low-quality ingredients can trigger food allergies, so make sure the dog food is made with wholesome natural ingredients and free from artificial additives.
• Fiber and probiotics: To ensure healthy digestion, make sure your dog’s food contains plenty of dietary fiber and look for probiotic supplements as well.

How Much Should You Feed Your Mini Schnauzer By Age?

The way you feed your Mini Schnauzer will determine how well and how fast it grows. Feeding these small-sized dogs can be done based on the standard on the food package. You should avoid overfeeding.

• Puppy: Puppies grow very fast and require a special formula to help in their physical development. They should be fed four times a day until they are 10 weeks old. Afterward, you should reduce the frequency to three meals daily until they are 6 months old. You can then reduce the frequency to two meals each day.
• Adult: Your Mini Schnauzer will be quite active and require about 2 meals or 1 meal each day.
• Senior: There is no need to overfeed seniors. They can eat once or twice a day, depending on how much activity they are involved in.

Mini Schnauzer Food Allergies And Food-Related Health Issues

Mini Schnauzers are prone to some food allergies and health issues that are food-related. There should be no cause for alarm when you notice that your hairy friend is experiencing some discomfort. The right diet could help provide a lasting solution to most of these health issues.

• Allergies: To keep your buddy healthy and happy, you need to watch what you feed it. Signs that your dog is suffering from food allergies include paw chewing or licking, itchy ears, vomiting, and diarrhea. Overall, food allergies are quite easy to treat. Try changing the dog’s food to determine the ingredient causing reactions. Mini Schnauzer allergens include chicken, beef, pork, corn, eggs, wheat, dairy, and soy.
• Bloating: This occurs when there is gas buildup in your Mini Schnauzer’s stomach. It may be caused by eating and drinking too much, too fast. Moreover, bloating sends the stomach into a twist, which can have deadly consequences if the dog is not relieved of the pressure. If not treated, it can cause cancer, coma, shock, and death. Symptoms of bloating are a swollen abdomen, anxiety, vomiting attempts, whining, extreme drooling, and difficulty breathing. Although Mini Schnauzers are not prone to bloating, it should be avoided. Furthermore, avoid overfeeding, include enzymes in their food, and avoid too much water after eating. Treatment includes the insertion of a tube into the wall of the stomach to pump out the gas. Another treatment method is the operation and treatment of the resultant effects of bloating, like dehydration, fatigue, and shock.
• Pancreatitis: Mini Schnauzers are most likely to develop this condition because their blood triglycerides are elevated. It occurs when the pancreas, which should produce insulin and increase the enzymes responsible for digestion, inflames. This will result in the enzymes that aid digestion getting into the pancreatic tissue rather than the small intestine. When this happens, the pancreas will begin to consume itself, which will cause pain and damage. This can be avoided or initially treated by adopting a weight-management diet. Furthermore, the dog food should include protein-rich lean foods and exclude fats, fillers, and excess carbohydrates. As a result, this can help restore the natural balance of your dog’s digestive system.
• Urinary Stones: Mini Schnauzers are very prone to having this condition. These urinary stones are uroliths like calcium oxalate and struvite that are found in small dogs’ bladders. Furthermore, these stones are responsible for blood in the urine, obstruction of urine, and painful urination. They are often associated with alkaline pH, over-acidification, excess sodium, and calcium imbalances in the diet. Also, treating and avoiding this condition requires that you keep your dog well hydrated. Lots of fresh water, a moist diet, or a raw diet can help flush the urinary tract. The pH diet and sodium intake should be drastically reduced to reduce stone formation.

Final Thoughts

The Schnauzer breed, originating from Germany, is a popular guardian dog with a lifespan of 12–15 years. Its wiry fur coat and soft undercoat make it prone to health issues. Feeding your pup the right food will ensure a long, happy, and healthy life.