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 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 To Buy:
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we 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 | Best For Allergies ![]() 2. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food | Best For Overweight ![]() 3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dry Dog Food | Best For Seniores ![]() 4. Instinct Raw Boost Senior Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food | |
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 |
Understanding the Dietary Needs of Mini Schnauzers
Dogs require a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet.
Protein forms the building blocks of strong muscles while fat provides a concentrated source of energy.
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 a 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 a 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.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for Mini Schnauzers. Here’s what you need to know:
5 Best Rated Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers Reviewed & 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 dog food brand you feed your Mini Schnauzer with, 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.
The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 6.5% Max
- Calories: 446 kcal/cup
- 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
- Pricey
- Preparing a serving is time-consuming
Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Product Info
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Max
- Calories: 448 kcal/cup
- 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
- The new formulation may not work well for some dogs
- Price has gone up
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.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dry Dog Food

Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 11.5% Min
- Fiber: 18.8% Max
- Calories: 245 kcal/cups
- Solid dog food for weight management
- Protects the teeth from decay
- Improves joint health and mobility
- Maintains high energy levels
- Quite expensive
- Cans are too small for the price
Instinct Raw Boost Senior Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food

Product Info
- Protein: 36% Min
- Fat: 16.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 478 kcal/cup
- 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
- Quite pricey
- The raw bits are too scanty
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.
Fromm Puppy Gold Dry Dog Food

Product Info
- Protein: 27% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 5.5% Max
- Calories: 420 kcal/cup
- 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
- Very expensive on Amazon
- Hard to find in local stores
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 till 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 2 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 to know 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 build up 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 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 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 that should produce insulin and increase the enzymes responsible for digestion inflame. 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 and this 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 in restoring 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’ bladder. 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, moist diet, or raw diet can help flush the urinary tract. The pH diet and sodium intake should be drastically reduced to reduce stone formation.
Tom
My question was is garlic powder a problem if it’s feed in sparing amounts ? In dog treats?