Best Dog Food for Miniature Pinscher

best food for min pin

Miniature pinschers or “King of Toys” are small-sized dogs that are known for their great similarity to Dobermans in term of appearance. However, they are far smaller in size. Despite their size, they are extremely energetic dogs and great companions so they work well as family pets. They are also very alert and fearless.

That being said, you might have just got one and thinking what the best dog food for miniature pinscher is. Here’s a breakdown of what you should look for and our suggestions.

Miniature Pinschers are thought to have been bred from Dobermans.

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Best Dog Food for Miniature Pinscher Comparison

Miniature Pinscher Nutrition

Commercial dog foods are often the choice of many dog owners considering these were specifically made for the needs of your furbabies. These have the right balance of nutrition they need based on their age. Some brands even make breed-specific dog foods to guarantee your dog’s needs are met.

While some pet owners feed their dogs with homemade dog food, it can be hard to get the right balance of nutrients they need. Plus, it can be more expensive than getting a pack of dry or wet dog food. That’s why a majority of dog parents prefer commercial dog foods.

Again, this dog food list is only for miniature pinscher owners. Those with a different breed of dog, especially those who own small toy dogs should find a different kind of best dog food for min pin breeds. This is mainly because these smaller and usually inactive dogs will require a different set of nutrients and vitamins.

For buying a dog food for miniature pinscher, here are some things you should consider:

  • Nutrients – When it comes to dog food for a miniature pinscher, you’ll need a dog food that provides them with all the nutrients and vitamins they need. As energetic and active pups, you’ll need a dog food for miniature pinscher breeds that are packed with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Additional vitamins and minerals would be a welcome bonus.
  • Source of protein – Protein is perhaps the most important nutrient your min pin needs. That’s why the number one ingredient on the dog food for miniature pinscher dogs should be a good and high-quality animal-source of protein. These include chicken and fish. You shouldn’t ignore meat meals like chicken meal or turkey meal either. These are packed with nutrients and is good for min pin pups and adults.
  • Allergies – Miniature Pinschers can get allergies. However, the problem is you won’t be able to know your dog is allergic to the food unless they have eaten them. The best solution is to observe them after you’ve fed them with a certified dog food for miniature pinscher breeds. If you see signs of itching, diarrhea, and farting, you should stop feeding them the dog food and choose another.
  • Choices for allergic dogs – If your dog does have allergies, you can try grain-free dog foods which are milder for your pups. For the protein source, you can either choose rabbit or duck meat. Choose a dog food for miniature pinscher dogs that has tapioca or sweet potatoes as well.
  • Read the label – Reading the label is the most important thing you should do. Check for the nutritional value and make sure everything your dog needs is there. Also, check for the expiry date and make sure you can still feed it to your pups and even store them for at least a month. And lastly, check the ingredients.
  • Ingredients – If you’ve checked the ingredients and saw meat as the first ingredient, that’s a good sign. You may also see additional ingredients like veggies and fruits. But don’t stop there. You need to check whether the ingredients have harmful chemicals and preservatives such as BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), and Ethoxyquin among others.
  • Chicken by-product – Pet owners are rather torn when it comes to chicken by-products. Some see no problem with it but others say these are harmful to your dogs. This really depends on what they mean by “by-product.” These should include livers, hearts, and bones of chickens. The ones you should avoid are those that contain other parts like feathers and beaks.
  • Feeding recommendation – Some dog foods have their own recommended serving per meal. If it’s not a brand-specific food, you might want to check whether the recommendation is too much. Miniature Pinschers can also suffer from bloating and the best way to avoid that is to feed them little servings every now and then instead of feeding them too much at a time.
  • Preference – Dog foods are either dry (kibbles) or wet (canned). Choosing which type of dog food your pup wants actually depends on them. Some dogs like dry dog food more than the other and vice versa. However, young min pin pups from 4 to 6 weeks old are much better with powdered dried dog food with milk or water so they can easily digest it.

best dog food for miniature pinscher

Kibbles are dry dog food that are often bite-sizes.

  • Puppy taste test – Even when your dog likes dog or wet food more, they are likely going to love various flavors more than others. It’s best that you make sure they like the taste since pups and even adult dogs can get pretty picky with what they eat. If they don’t like the taste, they won’t eat what you serve them and they’ll end up skipping meals and getting hungry.
  • Accessibility to dog food – A lot of pet owners disregard this, but finding an accessible dog food is important. Some brands are exclusive are or are harder to find than others. If your dog’s brand suddenly gets out of stock, it will be hard to re-introduce another dog food to them.
  • Age-specific dog food – Transition from puppy dog food to adult dog food is essential, especially for miniature pinschers. These min pins are very energetic as pups and even as adults. But they have nutritional needs changes such as focusing more on keeping their calorie and carbohydrates balanced so they won’t grow fat.
  • Budget – Lastly, consider your budget. Some dog foods, especially bigger and more well-known brands are more expensive than average dog food for miniature pinscher breed. But are they better? That’s really subjective. You can find cheaper dog foods that your furry best friend would love more than those expensive ones. That’s why it’s better to start from the cheapest ones you can find and work your way up.

Best Food for Min Pin Breeds

Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food

  • Real and high-quality meat as protein source
  • Supports all breeds of small dogs
  • Supports all life stages
  • Tiny kibble pieces for easy chewing
  • No preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors
  • No fillers

 This Solid Gold dog food is good for any breeds of small dogs – from puppies to seniors. It has  balanced nutrients and minerals such as Omega fatty acids which are great for their fur and coat, as well as antioxidants for their health. Protein comes from real bison meat that is also a great source of iron.

 This dog food for miniature pinscher breeds could enhance their fur and coat along with their vision, immune system, and mind. It’s a good choice for puppies, but since miniature pinschers have different energy levels throughout their life stages, the balance may not be as effective for adults or seniors. Nonetheless, this depends on how active your dog is. You can change their diet when they begin gaining more weight that’s becoming unhealthy.

 While Solid Gold does contain superfoods such as berries, pumpkins and carrots, this also includes whole grains. Be careful when feeding it to your miniature pinschers as they might develop allergies. If that happens, change their diet immediately. However, it doesn’t affect all miniature pinschers.

Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

  • Contains kibbles and freeze-dried raw chicken bits
  • Made with raw ingredients
  • Grain-free dry dog food
  • Supports all life stages
  • Contains calcium and phosphorus
  • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
  • No preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors

This Nature’s Variety dry dog food is made for small dog breeds. These come with freeze dried raw bits of chicken for the main source of protein. The difference with this source of protein is that they chose cage-free chickens which means the chickens were able to feed on organic food instead of commercial pellets. This is also a grain-free dog dog food.

 

best food for min pin

Nature Variety boasts their combination of kibbles that are packed in nutrients and freeze-dried raw chicken bits that were cage-free. It’s high in animal-protein and packed with other nutrients such as Omega fatty acids, calcium, and phosphorus. Again, it supports all life stages which could be a good or bad thing, depending on how active your dog is and how much they have changed from being pups to adult dogs in terms of energy and activity levels.

 The good thing about this is that it’s grain-free which makes it a good choice for dogs who have allergies or have sensitive digestive system. It’s also free from any by-products which could help those who are very cautious about those.

Chicken meat is a good source of animal-protein.

Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed

  • Real meat as no.1 ingredients
  • High-quality real meat protein source
  • No fillers
  • Supports adult dogs only
  • No preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors

Wellness Core Natural Grain-free dry dog food is created specifically for small breeds of dogs with real turkey and chicken meat as the source for high-quality animal-protein. Since it’s grain free, it does not contain corn, soy, wheat, or any grain products that could cause allergies, especially among miniature pinschers.

 Unlike the first two dog foods, this one is strictly for adult dogs only which means you’ll have to change their diet as they grow older. However, that’s actually a good thing since adult dogs have a slightly different need than pups. The hard thing is re-introducing a new dog food to them. It helps to slowly add the food to their diet for at least a week, adding more as the days of the week passes by.

 Nonetheless, it’s good that it’s grain-free since miniature pinschers are susceptible to allergies. If your dog has allergy problems, grain-free dog foods like this Wellness Core dog food can help them. It’s also great for dogs with sensitive tummies.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Senior Small Breed Dry Dog Food

  • No chicken by-product
  • Contains wholesome grains
  • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Contains BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • No preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors

 This Blue Buffalo dry dog food features realt meat as the number 1 ingredient. For this flavor, it is made from chicken which is a good and high-quality animal-protein source. Apart from chicken, it also contains vegetables and fruits for added nutrients and minerals like antioxidant. This is specifically made for senior dogs.

 For those dog owners who are a little conscious about feeding their beloved pets with by-product, you don’t have to worry about that with this Blue Buffalo dog food. However, it does contain whole-grains which could trigger allergic reactions to your dog. If your dog has allergies, it is best to choose a grain-free option. If you are unsure, you can always observe them after feeding them with this. Not all miniature pinschers get allergies so your dog might be fine.

 LifeSource Bits are a special from Blue Buffalo. They say it’s rich in antioxidant, vitamins and minerals that promotes your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. These are able to support adults and senior dogs of any small-sized breed.

Reviews are able to help every consumer choose the right product for them or their pets; and buying the best dog food for miniature pinscher breeds guarantee that they can grow into strong and healthy dogs. There are lots of choices available, so it helps to know which ones are considered and trusted by fellow dog owners.

About the author

Sarah Andrews

Hi I'm Sarah, dog lover and blogger. I was born into a dog-loving family and have been a proud doggy mommy ever since I can remember. I love sharing my dog knowledge and love being an active part of the dog-loving community.