In this review, we’ll look at the best dog food for Miniature Schnauzers in 2024 .
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our Best Dog Food
- Calories
- 358 Kcal/100g
- Protein
- 24%
- Fat
- 12%
- Fiber
- 3.5%
- Our Score
Compare Our Recommended Dog Foods
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
- Top 5 Ingredients
- Type
- Lifestage
- Calories
- Protein
- Fat
- Fiber
- Cost
- Our score
-
- Salmon
- Salmon Oil
- Sweet Potato
- Potato
- Peas
- Dry Food
- All Life Stages
- 358 Kcal/100g
- 24%
24%
- 12%
12%
- 3.5%
3.5%
-
Buy now
-
- Salmon
- Sweet Potato
- Dried Salmon
- Peas
- Potato
- Dry Food
- Adult
- Not Listed
- 22%
22%
- 15%
15%
- 3%
3%
-
Buy now
-
- Salmon
- Vegetables
- Dried Potato
- Rapeseed Oil
- Vegetable Jus
- Dry Food
- Adult
- 348 Kcal/100g
- 21.5%
21.5%
- 11.3%
11.3%
- 0.8%
0.8%
-
Buy now
-
- Chicken
- Brown Rice
- Oats
- Alfalfa
- Salmon Oil
- Dry Food
- Adults and Seniors
- 395 Kcal/100g
- 28.5%
28.5%
- 16%
16%
- 4%
4%
-
Buy now
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- Fresh Duck
- Sweet Potatoes
- Peas
- Pea Protein
- Fresh Venison
- Dry Food
- Adult
- 364 Kcal/100g
- 25%
25%
- 15%
15%
- 3%
3%
-
Buy now
In-Depth Miniature Schnauzer Dog Food Reviews
Pooch & Mutt Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Salmon
- Salmon Oil
- Sweet Potato
- Potato
- Peas
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: All Life Stages
- Calories: 358 Kcal/100g
- Protein: 24%
- Fat: 12%
- Fiber: 3.5%
Pooch & Mutt Health and Digestion earns top marks as one of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers on the market today. A diet crafted to assist dogs suffering from sensitive stomachs and gastrointestinal distress, this recipe is based on ingredients that are easily digestible and soothing to upset tummies. The main ingredient in this food is Scottish salmon, a lean meat that is flavourful and nutrient-packed to support ideal health in the Miniature Schnauzer.
Sweet potato is one of the primary carbohydrates, a vegetable that is rich in dietary fibre to help support fluid digestive processing. Also included in this food are prebiotics and probiotics to lay a good foundation for restoring healthy gut flora. Charcoal plays a starring role, helping dogs with sensitive digestion to find relief from stomach gases causing discomfort and pain.
Pros:
- Dogs regularly fed this diet showed a great improvement in their stool quality.
- Gastrointestinal distress was relieved in dogs with a change to a regular diet of Pooch & Mutt Health and Digestion.
- The emphasis on a grain-free diet gives owners confidence that this food is well suited to dogs suffering with allergies to grains.
- Prebiotics and probiotics assist dogs with achieving and maintaining optimal digestion.
- Dogs like the flavour of this food, looking forward to their every meal.
Cons:
- Some owners felt this diet was too cost prohibitive.
- A few owners noted that their dog’s breath took on a strong fishy smell when regularly fed this diet. This can be attributed to the inclusion of salmon as the main protein in the food.
- Some dogs dislike the taste of this food and will not eat it. Pooch & Mutt has several different food formulations based on other proteins that may be a better choice for these dogs and their owners.
- In rare instances, some dogs experienced mild gastrointestinal distress once changed to this diet. This is likely due to a too rapid change from the old food to the new and will abate in time.
- The high protein formulation may be too rich for some Miniature Schnauzers to properly process and utilize effectively.
Barking Heads Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Salmon
- Sweet Potato
- Dried Salmon
- Peas
- Potato
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: Not Listed
- Protein: 22%
- Fat: 15%
- Fiber: 3%
For a diet that offers top shelf nutrition to support the Miniature Schnauzer’s dietary needs, it is well worth giving Barking Heads Pooched Salmon a try. The main ingredient in this diet is Scottish salmon, a locally procured meat that is lean, rich in essential fatty acids, and exceptionally flavourful. This diet contains no grains, making it one of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers with allergies on the market today.
Barking Heads Pooched Salmon contains no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives in its formulation. Ample servings of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have been included in this recipe to ensure support for coat and skin health. The fruits and vegetables in its carbohydrate base were selected for their high amounts of dietary fibre and antioxidants, boosting the Miniature Schnauzer’s digestion and immune system.
Pros:
- Salmon is the primary ingredient in this diet, a powerhouse protein that helps the Miniature Schnauzer to enjoy strong reserves of energy and excellent coat and skin health.
- Sweet potato is the main carbohydrate in this diet, a superfood that is rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre to help the Miniature Schnauzer process its food well and fight disease.
- The inclusion of salmon oil ensures this diet contains a bountiful supply of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vital nutrients for many systems of the body.
- Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM have all been added to this formula to assist with joint health.
- Owners feel this diet offers exceptional value and nutrition at an affordable price.
Cons:
- Peas and potatoes are included in this diet, ingredients that are believed to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar in dogs.
- This diet contains no taurine, an important nutrient in protecting heart functionality in the Miniature Schnauzer.
- There are no prebiotics or probiotics in this food to assist with fluid digestive processing.
- Some owners speculate that this recipe has changed, noting their dogs have recently suffered from loose stools, excessive gas, and have also lost interest in their food.
- A few owners remarked that the kibble pieces are quite small.
Harringtons Just 6 Complete Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Salmon
- Vegetables
- Dried Potato
- Rapeseed Oil
- Vegetable Jus
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: 348 Kcal/100g
- Protein: 21.5%
- Fat: 11.3%
- Fiber: 0.8%
Harringtons Just 6 Complete Grain-Free is a top quality diet that is well prized to meet the Miniature Schnauzer’s every nutritional need. A diet that is consistently recommended as one of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers available for purchase today, Harringtons Just 6 Complete Grain-Free prioritizes a limited ingredients list of highly digestible foods to assist with good digestion in active dogs. This diet contains no grains, instead utilising nutrient-dense vegetables in its carbohydrate base.
The main ingredient in this diet is salmon, a meat that offers bountiful amounts of the essential fatty acids required for strong reserves of energy, ideal muscle development, and healthy coat and skin.
Pros:
- Salmon, the primary ingredient in this food, is a powerhouse protein that assists with finding relief from gastrointestinal distress and poor skin and coat quality.
- This diet is grain-free, making it a good choice for Miniature Schnauzers with allergies to these ingredients.
- This food is subjected to a slow baking process to preserve nutritional quality and ensure maximum flavour.
- Owners feel the cost of this food is very reasonable.
- Dogs regularly fed this diet saw improvements in their stool quality and relief from gastrointestinal distress.
Cons:
- This diet includes both peas and potatoes, ingredients of questionable nutritional quality.
- The absence of grains may be problematic for some dogs that do better on a diet with added dietary fibre from these ingredients.
- There are no added supplements in this diet, meaning there is no additional support for joint, digestive, heart, or eye health.
- This recipe has only a limited number of fruits and vegetables and its dietary fibre content is low. This could lead to constipation in some dogs.
- A few owners remarked they would prefer it if this food came in a resealable bag.
Scrumbles Natural Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Brown Rice
- Oats
- Alfalfa
- Salmon Oil
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adults and Seniors
- Calories: 395 Kcal/100g
- Protein: 28.5%
- Fat: 16%
- Fiber: 4%
Scrumbles Natural is often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers on the market today. This diet prioritizes the use of lean meat proteins in high quantities to ensure support for ideal muscle development. The primary ingredient in this diet is chicken, a highly flavourful meat to encourage hearty eating in the Miniature Schnauzer.
This diet places a high emphasis on the use of all natural ingredients, omitting such common food allergens as gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar, salt, derivatives, and fillers in its recipe. This approach ensures this diet is an excellent choice for dogs with poor digestion or allergies. Scrumbles Natural is considered to be hypoallergenic. Slippery elm plays an important role in this diet assisting dogs with finding relief from gastrointestinal distress.
Pros:
- This hypoallergenic diet has seen great success in alleviating gastrointestinal distress in dogs.
- The inclusion of slippery elm assists dogs with poor digestion to see an improvement in their ability to process their food and eliminate waste well.
- The whole grains found in this diet offer rich amounts of dietary fibre to assist with digestion.
- Dogs love the taste of this food, looking forward to each and every meal.
- Dogs fed this diet on a regular basis displayed coats that were healthy, shiny, and soft.
Cons:
- Some dogs with sensitivities to grains may do better on a grain-free diet.
- A few owners noted the packaging was misleading, indicating that the chicken included in this recipe is free range.
- The amount of protein found in this diet may make this formulation too rich for some dogs.
- Some owners feel this diet is too expensive for them to feed their dogs on an ongoing basis.
- This diet contains no supplements to support joint, eye, heart, skin, or digestive health.
Edgard & Cooper Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Fresh Duck
- Sweet Potatoes
- Peas
- Pea Protein
- Fresh Venison
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: 364 Kcal/100g
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 15%
- Fiber: 3%
Often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers today, Edgard & Cooper Natural Adult is a top quality diet that assists active dogs with attaining ideal health and wellness. This diet prioritizes the use of novel meat proteins such as duck and venison. These lean meats are easy for dogs to digest, packed full of flavour, and unlikely to trigger allergic reactions in skin or stomach sensitive dogs.
A grain-free diet, Edgard & Cooper Natural Adult makes nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables the basis of its carbohydrate content. These ingredients assist with good digestion and a healthy immune system. The packaging for this diet is free from plastic, having been made from materials that are completely biodegradable.
Pros:
- The focus on novel meat proteins makes this diet a great choice for Miniature Schnauzers with allergies.
- Owners love that this diet contains no grains, instead using fruits and vegetables that are ideal to boost digestion and a healthy immune system.
- Environmentally conscious owners are pleased that the packaging for this food is 100 percent biodegradable.
- Fish oil provides the essential oils that dogs need for optimal coat and skin health.
- Chamomile helps to soothe upset stomachs, a great help to dogs with gastrointestinal distress.
Cons:
- Some owners feel this diet is expensive.
- Peas and potatoes feature prominently in this recipe, controversial ingredients that may be linked to rapid spikes in blood sugar and lowered fertility in some dogs.
- There are no prebiotics or probiotics present in this food.
- There are no added supplements to promote optimal joint health in the Miniature Schnauzer.
- Some owners expressed that the kibble pieces were too large for their dogs to process well.
How to Select the Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers
The Miniature Schnauzer may be small of size, but this breed is big on personality. One of the most beloved dog types throughout the world, the Miniature Schnauzer takes great delight in spending time with people of all ages; whether complete strangers, family, or friends. The breed is naturally comical and was born to entertain.
A breed of immense loyalty, the Miniature Schnauzer loves it family very deeply. A dog with lots of energy to expend, the Miniature Schnauzer’s main goal in life is to have a good time, preferably with its family if possible. This is one breed that will not be ignored; families with a Miniature Schnauzer will attest that this dog must be the centre of attention to remain content.
The Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest of three dogs belonging to this family: the Miniature, the Standard, and the Giant. The breed was originally intended to function as a ratter. Though the Miniature Schnauzer is not often employed as a hunter any longer, it still retains its mischievous streak and lively, independent spirit.
A breed that has no concept of its size, the Miniature Schnauzer is exceptionally brave, never backing down from a challenge. This trait is sufficient to land this dog type in lots of hot water when it accepts a challenge brought on by a much larger dog. The Miniature Schnauzer retains a strong prey drive from its hunting days and should be kept securely contained when outdoors to prevent escape attempts.
Though small of size, the Miniature Schnauzer is of very sturdy build. This dog breed requires regular daily exercise to be physically and mentally content. With its harsh double coat, the breed can enjoy time both indoors and outdoors in nearly any type of weather. However, if not regularly exercised, this dog will become overweight.
The Miniature Schnauzer will protect its family from strangers, but once they have been welcomed by its family, the dog will readily accept them. The breed is well renowned for its ear splitting bark, a great help in warding off burglars.
A smart breed, the Miniature Schnauzer is capable of learning new tricks but isn’t always interested in doing so. Positive reinforcement is the key to helping this dog view training opportunities as something fun to do. One of the hallmarks of this breed is its stubbornness.
As with all dog breeds, there are few health problems that can plague the spirited Miniature Schnauzer. These include cataracts, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, urinary stones, myotonia congenita, von Willebrand’s disease, and congenital megaesophagus. Diet alone cannot prevent disease from occurring in the Miniature Schnauzer, but it does lay an excellent foundation for health and wellness. The best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers contain supplements to support joint, eye, skin, and kidney health.
The ideal diet for the Miniature Schnauzer is well-balanced nutritionally and contains approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Miniature Schnauzers
The active Miniature Schnauzer lives for adventure and fun. To keep this breed in tip top health, a diet that is well balanced and based on a lean meat protein is ideal. Determining how much of a food to feed a dog can be a bit of a puzzle, but thankfully, the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers offer suggested serving sizes that can be very helpful as a starting point. Owners can adjust these amounts incrementally until the right portion for their dog is found.
The Miniature Schnauzer will gain weight readily if free fed or not sufficiently exercised. To prevent this, all food should be measured and all intake carefully monitored.
Dog Food Dietary Requirements for Miniature Schnauzers
The best dog foods for the busy Miniature Schnauzer base their recipe on a lean meat-based protein. The ideal foundation for these foods are either a whole meat or meat meal; both of which offer concentrated amounts of high quality protein to support the Miniature Schnauzer’s nutritional needs. By-products are inexpensive protein sources taken from less desirable cuts of an animal. These are of lesser nutritional quality and best avoided if possible.
Some commercial dog foods include plant proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat as their primary protein source. These ingredients are common allergens for many dogs, and thus, are not best suited to the Miniature Schnauzer’s nutritional needs. Other ingredients that offer no nutritional benefit to the Miniature Schnauzer include chemicals, additives, fillers, derivatives, artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives.
Carbohydrates are an important part of the Miniature Schnauzer’s diet, providing the antioxidants and dietary fibre required for good digestion and a healthy immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains, or a combination of the three. Miniature Schnauzers with allergies to grains may do better on a grain-free diet.
No diet is complete without healthy fats. It is from these essential fatty acids that the Miniature Schnauzer gains the support needed for coat and skin health and strong reserves of energy to fuel its busy lifestyle. These fats are best found in foods such as chicken fat and oily fish. Some plant-based oils offer an excellent alternative, providing bountiful amounts of the nutrients the Miniature Schnauzer needs for optimal health and wellness.
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to provide further health benefits to the Miniature Schnauzer. The ideal supplements for this active, lively breed are glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine, and prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers
In selecting the best dog food for the Miniature Schnauzer, here are some guiding principles to keep in mind:
- Meets APHA nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Free from chemicals, flavours, colours, or other difficult to identify ingredients
- Fortified with beneficial supplements
- Based on lean meat proteins