10 Best Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

We love our Miniature Schnauzers and want to give them the best of everything, including food. It can be challenging to determine which dog food will help them stay their healthiest. The number of dog food brands and types available is expansive, making it difficult to pick one your dog will love.

If you want to make finding the perfect dog food easier, take a look at our reviews of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers. You’ll find fresh food, vet-approved formulas, and more. We’ve also included a guide on how to choose healthy dog food for your pup.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorite Choices of 2024

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is the best overall dog food for Miniature Schnauzers. If you’ve not heard of them before, The Farmer’s Dog is a meal subscription service for pups that creates customized meals. The flavors include chicken, turkey, beef, and pork, but we love the chicken recipe because it has plenty of protein and excellent ingredients.

Besides the USDA chicken, USDA chicken liver, and fresh veggies, The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is supplemented with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin D3, taurine, and potassium. Since it contains limited ingredients, you always know exactly what your pup is eating.

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2. Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Dry Food – Budget Buy

If you want the best value dog food for your Miniature Schnauzer, try the Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Dry Food. It’s designed to work best for small breeds, and it provides your pup with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and active. Featuring a steak flavor your dog will adore, Pedigree also has a special blend of fibers, along with whole grains, to improve digestive health, resulting in less gassiness.

Besides the essential minerals and vitamins your Miniature Schnauzer requires, Pedigree has plenty of omega-6 fatty acids to keep their skin healthy and coats smooth and silky. Plus, as a bonus, the small kibble pieces are supposed to help your pup with oral health by cleaning their teeth as they eat.

However, the formula contains dried peas, which have been linked¹ to heart disease in some dogs. However, more research is needed on this matter, so it is best to consult your vet.

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3. Cesar Poultry Variety Pack Dog Food Trays

You can give your beloved Miniature Schnauzer a premium meal with the Cesar Poultry Variety Pack! Not only do they include common proteins like turkey and chicken, but they also have a tray containing duck. As a classic pâté in sauce, the texture should appeal to the pickiest eaters and make an excellent topping for dry food. Plus, each tray contains added minerals and vitamins to meet your pup’s nutritional requirements.

This recipe is free of grains, but most dogs don’t require grain-free diets, so talk to your vet before purchasing one!

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4. Iams Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies

If you’re looking for the best dog food for your Miniature Schnauzer puppy, try the IAMS Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food. It’s designed for small breeds and contains everything your little one needs to grow. IAMS meets your dog’s protein needs in a big way, and it includes farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient.

It also has 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk vital to your Miniature Schnauzer’s developing mind and body. Plus, the DHA will keep your puppy’s brain healthy, which will make training much simpler!

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5. Farmina N&D Adult Mini Breed Dry Dog Food

If you’re interested in a vet-approved dog food, check out Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry Recipe! This high-protein formula is made from bone-free lamb (which is supposed to be healthier for your dog). Farmina is legume-free if you’re concerned about the potential heart risks.

If your pup has high blood sugar, this low-glycemic formula will be perfect. The addition of blueberries ensures your dog gets plenty of antioxidants, while added omega fatty acids keep their coat shiny. Plus, since Farmina is formulated for small breeds, your four-legged pal shouldn’t have any issues with the size of the food.

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6. Iams MiniChunks Dry Dog Food

Give your favorite Miniature Schnauzer a protein boost with IAMS Adult MiniChunks High Protein dog food! With farm-raised chicken as the main ingredient, IAMS MiniChiunks helps your pup meet their nutritional needs with premium meat that’s high in protein. It also contains prebiotics and a special blend of fibers to improve your pup’s digestive health, and it supports your dog’s immune system with antioxidants!

Pet parents mentioned that it reduced itchiness and earwax.

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7. Royal Canin Miniature Schnauzer Adult Dry Dog Food

If you want to go with a breed-specific food for your Miniature Schnauzer, we recommend this one by Royal Canin Miniature Schnauzer Adult Dry Dog Food. It’s designed to meet all the nutritional needs of Miniature Schnauzers 10 months old and up. The kibble is simpler for your pup to pick up and eat with their blunter muzzle and scissor bite.

It also contains all the vitamins and minerals your dog requires to be healthy, along with fatty acids to promote the health of their coat. Royal Canin’s breed-specific food is also made to help your pup maintain a healthy weight.

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8. ORIJEN Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

ORIJEN Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has the highest protein content on this list. In addition to turkey, Orijen has quail, whole blue whiting, whole mackerel, chicken liver, and chicken hearts. It’s nutrient-dense and packed with every vitamin and mineral your pup needs. Plus, the size of this kibble is designed to be easier for smaller pups to eat.

This is a grain-free food,  and it contains legumes. Grain-free diets aren’t necessary for all dogs, so talk to your vet before feeding. Legumes have been linked to heart disease in dogs (but more research is needed).

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9. American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe Dry Food

This triple protein dog food doesn’t have as much protein as ORIJEN, but it still has a lot due to the chicken and turkey it contains. American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe Dry Food also has non-GMO ancestral grains that provide your pup with the nutrients they need, along with probiotics and prebiotics to aid in healthier digestion.

The omega-3 fatty acids will help your Miniature Schnauzer’s coat stay sleek and shiny. As a legume-free recipe, you don’t need to be concerned about potential heart issues.

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10. ACANA Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Food

As another of the higher protein dog foods on this list, ACANA Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Food includes chicken, turkey, and eggs. It also provides your Miniature Schnauzer with a fiber-rich food that supports a healthy gut via wholesome grains such as oats and millet.

If your dog has a gluten allergy, you don’t need to worry about feeding them ARCANA since the grains are gluten-free! ACANA is also free of legumes, and it contains omega fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy brain. Plus, the kibble size is designed for those with small mouths, so your dog should be able to eat it easily.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers

The dog food you get for your Miniature Schnauzer will depend greatly on your dog (such as whether they have any allergies or sensitivities or are prone to stomach issues). However, we’ll discuss the other factors you must consider below.

Allergies or Sensitivities

If your dog has food allergies, it’s most likely due to a common protein such as chicken or beef, so you’ll need to find a food that offers an alternative form of protein. This could include duck, quail, buffalo, and other novel meats.

Your Miniature Schnauzer might also be prone to skin sensitivities. Finding a food that nourishes their skin will be highly beneficial if that’s the case. Look for brands that contain omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coats.

Protein Content

Dogs require protein, and it’s vital to find a formula that has enough; roughly 10% of their calories should come from protein. The protein content varies significantly in dog food, so check the nutritional stats before buying.

Weight Management

All dog breeds can become overweight if you aren’t careful with what and how much they eat. Finding food that is lower in calories will help, as will looking at formulas designed to help maintain a healthy weight. Too much fat isn’t healthy for Miniature Schnauzers, and they can be more prone to pancreatitis.

Health of Their Teeth

Not only will your pup need kibble that’s smaller in size because of their smaller mouth and blunter muzzle, but they need food that’s easier to eat if their teeth aren’t in great shape. If dental disease is an issue, look for food that is softer so your dog is able to chew it and won’t swallow it whole or spit it out.

Grain-Free

Some owners feed their dogs grain-free diets, which is fine. But be aware that not all dogs require grain-free foods, and it might do more harm than good. We recommend speaking with your vet before you put your pup on a grain-free diet.

Legume-Free

Many dog foods contain peas and other legumes. However, there’s some evidence that dogs who eat legumes are more likely to develop heart disease. If that concerns you, you can check the ingredients carefully to guarantee no legumes are hidden or look for brands labeled “legume-free.”

Breed-Specific

Sometimes, getting a breed-specific food for your Miniature Schnauzer is easiest. Brands made just for them are designed to meet their nutritional needs fully and have bite-sized pieces of kibble for easier eating.

Price

Prices for dog food can vary widely, so look carefully at the ingredients in the food you like and shop around to find the formula that has what you want for the best price.

Reviews

Nobody knows better than pet parents the challenge of finding good dog food. That’s why reading reviews from others can be beneficial. You can search reviews by keyword to discover what other Miniature Schnauzer owners have said about various brands.

 

Final Verdict

For the 1st and best overall dog food, we recommend The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe for its fresh ingredients. As the best value food, Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Small Breed has an excellent price point and promotes better digestion. For a premium dog food, Cesar Poultry Variety Pack is soft enough for any dog and contains duck. For puppies, Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy is breed-specific and contains essential nutrients. Finally, as a vet-approved food, Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry Recipe has a healthy, alternative meat source.

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