Best Dog Food For Miniature Schnauzers : 15 Healthy Recipes Reviewed by Budget, Diet and Life Stage

Many people are familiar with the Schnauzer breed, but they often do not realize that it comes in two sizes. The Miniature Schnauzer is the smaller version, standing 12 to 14 inches tall and weighing 11 to 20 pounds at maturity.

The Miniature Schnauzer is easy to identify for his salt-and-pepper coat and his friendly personality. These little dogs were originally developed as farm dogs, using for guarding and ratting, though it is commonly kept as a companion pet today. It is unclear exactly how the breed was developed, though it is suspected that it comes from a crossing of the Standard Schnauzer with various smaller breeds like the Pomeranian, Miniature Pinscher, and Affenpinscher.

These dogs are full of life and absolutely love to be around people. They crave constant attention and need a fair bit of exercise. They also have several potential health problems that require a specialized diet.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:

Understanding a Miniature Schnauzer‘s Diet Requirements

All dog breeds have the same basic nutritional requirements, though there are some slight variations. Protein is the most important nutrient because it helps puppies develop strong muscles and it helps adult maintain their lean muscle mass. It is best from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish because animal products are more digestible for dogs and because they are complete sources of protein, containing all 10 essential amino acids.

Fat is the next most important nutrient for dogs because it provides essential fatty acids as well as a concentrated source of energy. Your dog needs a minimum of 18% protein and 8% fat in his diet to meet his basic requirements. You should keep in mind, however, that the Miniature Schnauzer is prone to health problems related to a high-fat diet so look for something in the moderate fat range between 8% and 15% to prevent these problems.

• Puppy Miniature Schnauzers – When your Miniature Schnauzer is a puppy, he needs a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat. More protein is usually better to support muscle growth but keep the fat content controlled so your dog doesn’t grow too fast or develop health problems. Learn more about high quality puppy foods here.
• Adult Miniature Schnauzers – Once your Miniature Schnauzer reaches his full size you can switch to a small-breed adult recipe made from healthy, high-quality ingredients that is rich in animal protein with moderate fat content.
• Senior Miniature Schnauzers – As your Miniature Schnauzer starts getting up in years, he may slow down and so could his metabolism. You might need to feed him a little less or switch to a small-breed senior recipe to prevent obesity.

Dogs do not have any specific requirements for carbohydrate in their diets and, in fact, they have a limited ability to digest them. Miniature Schnauzers also have a higher risk for food allergies, so it is important to find digestible sources of carbohydrates like fresh vegetables, beans, and legumes. Your dog can also benefit from supplements like prebiotics, probiotics, and chelated minerals.

Special Dietary Considerations for Miniature Schnauzers

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally a healthy breed but, like all dogs, is prone to certain health problems. The Miniature Schnauzer is prone to a number of inherited health problems as well as eye problems, heart problems, and dietary problems.

Here is a quick list of the health problems to which the Miniature Schnauzer may be prone:

• Bladder Stones
• Diabetes
• Cataracts
• Comedone Syndrome
• Heart Problems
• Hyperlipidemia
• Myotonia Congenita
• Pancreatitis
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Von Willebrand Disease

Let’s take a closer look at some of these health problems.

Some of the eye problems to which the Miniature Schnauzer is prone include cataracts, entropion, and progressive retinal atrophy. A cataract is simply an opacity that forms in the lens of the eye, often in old age. It may obstruct your dog’s vision, but it isn’t painful or life-threatening. Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward and causes irritation to the eye. Progressive retinal atrophy involves the slow deterioration of the retina and a progressive loss of vision.

The Miniature Schnauzer has a fairly long lifespan of 12 to 14 years, but there are several inherited health problems that can shorten the lifespan. It has recently been discovered that Miniature Schnauzers are at-risk for myotonia congenita, an inherited musculoskeletal disorder similar to muscular dystrophy. They are also at risk for a bleeding disorder called von Willebrand disease, congenital megaesophagus, and various heart problems.

In addition to these problems, the Miniature Schnauzer is affected by certain condition which may require a specialized diet. These dogs are frequently affected by health problems linked to a high-fat diet. Hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis are the two most common and the former often leads to the latter. Miniature Schnauzers also seem to have a higher risk for food allergies than other breeds, so a grain-free or limited ingredient diet may be warranted.

Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Chart

Based on his size, your Miniature Schnauzer will be eating somewhere between ½ and 1 cup of dry food per day. Because small breeds have fast metabolisms, they generally do best on three meals per day instead of two, though puppies may need as many as four meals per day. Refer to the feeding instructions on the package to determine how much to feed your dog each day then divide it by the desired number of meals.

One thing to keep in mind is that small breeds need an average of 30 to 40 calories per pound of body weight per day. The way most small-breed recipes meet these needs is by using a higher fat content. Unfortunately, the Miniature Schnauzer breed is prone to problems related to a high-fat diet, so you should look for a recipe that is moderate in fat content. As always, you should also keep tabs on your dog’s body weight and condition, making adjustments to his diet if needed.

The Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers: Our Top 15 Picks for 2023

Now that you have a better understanding of your Miniature Schnauzer’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for dog food! Remember, the best Miniature Schnauzer food will be rich in protein to support lean muscle mass with moderate fat for energy without triggering potential health problems. It should also contain fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional balance and healthy supplements. Here are our top 15 picks:

Our 2023 Picks: Best Miniature Schnauzer Food Recommendations:
Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.74/lb	A+
Most Affordable	Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.09/lb	A+
Most Popular	Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.69/lb	A+
Super Premium	NomNom Fresh Food Delivery Buy Online Customer Reviews	Varies	A+
Allergies	Blue Buffalo Basics LID Grain-Free Lamb & Potato Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.93/lb	A
Sensitive Stomachs	Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.64/lb	A

Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe

Overall Best Food for Miniature Schnauzers: If you’re looking for a healthy and high-quality recipe for your Miniature Schnauzer, it is hard to do better than this Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe. Not only is it formulated for small breeds, but it is rich in protein with moderate fat content and made with a limited number of ingredients, including a novel source of protein. This recipe features turkey meal as the main ingredient and a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin as well as freeze-dried turkey organs for a boost of nutrition. All in all, it provides 35% protein and 14.5% fat with a limited number of high-quality ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.

• Pros: Made with a limited number of ingredients, novel protein, grain-free carbohydrates, 35% protein and 14.5% fat, chelated minerals, freeze-dried turkey organs
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil), no probiotic supplements

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe

Most Affordable Food: You don’t necessarily need to spend a small fortune to feed your Miniature Schnauzer a quality diet and this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe is proof of that. Featuring chicken meal as the main ingredient and a rich source of protein, this recipe provides an optimal balance of protein and fat – 26% protein and 13% fat. It contains digestible grain-free carbohydrates like potatoes and peas with sweet potatoes for a boost of fiber and healthy nutrients. This recipe is supplemented with chelated minerals for nutritional balance and probiotics for healthy digestion.

• Pros: Ideal balance of protein and fat, protein-rich main ingredient, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, chelated minerals, probiotics for digestion
• Cons: Some dogs have trouble with chicken or potato ingredients

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe

Most Popular Food: If you’re not sure what to get your Miniature Schnauzer, this Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe is a popular option. This recipe is naturally grain-free and made with an assortment of high-quality animal proteins like venison, lamb, duck, and ocean fish. It is rich in essential fatty acids as well as grain-free, digestible carbohydrates. It features fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources of key nutrients with chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance and optimal nutrient absorption. The only concern is that it may be too high in fat for some dogs, but if your Miniature Schnauzer has no issues with fat it should be fine.

• Pros: Naturally grain-free, several sources of premium animal proteins, rich in essential fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, digestible carbohydrates, probiotics and chelated minerals
• Cons: May be too high in fat for some dogs, contains some plant protein (pea protein)

NomNom Fresh Food Delivery

Super Premium Food: Similar to food delivery services for humans, NomNom delivers fresh food for pets. This company prepares high-quality, custom meals for dogs based on their individual nutritional needs. You simply fill out a profile about your dog online then choose from one of several recipes. From there, you’ll receive monthly shipments of fresh food that you can serve immediately or store in the fridge or freezer. Everything comes pre-portioned and is made with only the freshest ingredients to ensure nutritional quality. In addition to being a healthy diet, NomNom also offers the ability to customize your meals according to your dog’s dietary needs which means you can select a low-fat diet.

• Pros: Fresh food delivered to your door, several recipes to choose from, customizable for dogs with special diets, automatic monthly delivery, always prepared fresh
• Cons: Very expensive to feed as a staple diet, shipping restrictions in some areas

Blue Buffalo Basics LID Grain-Free Lamb & Potato Small Breed Recipe  

Best Food for Miniature Schnauzers with Allergies: If your Miniature Schnauzer suffers from food allergies, you need a diet made with a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering those allergies. This Blue Buffalo Basics LID Grain-Free Lamb & Potato Small Breed Recipe is a good option because it contains just 10 main ingredients, including a single source of novel protein – lamb. It contains 22% protein and 15% fat, so it will provide for your dog’s basic needs without too much fat. It features grain-free digestible carbohydrates like peas and potatoes with beneficial supplements like prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and chelated minerals.

• Pros: Made with just 10 main ingredients, single source of novel protein, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, prebiotics and probiotics, 22% protein and 15% fat, chelated minerals
• Cons: Contains some plant protein (pea protein), main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe

Best Food for Miniature Schnauzers with Sensitive Stomachs: To avoid triggering your dog’s sensitive stomach, you need a digestible dog food made with all-natural, high-quality ingredients like this Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe. This recipe features a blend of premium organic ingredients including organic chicken, organic sweet potatoes, and organic chickpeas. It is rich in protein and naturally grain-free, providing 26% protein and 15% fat. It features fresh blueberries for a boost of nutrition with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. It is also supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion.

• Pros: Made with organic ingredients, provides 26% protein and 15% fat, grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotics for digestion
• Cons: Contains some plant protein (pea protein), first source of fat is plant-based

3 Top Rated (5 Star) Miniature Schnauzer Adult Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Adult Food	Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Grain-Free Small-Breed Adult Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.76/lb	A+
Adult Food	FirstMate Small Bites Australian Lamb Meal LID Grain-Free Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.96/lb	A
Adult Food	AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Turkey Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$3.79/lb	A-

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Grain-Free Small-Breed Adult Recipe

This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Grain-Free Small-Breed Adult Recipe is a great option for your Miniature Schnauzer if he has trouble with high-fat foods. This recipe features deboned chicken and chicken meal as the main sources of protein, providing a full 32% protein for healthy muscles. It contains menhaden fish meal, flaxseed, and chicken fat for energy but only contains a total of 10% crude fat which is great for weight maintenance and kidney problems.

FirstMate Small Bites Australian Lamb Meal LID Grain-Free Recipe

If your Miniature Schnauzer already has food allergies, this FirstMate Small Bites Australian Lamb Meal LID Grain-Free Recipe could be a good choice. Not only is it made with a limited number of ingredients, but it features a lamb as a novel source of protein. It is grain-free, rich in essential fatty acids, and packed with protein while still keeping the fat content moderate at 13%.

AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Turkey Recipe

This AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Turkey Recipe is a good option if you’re looking for a digestible source of grain-free nutrition for your Miniature Schnauzer. It features fresh turkey and turkey meal as the main ingredients with chicken fat for nutrient-rich energy. It contains avocado for a boost of healthy fats with chelated minerals for nutritional balance.

3 Top Rated (5 Star) Miniature Schnauzer Puppy Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Puppy Food	Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Chicken Puppy Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.37/lb	A+
Puppy Food	Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.75/lb	A
Puppy Food	Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Small Breed Puppy Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.99/lb	A

Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Chicken Puppy Recipe

For a delicious and nutritious puppy food for your Miniature Schnauzer, try this Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Chicken Puppy Recipe. This formula features chicken, chicken liver, and chicken meal as the first three ingredients to provide 27% protein. It contains digestible whole grains as well as plenty of healthy fats for energy. It only goes up to 16% fat, however, which is ideal if your Miniature Schnauzer puppy has trouble with high-fat diets.

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Recipe

This Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Recipe features deboned turkey as the main ingredient with fresh fruits and veggies as well as plenty of essential fatty acids. It contains 28% protein to help your puppy develop strong muscles with 18% fat to fuel his growth. The fat content may be a little high for puppies who already have pancreas problems, but these don’t typically develop until later in life, so it may not be an issue.

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Small Breed Puppy Recipe

If you’re worried about triggering food allergies and sensitivities, this Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Small Breed Puppy Recipe is a great option for your puppy. Not only is it grain-free, but it contains highly digestible ingredients with plenty of healthy animal fats, prebiotic fibers, and probiotic supplements. Plus, it contains 28% protein and just 15% fat.

2 More Picks for Senior Miniature Schnauzer Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Senior Food	Wellness Complete Health Deboned Turkey & Peas Small Breed Senior Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.54/lb	A
Senior Food	Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.56/lb	A

Wellness Complete Health Deboned Turkey & Peas Small Breed Senior Recipe

If you want a recipe that will nourish your dog’s body through healthy nutrition, try this Wellness Complete Health Deboned Turkey & Peas Small Breed Senior Recipe. This recipe features deboned turkey and chicken meal as lean proteins with digestible carbohydrates and plenty of essential fatty acids. It contains 25% protein for lean mass maintenance with just 12% fat to meet your dog’s needs for energy without going overboard.

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe

Once your Miniature Schnauzer starts to slow down, you may want to switch him to a senior recipe like this Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe. This formula is grain-free so it won’t aggravate any allergies and it is rich in protein to sustain your dog’s lean muscle mass. Plus, it contains plenty of high-quality ingredients with beneficial supplements as well.

Our FAQ and Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Guide

In addition to choosing a healthy Miniature Schnauzer food, you also need to keep that food fresh. Dog food storage is important because the food will start losing some of its nutritional value as soon as it is exposed to air. The best thing you can do is place the open bag in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Avoid pouring the food into a container because you’ll lose the benefits of the bag – these are treated on the inside to help keep the food fresh.

Your Miniature Schnauzer is small and doesn’t eat large meals, so you won’t have to buy a big dog food bowl. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can skimp – try to find something affordable that also offers decent quality and durability. Stainless steel is a good option because it is impossible to break, easy to clean, and won’t harbor dangerous bacteria that could make your dog sick.

And now, here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about feeding a Miniature Schnauzer:

How much food should I feed my Miniature Schnauzer?

Generally speaking, the Miniature Schnauzer eats about ½ to 1 cup of food per day divided over several meals. Keep in mind that the calorie content of every recipe is different, so you’ll need to check the feeding instructions on the bag to see how much to feed your dog each day. If you start with a small-breed recipe, this amount should be accurate.

How many times a day should I feed my Miniature Schnauzer?

Most Miniature Schnauzers do well on three small meals per day, though growing puppies may need as many as four meals. Keep in mind that snacks should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily diet, so if you feed your dog a lot of snacks during the day you might want to make one of his meals a little smaller to account for it. You’ll also have to keep an eye on your dog’s activity level – if he’s very active, he may need an extra meal to provide the energy he needs.

What kind of food do Miniature Schnauzers eat?

Because Miniature Schnauzers are prone to food allergies and problems related to high-fat diets, the quality of their food is particularly important. Fresh food offers the highest nutritional value for dogs, but it is very expensive. If you can afford it, dehydrated or freeze-dried food offers a slightly more affordable (and convenient) option. Otherwise, buy your dog the highest quality kibble you can afford. Dry food is affordable, easy to store, and it offers dental benefits to help keep your dog’s teeth clean which is a common concern with small breeds like the Miniature Schnauzer.

What vegetables are good in a Miniature Schnauzer food?

Vegetables provide dietary fiber as well as natural sources for vitamins and minerals. As such, they are a valuable addition to any high-quality dog food. Here are some of the best vegetables for Miniature Schnauzers:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Green beans
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Sweet potato
• Zucchini

Even if the dog food you choose contains fresh vegetables, you might still want to consider supplementing his diet with veggies as a healthy snack. Just make sure they are safe for dogs to eat and that you clean them thoroughly before feeding. You should also feed small amounts to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach from an overload of fiber.

Do Miniature Schnauzers need grain-free dog food?

There is a lot of debate about the long-term safety of grain-free dog food for dogs, but the fact remains that some breeds have a higher risk for being allergic or sensitive to grains and the Miniature Schnauzer is one of them. If your dog can tolerate grains, there is no reason not to include whole grains in his diet. It he suffers from frequent ear infections or skin problems; however, it could be a sign of an allergy and grains could be the culprit. In this case, a grain-free diet may be best.

Miniature Schnauzer Dog Food – A Final Word

Now that you know the basics about your Miniature Schnauzer’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for the best Miniature Schnauzer food. Remember, the best dog food for your dog will be made from wholesome natural ingredients, primarily animal-based. Look for something rich in protein with moderate fat, digestible carbohydrates, and beneficial supplements.

If you’re still not sure where to start in choosing the best Miniature Schnauzer dog food, try one of our top 15 picks reviewed above!