Best Dog Food for Samoyeds : 15 Healthy Options + Helpful Answers to Feeding FAQs

Named for the nomadic Samoyede people that bred them for hard labor in Siberia, the Samoyed dog breed typically stands at around 21 to 23 inches tall, and weighs 45-65 pounds.

These dogs might look elegant and graceful, but their thick, white coats allow them to withstand and even work in brutal, freezing conditions. Now, rather than pulling sleds or hauling supplies, Samoyeds spend their time snuggling with their human companions. While these dogs can be strong-willed when they want something, they’re also incredibly friendly, affectionate and devoted.

The Samoyed’s gentle temperament make them an ideal choice for families with small children. You might notice that Samoyeds always look like they’re smiling—and that’s not an accident. Their naturally-upturned mouths keep them from drooling and prevented icicles from forming on their muzzles when they worked in freezing temperatures. Even if they always look cheerful, the real way to keep your Samoyed happy and healthy is through a wholesome, balanced diet.

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

Understanding a Samoyed’s Diet Requirements

Samoyedes are generally an active breed. When they aren’t cuddling up to you, they’ll want to hiking, walking or running. With all that energy, it’s crucial that your Samoyed is eating a high-quality, all-natural diet that supports their overall health. It’s generally recommended that these dogs eat anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day. A larger, highly-active Samoyed might even require close to 2,000 calories.

While most dog food brands come with their own instructions, here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Puppy Samoyed Diet: A growing Samoyed needs a lot of protein, but less fat than some other breeds. Younger puppies may need a ½ cup of kibble 2 or 3x a day. Mixing the dry kibble with warm water will ensure that the food is soft enough for your Samoyed’s jaws.
• Adult Samoyed Diet: As they get older, you may notice that your Samoyed’s appetite grows too. While a mature Samoyed still needs plenty of protein, they might not require as much as puppy would. As active as they are, the unique metabolisms of these dogs means that they don’t need as much food as some other breeds to stay healthy.
• Senior Samoyed Diet: Once they begin to age, your Samoyed’s activity levels and metabolism may begin to slow. At this point, they won’t need as much protein to power though the day, and only small amounts of food at a time.

In some cases, you may not need to feed your Samoyed as much as the directions tell you to. These dogs have unique metabolisms, and it’s actually better to keep them slightly underweight than overweight.

Special Dietary Considerations for Samoyeds

Like any breed, Samoyeds have their fair share of health problems to watch out for. Here’s what your Samoyed may be prone to:

• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Cardiac conditions (like aortic and pulmonary stenosis)
• Allergies

Hip dysplasia is a common problem for many breeds, but a particular issue for Samoyeds. While it can be the result of genetics, improper nutrition or a combination of both, hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hip doesn’t fit together correctly. Hip dysplasia can cause significant amounts of pain and make it difficult for your Samoyed to stay mobile.

Some Samoyeds may be genetically prone to progressive retinal atrophy. The retina of a dog’s eye is made up of photoreceptor cells that detect light and color. When a Samoyed dog develops PRA, these photoreceptor cells begin to die—eventually leaving your dog blind.

Hypothyroidism can be another concern for Samoyeds. The thyroid gland in your dog’s neck secretes important hormones that help manage weight gain and keep their metabolisms running smoothly. Hypothyroidism, which can sometimes be the result of a congenital defect, occurs when that thyroid gland is not secreting enough hormones. Without proper medical treatment, hypothyroidism can lead to obesity, lethargy, and mental dullness.

Aortic Stenosis tends to be more common in large or medium-breed dogs like the Samoyed. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve that blocks or obstructs proper blood flow to the heart. While mild aortic stenosis might not cause symptoms, a more severe case could cause damage to your dog’s heart.

Samoyed Feeding Chart

It’s highly recommended that you do not free feed your Samoyed, but instead keep them on a fairly regular feeding schedule. With their metabolisms, it’s incredibly easy for a Samoyed to overeat and gain weight when they’re free-feeding. As puppies, you’ll want to feed them 3x times a day.

Once they reach a year in age, you can cut back to 2x a day if you want to. Spreading these meals out can also help make sure your Samoyed is only ingesting as many calories as they need to at one time. At the very least, you should give your Samoyed food in the morning or early afternoon, and then another meal in the evening.

The Best Dog Food For Samoyed: Our 2023 Top 15 Picks

While many dog foods promise to give your dog all the nutrition they need, not every brand can live up to this promise. Fortunately, you don’t need to guess which Samoyed food can give your furry friend the wholesome, high-quality diet they need—we’ve done the legwork for you.

Here are our top 15 picks:

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Best Overall	Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet Recipe	$3.18/lb	A+
Affordable	American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe	$1.66/lb	A+
Most Popular	Zignature Whitefish Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Recipe	$2.51/lb	A+
Human Grade	Ollie Fresh Dog Food Delivery Service	Varies	A+
Best for Allergies	Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Grain-Free Recipe	$2.69/lb	A+
Sensitive Stomachs	Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe	$2.49/lb	A
Grain Free	Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Recipe	$1.75/lb	A
Great Value	Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Recipe	$0.89/lb	A
Sensitive Teeth	Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Bites Adult Pasture Fed Lamb & Rice Recipe	$1.76/lb	A

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet Recipe

Best Overall: With protein that comes from a real, animal source, the Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet recipe has all the fuel your Samoyed needs to conquer the day. Not only does it contain beef, but it has extra nutrients from pork, lamb, turkey, and salmon. Since not all dogs enjoy the taste of dry kibble, this recipe also includes freeze-dried raw protein pieces for more nutritional value and a better taste.

Since safety is always the first priority, this formula goes through extensive testing and high-pressure processing before it arrives on your doorstep. If the nutritional benefits aren’t enough for you, it might be worth noting that purchasing this formula helps pair rescue dogs with disabled veterans.

• Pros: Uses animal-source protein, grain-free, gluten-free, no artificial flavoring, preservatives or fillers, includes freeze-dried raw pieces of food, goes through extensive testing to guarantee safety, supports disabled veterans and rescue dogs
• Cons: less affordable, some dogs may not need this much fat (17% fat and 38% protein)

American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe

Most Affordable: Not only is the American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free recipe full of real, wholesome veggies like carrots and dried kelp, but it also includes protein-rich, deboned lamb. With fiber, essential amino acids and antioxidants, this formula will support your dog’s overall health.

The fatty acid, DHA, can help promote better retinal and cognitive health. The salmon oil and flaxseed give this recipe a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids and help keep your Samoyed’s fluffy, white coat healthy and shiny. Dogs that have digestion issues may find this formula especially helpful: with extra fiber and easily-digestible carbohydrates, your furry friend is unlikely to have a negative reaction to it.

• Pros: Contains real fruits and veggies, includes plenty of amino acids and antioxidants, DHA promotes brain and eye health, salmon oil and flaxseed support better skin health, easily-digestible, more affordable, grain-free
• Cons: Some dogs may be sensitive to lamb or sweet potato, not as much omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as other choices

Zignature Whitefish Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Recipe

Most Popular: If your dog enjoys the taste of fish, they might just love the Zignature Whitefish Limited Ingredient Grain-Free recipe. By using animal-source protein, this formula can provide your Samoyed the energy they need throughout the day.

The whitefish have been caught in Pacific Waters and contains less sodium, but plenty of omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin B12. Since chicken, corn, wheat, soy, and potatoes are common food irritants that can upset your pup’s stomach, this formula is free of them. What it does contain are hypoallergenic, low-glycemic ingredients that can help regulate your dog’s blood pressure.

Extra chickpeas and peas provide essential antioxidants to boost the immune system and may help aid in digestion.

• Pros: Grain-free, low in sodium, contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin B12, antioxidants boost the immune system, includes hypoallergenic, low-glycemic ingredients to regulate blood pressure, rich in fiber
• Cons: May not be a good choice for dogs that are sensitive to poultry, some dogs may need less protein than this (29% protein)

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Delivery Service

Human Grade: If you really want to make sure that your Samoyed is getting all the nutrition they need, you might want to consider the human-grade Ollie Delivery Service. Since some Samoyeds can struggle with weight, sensitive stomachs, or allergies, Ollie staff members personalize your dog’s meal plan to their specific needs.

Picky eaters that just can’t eat store-bought kibble might love the high-quality, personalized meals. By using protein sources like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb as their bases, Ollie recipes can provide your dog with all the protein they need in their diet. If you find that your dog doesn’t react well to certain ingredients in their recipes, you can always contact a staff member and let them know what you’d like to change.

• Pros: Human-grade, a great choice for dogs that have severe dietary restrictions, personalized meals
• Cons: Some places might not be eligible for delivery, less affordable

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Grain-Free Recipe

Best For Allergies: Food allergies aren’t uncommon among dogs—especially Samoyeds. Finding a Samoyed food that doesn’t contain the ingredient your dog is allergic to can be difficult. Fortunately, the Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Grain-Free recipe makes it a lot easier by keeping their ingredient list short.

This recipe uses nutritious sweet potatoes to provide key vitamins and minerals and rely on venison as its primary protein source. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid from flaxseed support your dog’s skin health, and the added phosphorus and calcium promote strong joints and bones. If you already know that your dog reacts negatively to grain products, you don’t need to worry about this grain-free formula.

• Pros: Grain-free, uses one protein source, limited ingredients reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, fatty acids from flaxseed promote skin health and shiny coats
• Cons: Little prebiotic support, less affordable

Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe

Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Just because your dog doesn’t have a specific food allergy doesn’t mean they might not still suffer from a sensitive stomach. For many Samoyeds, certain ingredients can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or cramping.

Luckily, the Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon & Potato recipe limits their ingredients—so you know exactly what your dog is eating. This recipe includes a single source of protein and a fiber-rich, easily-digestible formula to lower the risk of a negative reaction. The added flaxseed keeps your dog’s skin healthy and their coat shiny while the vitamins and minerals from the salmon and potato promote better dental health.

• Pros: Easily-digestible, includes probiotics and prebiotic support, flaxseeds promotes better skin health, limited ingredients, supports teeth and gum health
• Cons: Contains less calcium and phosphorous for joint health, not a good choice for dogs that are sensitive to salmon or potatoes

3 More Top Rated Samoyed Adult Foods

Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Recipe

For dogs that have an allergy to grain products or just struggle to digest them, the Taste of the Wild Wetland Grain-Free recipe might be an ideal choice for your adult Samoyed. This recipe contains unique protein sources like smoked, roasted fowl and roasted duck—which may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction than chicken or turkey.

There are also peas and sweet potatoes for easier digestion, and powerful antioxidants and vitamins to support your dog’s overall health and immune system. It’s also worth noting that the Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free recipe is made entirely in the USA with scientifically-advanced safety protocols. You also shouldn’t worry about harmful artificial flavors or preservatives—this recipe doesn’t have any.

Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Recipe

If you really want your Samoyed to feel like they still live in the wild, you might want to consider feeding them the Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice recipe. Not only does it contain protein from real beef and fish, but it’s enhanced with superfoods like blueberries, peas, and kale for extra nutrition.

The amino acids will promote your dog’s overall health, but the powerful antioxidants will help boost their immune system and reduce the risk of them getting sick. While it’s not completely grain-free, this recipe does steer clear of common irritants like wheat and corn as well as artificial flavors and preservatives.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Bites Adult Pasture Fed Lamb & Rice Recipe

Sometimes, dry kibble might just be a little too tough on your Samoyed’s jaws. If that’s the case, the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Bites Adult Pasture Fed Lamb & Rice recipe might be an ideal choice. Not only will the smaller pieces of kibble be easier for your dog to swallow, but they’ll probably enjoy the taste of real, pasture-fed lamb.

Unlike some other protein sources, lamb can promote lean muscle growth and provide essential amino acids. The added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can support your dog’s skin and fur health while also promoting better digestion. With absolutely no GMO ingredients or artificial flavors and preservatives, you can count on this recipe as being an all-natural choice for your dog.

3 More Top Rated Samoyed Puppy Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Grain-Free Recipe	$2.20/lb	A+
Most Affordable	Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe	$1.59/lb	A+
Most Popular	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe	$1.73/lb	A+

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Grain-Free Recipe

While providing your Samoyed with a high-quality, all-natural diet is always a priority, it’s especially important while your dog is still growing. With plenty of DHA to support cognitive function and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a shinier coat, this recipe is all about promoting your puppy’s overall health. Protein-rich, deboned chicken, turkey meal and eggs can help make sure your dog’s muscles develop correctly while also providing an extra nutritional boost. Added calcium and phosphorous support strong bones and joint health and may lower the risk associated with hip dysplasia in Samoyeds. Since many puppies can’t handle the size of regular kibble yet, this formula has dry food that’s ideal for puppy-sized jaws.

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe

Making sure that your Samoyed food is providing your puppy with all the nutritious value they need for healthy development is crucial. With wholesome, real chicken and barley, the Hill’s Science Puppy diet can help ensure that your puppy is growing as they should be. Not only is the recipe manufactured in the USA, but each bag goes through strict nutrient and quality testing to guarantee quality and safety.

Added Vitamin E and C can help prevent infections by boosting the immune system, and natural DHA supports cognitive development. Keep in mind that this formula is generally suitable for puppies less than a year of age—once they reach 12 months, it may be time to switch your Samoyed to a new formula.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe

Oatmeal might seem like an odd ingredient for puppy formula, but it’s actually chock-full of essential vitamins and minerals. In every recipe, Blue Buffalo adds their own LifeSource Bits to promote your puppy’s immune system and provide a healthy oxidative balance. With plenty of DHA and ARA, you can count on this formula to aid in brain and eye development. There’s also extra calcium and phosphorus—both of which can reduce the risk of bone-related conditions like hip dysplasia later in life.

3 More Picks For Senior Samoyed Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe	$1.45/lb	A+
Heart Health	Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe	$3.33/lb	A+
Most Popular	Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Senior Recipe	$2.29/lb	A+

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe

As your Samoyed ages, their nutritional needs change with them. Once they reach 8 or 9 years of age, it may be time to consider thinking about switching your pup to a senior formula—like the Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice recipe. With chicken meal, and wholesome grains like rice and barley, this formula can promote general health within your dog and ensure they get all the protein they need in their golden years.

The added vitamins and minerals can begin to improve your dog’s energy levels within only 30 days. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives in this recipe, and each bag undergoes extensive testing before it lands on your doorstep.

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

Since Samoyeds can have sensitive metabolisms—especially as they age—it’s important that their diet supports digestion. The Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior recipe is chock-full of L-Carnitine to promote a faster metabolism. As the name suggests, this formula uses chicken as their primary protein-source.

Along with nutritious sweet potatoes, there are also superfoods like apples, blueberries and peas to provide key antioxidants and amino acids. Added glucosamine and chondroitin can support your Samoyed’s bone and joint health as they get older. In some cases, senior dogs may develop sensitive stomachs as they age, but this grain-free recipe is free of common irritants like wheat, corn or soy.

Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Senior Recipe

It might be time to head back to the basics with the Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Senior recipe. While it keeps the ingredient list short, this recipe still has all the nutritional value that your furry friend needs. Extra calcium, glucosamine and phosphorous can keep your aging Samoyed’s bones and teeth strong while the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can support their overall skin health.

Since it’s grain-free, you don’t need to worry about any negative reaction your Samoyed might have to corn, wheat or soy. On that same note, this recipe is also free of artificial flavors, preservatives and fillers that can be harmful to your dog’s health.

Our FAQ and Samoyed Feeding Guide

You might know more about which Samoyed food to buy, but that doesn’t mean every aspect of your dog’s nutrition makes sense. Fortunately, we’ve got the answers—here are some of the most commonly asked questions that owners have about Samoyed food and dietary requirements:

What kind of fruits and vegetables do Samoyeds like?

Although every dog’s taste buds might be a little different, you might find that your Samoyed is particularly fond of these fresh fruits and veggies:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Kale
• Carrots
• Watermelon (without the rind or seeds)
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts

What type of food should I be feeding my Samoyed?

At any stage in their life, Samoyeds should be eating a high-quality, all-natural diet that’s chock-full of wholesome protein and nutrients. Keep in mind that it’s important to buy formula based on your dog’s current life stage—an adult Samoyed shouldn’t be eating a puppy or senior recipe, and vice versa.

When should I switch my Samoyed from a puppy to adult formula?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer since every Samoyed grows at a different rate. Some dogs may require a puppy recipe longer than others. That being said, you can safely assume your Samoyed is mature at 2 years. Remember to watch out for puppy recipes that only support your puppy’s growth up to 6 or 12 months.

When should I switch my Samoyed from an adult to senior formula?

Although they can live for 12 to 14 years, Samoyeds typically enter their final life stage at 8 or 9 years old. At this point, it’s time to begin transitioning your furry friend to a senior recipe that can better support their new nutritional needs.

Does my Samoyed need to be on a grain-free diet?

You may hear a lot of controversy surrounding grain-free diets within dogs, but the truth is, it’s really up to you. Currently, grain-free diets aren’t required to provide your dog with a high-quality diet, but many Samoyed owners do choose to buy grain-free recipes for two reasons: allergies and sensitive stomachs.

Since many dogs can struggle to digest grain products, completely eliminating them from the diet can be a smart idea. That being said, if you know that your Samoyed doesn’t have any issue with grain products, there might not be any reason to exclusively purchase grain-free recipes.

Do I need to incorporate raw foods into my Samoyed’s diet?

Incorporating raw food into your Samoyed food is a great idea, but not necessarily required. Not all dry kibble recipes can provide the nutrition that these dogs need—which is why many owners do choose to add raw food into the diet.

However, you can also purchase a recipe that already contains raw protein, such as the Merrick Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet. Other people find that it’s more convenient to mix the raw food in themselves, but if you choose to do that, just make sure the raw food won’t upset your Samoyed’s stomach.

How long does it take to transition my Samoyed to a different kind of food?

If you’re thinking of switching out your furry friend’s current formula for another, you should be aware that it’s not as simple as just giving them new food one day. Doing so could significantly upset your dog’s stomach (or they might just refuse to eat it).

Generally, it’s recommended that you spend at least 2 or 3 days transitioning your Samoyed to a new formula: try adding 25% of the new Samoyed food to the older one, and continually add 25% of the new stuff each day.

How often should I feed my Samoyed food?

Typically, you should feed your Samoyed about twice a day, or 3x a day if they’re a growing puppy. While some owners might swear by free-feeding, this technique rarely works out well—and it’s not a good idea for the sensitive metabolism of a Samoyed.

How much Samoyed food should I be giving my dog?

For most breeds, the amount of food you give them is as simple as looking at the directions on the back of the bag. That being said, the unique metabolism of a Samoyed can make them a special case.

You might find that it’s better to actually feed your dog slightly less food than what’s recommended for them to maintain a healthy weight. However, if you find that your Samoyed is gaining weight or unexpectedly losing it, you should talk to your veterinarian for more instructions.

What are the signs of an allergic reaction in my Samoyed?

Unfortunately, you might not realize your dog has an allergy until they’ve digested the allergen. Although an allergy can result from any part of the environment, symptoms of a food allergy typically include vomiting, diarrhea, hives or chronic ear infections.

Samoyed Dog Food – A Final Word

If you want your furry companion to live a long, healthy life, it’s essential to provide them with a wholesome, balanced diet that will allow them to stay active. Most of the time, giving your dog a high-quality diet is not as simple as picking a random dog food brand off the shelves.

Many Samoyeds can struggle with sensitive stomachs, food allergies or might just be picky eaters—which is why you should pay close attention to what you’re putting in their bowls. The good news is that you don’t need to guess which Samoyed food recipes are the best.

To give your Samoyed all the nutrition and protein they need to power through the day, try picking one of the top products we’ve reviewed above!