Best dog foods for American Eskimo – American Eskimo, also known as Eskie or the American Spitz, is a Nordic dog breed with (American) Midwestern origins where it first lived as a multi –purpose farm dog. Eskies belong to the Spitz dog family, have thick white coats and look like small-sized huskies. This breed of non-sporting dogs weigh from 6 to 35 pounds depending on variety, and these varieties include; the toy size (6-10 pounds), the miniature size (11-20 pounds), and the standard size (21-35 pounds). These three breeds experience growth changes for about 16 months, from birth to eventual adulthood.
They have evolved from working dogs to cute and smart canine companions. On personality, Eskies are intelligent, jaunty, high-spirited and sometimes mischievous. Due to their high-energy levels and natural intelligence, they need attention, constant exercise, and steady mental stimulation. However, when denied physical or mental engagement, this breed of dogs are easily bored and can get uncomfortable and destructive.
This ugly situation can be averted by taking them on long walks, jogging, on hiking trips, and introducing trick-training drills, games, and obedience training. Sometimes, they have often termed nuisance barkers because of their tendency to bark at odd times and for long periods unnecessarily. It is also believed that American Eskies ‘talk’. For Eskies, it is advised you never leave them alone for too long. This because they are easily suspicious of strangers and often experience separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
In addition, their large hair mass necessitates constant grooming and the choice of dog food recipes that promote good skin and coat health.
Some peculiar health conditions
On the average, Eskies are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years and grown up to 19 inches (depending on breed) when properly taken care of. However, Eskies just like every dog breed have certain health conditions that are peculiar to them. Some of these conditions are deemed genetic, while others are just czommon. They include:
Obesity-The American Eskimo can easily get overweight and so it is important to supervise their meal choices, feeding schedule, and practice portion control. They should only be fed balanced diets, exercise regularly, and cut down on treats.
Diabetes-this is a long term disease that can affect dogs and a couple of other living things. For dogs, the most common type is diabetes mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes, and is a metabolism problem. It could mean that your hound’s body is not producing enough insulin (often the most common case), or that your dog’s system is resisting the insulin produced by the pancreas. The signs of diabetes include constant urination, increased appetite, weight loss, and constant thirst. Factors like genetics, pancreatitis and obesity can increase your dog’s chances of being susceptible. This health condition cannot be cured but can be successfully managed.
Congenital, Juvenile and senile cataracts- cataracts are usually more common among dogs than in other animal species. This condition interferes with vision, resulting in a cloudiness that reduces the amount of light reaching the retina. Cataract occurs according to age, with congenital developing during birth, juvenile cataract and senile cataract are experienced during puppyhood and adulthood respectively. This condition can lead vision loss if not properly managed but can be corrected through surgery.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)-as the atrophy in the name implies, this condition refers to a group of retrogressive diseases that affect the rod and the cone cells (the two main photoreceptors in the retina). The “retrogressive” means that this condition can worsen over time leading to complete vision loss or total blindness. This condition is also hereditary and there is no potent treatment for progressive retinal atrophy yet.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) – quite a commonly inherited bone genetic malformation in dogs, where the thighbone does not sit comfortably in the hip joint but instead grinds against it. This anatomic condition is often painful to dogs and might cause lameness, loss of hip function, or further deterioration which results to osteoarthritis. Though usually genetic, this condition can also be caused by obesity, poor nutrition, and increased pelvic muscle mass. The most trusted way to properly identify this health condition is through x-ray.
Hypothyroidism- this health condition is more common among dogs than in other animals, and is a deficiency of the thyroid hormone, particularly the thyroxine. In this condition, the thyroid is unable to make enough thyroxine which regulates metabolism. Its symptoms often include hair loss, obvious weight gain due to decreased appetite, clumsiness, muscle loss, toe and ear infections, and slow-paced heart rate. It is important to note that neutered and spayed dogs are more prone to hypothyroidism hence the excessive weight gain. However, this condition is non-life threatening and inexpensive to treat.
Luxating patella- this condition occurs when the patella or knee cap is dislodged from its usual skeletal position where it is attached to the femur or thigh bone. This condition is usually caused by genetic deformity, with signs showing as early as puppy stage. Small breed dogs with this condition often experience bouts of pain the moment the bone slides out of place, and its symptoms can include hind lameness and reduced movement. Sadly, there are no preventive measures for this health condition and it can only be corrected through surgery.
Allergies- collectively refer to chronic reactions to anything, with the most common being food allergies. Food allergies often include symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, itching, skin loss, ear and foot infection, etc. Common food allergens include chicken and poultry by products, beef, soy, dairy, pork, fish, etc. This condition is not exactly life-threatening, and can be avoided by simply eliminating these identified allergens from your hound’s food. It is advised to consult a veterinarian nutritionist while dealing with food allergies and related conditions.
Care, Feeding and nutrition
Probably because of their origin and thick coat, the American Eskie love cold climates and playing in the snow. It might be beautiful and cute to watch them playing in the snow, but grooming that large hair mass can be quite a problem. They shed a lot of hair because they have double coats and so it is crucial that their coat be brushed two to three times every week to prevent matting/tangling and to reduce the amount of hair shed off. Also, they need to be bathed at least once in two months. Furthermore, drooling is not a peculiar thing for Eskies as they hardly drool, so noticing constant drooling means that there is something wrong. Once this is noticed they should immediately visit a veterinarian as it could be a sign of an allergy or a worse health condition.
As dog breeds with active needs and high-energy levels, American Eskies need foods that are whole and balanced. These breed of dogs are also prone to obesity, and this weight problem is often harder to identify or notice because of the large coat mass. Avoid food with high-fat levels as such foods might increase their chances of becoming diabetic.
While choosing dog food brands for American Eskies, it is crucial to make sure they meet certain minimal nutritional tests, like the AAFCO nutritional standard, are suitable for their life stage, are formulated with high-quality ingredients, and provide all the nutrients your dog needs. To be more specific, they need high quality kibble recipes with satisfiable amounts of protein and fats for sustenance and play, then chelated minerals, dietary fibers and vitamins for the improvement of immune and digestive systems, and essential fatty acids for the maintenance and constant nourishment of skin and coat health.
With special consideration of salient factors like nutritional standards, protein source and quality, food-related health conditions, breed size and requirements, cost, and value, this list samples the best dog foods for puppy, adult and senior small breed dogs.
Best Dog Foods For Puppy American Eskimo
1. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet
With an unparalleled reputation of producing premium and holistic dog recipes, the Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey and Potato recipe clinches the number spot on this list. It has premium-quality deboned real turkey as its main animal-based protein source, along with potatoes, fish oil, pumpkin, oatmeal, cranberries, blueberries, flaxseed, and a host of other ingredients.
The meat constituents, potatoes, turkey meal, and oat meal provide your puppy with maximum energy levels need for physical engagements, repair functions and growth. While the inclusion of ingredients like blueberries, fish meal, cranberries, pumpkin, and flaxseed which jointly form the Blue Buffalo proprietary life source bits produce the required amounts of Omega Fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are needed to promote the growth of healthy skin and shiny coat, support mental functions and immune health, aid digestion, and improve stool quality. These ingredients mimic the nutrients contained in breast milk and provide these essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
In addition, these LifeSource Bits are cold-formed, a production process which reduces the heat applied during formulation and so helps retain the natural potency of the contained nutrients.
This limited ingredient recipe is perfect for dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs as it is formulated without grain fillers, poultry by-products meals, artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours. This is an expensive choice and comes available in 4, 11 and 24 pounds bags.
2). Merrick grain free Real Chicken and Potato dry dog food
The Merrick grain free real chicken and potato puppy recipe contains locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. It has real deboned chicken as its first ingredient and main animal-based protein source, along with ingredients like chicken meal, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, dried egg product, salmon meal, apples, blueberries, sun flower oil, etc.
With a protein and healthy fats composition of 60%, it provides the high protein levels to grow and sustain healthy muscles, promote healthy skin and coat growth, and support your dog’s physical activities. The remnant 40% includes conspicuous levels of essential fatty acids(with significant amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin), vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that improve joint and hip health, support brain and vision development, improve skin health and coat nourishment, and promote healthy oral health.
This recipe is specially formulated with the help of veterinarians and nutritionists at TX kitchen, without grains or gluten, added sweeteners, fillers, artificial colours, preservatives, and supplements. The kibbles are crafted in small easy-to-chew sizes with high palatability.
It is an ideal choice, though slightly expensive, and comes available in 4, 10 and 22 pounds sizes
3. Bil-Jac Small Breed Puppy Food
The Bil-Jac small breed puppy chicken, oatmeal and yam recipe combines a unique and uncommon set of ingredients to formulate a diet that specifically meets the dietary needs of your toy and small breed Eskie puppy in their first year. It gets the bulk of its protein from farm-reared chicken, with a combination of their nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes, wholesome oat meal, corn meal, dried beet pulp, flax seed, menhaden fish meal, etc. In addition, it contains essential vitamins and minerals. These high-quality ingredients are blended and cooked using the Nutri Lock slow cook process, a method which guarantees that a greater percentage of nutrients contained in these constituent materials are not lost during manufacturing.
Bil-Jac premium recipe for small breed puppies contains protein levels of not less than 27.0%, fat of not less than 16.0%, fiber of not less than 4.0%, arginine of not less than 1.4%, Omega 6 Fatty Acids of not less than 2.5%, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids of not less than 0.25%. With a dietary profile like this, dog owners can be reassured that their puppy’s nutritional needs (both for growth and functionality) are met and well fulfilled. With 70 stellar years of manufacturing dog foods, it is a known fact that the Bil-Jac is a premium brand.
Also, this recipe comes in mini chewable bites and can be used to wean puppies from 3 ½ and 4 ½ weeks old. To aid digestibility and absorption, it can be moistened with water or goat milk before feeding. It is an affordable choice and comes available in 6, 15, and 30 pounds sizes.
Most importantly, this recipe contains chicken by-products and chicken by-products meals, and so might not be great for dogs with allergies caused by poultry products. It also contains an assumed harmful preservative known as BHA, and so might not be for every dog.
4. Canidae Petite Salmon Formula small breed puppy limited ingredient freeze-dried raw dog food
Specially formulated for toy and small breed dogs, the Canidae Grain free Pure Petite fresh salmon formula contains seven main ingredients and is specially formulated for dogs with sensitive tummies. The main protein source and number one ingredient is salmon, along with salmon meal, lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, tapioca, flaxseed, taurine, freeze-dried salmon, and a host of other nutritious ingredients. With a protein percentage of 24%, it contains enough protein level to support your hound’s physical activities, and help with the growth and increase of muscle mass. In addition, it contains essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids) that help with skin and coat rejuvenation, proprietary probiotics (added after cooking) for a stablised and healthy digestive system, and antioxidants for a thriving immune system.
This limited ingredient recipe is carefully formulated without grains, gluten, artificial fillers, colours, preservatives, and supplements. The small-sized kibble pieces are individually coated with freeze-dried meat to increase palatability and so will be popular with picky eaters and small breed puppies.
It is an affordable option for dog owners after price and value, and comes available in 4 and 10 pounds sizes.
5. Instinct be natural puppy real chicken and brown rice freeze-dried raw coated dry dog food
Formerly known as the prairie recipe, the Instinct real chicken and brown rice recipe from Nature Variety is the start of premium nutrition. This wholesome recipe has cage-free chicken as its number one ingredient and protein source, and also contains brown rice, oat meal, barley, chicken fat, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, and a host of other nutritionally rewarding ingredients. With protein, fats and fiber levels of 25.0%, 14.0%, and 5.0% respectively, it remits enough amino acid levels to sustain your puppy’s biological functions, growth of strong muscles, promotion of repair functions, and enough fibrous material to improve digestive health. Also, it contains high levels of chelated minerals, vitamins and essential fats, which aid the growth of strong bones, teeth, and joints, and promote the growth and nourishment of a luscious coat and healthy skin.
This new and improved product has an increased level of animal-based proteins, a total removal of peas and sweet potatoes, and a reduced amount of plant-based protein. In addition, it is highly palatable, all thanks to its method of coating each kibble piece in freeze-dried chicken, and also is easy to digest and be utilised. It is formulated without corn, soy, wheat, chicken by-products, artificial fillers, colours and preservatives. It also comes available in 4.5, 12, and 25 pounds sizes and is slightly affordable.
Best Dog Foods For Adult American Eskimo
For small and toy breed
6. Purina Pro-Plan Focus Grain Free Chicken and Egg formula
The Purina Pro-Plan Focus grain free chicken and egg recipe is specially formulated with the biological needs of your toy/small breed dog in mind. This recipe includes locally sourced and high quality ingredients like real chicken as its number one ingredient and source of protein, along with chicken meal, cassava root flour, dried egg product, pea starch, and other nutritious ingredients.
It gets majority of its protein composition from real and wholesome animal sources and provides enough amino acids needed for growth and sustenance. Furthermore, it contains fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and probiotics that maintain and improve digestive and immune health, sustains the nourishment of skin and coat, and improve joint flexibility. In addition it meets AAFCO nutritional standards and offers wholesome and balanced nutrition to adult toy and small breed dogs weighing under 20 pounds. This recipe is formulated without grains, gluten, artificial fillers, preservatives, flavours and colours.
However, the choice of protein is not really special and reduces the appeal of the recipe. Also, even though it is grain free its inclusion of dried egg product makes it problematic and not a generally accepted choice especially for dogs with dairy-based allergies.
7. Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed
Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed is the upgraded optimised version of former Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed Chicken and Rice formula. This high-protein recipe has chicken as its number one ingredient and main protein source, and also contains other ingredients like rice, poultry by-product, corn gluten meal, soy bean meal, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, dried egg product, wheat bran, fish meal, etc. With protein, fats and fiber levels of 29%, 17% and 3%, it generously meets your dog’s bodily needs for growth, sustenance and repair functions. In addition, it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidant and proprietary live probiotics to nourish skin and coat health, support the digestive and immune systems, and promote good joint and bone health. This recipe is nutritious, tasty and crunchy, offering your hound something to linger over and thoroughly enjoy.
However, this product contains some controversial and feed grade ingredients like poultry by-products, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, brewers dried yeast, garlic oil, corn germ meal, etc. These products reduce the rating and makes it not suited for every small breed dog. Overall this recipe is slightly affordable and comes available in 6, 18 and 34 pounds sizes.
FOR MINIATURE BREED DOGS (WITH DOGS ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES)
Produced by chewy, American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe contains locally sourced limited ingredients strictly without allergens. With deboned salmon as its main protein source and number one ingredient, it also contains other impressive ingredients like salmon meal, sweet potatoes, peas, peas starch, pea protein, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, sun flower oil, rosemary extract, etc. With 25% protein and 12% fat content, this recipe provides enough amino acids to support physical engagements, increase muscle mass and perform repair functions. It also promotes easy digestibility and absorption, all thanks to complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas. In addition, ingredients like flaxseed (a good source of omega 3 fatty acid) and sunflower oil (a good source of omega 6 fatty acid) help promote and nourish skin and coat.
8. American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe
This recipe is a balanced and complete meal according to AAFCO nutritional standards, and is formulated through extrusion without the addition of grains, gluten, poultry by-products, synthetic fillers, flavours, colours and preservatives. It is an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, and skin irritation. On cost, it is slightly affordable and comes available in 4, 12, and 24 pounds sizes.
FOR STANDARD BREED DOGS (WITH FOOD ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVE TUMMIES)
9. Evolve Deboned Salmon and Sweet Potato Grain-Free dry dog food recipe
Evolve Deboned Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe is a super-premium food for standard-sized dog breeds. This grain-free formula features salmon as its first ingredient and main protein source (a choice guaranteed to appeal to your hound’s innate cravings), and combined with complex carbohydrate sources like garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes, it jointly meets your hound’s high energy requirements. Also, it contains a variety of superior vitamins and minerals, omega fatty acids, probiotics, and prebiotics, all of which improve digestive and immune health, aid growth and nourishment functions, and improve overall health. All the food materials used in the production of this formula are locally sourced and are of first grade quality.
This holistic recipe offers complete and balanced nutrition that your dog needs to lead a healthy life, and is specially formulated without the addition of corn, wheat, soy, artificial fillers, preservatives, colours, and flavours. These wholesome features make it suitable for dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs. Also, it comes with daily feeding guidelines and suggested schedule for diet transitioning.
This grain-free recipe is a modest buy and comes available in 3.5 and 12 pounds sizes.
10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat Small Breed Grain-free Dry Dog Food
This premium protein-rich recipe is formulated to mimic the diet of ancestral dogs. Made without chicken but instead a dense blend of easily digestible animal-based protein sources that include deboned beef, venison and lamb. It also contains other nutrients like blueberries, menhaden fish meal, carrots, beef meal, sweet potatoes, glucosamine, peas, pea protein, tapioca starch, dried egg product, beef meal, canola oil, flaxseed, dehydrated alfalfa meal, etc. With an accrued protein and fats level totaling 48%, it provides enough amino acids needed for energy-sustained activities, growth of strong lean muscles, and repair functions.
In addition, it includes the Blue Buffalo proprietary LifeSource Bits-a unique holistic mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that regulate oxidative balance, support healthy immune and digestive functions, offer stamina and metabolic support, improve joint and hip state, and continuously nurture skin and coat health.
These source bits are cold-formed, a preparatory method that allows them to retain their nutrients and increase longer shelf-life. The kibble pieces are crunchy and easy to digest. To increase overall appeal, they can be combined with wet food variants from the same dog food brand or simply rehydrated with water or milk to free ingrained flavours and aroma.
Offering balanced and first-grade life-stage specific nutrition, this recipe is formulated without wheat, corn, soy, chicken or poultry by products, synthetic fillers, flavours, preservatives, and colours. Its grain-free feature makes it totally perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies and food allergies.
This formula is not affordable but totally offers its worth in value. It also comes available in 4 and 10 pounds bags.
Best Dog Food For Senior American Eskimo
For toy and small breed dogs
11. Iams Proactive Health Mature adult small and toy breed chicken
This first-grade dog recipe from Mars Petcare is a top pick for senior toy and small breed dogs and earns a 4.7 rating. With farm-raised chicken as its main high-quality protein source and number one ingredient, it also contains ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, dried beet pulp, dried egg product, brewers dried yeast, rosemary extract, etc. This premium recipe recognizes your dog’s aging problems and reduced energy levels and comes with protein and fat levels of 24% and 10.50%, quite enough to support their minimal physical activities and repair functions, and a little less to contribute to weight gain.
Also, it is improved with antioxidants (especially beta-carotene and Vitamin E), omega fatty acids, other vitamins and minerals, and dietary fibers to improve digestion, strengthen your hound’s immune system, burn away unnecessary fat and regulate metabolism, support bone and joint health, and other specific nutritional functions your mature dog might have.
Iams proactive health mature adult dry dog food offers 100% nutrition and is a balanced veterinarian-recommended recipe. It is formulated without artificial preservatives, fillers, colours, flavours and supplements. It is crunchy, palatable and easily digestible.
It is budget-friendly and comes available 7, 15, and 29.1 pounds sizes.
12. Royal Canin Small Adult 8+ Dry Dog Food for Senior Small Breed Dogs
Formerly known as mini aging12+, the Royal Canin Small Adult 8+ dry dog food is particularly formulated for older small breed dogs (from 8-12 years and weigh 9 to 22 pounds) and offers age-specific nutrition to meet your aging dog’s dietary needs. This recipe contains a unique blend of ingredients like brown rice, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, corn, chicken by-product meal, wheat gluten, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, fish oil, dried tomato pomace, green tea extract, rosemary extract and other ingredients which in return remit nutrients like amino acids, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants.
These nutrients help your dog maintain an exuberant vitality, regulate rate of metabolism and aging process, help maintain weight gain, and maintain healthy joint, bone, skin and coat health. On appeal, the kibble pieces are tasty and easy to digest. This quality makes it a perfect choice for fussy eaters. Also, they are crafted in chewable sizes that perfectly fit the small jaws of small breed dogs.
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To get the best out of this recipe, it can further be combined with a wet food variant from the same brand for senior dogs. This recipe is a modest and budget-friendly option, offering tailored nutrition along age-lines. It also comes available in 2.5 and 13 pounds sizes.
