10 Best Dog Foods for Lhasa Apsos – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

The Lhasa Apso is a playful, intelligent, and lively little breed that will also shower you in affection to the point where you don’t have to question their devotion. Of course, you want to find food that is well suited for your beloved companion that offers them optimal nutrition for a long and happy life with you.

The difficult part is narrowing down the right food choice in the never-ending options on the market. With all the conflicting information regarding pet foods, it can make this decision quite stressful. Instead of throwing you into the chaos alone, we’ve done the hard work for you and researched the nutritional information and reviews of the top foods out there. Here’s a look at the list we came up with for the best food for Lhasa Apsos.

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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Lhasa Apsos

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

The Farmer’s Dog Turkey Recipe gets our pick for the best overall dog food for Lhasa Apsos. The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription fresh food service that will deliver customized meals right to your door. We know that some dog owners are hesitant about subscription services, but the company is very customer oriented, and you can cancel easily at any time.

This dog food smells like something you would cook up for yourself. It is crafted with real fresh turkey and also includes chickpeas, fresh vegetables, fish oil, and a blend of essential vitamins and nutrients. This food is ideal for allergy sufferers and those with sensitive digestive systems.

All of The Farmer’s Dog recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and are created using AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages. Fresh food is growing increasingly popular despite the extra expense because of the health benefits it provides. This company makes some of the best fresh foods on the market, which is backed by many consumer reviews.

There are no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or by-products in this food, and every batch is tested for quality and safety. You can rest assured that all ingredients are fit for human consumption.  However, you will have to make some extra room in your refrigerator and freezer for storage.

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2. Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed Dog Food – Budget Buy

Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed gets our pick as the best dog food for Lhasa Apsos for the money. This kibble comes with great quality while being gentler on the budget. Deboned turkey is the first ingredient, followed by a chicken meal for an excellent source of protein and essential amino acids.

This food is formulated to meet AAFCO’s Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance. The Ancient Grains recipe features a blend of wholesome grains and a good balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that support healthy skin and coats. There are also some added probiotics for additional digestive support and immune health.

This food gets numerous positive reviews, but it seems like there are some picky eaters out there that refuse to eat the kibble, which is a typical complaint seen in most dog food reviews. Overall, if you are looking for a healthy and affordable choice for your Lhasa Apso, this is a great choice.

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3. Castor & Pollux Pristine Grass-Fed Lamb Stew Small Breed Dog Food

Castor & Pollux Pristine Grass-Fed Lamb Stew is designed for small breed dogs like the Lhasa Apso. It is definitely a premium choice food, so it’s definitely more expensive than other options on our list, especially considering that it is a wet dog food instead of a dry kibble. 

The benefits of wet food are that they seem to be a little more palatable for dogs and they are easier for dogs to eat, especially senior dogs that may be suffering from dental issues or are missing teeth. However, wet foods can also further contribute to dental problems and cause weight gain, so it’s important to give your Lhasa Apso proper teeth brushing and also make sure that you are feeding a healthy amount.

However, we do like that this food uses lamb as the first ingredient, which makes it great for almost any dog because most dogs seem to like the flavor and don’t have an allergy to lamb. It also contains organic fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, and apples for added nutrients, as well as vitamins and minerals to ensure a well-rounded diet.

Most dog owners seem to love this food for their dogs, but keep in mind that the price is for 1 container, so again, it is pricey.

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4. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Food

The Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry Puppy recipe is a great choice for the little Lhasa Apso that needs to get the right nutrition for their growth and development. This food contains 90 percent protein that is derived directly from animal sources.

Lamb and dehydrated lamb are the top two ingredients for an excellent protein source that is rich in essential amino acids. There is also a healthy amount of chicken fat, which is essential for cognitive development, and the recipe does not contain any by-products.

There are no peas, potatoes, or legumes in this recipe, which are controversial ingredients as the FDA investigates the potential link between canine DCM and grain-free diets that contain these ingredients. The grains used in this food are limited and have a lower glycemic index.

In addition to having a blend of essential vitamins and minerals, there is some herring oil and dried whole eggs in the recipe, which are fantastic nutritionally but may cause some gas.

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5. Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein Dog Food

Nutro’s Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein is a wet food pate that comes recommended by veterinary professionals. This food is of high quality, is rich in moisture, and is formulated with a blend of wholesome ingredients. The first five ingredients include chicken, chicken broth, chicken, liver, lamb, and whitefish.

This recipe contains no GMOs, chicken by-product meals, or artificial additives. In addition to having quality animal protein within the top ingredients, also included is a blend of superfoods and a healthy balance of essential vitamins, nutrients, and fiber.

It is made without any corn, wheat, soy, or other grains, so it is important to make sure a grain-free diet is appropriate to feed your dog. The biggest customer complaints about the food are that it is drier than your average wet food and stiffens ups when placed in the refrigerator.

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6. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Dog Food

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health is a small breed kibble that features deboned turkey, chicken meal, and salmon meal as the first three ingredients. Wellness is a reputable company that can be a bit pricier than others but does not use any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives in its foods.

The kibble is proportionally suited for small dogs like the Lhasa Apso. It contains wholesome grains like oatmeal and brown rice for a good source of fiber. They also crafted this food with a healthy balance of omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The additional glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine support the joints, digestive system, heart, and whole-body health.

There were some reports of gas and loose stools when transitioning to this food and some picky eaters may refuse to eat it. Overall, this is a well-reviewed food among many small dog owners.

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7. Chicken Soup for the Soul Adult Pate

Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Adult pate is a great choice for adult and senior Lhasa Apsos. It includes chicken, turkey, chicken broth, turkey broth, and duck as the first five ingredients, making it rich in healthy proteins. It also includes salmon in the list of ingredients, which is a great source of omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

Chicken Soup for the Soul does not use any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in the recipe, and it is also free of wheat, corn, and soy while containing a balanced blend of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. This food makes a good choice for those wanting a canned food variety that includes quality proteins, healthy moisture, and fiber.

Some of the cans were dented upon arrival, which can be inconvenient when opening and storing. There may be the occasional picky eater that won’t eat the food, but overall, this is a highly palatable and well-tolerated canned food for many dogs.

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8. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Dry Food

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe is a kibble that features a healthy blend of high-quality whole grains including brown rice, barley, and quinoa. Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, and the food is crafted in Hereford, Texas.

Merrick features a healthy balance of vitamins and nutrients while being size appropriate for the Lhasa Apso and other small breeds. The recipe is rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coats.  They also add glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

As with most dry kibbles, some picky eaters just don’t want to touch the food but overall, Merrick is one of the top contenders for premium dog food brands on the market today. Plenty of small breed owners explain how excited their dogs are for mealtime and they feel secure knowing they are offering them a healthy, well-balanced diet.

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9. Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Adult Small Breed Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan is Purina’s premium dog food line, and they feature this Adult Small Breed recipe made from chicken and rice that is well tolerated and recommended by many small breed owners. The bite-sized kibble is size appropriate and features tender, shredded bits that entice even the pickiest eaters thanks to its taste and texture.

This recipe is high in protein and features real chicken as the first ingredient. For dogs that suffer from food allergies and sensitivities, there is another Small Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach recipe that may be better suited.

This food has guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health and will live up to the energy needs of the most energetic small breeds like the Lhasa Apso.

What we don’t like about this food is the unspecified poultry by-product meal in the list of top ingredients, which is rendered poultry waste from the slaughterhouse after the sought-after cuts have been removed.

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10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is made specially to work well with dogs that suffer from food allergies or sensitivities. This is a wet food option that is rich in moisture for healthy hydration and contains turkey as the top protein source for easy digestion.

This food is palatable and easy to eat, making it a great choice for even the pickiest of eaters. Many owners of dogs with sensitive systems love how this food is so well-tolerated by adults and seniors.

Hill’s can get a bit pricey, but they perform daily safety checks during the manufacturing process to ensure the safety of their foods. There were some owner complaints about the cans being a bit difficult to open and some deliveries were received dented.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for a Lhasa Apso

Do Lhasa Apsos Have Special Dietary Needs?

As a breed, the Lhasa Apso does not have any specific dietary requirements, but this can vary from dog to dog. They should be offered high-quality dog food that is appropriate to their size, age, and activity level. If you choose a dry kibble, you will want to ensure it contains small bites that are designed for small dogs like the Lhasa Apso.

The breed can be at risk of becoming overweight or obese, so it is important to feed them the appropriate portions and not overfeed treats. If your dog is obese, a weight management plan should be discussed with your veterinarian. There are some excellent foods on the market geared toward weight management.

Before You Buy

There are some things to consider before you make a final decision on which dog food is right for your Lhasa Apso. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you are shopping:

Do Your Own Research

When you are stuck trying to decide between top contenders, it is a good idea to do some research into the brands you have picked out. Not all dog food companies are the same and many different aspects determine whether a company is reputable and trustworthy.

Check into each company’s history to see how long they have been around, what type of recall history they have if any, and the consumer reviews of how they do business. You can also look further into where the food is made and where they source their ingredients.

Read Labels

We recommend any pet owner learns how to read pet food labels. It can seem like a lot at first, but once you understand what you are looking at, it can help you make vital decisions.

There are even some resources that will teach you how to read labels and gain a better understanding of what they entail. Take a look at the ingredient list, caloric content, and guaranteed analysis to see how they compare to the competition.

Pick Your Preferred Type of Food

Consider which type of food you plan to feed your Lhasa Apso. You can choose from traditional dry kibbles, canned food, fresh food, and others that include freeze-dried, raw ingredients.

Canned and fresh foods are full of moisture, appetizing, and easy to chew but they are more expensive than kibbles. The good news is that Lhasa Apso is a small breed that won’t require as much as a larger breed. You can even choose to mix these kinds with dry kibble if you prefer.

Dry food is the most popular choice among most dog owners, you just want to make sure the kibble is appropriately sized. Each food type has its pros and cons, you will just have to decide what works best for you and your Lhasa Apso.

Consider Your Budget

Keep your budget in mind when you are dog food shopping. This is an expense that will be around throughout the lifespan of your dog. Lhasa Apsos are small, so that does help in overall costs.

You don’t have to skip out on quality for a portion of less expensive food since there are plenty of affordable foods that also offer good quality. Low-quality dog foods are not recommended, as they could potentially cause more health issues down the line, which can be very costly in terms of veterinary expenses.

Once you determine what kind of budget you are working with, you can look into the foods that fit the criteria, making your decision that much easier.

Get Some Recommendations from Your Veterinarian

Don’t forget to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet. They will be able to tell you if there are any special dietary needs you should consider when food shopping. It is also highly recommended that you always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your normal diet.

Since the vet is familiar with their overall health, you can get some valuable information from them before making your final decision. They may even have some insight into certain brands that you weren’t expecting.

Conclusion

The reviews speak for themselves, now the choice is up to you. The Farmer’s Dog Turkey Recipe is excellent quality fresh food that can’t be beaten, Nulo Frontrunner Ancients Grains provides excellent quality and is more budget-friendly than some of the other choices. Our third choice, Castor & Pollux Pristine Grass-Fed Lamb Stew, comes with a novel protein along with organic fruits and vegetables.

Farmina N&D’s puppy recipe is a great way for puppies to get their nutrition started on the right foot, and Nutro Ultra Grain Free Trio comes recommended by veterinarians and is a tasty wet food option your dog is guaranteed to love.

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Featured Image Credit: Aurelie le moigne, Shutterstock