Havanese dogs are a famous dog breed with Cuban roots.

They are small and have long, shiny fur. 

This breed requires raw food mixed with store-bought dog food.

High levels of animal protein and vitamins A and E are essential. 

They help develop healthy coats, bones, and joints.

However, choosing the proper one can be tricky and concerning to owners.

Let’s learn which foods are the best for a Havanese dog.

Best Dog Food for Havanese

Best on Price

Best Rated

Cheapest on Price

It is the most reasonable Havanese food available.

This food is far less expensive than the majority of other selections.

This food is superior to other others on the market in which chicken is the first ingredient. 

Since the majority of dogs will digest this material without issue, this isn’t a concern.

Probiotics have been added to this recipe.

They are here to guarantee that the digestive system is appropriately nourished. 

Not all the protein in this formula comes from high-quality sources.

But it still has a fairly high protein content. 

Vitamin A, linoleic acid, and omega-6 acid will keep the coat shiny and maintain healthy skin

Owners gave it a high grade because it has the best value-to-money quality.

This food for puppies has smaller and easier-to-chew kibble.

It contains calcium and phosphorus to maintain strong bones and teeth. 

Also, it will give your Havanese energy throughout the whole day. 

Many vets and top breeders recommend this food.

Dogs with digestive issues can get back to their normal appetite with Purina. 

Vets also suggest grain in food for normal stool.

Purina is a complete food that will lead your puppy to normal stool.

Blue Buffalo Small Adult Dog Food

Real beef to support healthy muscle maintenance is the initial component.

It will give your dog the protein he needs to help develop and maintain strong muscles.

It also contains added mixes to fill the vitamin and mineral dog’s needs. 

It doesn’t contain:

  • By-products
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Artificial flavors
  • Preservatives

The necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are abundant in it.

This mixture supports the health of your dog’s immune system.

Every meal promotes the health of your best friend’s skin and coat when fish oil is added.

It received a 5-star rating from 76% of the consumers

This food is an excellent way to hide the stinky antibiotic pills in.

Many owners struggle when it comes to therapy.

So, this high-quality food is a great cover. 

Some dog owners describe this food as too soft for their pets.

Some pets have experienced diarrhea due to the softness. 

However, soft food is amazing for dogs with chewing issues.

Senior dogs take softer food much better than dry food.

If your dog doesn’t prefer this flavor, you can choose between: 

  • Chicken and beef
  • Beef and hearty beef stew
  • Turkey and fish
  • Fish and sweet potato
  • Lamb

Merrick Lil’ Plates Chicken & Sweet Potato

Another excellent dog food for Havanese for a variety of reasons.

The component list is fairly nice to start.

The initial ingredient is chicken, followed by a variety of meats. 

Due to the substantial amount of meat in it, it is also quite high in protein and healthy fats. 

With Merrick, puppies will get a grain-free recipe.

This food is crafted with probiotics and prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion.

Some Havanese are finicky eaters.

But this dog food is a great way to encourage them to eat. 

Additionally, this diet contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids.

These components support the skin and fur as well as the joints of your dog.

You must care for and safeguard a Havanese because of its fur.

Customers mention that even picky eaters enjoy this food.

It doesn’t contain gluten, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Merrick is geared towards small breeds, and it also has a senior version.

You will also notice better digestion and healthy bowel. 

Some are concerned about the dryness and crumbliness of the pieces in some food bags.

However, according to customer reviews, pets love the crunchiness. 

Customers report that dogs with allergies handle this food very well.

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Dog Food

This food is made expressly to be simple to consume.

The ingredients are carefully chosen in order to maintain overall health.

Due to their small size and dental issues, Havanese already struggle to eat.  

The issue may become worse with age.

The food is brimming with high-quality proteins that sustain your dog well into old age.

This meal is a good option for just about any dog because it has a lot of beneficial nutrients.

It contains antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine. 

Each of these components contributes to the overall health of your dog.

However, this recipe contains some inferior components, like white rice and peas.

Keep in mind these carbs because some dogs should strictly avoid them.

But, pregnant and lactating dogs should consume carbohydrates more frequently. 

Besides this, Wellness is a high-quality protein food that will give your pet a lot of energy. 

Dogs with food sensitivity respond very well to Wellness.

Holistic vets say that larger pieces of this food involve chewing.

But this is essential for the dental health of dogs. 

Also, dogs with liver and digestive issues respond well to this food.

Wellness is suitable for any age or breed size.

Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed

This dog food’s primary component – chicken, gives your dog the protein he needs to thrive.

It also contains chickpeas and tapioca

This food includes ingredients to support your dog’s health, as you might anticipate.

Antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine are all incorporated.

It is composed of both raw and kibbled ingredients.

This makes the food tastier, it also boosts the amount of proteins in the food.

However, you will have to pay for the raw materials.

Formulas with raw parts make this brand pricey when compared to similar products.

But if your dog is a picky eater, the extra expense might be justified.

This food is amazing for picky eaters.

Some dogs face hard times when switching from wet to dry food.

Although this food is dry, dogs love it.

It has amazing flavor and many nutrients, so dogs are enjoying it.

On the positive side, it is budget-friendly

Some dogs find the smell too strong.

But as with any other new food, do it gradually.

Make this transition step-by-step, and you will see amazing results. 

The main reason why owners love this food is their desire to change to dry food.

It has high-quality ingredients and offers the best for your dog.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Your Havanese?

    1. Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Food
    2. Tips for Transitioning to a New Dog Food
    3. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Dog Food
    4. Storing and Handling Dog Food

1 Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Food

      • Antioxidants
      • Glucosamine
      • Omega Fatty Acids

Antioxidants

This supplement aids in the battle against oxidative stress.

It is associated with a wide range of illnesses.

Berries and fresh fruits typically include antioxidants.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is frequently combined with a number of other joint-supporting supplements.

They help keep your pet’s joints flexible and youthful. [1]

Most small dogs won’t have a big problem with this.

But there is little risk in incorporating it into their diet, which is why many dog food recipes do.

Omega Fatty Acids

A particular type of fat known for playing a role in a variety of processes is known as an omega fatty acid. 

For instance, they can maintain your dog’s beautiful coat and support joint health.

Low omega fatty acid levels have even been linked to aggressive behavior. [2]

2 Tips for Transitioning to a New Dog Food

It’s crucial that your dog transitions from his current dog food gradually.

It helps prevent digestive discomfort or stomach issues.

Mix your dog’s new food with his current food to ease the adjustment.

Reduce the amount of the current dog food over the course of 7 days while increasing the amount of the new dog food.

Havanese have specific nutritional needs, so you should keep that in mind. 

Puppies should switch to an adult dog diet at 12 months of age.

Dogs should switch to senior dog food at the age of 7.

This guarantees that they are getting the right amount of nutrition for their age. [3]

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Dog Food

Dry food is a well-liked alternative for dogs, but there are other feeding options as well.

In fact, some dogs may thrive on a diet rich in raw or wet food. 

Since every dog is unique, it’s crucial to discuss the best sort of food for your dog with your vet.

Another mistake when selecting dog food is failing to consider the age of the dog.

Adult dogs’ nutritional demands are different from those of puppies and geriatric dogs. [4]

Finding food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage is crucial.

Compared to idle dogs, active dogs require more calories.

Consult your veterinarian if you’re unsure of how many calories your dog needs.

Storing and Handling Dog Food

For a tiny dog, you don’t want to purchase a huge bag of dog food.

Before your dog has a chance to eat it, extra dog food can go bad.

One major error that most people do is not properly storing food to prevent it from going bad.

Most people ought to spend money on a container that keeps food from spoiling. 

To prevent too much moisture, you should store it somewhere cold and dry.

Check the expiration date on the bag if your dog suddenly stops eating its food.

Setting a reminder or noting the expiration date on the calendar can be useful.

Only approximately 10% of your dog’s diet should consist of treats.

People simply aren’t aware of what a significant source of calories it is.  [5]

Treats should not be confused with a dog’s entire and balanced diet.

As you wouldn’t rely on snacks, you shouldn’t give your pets treats exclusively.

Understanding Dog Food

  • Types of Dog Food
  • Ingredients to Look For in Dog Food
  • Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food

Types of Dog Food

Type of Dog Food

Pros

Cons

Dry Dog Food

Convenient, long shelf life, affordable, keeps teeth clean

May contain low-quality ingredients or fillers

Wet Dog Food

More palatable, good for dogs who have trouble chewing, helps keep the dog hydrated

More expensive, shorter shelf life

Raw Dog Food

High-quality ingredients, no fillers or additives, promotes healthy coat and skin, improves digestion

More expensive, requires proper storage and handling, may not be nutritionally balanced

Grain-Free Dog Food

May be beneficial for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to grains

Some grain-free dog foods have been linked to heart disease

Homemade Dog Food

Control over ingredients, can cater to specific dietary needs

May not be nutritionally balanced. Requires time and effort to prepare, and can be expensive

Ingredients to Look For in Dog Food

Proteins are the most important component of dog food.

They help in building muscles, bones, and joints.

Special care should be taken with small dogs.

They need over 40% protein in food. [6]

Chicken, lamb, and fish are necessary sources of protein.

Spinach, carrots, and legumes are good components of dog food.

They contain high levels of vitamins A and E.  

The fruit also offers vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant.

These vitamins improve the dog’s immune system. [7]

Some foods include “good bacteria” that support the health of our digestive systems.

Just like people, animals need support from their stomachs. 

For your pet’s health, choosing a meal that contains probiotics might be quite helpful.

Prebiotics are another crucial.

But they have disregarded components of a diet that promotes gut health. 

Prebiotics are the nutrients that sustain the beneficial bacteria in the stomach.

When included in dog food, flaxseed is an extremely useful component. [8]

One nutritional source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is flaxseed

They are crucial for the development and immunity of your dog.

Additionally, they support them in preserving a glossy, healthy coat.

Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food

You should avoid using corn syrup for sweetness or artificial coloration.

The enticing corn syrup may lead to overeating

Artificial colorings and syrups contain toxic by-products and can cause harm. 

Allergic responses can be brought on by some artificial food colorings.

It is best to avoid using BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.

Say “no” to these synthetic preservatives simply. 

They increase the shelf life of dog foods, but they shouldn’t be consumed by your dog. [9]

A mysterious component that improves flavor is rendered fat.

Rendering fat may contain toxins and serve as a host for mold and dangerous bacteria.

Propylene glycol is a harmful component of dog food.

This artificial addition, which is known to be hazardous, should be avoided in dog food.

What Is the Best Food to Feed a Havanese?

The best food to feed a Havanese is meat-based dog food.

Proteins and vitamins are essential for a dog’s natural growth. 

Purina is a food that is recommended by many vets.

It is a great grain-free diet to maintain normal digestion.  

Blue Buffalo is a soft food that is amazing for senior dogs.

On the other side, Merrick is geared towards small breeds.

It also offers food for senior dogs and has high-quality ingredients. 

Some dogs might have some underlying health issues.

So, our final advice is to consult your vet before buying the first bag of dog food.

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