Lhasa Apsos are small, compact dogs that are often admired for their long, silky hair. However, it’s important not to be fooled by their size. These larger-than-life dogs have a lot of energy and are incredibly hardy dogs.
As with many purebred dogs, Lhasa Apsos have predispositions to developing common health concerns. Some health issues include atopy, eye disease, and hip dysplasia. Since diet plays a significant role in a dog’s health, it’s important to find food that properly nourishes a Lhasa Apso.
In general, Lhasa Apsos will benefit from high-calorie, high-protein dog food with limited ingredients and nutrients that support eye health and joint and mobility health. Based on these categories, we have reviews of some of the best dog food for Lhasa Apsos. Take a look at our list to determine which food will be best for your Lhasa Apso.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022
The 10 Best Dog Food for Lhasa Apsos
1. Ollie Fresh Lamb with Cranberries – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oats, barley |
| Protein content: | 10% |
| Fat content: | 7% |
| Moisture content: | 74% |
| Calories: | 1804 kcal ME/kg |
This Ollie Lamb with Cranberries recipe is the best overall dog food for Lhasa Apsos for several reasons. It’s Ollie’s most calorie-dense meal and contains a high percentage of protein, which will give your compact Lhasa Apso all the energy it needs to take on a new day.
The recipe contains a single source of animal meat protein. With lamb being a novelty meat, it’s a safe option for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities, as beef and chicken are some of the most common food allergens. You’ll also find a blend of nutritious and easily digestible foods, like butternut squash and rice.
This meal is sustainable for all life stages, so if your puppy enjoys eating this meal, you don’t have to worry about going through the hassle of finding a new adult formula. The only downside is that Ollie’s dog food isn’t readily available in stores. As a subscription service, you’ll have to sign up and be on top of your meal deliveries to ensure that you always have an adequate supply of food.
2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Natural Food for Dogs
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken meal, soybean meal, whole corn |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 351 kcal/cup |
You may have to do some extra searching, but you can find some budget-friendly dog food that doesn’t significantly sacrifice quality. This Rachael Ray Nutrish meal is the best dog food for Lhasa Apsos for the money, and you’ll find that it has a reasonably clean ingredient list.
Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients. It’s a safe option for dogs with beef or wheat allergies and doesn’t contain animal by-product meals. The formula is fortified with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help nourish and maintain healthy skin and coat.
While the recipe is safe for small dogs of all life stages, it does contain a lower number of calories and percentage of protein. Since Lhasa Apsos tend to be active dogs, this food may not provide enough energy for them, especially for Lhasa Apsos puppies and young adults.
3. Castor & Pollux Organic Adult Dog Food – Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: |
Organic chicken, organic chicken meal, organic oatmeal, organic barley |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 405 kcal/cup |
This Castor & Pollux dog food is a premium recipe that’s certified organic. It’s a considerable option if you have a Lhasa Apso with a sensitive stomach because it has a clean recipe list that contains nutritious and organic superfoods, like sweet potatoes, flaxseed, and blueberries.
Chicken is the only source of meat protein in this recipe, so it’s an excellent option for dogs with beef allergies. If you find that your Lhasa Apso has a wheat allergy, a grain-free version of this meal is also available.
We can’t ignore the hefty price of this dog food, but you’re getting your money’s worth by ensuring that your dog’s eating clean and nutritious meals every day.
4. Wellness Small Breed Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oatmeal, salmon meal |
| Protein content: | 28% |
| Fat content: | 19% |
| Calories: | 489 kcal/cup |
This Wellness Small Breed recipe is packed with protein and calories to help support your energetic and lively Lhasa Apso puppy. Deboned turkey and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, and it also contains fish meals. It doesn’t have any meat by-products or fillers.
The recipe is formulated to support whole body nutrition. It contains a rich amount of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and probiotics.
Keep in mind that the recipe contains a blend of turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, and menhaden fish meal. It also includes a lot of other foods, making the ingredient list quite long. The wide variety of ingredients may not be suitable for puppies with particularly sensitive stomachs or untraceable food allergies.
5. Merrick Small Breed Recipe Adult Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 404 kcal/cup |
Our vet’s choice dog food for Lhasa Apsos is the Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe. This high-quality dog food contains a blend of chicken, turkey, and salmon products, which can be enticing for picky eaters.
It also has high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health. The formula also contains natural sources of omega fatty acids to help nourish the skin and coat. It uses a blend of healthy whole grains, including barley and quinoa, which help with digestion.
The one downside to this dog food is the length of the ingredient list. Since this recipe also has a relatively complex ingredient list, it may not be suitable for some dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.
6. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, rice, barley, canola meal |
| Protein content: | 28% |
| Fat content: | 17% |
| Calories: | 478 kcal/cup |
This Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula is another excellent option for Lhasa Apsos with sensitive stomachs and suffering from skin atopy. It contains a blend of guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health. It also uses sunflower oil, which is an excellent source of omega-6 fatty acids.
The formula is also specifically made for small dog breeds and contains an adequate amount of protein and calories to support Lhasa Apsos. It also only uses fish as sources of protein, so it’s a great alternative for dogs with chicken or beef allergies.
This dog food is the only sensitive skin and stomach formula for small dogs produced by Purina Pro Plan. So, if your dog doesn’t enjoy the flavor, you can try other Purina Pro Plan formulas that use other sources of meat, but those recipes aren’t specifically for small dogs.
7. Halo Holistic Small Breed Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, dried peas |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 17% |
| Calories: | 413 kcal/cup |
This Halo dog food contains a blend of nutritious and natural ingredients. Chicken and chicken liver are the first two ingredients. The chicken is GAP-certified cage-free and raised without antibiotics.
The ingredient list has no ambiguous ingredients, like meat meals or by-product meals. The recipe is fortified with omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat. It also contains nutrient-dense superfoods, including blueberries and cranberries.
When it comes to flavor, this recipe has mixed reviews. Some customers claim that their picky dogs love eating it, while others haven’t had much luck. So, even though the recipe only uses whole meat, it doesn’t guarantee that a picky Lhasa Apso will enjoy it.
8. Blue Buffalo Skin & Stomach Care Adult Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, lamb broth, potatoes, flaxseed |
| Protein content: | 7% |
| Fat content: | 7% |
| Moisture content: | 78% |
| Calories: | 123 kcal/bowl |
This Blue Buffalo dog food is a grain-free, limited-ingredient option for dogs with wheat allergies and sensitive stomachs. Lamb is the only source of animal meat, and the entire ingredient list is free of any common food allergens.
The recipe also contains ingredients rich in omega fatty acids, like flaxseed, sunflower oil, and fish oil. The texture is a smooth pate, so dogs with difficulty chewing kibble can safely eat this food.
Just keep in mind that grain-free diets aren’t appropriate for all dogs. Most dogs will benefit from a grain-free diet unless they have a serious medical condition preventing them from safely consuming grains.
Grain-free diets are also under investigation by the FDA due to possible links to dilated cardiomyopathy. So, make sure to consult with your veterinarian before switching your dog to a grain-free diet.
9. Acana Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned lamb, lamb meal, oat groats, whole sorghum |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 17% |
| Calories: | 371 kcal/cup |
This limited-ingredient dog food is another considerable option for Lhasa Apsos suffering from allergies and atopy. It’s free of common food allergens, and lamb is its single source of meat protein. The formula is also fortified with a heart-healthy vitamin pack to support the circulatory and nervous systems.
The recipe also contains fish oil to help nourish and repair the skin and coat. It has easily digestible ingredients that support gut health, such as pumpkin and whole grains. There are no legumes, gluten, or potato ingredients.
The one hesitation that dog owners may have with this dog food is its price. While this recipe is fairly clean and contains many high-quality ingredients, you can find other dog food of the same quality for a cheaper price. You may also find other premium dog food that uses better ingredients for a similar price.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Healthy Mobility Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal, brewers rice, whole grain sorghum, brown rice |
| Protein content: | 17% |
| Fat content: | 10% |
| Calories: | 359 kcal/cup |
This dog food is a considerable option for small dogs that are a bit older and need more hip and joint support. The formula contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and EPA fish oil, which promote mobility. It also has minerals that support strong bones.
It’s not the worst thing in the world that chicken meal is the first ingredient rather than deboned chicken because chicken meal is a denser form of protein than cuts of chicken meat. More importantly, this recipe doesn’t contain meat by-product meals.
Keep in mind that this dog food has a lower crude protein percentage and amount of calories compared to other dog food made specifically for small dogs. So, it may be more suitable for older dogs that require less energy.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Lhasa Apsos
When researching the best dog food for Lhasa Apsos, it’s important to keep several factors in mind so that you don’t get lost in all the details. Here are some key things to look for when shopping for Lhasa Apsos.
High-Calorie Diet
It’s essential to find dog food that can provide a substantial amount of energy for Lhasa Apsos. In general, smaller dog breeds require more calories and protein than larger dogs because of their high metabolism.
Lhasa Apsos tend to be more active than other smaller dogs, so it’s particularly important to find a healthy, high-calorie diet. Dog food with many calories will range from 450-500 calories per cup.
Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formulas
Lhasa Apsos tend to have a lot of cases of atopy and food allergies. So, they’ll benefit from dog food that has sensitive skin and stomach formulas. They may also do well with eating limited-ingredient diets with grain.
Since the most common food allergens for dogs are beef, chicken, and dairy, try to find a dog food that uses novelty meats, like duck, lamb, or venison.
Superfoods and Natural Ingredients
Along with atopy and food allergies, Lhasa Apsos are also predisposed to eye conditions. So, dog food containing superfoods and nutritious, natural ingredients is also highly beneficial. Superfoods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support eye health, like vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc.
Conclusion
Based on our reviews, the best overall dog food for Lhasa Apsos is Ollie Lamb With Cranberries dog food. It’s a nutrient-dense recipe that’s also easily digestible. The best budget dog food is Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Natural Food for Dogs. If you want to explore premium dog food, Castor & Pollux Organic Small Breed Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food is a nutritious and organic recipe for small dog breeds.
An excellent option for Lhasa Apso puppies is Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food because it’s made with high-quality, natural ingredients. Our vet’s choice is Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food because it’s fortified with nutrients that target a Lhasa Apso’s specific nutritional needs.
Featured Image Credit: MabelAmber, Pixabay
