Best Dog Food For Lhasa Apso: Top Nutrition Picks for a Healthy Coat

The Lhasa Apso is a smart, agile and comically tenacious little pooch. Standing less than a foot tall, the Lhasa Apsos is famous for its elegant floor-length coat that provides the tiny dogs with a noble, almost royal appearance.

The tiny pooch has a surprisingly long history. Originally bred as watchdogs for monasteries in the Himalayas, the Lhasa Apso takes its name from the capital of city of Nepal, Lhasa.

Don’t be by the Lhasa Apsos aristocratic appearance and comedic personality. Behind the lavish facial hair is a keen, intelligent canine capable of incredible feats of training and agility.

Read on to find out what are the top Lhasa Apso dog food brands.

Why Quality Food Matters

Unfortunately, many dog food brands utilize artificial ingredients such as dyes and preservatives to enhance the color, taste and shelf life of their product.

Artificial ingredients are linked to cancer and a litany of potentially harmful medical conditions that can eliminate years off a small dog's life.

Quality dog food is not only free of artificial ingredients, its free of natural ingredients that provide filler like grains, wheat, corn, and gluten.

The food your dog eats has the most significant effect on their health and overall quality of life.

Your Lhasa Apsos health and general well-being depend entirely on its diet, which depends entirely on you.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR LHASA APSOS

Best Dog Food for Lhasa Apso

To keep prices low, many dog food brands use filler and meat byproduct to “bulk up” their product and provide more value.

There are many dog food brands available today, but few offer the same high quality no filler dog food as the brands presented here.

 

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food

Ollie provides a complete, “cooked” diet in easy to serve portion sizes. Ollie knows you want to feed your pup only the best.

They have created several dog food recipes, including beef, turkey, chicken and lamb, or you can splurge and try their variety pack! These recipes are made with restaurant-quality ingredients that are prepared carefully and cooked fresh on a weekly basis.

These meals are not only great for your pup, they are also ultra-convenient for you! They show up directly at your front door, are kept cool for freshness, and are vacuum sealed to make it easy for you to provide quality meals to your hairy bestie.

---

2. Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe

Merrick Classic Small Breed is formulated to provide your Lhasa Apso with all healthy balance of nutrition, protein, fruits, and vegetables.

The specially designed recipe contains a limited selection of high-quality ingredients that supply a complete and balanced diet, packed with nutrition. This Merrick recipe features deboned chicken, peas, carrots, apples and vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet.

To support healthy skin, coat and mobility, it also contains high doses of glucosamine and chondroitin and high levels of Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.

---

3. Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken Luau

Tiki Dog is a brand from Tiki Pets. The company has a philosophy of preparing healthy foods for pets of all life stages. They use real meats and fish as the first ingredient in all their food, and they only source their proteins from high-quality sources and local farms.

Never underestimate this small kibble! Real, wholesome ingredients, like fresh chicken, chicken liver and whole peas, are packed into a bite-size kibble and baked to perfection, giving dogs the flavor they want and the nutrients they need.

Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken Luau is a mid-priced dog food with great quality. This product has no controversial ingredients, including zero artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.

---

4. Nom Nom Heartland Beef Mash

Nom Nom Beef Mash is an all-natural, gluten-free dog food recipe that dogs instinctively love. This recipe includes real ground beef, egg, potatoes, carrots, peas and little else.

It is packed with 80 grams of protein and 62 grams of healthy fats, not to mention potassium, calcium and Vitamin A, C, K & B6.

Nom Nom is a subscription-based service. Simply tell them your dog’s age, weight, and any health issues and Nom Nom will design, portion and cook your dog's meals to be delivered at your home, free of charge.

---

5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight

This kibble is designed to provide your Lhasa Apso with high-quality protein and all the vitamins and minerals they need to support a long, healthy life. It contains high-quality chicken veggies, and fruit to support a healthy weight.

However, it also includes calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support healthy bones and teeth and improve mobility and joint health. This protein-rich recipe contains zero grains, artificial colors or preservatives.

---

6. I and Love and You Naked Essentials Lamb & Bison Recipe

This kibble is a high-quality, grain-free kibble that any dog would be lucky to receive. Made with whole, deboned meat plus real fruits and veggies, this formula is rich in nutrients as well as flavor.

The first ingredient in this recipe is fresh lamb. Not only is lamb a protein-rich ingredient, but it is a novel source of protein for many dogs which helps to reduce the risk for food allergies and sensitivities.

Because it is made with grain-free carbohydrates like dried beans and legumes, this recipe is a great choice for dogs that suffer from food allergies and sensitivities. It is completely free from fillers and by-products as well as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

---

7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula

As the name states, this contains zero grain. That is because this puppy recipe is formulated to mimic the carnivorous diet of the wolf, the ancestor to all dogs.

It is packed with roasted red meat, healthy fruits and vegetables to support a healthy high energy diet. The natural grain-free recipe includes vitamins and antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, all to support healthy skin, coat, and quality of life.

---

8. Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe in Gravy

This is a wholesome, healthy choice for selective Lhasa Apso puppy parents. Your pup will love the taste of of this recipe which contains two lean animal proteins: beef and farm-raised chicken.

Puppy parents love that it is fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote healthy skin, and shiny coat and strong bones and teeth. It supports digestive health with a wide array of high-quality vegetables, including peas and carrots.

High-quality proteins paired with essential vitamins ensures a growing Lhasa Apso puppy receives the nutrition it needs to build healthy bones and a robust immune system.

 

9. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management Small Breed Recipe

This is the best way to ensure your senior Lhasa Apso receives all the vitamins and nutrients they need to live to the full extent of their life.

Your Lhasa Apso will love the taste of the all-natural grain-free formula. The formula contains real cage-free duck, turkey, chicken and loads of vegetables and freeze-dried raw.

This is minimally processed and contains zero grain, soy, potato, corn, or wheat, nor does it contain artificial preservatives or meat by-product.

---

10. Nutro Ultra Trio Protein Chicken, Lamb & Whitefish Pate

This is the healthy choice for a senior Lhasa Apso with a weak or sensitive digestive system.

This is a premium senior formula designed to encourage picky seniors to eat. It features dense nutrition with real chicken, lamb, and whitefish for a variety of animal-based protein sources.

It doesn’t use any cheap fillers such as corn or soy and has no artificial flavors or colors. It forgoes all common food allergens and should be easy for your senior dog to digest without much issue.

Plus, it should encourage even the pickiest senior dog to eat despite the condition of the mouth and teeth. Your senior Lhasa Apso will love the taste of this premium wet food.

Lhasa Apsos are small energetic dogs who need a diet that can sustain their high energy levels while maintaining healthy body weight.

Nutro Ultra’s signature recipe is loaded with essential vitamins like glucosamine, calcium and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that support strong bones, a beautiful coat, and healthy joint function.

Common Health Issues

Due to years of irresponsible breeding practices, purebred dogs, like the Lhasa Apso, are susceptible to several hereditary medical issues.

The predictable results of such breeding practices are the propensity of small dogs, and short-nosed breeds to suffer from genetic eye, nose and ear issues.

Due to their diminutive size, and relatively fragile skeleton, small dogs are also more prone to physical injury than larger dogs.

Entropion

Entropion is a genetic eye condition in which a section of the eyelid turns inward causing the eyelashes and skin of the eyelid to rub against the eyeball.

The friction of the eyelash against the eyeball can damage the surface of the eye, possibly leading to scratches or perforation of the cornea.

Entropion may lead to blindness if left untreated. Fortunately, Entropion is usually detected by a puppies first birthday.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a genetic disease characterized by the degeneration of the retina.

The Lhasa Apso, like most dogs, is susceptible to 10 different forms of Progressive Retinal Atrophy, all of which may which may result in partial or total blindness.

Clinical signs of Progressive Retinal Atrophy are night-blindness, dilated pupils and a “glow” or increased “eye shine” from the eyes.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is characterized by abnormalities in the upper airway that obstruct airflow resulting in difficulty breathing.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is common in small dogs and includes abnormalities like:

• Stenotic Nares
• Everted Laryngeal Saccules
• Elongated Soft Palate
• Hypoplastic Trachea

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is characterized by the dislocation of the patella, also known as the kneecap.

Patellar Luxation is typically the result of trauma and a genetic malformation prevalent in small dogs.

Initial symptoms of Patellar Luxation include limping, awkward gait, sudden loss of support on the limb, abnormal sitting posture with the knee placed outward; all of which are generally intermittent.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is characterized by the abnormal development of the hip socket which may result in chronic pain from arthritis, lameness and even partial paralysis.

Hip Dysplasia can result from improper nutrition or too much or little physical activity.

The symptoms of Hip Dysplasia are often exacerbated by obesity which exerts extra stress on your Lhasa Apso’s joints.

What to Look for in a Quality Dog Food?

Quality dog foods for Lhasa Apsos include ingredients that are rich in animal protein (no animal by-products like hooves and tendons) and healthy sugars like fresh fruits and veggies.

• Green peppers
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Beef
• Salmon
• Tuna

It is common for dog food brands to include ingredients such as brewers rice, and animal meal byproducts. These ingredients provide the dog food product with filler and are never recommended in any canine diet.

Instead, seek out dog food brands that contain ZERO grains, processed flour, or artificial ingredients like dyes and preservatives. The highest quality dog food brands contain significant levels of quality animal proteins and fats.

Your Lhasa Apso dog food should list meat proteins like chicken, beef, fish, and lamb as the first ingredient. High-quality dog foods may also include meat meals which are a concentrated form of meat wherein moisture is removed.

Healthy animal fat sources provide needed nutrients like omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health. Puppies can also benefit from healthy animal fat, from which they receive amino acids to support cognitive development.

Ingredients to Avoid

Like all canines, Lhasa Apsos are carnivores who will never require corn, wheat, barley, rye, or gluten in their diet.

Owners should avoid dog foods that contain any ingredients derived from corn, wheat or gluten, and artificial ingredients like:

• BHA/BHT
• White Flour
• Artificial Colors
• MSG
• Gluten
• Corn Syrup
• Xylitol and Other Sugar Alcohols
• Nitrites or Nitrates (Sodium Nitrite)
• Soy
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP)

Although these ingredients are not inherently bad, many dogs have difficulty digesting them or processing them:

• Salt
• Rendered Fat
• Propylene Glycol
• Vegetable Oil
• Animal By-Products
• Cellulose
• Brewers Rice
• Corn
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate
• Animal Digest

Lhasa Apsos rarely turn down a snack, which is why obesity is prevalent in the breed. Owners should avoid feeding their Lhasa Apso “human food” and never feed them:

• Chocolate or Candy
• Alcohol
• Onions and Garlic
• Caffeine
• Grapes
• Diary
• Nuts
• Pitted Fruit
• Salt
• Yeast

 

Bad Dog Food Brands

When it comes to dog food, not all brands are equal. It may be tempting to save money by purchasing the name brand dog food.

However, many name brands are known to contain harmful artificial ingredients and provide little, if any nutritional value.

When shopping for dog food, be sure to avoid the following brands that are known to include less-than-savory ingredients:

• Ol’ Roy by Walmart
• Iams
• Pedigree
• Kal Kan

Feeding Chart

How and when you feed your Lhasa Apso should be discussed with your vet, especially when senior dogs are concerned.

However, due to the prevalence of obesity in small dogs, your vet is likely to recommend a schedule feeding regimen over free feeding.

Scheduled feeding enables greater control over your dog's diet, specifically how much food they consume.

We recommended feeding your Lhasa Apso 2-3 meals of high-quality dog food per day. Each mean should be no longer than 20 minutes. After 20 minutes remove the food, even if they have not finished.

It is also essential to ensure your Lhasa Apso is fed in a way that is appropriate to their stage of life.

Weaning Age Puppies: should be free-fed through the entire weaning process until they reach the appropriate weight to be fed a structured diet.

Lhasa Apso puppies: between the ages of 3 months and 1 year should be fed according to a structured diet, consisting of 3-4 meals of high-quality dog food, free of artificial ingredients.

Adult Lhasa Apso: between the ages of 1 and 8 years should be fed a regular diet consisting of high-quality dog food two times per day.

Senior Lhasa Apso require a different level of nutrition than younger dogs. Speak with your veterinarian to establish a diet rich in nutrients that support joint, bone and digestive health.