
Trying to figure out what the best dog food for Miniature Schnauzers are? Read on.
They’re bold. They’re bouncy. They’re bearded. Miniature Schnauzers look like grizzled grandfathers and have some of the dog world’s most charismatic personalities.
These dogs are loyal, obedient, intelligent, and playful. Miniature Schnauzers were developed in 19th century Germany as smaller counterparts to Standard Schnauzers.
By breeding Standard Schnauzers with other breeds like the Poodle and Affenpinscher, farmers created effective ratters.
These smaller dogs efficiently hunted down rodents, protecting the farm and home from vermin. This breed was called the Zwergschnauzer (dwarf Schnauzer).
In keeping with their ancestry, modern Miniature Schnauzers have a strong instinct to hunt smaller animals like squirrels, mice, and sometimes cats. Gladly, they’re also quick studies and can be easily trained to coexist with their feline neighbors.
Today’s Miniature Schnauzer is alert, active, and takes being a loyal companion to the next level. These dedicated dogs have a tendency to latch onto a person and become their furry shadow.
By no means is the Miniature Schnauzer a delicate teacup terrier: these little dogs are as physically robust as they are mentally sharp. They make good athletes and aren’t afraid to engage larger dogs in playtime.
As adults, Miniature Schnauzers stand 12-14” tall and weigh between 12 and 18 lbs. Females tend to weigh slightly less than males.
Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb, Butternut Squash, Lamb Liver, Chickpeas, Kale
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
Food Type: Fresh, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Ollie is a company that specializes in providing customized, healthy food based on a pup’s profile (age, breed, weight, activity level, and allergies).
It’s a relatively new brand that was founded only last 2016, but it has grown into an in-demand fresh dog food delivery service with a large following.
The company recommends precise portions based on how much calories your dog needs then ships it to you on a flexible but regular schedule.
All you have to do is store each meal pack in the freezer and only thaw out what you need when your doggo needs it. It’s easy because it’s ready to serve.
Not only are Ollie recipes made of food grade ingredients, they’re also all crafted by canine nutritionists to ensure your dog gets the proper nutrition and diet that’s designed just for his requirements.
The ingredients depend on whole foods that are cooked gently to retain the nutrients inside of them. There are no artificial flavors because the brand believes that fresh food tastes amazing on its own (and we agree). There are no fillers like wheat, soy, or corn, and best of all, it’s a fresh food that you can taste for yourself.
Currently, Ollie offers four flavors in its dog food line: beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. Each recipe is centered around meat with superfoods to add all the nutrients each individual pup requires, from minerals and vitamins to fibers and antioxidants.
Pros
- Each recipe is vet-formulated
- Made from fresh, natural ingredients
- Met AAFCO nutritional standards
- More solid stools, reduced stool volume
- Improved oral/dental health
- Increased vitality and energy levels
Cons
- Bit expensive
- Only has 4 variants for now – if your pet has serious sensitivities or allergies, shop carefully
- Fresh pet food has a shorter shelf life compared to kibbles and canned goods
2. The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dried Apples
Protein: 24.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 6.5% max
Moisture: 8.5% max
Food Type: Dehydrated
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
The Honest Kitchen foods are made from fresh ingredients in a facility designed for human food production. These foods are made with minimally-processed dehydrated ingredients that should be re-hydrated with warm water before serving to your dog.
That additional water can help to keep your bladder stone-prone Miniature Schnauzer’s urinary tract healthy.
Because the ingredients are minimally processed, they contain active enzymes that can contribute your dog’s digestive health.
The recipe is grain-free and made without common problem ingredients like corn, soy, and wheat. Overall plant-based and made with a considerable concentration of carbohydrates, this recipe is low in fat with moderate amounts of protein.
Pros
- Suitable for allergies
- Minimally processed food is easy for your dog to digest and nutritionally dense
- High in moisture; ideal for dogs prone to urinary tract disease
- Made from organic, high-quality ingredients
Cons
- On the expensive side
- High in plant matter and carbohydrates
3. Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken (with ground bone), Chicken Livers, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Kale
Protein: 47.0% min
Fat: 25.0% min
Fiber: 3.0% max
Moisture: 6.0% max
Food Type: Freeze-Dried
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
If you’re interested in feeding your Miniature Schnauzer raw food, with its rich concentration of biologically-available nutrients and active enzymes, Primal’s freeze-dried nuggets make raw feeding simple and convenient.
Fresh chicken muscle meat, organs, and a small amount of finely ground fresh bones make up at least 77% of this food – these are a biologically-appropriate source of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
This food gets a boost from salmon oil for Omega-3 fatty acids and includes nourishing ingredients like mineral-rich montmorillonite clay, organic parsley, organic apple cider vinegar, and organic kelp.
Pros
- Made from fresh, minimally-processed meat, organs, and bones – rich in nutrients and naturally-occurring enzymes
- A convenient way to serve your dog raw food
- Low in carbohydrates and free from fillers, byproducts, and artificial ingredients
Cons
- On the expensive side
- A high-fat food – may not be right for dogs prone to pancreatitis
4. Nom Nom Pet Food Delivery
First 5 ingredients:
Turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 5.0% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
Food Type: Gently cooked
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Nom Nom’s gently-cooked meals are a good balance between dry food and raw diets. Meals are prepared and arrive at your house ready to serve or store in the fridge (or freezer).
Tasty Turkey Fare is a non-allergenic option that uses whole turkey and eggs for quality proteins plus whole fruits and veggies to give antioxidant and vitamin support.
It’s clean and limited ingredient. It should appeal to picky dogs and help alleviate the digestive issues of dogs with severe allergies. Portion sizes are simple, and foods contain balanced nutrition created by a Vet Nutritionist.
Pros
- Suitable for allergies
- Taste appeals to a wide range of dogs
- Easy to serve
- Convenient
- Guaranteed to meet your dog’s nutritional needs
- Maximum dog enjoyment
- Customizable
- Free Shipping
- No grains
Cons
- Requires cold storage
- Delivery schedule choices aren’t available in all areas
5. CANIDAE PURE Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Salmon, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Lentils, Sweet Potatoes
Protein: 32.0% min
Fat: 14.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This limited-ingredient formula is made with eight key ingredients and a lot of additional supplements. Designed for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities, this fish-based recipe centers around whole salmon and salmon meal, naturally offering beneficial fatty acids while eliminating common food allergens.
The food is free from grains or corn, soy, or wheat, but is nevertheless a plant-based food with a relatively high carbohydrate content.
Despite the limited number of food ingredients, the recipe offers well-rounded nutrition with probiotics, the enzyme cellulase, and a complete variety of vitamins and minerals.
The food is free from gluten, hormones, and antibiotics.
Pros
- Limited ingredient recipe is ideal for dogs with food allergies
- Contains a mix of probiotics to encourage digestive health
- Free of grains and corn, wheat, or soy
Cons
- Contains high-glycemic potatoes
- Made with alfalfa meal, a plant byproduct with minimal nutritional value
6. Merrick L.I.D. Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Meal, Barley
Protein: 21.0% min
Fat: 14.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 11.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
Merrick L.I.D. Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe is the healthy choice for your Schnauzer with sensitive stomachs.
The specially designed recipe contains a limited selection of high-quality ingredients that supply a complete and balanced diet, packed with nutrition.
Merrick L.I.D. Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe utilizes a single protein recipe. Thus, it contains zero soy, corn, wheat, dairy or eggs.
This recipe is loaded with important vitamins like calcium and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and glucosamine to support healthy skin, joint function, a rich coat, and strong bones.
Pros
- Simple ingredient panel
- Grain-free recipe with no gluten ingredients
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
Cons
- No prebiotics or probiotics
Best Puppy Foods
Like all puppies, growing Miniature Schnauzers require a balanced diet designed to support healthy growth. Choose a food formulated for either “all life stages” or “growth” – an adult maintenance food won’t support your growing pup’s needs.








