The Rundown
Best Overall: Canidae PURE Real Grain Free
“Canidae PURE Real Grain Free offers a variety of flavors that make it easy to avoid certain ingredients that might upset the tummy of your little Havanese. It is perfect for Havanese dogs who are prone to food allergies.”
Best Budget Option: Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
“Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food provides healthy and high-quality food for Havanese dogs at an affordable price. It comes in different recipes making it easier for you to find the right formula that suits your dog’s diet.”
Best For Havanese With Allergies: Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Recipes
“Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Recipes has best Omega levels for your pup. Your dog will enjoy chomping on quality dog food with real meat ingredients.”
These fluffy little toy breeds are affectionate and relaxed. That and their almost non-shedding coat make them the best lap dogs!
Fun fact: the Havanese is the national dog of Cuba!
These small breed dogs don’t generally have health issues, but you still need to make sure they’re eating the best dog food for Havanese to keep them happy, healthy, and strong.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 9 Best Dog Food For Havanese Dogs
- 1. Canidae PURE Real Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 2. Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
- 3. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipes
- 4. Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Solutions
- 5. Zesty Paws Omega Bites
- 6. American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Kibble
- 7. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Life Protection Formula
- 8. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food Recipe
- 9. Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties
- 1. Canidae PURE Real Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
9 Best Dog Food For Havanese Dogs
1. Canidae PURE Real Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Overall: Limited ingredients with high levels of protein and omega count
PROS
- A variety of flavors makes it easy to avoid certain ingredients
- All recipes have great nutrient counts
- This range contains some of the highest Omega counts
- All recipes are grain-free
CONS
- Slightly pricey
Havanese dogs are prone to food allergies and intolerances. A limited ingredient diet can be highly useful for these dogs and provide all the nutrients they need while avoiding ingredients that may be problematic.
Canidae PURE Real Grain Free is high in protein and fat, but each recipe is different. That makes it easy to choose one for each and every dog according to their lifestyle and activity level.
The protein counts range from 25 to 30%, with fat counts from 12 to 19%. If your Havanese is less active, a lower-fat food would be great. If they’re very bouncy, a higher fat one would work really well.
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2. Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Value For Money: Affordable with high quality recipe
PROS
- Various recipes available, to suit every Havanese
- Higher than average Omega fatty acids
- All recipes contain beta carotene
- No corn, wheat or soy
CONS
- Some recipes don’t contain glucosamine
Havanese parents on a budget, Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food is the best food for you and can’t be more highly recommended. No matter your adult Havanese’s diet or lifestyle, you’ll find a formula that will suit them.
For energetic Havanese, the Extreme Athlete food formula is super, with a fat count of 25%, protein of 32%, and a fantastic Omega count, at 3,5% Omega-6s and 0,5% Omega-3s.
Less active dogs would benefit from the Adult Dog food formula (although it’s a little more pricey), or the Small Breed recipe (which doesn’t contain glucosamine).
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3. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipes
Runner-Up Option: Fantastic for Havanese dogs with allergies
PROS
- All recipes contain DHA
- Extremely high levels of Omegas
- Wide range of nutrient counts
- Various recipes, one for every adult Havanese
CONS
- Slightly pricey
If our premium choice is too low in protein for your very bouncy Havanese, they may do better with Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipes. 4 recipes, ranging from 30 to 38% protein, and between 14 and 17% fat, this range covers all dogs, no matter how active they are.
Every recipe contains DHA and glucosamine and chondroitin. This variety is also fantastic for dogs with allergies. It’s easy to avoid any ingredient by simply choosing a different flavor – none of them contain hidden ingredients.
Choose from Lamb, Beef, Chicken, and Salmon. There are also options for seniors and puppies, and a couple of the flavors have the option of standard, or with freeze-dried raw bites added.
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4. Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Solutions
Best Kibble Topper
PROS
- Various recipes available to aid different health conditions
- Every recipe is grain-free, potato-free, and legume-free
- Fairly limited ingredient – easy to avoid problem ingredients
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals in each
CONS
- High-calorie, so be careful to fit it properly into your Havanese’s calorie count
This range of raw kibble toppers is raw, so introduce them to your Havanese slowly! They’re designed to be added on top of normal dry kibble, so be aware that they need to be factored into your dog’s calorie count.
Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Solutions is packed with amazing wholesome ingredients, vitamins and minerals, and specific supplements.
These recipes are designed as supplemental dishes to round out your dog’s nutrition. You can choose the one recipe that your adult Havanese really needs, or you can feed them a different one every day – it’s up to you! We recommend only beginning raw feeding after the age of 12 months.
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5. Zesty Paws Omega Bites
Best Treat
PROS
- Low-calorie treats
- 90 servings per container
- Added EPA and DHA
- High crude fat count for extra energy
CONS
- Too many in a day can add some pounds to your dog’s weight!
Every good boy and girl deserves a treat, and Zesty Paws Omega Bites will not only taste great, but they’ll also add an extra splash of Omegas to your Havanese’s diet.
Havanese need fur-nourishment, so for dogs with luscious hair, a treat containing Omegas is wonderful for keeping their skin and coat smooth and well-nourished.
With 90 treats in a bottle, it should last your Havanese a little while. There are 30 calories in each bite, so make sure not to feed your small breed too many in a day. It could up their calorie intake too much and lead to an increase in weight.
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6. American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Kibble
Best For Havanese Puppies
PROS
- Contains DHA for healthy eye development.
- High levels of Omegas.
- Added joint supplements.
- Very affordable.
CONS
- Although there are other flavors, they’re not suitable for Havanese puppies with a chicken sensitivity.
- Slightly lower in protein than the average puppy food.
It can be difficult to find a puppy kibble for toy breeds that contains all a growing Havanese puppy needs. American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice is a great choice for a small puppy up to 12 months to get off to a healthy start.
It contains a plethora of wholesome ingredients, added vitamins and minerals, and puppy-specific additions like DHA and glucosamine.
DHA is particularly important for Havanese puppies, as they tend to be prone to eye problems later in life.
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7. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Life Protection Formula
Premium Option
PROS
- Added LifeSource Bits for a vitamin and minerals boost
- Three flavors available (one without chicken)
- Small-breed specific
- Small-bite kibble promotes tartar removal
CONS
- Lamb recipe is not suitable for dogs sensitive to chicken (contains chicken meal)
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Life Protection Formula are great middle-of-the-range dog foods that would suit just about any breed, age, or lifestyle.
Havanese who are moderately active will do well on this dog food. It contains between 24 and 26% protein, which is on the lower end of the spectrum but it’s still quite adequate. The fat count ranges from 14 to 16%, which is right where it needs to be for moderately active dogs.
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8. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food Recipe
Best For Skin & Coat
PROS
- High Omegas plus DHA
- Contains superfood fruits and vegetables
- Rich in antioxidants
- Salmon and fish meal contain Omegas and protein
CONS
- Doesn’t contain joint supplements
Havanese have a luscious coat, and it’s essential to keep it well-maintained. They don’t tend to shed, thankfully, but if their coat is looking a bit sad and ragged, feeding them a dog food for skin and coat is a good idea.
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food Recipe is designed to nourish your dog’s skin and hair. It’s salmon-based, which starts it off with a great protein count and Omega fatty acid number.
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9. Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties
Best For Raw Food
PROS
- Very high in protein and fats
- Easily digestible.
- A variety of flavors, suitable for any dog.
- Minimally processed.
CONS
- No added supplements
A raw diet can reduce allergies drastically, or even eliminate them in some cases. If your dog is quite active, gets regular exercise, and suffers from allergies, it’s worth trying raw food.
The numbers on these recipes are very high, which is why it’s recommended to only feed Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties to your dog if they are active enough to burn it off.
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Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Animal Protein
The best dog kibble always has a high-quality, named animal protein as the first ingredient on the list.Multiple additional proteins are all right as long as they’re all of great quality.
Animal protein provides essential amino acids that plant ingredients don’t, which is why a quality dog food should contain it rather than being plant-based.
Real meat or meat meals are both acceptable. We’ve made sure to avoid animal by-products at all costs!
We’ve included single-meat source dog foods and multi-source dog foods on this list. Some dogs will be fine with a variety, but others may need a single source to prevent allergies.
We’ve picked dog foods with a count between 25 and 30%, unless we’ve specifically stated that it’s a low-protein option.
Criteria #2: Adequate Fat Count
Toy breed dogs need more fat than most dog owners realize. Fat is what dogs’s bodies utilize for quick energy, so they definitely need a good amount of it!
We’ve reviewed foods that contain between 10 and 20% fat. If your Havanese is fairly active, they’ll benefit from a fat count closer to 20%. If they’re a less bouncy dog and prefer hanging out on the couch, between 10 and 15% will be good.
All the fat sources in the dog foods we’ve reviewed are of high quality. It’s important to note that even if a dog is sensitive to chicken meat, most of the time they can still consume chicken fat without any bad effects.
Criteria #1: Omega Count
Havanese dogs have silky, flowing hair that needs maintenance. You can get a head start on keeping their coat healthy by choosing a dog food that contains high levels of Omega fatty acids.
Omegas nourish both the skin and coat, keeping them soft, supple, and healthy. They’re essential to look for in any dog food, but especially for a breed that has hair as opposed to fur.
We’ve reviewed dog foods with good Omega counts that would benefit a dog with a luscious coat. If your dog is getting enough of these in their dog food, there’s no need for separate supplementation!
Criteria #1: Useful Supplements
Toy breeds are not always predisposed to joint issues, but the Havanese does seem to be prone to dislocating hips, knees, and elbows.
A dog food with a good dose of glucosamine and chondroitin is the best option for these kinds of dogs.
We’ve made sure the dog foods we’ve mentioned here contain them, unless otherwise specified. If you do choose a dog food that doesn’t contain glucosamine and chondroitin, it’s not the end of the world – you can feed your dog separate supplements.
Other things that are helpful for a Havanese include DHA and beta-carotene which both promote eye health. Biotin is good for skin and coat, as well as digestion.
It’s always easier to feed your dog all the supplements he needs in one easy meal, though, so we recommend choosing a dog food that contains supplements already!
Criteria #1: Affordability
We make a point of always including this criterion when reviewing dog foods. We all want our dogs to get the healthiest nutrition possible, but there can be a misconception that healthy dog food is expensive dog food.
Thankfully, that’s not true. Of course, there are some pricey options, most of which are super quality and are worth buying if you can. But, if you’re looking for something more affordable, we’ve got you covered too.
We’ve reviewed a variety of foods here that contains something for every budget. No matter what your financial situation, you can rest assured there’s a healthy, high-quality food for your dog on this list! You can feed your dog the best food no matter what.
Questions & Answers
What ingredients should I be looking for in the best dog food for Havanese dogs?
A great food for your Havanese should have a high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient. Plant proteins are okay to see on a list as long as they’re preceded by an animal protein.
A great quality fat source is also essential! Chicken fat is suitable even if your dog has a sensitivity to chicken meat, and pork fat and salmon oil are also superb ingredients.
In terms of carbs, gluten-free grains (brown rice, oatmeal, millet, sorghum, quinoa) are completely acceptable. Fruits and vegetables are wonderful, and provide vitamins and minerals and long-lasting energy.
You’ll also want to see good Omega fatty acid numbers and a dose of glucosamine and chondroitin.
What are the nutritional needs of a Havanese?
A Havanese dog needs 30 to 40 calories per pound of body weight, depending on his age, activity level, and weight.
A good protein count is important for maintaining muscle mass. 25% and upwards is good for moderate to highly active dogs.
Toy breeds also need a decent amount of fat to provide them with energy. If your Havanese is quite bouncy, they can do with 15 to 20% fat in their dog food. If they’re a little more chilled, between 10 and 15% is great.
What are common health concerns for Havanese?
These toy breeds are generally very healthy and can live up to 15 years. They are prone to certain health conditions, though.
- Eye Problems
These little dogs can suffer from entropion (inward-folding eyelids) which is a genetic condition. Other common issues are retinal dysplasia, cataracts, and tear stains (which aren’t dangerous themselves but could be a sign of an underlying issue).
- Joint Problems
Toy breeds don’t often struggle with joint problems, but the Havanese can be prone to knee, elbow, and hip dysplasia, as well as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. They can be caused by obesity, so it’s essential to keep your dog slim and trim. Feeding them a dog food containing glucosamine is also a good way to keep their joints strong.
- Allergies
The Havanese can be prone to food allergies that affect their digestion and their skin and coat. This is why the best dog food for Havanese tends to avoid grains, animal by-products, unidentified meat, and artificial flavors and colors.
- Other
These toy breed dogs can also suffer from a heart murmur or other cardiovascular diseases. Portosystemic shunt is a condition that affects the liver.
How do I make sure my Havanese has a good hair day every day?
Havanese have hair rather than fur. Their fluffy coat needs constant looking after, so be prepared to put in some work to keep your pup looking sleek!
Choosing a dog food for your Havanese with a good amount of Omega fatty acids is a good start. It should also be packed with nutritious whole-food ingredients and contain no artificial flavors. This will ensure your dog’s coat is well-nourished and fed only good stuff.
You’ll need to invest in a good brush that is tough but not hard enough to hurt your pup while you’re brushing. A great shampoo is also essential, and some of these are fortified with extra Omegas too!
Brush your little dog regularly and make sure to keep them knot-free.