Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall for Schnauzers: Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food
“Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food has a nutritional profile that’s ideal for schnauzers at any life stage. It comes in a whole range of tasty recipes packed full of nutrients and added supplements that support proper growth and development.”
Best for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs: Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food
“Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a limited ingredient diet that uses only premium quality sources to avoid any digestive complications, especially for extra sensitive schnauzers.”
Best Value For Money: Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food
“This is an extremely affordable dog food with quality ingredients loaded with nutrients for your tiny pooch. With this food, you can keep your dog properly nourished while staying well within your budget.”
Miniature schnauzers are typically alert and noisy. They’re a highly active breed and a quick shift in their energetic demeanor could mean they’re suffering from something internally. Small breeds like this dog are prone to allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy. Schnauzers in particular are susceptible to bladder stones.
If you’re a parent to this fluff, you’ll want to keep them protected from allergies and diseases. The best way to do this is to find the best dog food for schnauzers that can provide them the nourishment they need while supplying them with additional nutrients that support other functions.
We’ve picked out our favorites from the most popular products on the market and laid out the best features for each product to help you choose which one is the most appropriate for your miniature schnauzer.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Dog Food For Miniature Schnauzers
- 1. Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 2. Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 3. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- 4. American Journey Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 5. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- 6. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
- 7. Acana Puppy & Junior Dry Dog Food
- 8. Nulo Senior Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 9. Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
- 1. Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzer
- Questions & Answers
Best Dog Food For Miniature Schnauzers
Here are favorites for the best dog food for miniature schnauzers:
- Best Overall for Schnauzers: Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs: Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best Value For Money: Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- Best for Dogs with Hypothyroidism: American Journey Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Highly Active Schnauzers: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- Best for Schnauzer Puppies: Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
- Best Flavor Range: Acana Puppy & Junior Dry Dog Food
- Best For Senior Schnauzers: Nulo Senior Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best Raw Food Option: Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
1. Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Overall for Schnauzers: Well-rounded food with a great amino acid profile
PROS
- Avoids beef products for dogs with thyroid issues
- A whole range of tasty recipes packed full of nutrients
- Nutritional profile that’s ideal for all life stages
- Reduced risk of food allergies
CONS
- May be too high in fat for dogs with pancreatitis
Acana Singles Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a limited ingredient diet that is highly recommend for schnauzers of all life stages, especially if your pup has been recommended a limited ingredient diet by a vet.
Acana is committed to creating “biologically appropriate” kibble for all dog breeds. This means that they use organ meat and cartilage in addition to muscle meat which aims to replicate the typical diet of dogs in the wild. The addition of these ingredients builds a strong amino acids profile that benefits your dog especially when it comes to muscle growth, development, and maintenance.
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Value-Packed Recipe Range
The range of flavors makes this a great choice for miniature schnauzers who are fussy eaters and exhibit food allergies. The nutritional value is pretty consistent across this grain free flavor range – each contains around 31% protein and 17% fat with very slight variations.
Whichever flavor you go for, it will have a significant amount of DHA to keep your Schnauzer’s eyes strong, glucosamine to make sure their joints stay tough, and Omega fatty acids to keep their coats silky smooth.
2. Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs: Limited ingredient formula that avoids common allergens
PROS
- Great variety of recipes to avoid allergy ingredients
- Variety of fat counts make it easy to choose a suitable recipe for any Schnauzer
- Small breed, puppy-specific, and senior-specific formulas
- Consistent high protein content across the flavor range
CONS
- A pricey option
The Canidae Pure Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a limited ingredient diet which uses very few, premium quality ingredients to provide your dog the nutrition he needs without any risk of allergies.
There are between 8 and 10 ingredients in each one of these recipes, so it’s easy to avoid beef (if your pooch has a thyroid problem), or chicken (if your pup is allergic).
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Something for Every Schnauzer
You can choose from Chicken, Bison, Duck, Lamb, Salmon, Wild Boar, and Lamb, Goat & Venison.
The nutrient content varies throughout this grain free recipe range. For pups who need less fat in their diet, the Lamb and Bison flavors contain 14 and 14.5% fat. The others vary from 15 to 19%.
Every recipe contains impressive amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin, high Omega fatty acid, and added vitamin E.
3. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Best Value For Money: With added supplements at an affordable price
PROS
- Premium quality ingredients packed in a tasty, extremely affordable dog food product
- Recommended fat level for a Schnauzer
- Contains L-carnitine for energy regulation
CONS
- May be slightly low in protein and fat for active dogs
The Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food is an amazingly affordable food considering the quality of ingredients that goes into its formulation. It’s one of the lower-calorie foods but contains good protein and fat levels (23% and 13%), as well as some added supplements that completely rounds it up as a well-balanced meal for your little schnauzer.
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Premium Quality For Nice Price
There’s a delicious mix of gluten-free grains and superfood fruits and vegetables in this recipe. You’ll find brown rice, white rice, barley, quinoa, and sorghum, all of which are easy to digest and very healthy. You’ll also see kale, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, blueberries, oranges, and coconut. These create a nutritious mixture of vitamins and minerals with an added dose of antioxidants.
There’s also a good amount of Omega fatty acids, joint-fortifying supplements, and L-carnitine, which is not often seen in a product at this price point.
4. American Journey Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Dogs with Hypothyroidism: Avoids beef or beef products that increases the risk of thyroid malfunction
PROS
- Avoids beef and beef products which increases the risk of hypothyroidism in dogs
- Contains kelp to support normal thyroid function
- Healthy fruits and vegetables add vitamins and minerals
- Added supplements for the bones, skin & coat, eyes, and brain
CONS
- Contains chicken, so not suitable for dogs who have a chicken allergy
If your little pooch is suffering from hypothyroidism, the American Journey Grain Free Dry Dog Food would be a healthy, immune-boosting option for them.
This particular flavor has no beef products in it whatsoever and contains dried kelp to give the thyroid a bit of an extra boost. This grain free dog food is also packed with premium-quality, healthy ingredients – you won’t find anything artificial in it!
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Near-Perfect Nutrient Values
Your pup will get 32% protein, which is great to maintain muscles and support an active lifestyle. The fat content at 14% is well within the recommended amount for moderate to highly active miniature schnauzer.
It has a good amount of Omega fatty acids which will keep your pup’s beard and skin soft and supple.
Additional Supplements
Although this is an adult formula, it contains a nice amount of DHA which helps the eye and brain to develop properly. Glucosamine and chondroitin are present too, to add extra joint strength.
5. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
Best for Highly Active Schnauzers: High protein and fat content that’s ideal for dogs who get regular exercise
PROS
- High in fat which supplies the energy they need throughout the day
- Added joint supplements for active pups
- Contains superfood ingredients loaded with fiber and antioxidants for immune system boost
CONS
- The fat count will be too high for dogs with pancreatic problems
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food is formulated to provide highly active dogs enough energy to sustain them through their activities from day to day. It’s extremely affordable for an “athletic” food formula, and contains some very high-quality ingredients that will boost your pup’s immune and digestive systems.
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Made For Working Dogs
This formula is high in both protein (32%) and fat (25%) and ideal for dogs who gets regular exercise. It also has some of the highest Omega fatty acids on the market that maintains a moisturized skin and smooth coat. The added vitamin A and E are intended for eyes and brain development. While the glucosamine and chondroitin helps keep the hip and joints strong. L-carnitine provides an extra immune system boost.
6. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
Best for Schnauzer Puppies: Contains DHA for brain development and antioxidants for immune support
PROS
- Formulated for both small and large breed dogs
- High Omega fatty acid levels for smooth coat and well-moisturized skin
- Contains added DHA for brain development
- High-quality, gluten-free grains that are easily digestible
CONS
- Small breed option may not be suitable for dogs who suffer from pancreatitis, due to the high fat count
Wellness Complete Health offers both a small breed and a large breed formula for your mini, standard, or giant schnauzer. The Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food also has a variety for puppies, seniors, and dogs who need some weight management.
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Well-Balanced, High-Quality Food
Whichever formula you choose, your miniature schnauzer will get higher-than-average protein. The large breed recipe may be too low in fat for very active dogs, so you may need to add a few high-fat treats between meals.
Your dog will get the added benefits of vitamin A and E, glucosamine and chondroitin, and high Omega fatty acid contents.
7. Acana Puppy & Junior Dry Dog Food
Best Flavor Range: Keep your fussy eater puppies interested in their meals with the tasty flavors in this recipe range
PROS
- No beef or beef products which increases the risk of hypothyroidism in dogs
- Contains dried kelp for improved thyroid function
- Contains DHA and EPA that help the eyes and brain to develop properly
- Rich in amino acids from organ meat which helps maintain muscle mass
CONS
- May not be suitable for dogs who are sensitive to legumes
- Fairly high calorie (408 per cup), so best for active dogs
The Acana Puppy & Junior Dog Food is specifically formulated with small breed dogs like your miniature schnauzer in mind. It contains sufficient nutrients that will nourish them and keep them healthy and bouncy.
It has high calorie content which suits a schnauzer who is energetic and gets regular exercise. But be sure to watch their daily calorie intake to avoid them gaining weight as obesity causes a lot of complications in tiny breeds like your dog.
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Biologically Appropriate Nutrition for Puppies
If you’re happy to feed your pup raw diet, this kibble will get them started from a young age. Chicken, turkey, and eggs are the main ingredients that make up 31% animal protein. Your pup will also get a dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the legumes, carrots, pumpkin, collard greens, and apples that are found in this food. There’s also a bit of dried kelp, to keep the thyroid functioning optimally from a young age.
8. Nulo Senior Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best For Senior Schnauzers: Maintains your pooch’s immune system strong as he ages
PROS
- Good protein and fat counts for the average, still-active senior Schnauzer
- High-quality animal protein sources
- Lower fat count helps reduce chance of pancreatitis
- No beef ingredients reduces chance of hypothyroidism
CONS
- Doesn’t contain DHA
- Fairly pricey food
Senior Schnauzers will benefit from Nulo Senior Grain Free Dry Dog Food. The high-quality ingredients and added supplements provide him the nourishment he needs to maintain normal bodily functions as he ages.
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Easy To Digest For Miniature Schnauzer Seniors
This grain free food leaves out both beef and chicken products so you don’t have to worry if your pooch is allergic to any of those. It has a lower fat count (12%) to account for less activity, but the protein remains high (30%).
It contains easy to digest carbs like sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas for sustained energy throughout the day.
Your oldie will also get a good amount of L-carnitine, which regulates seniors’ metabolism. And the added joint supplements will keep them strong for as long as possible.
9. Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
Best Raw Food Option: A raw diet that’s packed full of flavor and nutrients
PROS
- Variety of recipes, something for every dog
- Raw nutrition is packed with amino acids
- Contains organic fruits and vegetables
- Free from lentils, potatoes, and peas
CONS
- Too high in fat for those with sensitive pancreas
If you’re keen to feed your miniature schnauzer raw food, Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties is the way to go. These patties are easy to prepare and so tasty that your little pooch will surely love.
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High Protein, Various Flavors
You can choose from Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Red Meat, Venison, Duck, Rabbit, Turkey, Pork, Salmon & Beef, and Venison & Lamb.
The protein content is right up there in the 30s and early 40s, so your miniature schnauzer will be getting enough amino acids to develop and maintain a good muscle mass.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzer
1) Protein Content
All dogs need a decent amount of protein in order to maintain muscle mass and keep their strength up.
While 18% is the minimum, as recommended by AAFCO, we suggest going for a bit more than that when choosing the best dog food for a Schnauzer, unless your pup is rather inactive. 25% and upwards is a great number for energetic dogs like Schnauzers.
Schnauzers can suffer from hypothyroidism, which can be made worse by beef. With that in mind, we’ve made an effort to avoid beef products.
Keep in mind that chicken and lamb can be common food allergens, so you may have to do some experimenting to see which protein your dog reacts well to.
Make sure that the foods you choose avoid beef (or at least have other flavor options), and contain 25% or more quality animal protein.
2) Fat Count
Working dogs like Spaniels, Huskies, and Schnauzers are usually highly energetic! When it comes to nutrients, fat is what provides the energy to see your dog through the day. Schnauzers, though, are very prone to pancreatitis, and the way to counter this is to feed them a low fat diet.
Choose a mixture of moderate and lower fat dog foods. A food with the fat level in the lower teens counts as lower in fat, while those mid to high teens are moderate.
It’s also important that the fat comes from premium quality sources.
3) Added Supplements
Kelp is a super addition for dogs who tend to suffer from hypothyroidism. It stimulates the thyroid to release the necessary hormones, so it’s very helpful to have in dog’s food.
It’s not the end of the world if a dog food doesn’t contain it, but the presence of kelp can be surprisingly helpful in maintaining the health of dogs who could be susceptible to thyroid problems.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also extremely useful for keeping joints strong and solid. If your miniature schnauzer’s food doesn’t contain it that’s okay – it’s easy to buy separately.
4) Added DHA (and other Omegas)
Schnauzers are also prone to eye problems, and DHA can be great for eye health. Puppies, especially, should be fed a puppy food that contains DHA, as it contributes to the healthy development of eyes (and the brain!).
DHA is always a good thing to see in dog food for adults too, though. It keeps eyes sharp and should decrease the chances of your Miniature Schnauzer suffering from eye issues.
Questions & Answers
What are Miniature Schnauzers’ nutritional requirements?
Like all dogs, the best dog food for Miniature Schnauzers should contain a great quality animal protein, easy-to-digest carbohydrates, and healthy animal fat. Working dogs and hunting dogs are highly energetic and need the best nutrients possible.
You’ll want a moderate to high protein count (18% minimum, but 25% and upwards is great for these bouncy bearded pups), slightly higher in fat for active, healthy dogs (high teens), or moderate in fat for dogs suffering from pancreatic diseases (low teens). The food should contain slow-burning carbs that are easy to digest, like sweet potatoes and squashes. It’s best to stay away from wheat, corn, and soy altogether.
Fruits and vegetables are wonderful additions, and gluten-free grains are quite acceptable. These include white and brown rice, barley, millet, and oats.
It’s also super to see high levels of Omega fatty acids, which contribute to both healthy digestion and sleek, smooth skin and coat. DHA is very useful for eye health, and joint-strengthening supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are always a plus.
What should I be looking for in the best dog food for miniature schnauzers?
The right food for a Miniature Schnauzer should contain a great quality animal protein first on the ingredient list. This should be followed by a good fat source, easily digestible carbs (preferably fruits and vegetables), and vitamins and minerals.
Supplements that are nice to see include L-carnitine, glucosamine and chondroitin, DHA, EPA, and added vitamin E or A. Omega fatty acids should be at a nice level to keep your miniature schnauzer’s coat and skin smooth and soft.
What you don’t want to see is grains containing gluten, like corn, wheat, and soy. Other things to avoid include artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Synthetic or chemical ingredients should not be seen on an ingredient list.
Another ingredient to steer clear of is anything labeled as a “by-product”. These are the inedible, indigestible bits of animals (such as beaks and hooves) that are added to kibble as a filler. If you want the healthiest food for Miniature Schnauzers, you’ll need to avoid these things at all costs!
