What Is The Best Dog Food For Morkies? Reviews & Buyer’s 2020 Guide

Out of the seven groups of dogs in the world, toy breeds are a favorite choice of pet to have at home, in particular Morkies. Morkies are affectionate and have a good attitude towards people. They have a lifespan of around fifteen years. Morkies have a big appetite. These hearty eaters will consume almost anything. But their playful personality makes them burn a lot of calories.

It’s important to have a sense of control when choosing the type of food formulas your pet eats. Look at the label in all your purchases. Keep note of the brand’s recalls and seek the expertise of someone with training in dog food.

Look at the popularity of the dog food company and consider the feedback and views from other dog owners. Ensure that the brand is ensuring transparency about the ingredients used.

Here are ten recommendations of the best dog food for Morkies that will simplify your buying experience – we always provide our readers with honest suggestions. In this product review, we will point out the features of each pack, look at the nutrient contents, and anything else that can form the basis of your decision.

Contents

What Is The Best Dog Food For Morkies? Reviews & Buyer’s 2020 Guide

We already did all the research for you. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the best food for Morikies, here are our top choices.

PRODUCT / PRODUCT DETAILS

PRODUCT

PRODUCT DETAILS

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula - Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

It is all-natural
Contains healthy fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your Morkie
Excellent nutritional value for a strong immune system health
It promotes strong bones
High-quality protein is the first ingredient to promote muscle formation

2. Stella & Chewy's Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Dog Food

Creates the means to give your Morkie the fulfillment of a wild canine diet, which includes raw meat and organs
It is high in protein and is grain-free
It can work as a side dish or complete diet for your Morkie
Improves the dog’s stamina
Contains 100% organic-certified list of ingredients that provide an adequate amount of nutrients

3. Royal Canin For Adult Small Breed

Contains L-Carnitine for a healthy weight
Rich in EPA and DHA for attractive skin and coat as well as brain health in pups
Its kibbles promote dental health
Carries plenty of carbohydrates to meet the high energy needs of Morkies
It is affordable

Top 10 Best Dog Food For Morkies

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula - Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

This dry dog food is one of our favorite picks. It provides holistic nutrition using LifeSource bits that contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a strong immune system.

This food contains glucosamine, improving your dog’s mobility. It carries high-quality protein from real chicken and whole grains. It is high in calcium and phosphorus for strong bone formation and teeth. L-Carnitine makes it a great weight management formula.

This dry food brand contains many nutritious ingredients like chicken meal, blueberries, peas, carrots, flaxseed, cranberries, oatmeal, and barley. They provide the right amount of energy levels for the active lifestyle of a small breed dog.

PROS

CONS

2. Stella & Chewy's Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Dog Food

A taste of these pieces will make your Morkie wag his tail during dinner time. He will love it. This brand is the best grain free high protein food. It features 95% raw grass-fed beef meat, meat by-products, and bones that will give your adult dog a taste of the wild, and is likely to become a favorite. It contains 44% protein (min).

It is a top choice for dog owners looking for a means to add proteins and nutrients to the dog’s bowl of food as a meal topper. These bites promote attractive skin and fur while the pro and prebiotics keep his digestive system healthy.

Each bag of this grain-free meal mixer brand meets the nutritional requirements for a healthy and complete meal resembling a canine’s natural diet. Food safety is one area this brand prioritizes. The dog food package has an easy to open and close seal to maintain freshness. A fact about this brand is that it is made in the USA. Dog owners also get product warranty.

PROS

The raw meat gives dogs a taste of the wild
It is grain-free and gluten-free
Quality protein for healthy muscles
This food brand can be used with both wet and dry dog foods
It can play the role of a complete meal or an addition to the regular food

CONS

3. Royal Canin For Adult Small Breed

Royal Canin is nutrient-rich while giving the one thing that promotes healthy weight in your Morkie – L-carnitine. Its affordable price makes it a great option for owners that are giving consideration to cost. It’s one of the best pet food deals in the market for a dog owner who wants to buy a small dog or pup food in bulk.

Many dogs love this flavorful variety of dry kibbles that prevent plaque formation. They contain many essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for your dog’s well being and fats for healthy skin and coat. This food tastes good and provides lots of carbohydrates with corn as the first ingredient.

Its is the best Morkie food to meet the high energy supply your Morkie requires. As the Morkie ages, you can order the Royal Canin Small Adult 8+. The bag comes with an easy to open zipper that keeps the food fresh. This brand is based in France but has operations in many countries, including Canada.

PROS

CONS

4. Nutro Wholesome Essentials, Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato Recipe For Adult Small Breeds

This dry dog food is made with an ingredient formula that is designed to provide a Morkie dog with a mix of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients his body needs. It has small kibble sizes that are rich in fiber, and contain non-GMO ingredients.

It comes with real chicken as the number one ingredient. It carries many minerals, vitamins, and nutrients for a happy dog or pup. The omega-3 and omega-6 ensure your Morkie has an attractive coat and skin. It also promotes a healthy gut. This dog food also provides a means to keep your Morkie from getting overweight.

PROS

No fillers or artificial ingredients
The kibble size is great for small dogs
Contains no chicken by-product meal
The ingredients do not contain GMO products
No artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors

CONS

5. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets For Small Breeds, Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula

This grain-free formula has U.S farm-raised chicken as the number one ingredient and only source of animal protein. The recipe contains the right ingredients with vitamins and minerals for a healthy adult Morkie. It also contains taurine for a healthy heart.

Natural Balance is one of the best food brands known for providing limited ingredients diet that minimizes food allergies to cater to your dog’s food sensitivities. This recipe will keep your dog’s gut healthy. It contains flax seed that provides omega 3 and 6 for a shiny coat.

The crunchy kibble that promotes oral health is also small enough for a Morkie. This grain-free food brand gives a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, which shows its confidence in the quality of ingredients used.

PROS

CONS

6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Formula With Lamb & Potato Recipe For Adult Small Breed

This recipe features the signature Blue Buffalo LifeSource bits that most people love. Each bit contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a strong immune system – which in turn, improves resistance to infections in your Morkie.

The food has lamb as its number one ingredient and only animal protein source. It is grain-free and an excellent substitute for red meat if your Morkie does tolerate white meat like turkey or fish and can’t stand grains.

This grain-free recipe is rich in omega 3 and 6 for healthy skin and hair. It contains pea fiber and pumpkin for optimum digestive health. The small kibble promotes oral health in your Morkie.

PROS

Supports healthy digestion
It is grain-free with no egg product, wheat, dairy, corn, or soy
Strengthens the immune system
Promotes a healthy oxidative balance
Uses pea fiber and pumpkin to promote easy digestion

CONS

7. Solid Gold Leaping Waters For Sensitive Stomach, Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Recipe

This is affordable grain-free dog food for a Morkie puppy or dog with a case of sensitive stomachs. It has quality ingredients like fish that are easy to digest. It promotes digestive health in dogs of all life stages using whole foods and living pre and probiotics.

This grain-free single source protein food energizes without causing food reactions. It contains fish oil for a shiny and healthy coat as well as strong immunity.

Each bag contains a range of high-quality superfoods such as white meat from salmon and salmon meal – a rich source of Omega fatty acids that is good for the eyes. It carries many nutritious ingredients like carrots, pumpkin, chickpeas, and tapioca among others. They provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to meet the nutrition your Morkie needs.

It is fit for sensitive requirements like eye development in puppies and improved vision for Morkies of an older age. Its low price makes it the best budget pick in the market for small breed puppy food, especially for Morkies with sensitive stomachs.

PROS

CONS

8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food

With real chicken as the main ingredient, this dry dog food comes in crunchy small-sized kibble that your Morkie will love. It does not contain poultry by-product meal, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Ingredients in this high-protein food include beet pulp, which will help replenish the gut flora and carbohydrates like whole grain that carries trace minerals. It is packed with essential vitamins and minerals to meet the requirements of your dog or pup. The chicken fat will provide omega 6 and 3 to keep your dog’s skin and fur healthy.

One thing that may interest owners is that this variety of dog food brand provides a way for humans to give back to the dog species. Part of the sale proceeds helps support a needy dog through the Rachael Ray Foundation.

PROS

CONS

9. Merrick Lil' Plates For Small Breed Dogs, Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

Crafted in Texas, this grain-free dog food comes in delicious kibble that provides adequate nutrition to your dog. It contains 30% protein. This grain-free recipe has deboned lamb as the number one ingredient followed by a lamb meal. It promotes coat health and contains high levels of naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy stifles, hips, and elbows.

Each food bag also comes with many fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and all nutritional needs of your Morkie. The crunchy kibble keeps the gums and teeth of Morkies clean.

PROS

CONS

10. Simply Nourish For Senior Small Breed Dogs, Real Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

This simple recipe comes in crunchy flavorful kibble. It is the best dog food to give your senior dog holistic nutrition while keeping their weight at a healthy level, their heart strong, and muscles lean. The whole grains help with meeting the energy demands of your Morkie.

This recipe has deboned chicken as the number one ingredient. It also contains chicken meal that promotes healthy joints. Other ingredients include sunflower oil, oatmeal, and flaxseeds.

This bag of dog food contains dried blueberries as a fruit ingredient and many vegetables like dried carrot, dried kale, and dried pumpkin that provide antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients for your Morkie. This is one dog food brand that comes in a price that will not break your budget.

PROS

Does not contain unnatural things like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Promotes a healthy heart
Promotes lean muscle mass
Promotes gut health
This brand helps senior dogs maintain their motility
It is affordable

CONS

Dietary Considerations & Common Health Problems In Morkies

Being a hybrid and toy breed, breeders warn that Morkies inherit a lot of disorders from their parents and also experience the many illnesses common among small dogs.

You can get a specific breed formula from industry experts like Hill Science Diet and other top brands, but here are some common conditions that pet parents need to look out for in a Morkie.

1. Collapsing Trachea

Collapsing Trachea is common in small dog breeds but proper weight management can prevent it. One way is through regular exercise in collaboration with a smaller food quantity. Vets also encourage Morkie owners and those with small dogs to always use a harness leash.

2. Patella Luxation

This disorder affects the knees and can lead to arthritis, pain, and leg deformation. But you can do something about it. You can help care for your Morkie through a calorie count to help him lose weight. You can also provide the best dog food for Patella Luxation, which is rich in fatty acids.

Related Reviews:

3. Hypoglycemia

Similar to humans, hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels of a Morkie are below normal. [1] Toy breeds do not have sugar reserves in their bodies, and being an active dog, they can lack the glucose needed to fuel their activity level. A Morkie with low blood sugar will show signs like weakness, poor appetite, and possibly depression.

The best types of food for dogs with hypoglycemia will have nothing like corn syrup. One other thing veterinarians advise owners is to give sugary snacks only on occasion.

4. Dental Disease

Most people forget that toy breeds have a hard time chewing regular-sized dry dog food in kibble. The reason for this is their small mouths. It is one of the reasons Morkies get a tartar problem. One of the ways owners can prevent dental issues is by giving the Morkie crunchy, small-sized kibble that will clean up his mouth.

5. Reverse Sneezing

According to vets, reverse sneezing is common in toy breeds but is not a painful experience. The number of times your Morkie eats dairy products and grains also has a hand in aggravating the condition. It is best to stick to grain-free and dairy-free dog foods. You also need to avoid using items that pressure the throat.

Important Features To Consider

Besides using the above information to support a Morkie’s special needs, you need to ensure your Morkie is getting the best nutritional value for complete wellness.

Protein

Protein sources in Morkie food contribute to lean muscles, tissue repair, shiny hair, and skin health. This dog breed requires 22 amino acids to make proteins and can make about half from its body. The rest of the proteins come from dog food. The best dog food for Morkies will have 20-25% crude protein, with one or two protein sources being number one in the ingredient list.

The best dog food brand will have many protein ingredients like beef, turkey, duck, fish, whitefish, eggs, milk, or animal by-product meals like turkey meal. Some grains and legumes like lentils, chick peas, and beans provide plant source alternatives.

Other pet foods will give your pooch a taste of the wild using lots of animal proteins from meats like bison and venison. Venison is one of our favorites, it is higher in iron than beef and your Morkie will love the taste difference. Gravy is also great for Morkie pups.

Fat

Fat intake provides an energy source for dogs. It facilitates the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamin E, vitamin D, A, and K. Lack of fat in your Morkie diet will result in dry and itchy skin and a dull coat. However, feeding your dog or puppy a ton of fat will cause excessive weight gain, 10-15% is adequate for a healthy Morkie.

Essential fatty acids comprise omega 3 such as EPA and DHA and omega 6 such as ARA. The best food for Morkies will contain fat sources like salmon oil, pork fat, flaxseed, safflower, sunflower oils, or vegetable oils. Avoid foods with low-quality sources like tallow and lard.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide a means to give your Morkie an extra energy source that can support the needs of these little dogs and improve playtime. Carbs also give structure and texture to kibble that brushes off tartar build-up from the dog’s teeth. But the need for carbs is a topic that attracts different views and thoughts from dog experts. Some believe that dogs do not need carbs.

However, the best dog food brand will have complex carbs in the ingredient recipe like potatoes, sweet potatoes that are high in biotin, whole grain, quinoa, barley, and oatmeal that are rich in fibers. Keep the amounts small to avoid weight problems. Avoid foods with carb sources like corn, cornmeal, or wheat, these are allergy triggers.

Other Minerals & Vitamins

Vitamins and minerals are also a top priority throughout the course of the dog’s lifetime. They help older dogs with mobility. These nutrients also help Morkies pups with brain development, making them learn tricks faster.

They provide protection from diseases, promoting complete health and wellness. The body can create vitamin C your dog needs. But other vitamins like folic acid and trace minerals like zinc and magnesium should come from dog food, especially fruits and vegetables.

Most human food such as lettuce and broccoli will have no negative effect on a Morkie. When it comes to the fruit ingredient in dog food, Blueberries are one of our favorites. They are great for better eye health in animals approaching adulthood. But you need to keep spinach at a minimum due to their oxalic acid content that can cause kidney failure.

In addition, vets advise supplement users to keep in mind that they might result in health problems. Excess vitamin A supplements, for example, can have consequences like dehydration and joint pain. Vitamin D can cause a decrease in appetite and poor bone development.

Kibble Size

A toy breed will need small-sized kibble. The best small breed dog food comes in shapes and sizes that help clean the dog’s teeth. High-quality dry dog foods for a Morkie puppy should come in crumbly kibble that the small mouth of the puppy can break. As the pet parent, make sure the food for your Morkie is in size and shape that meets your dog’s needs.

Tips For Feeding A Morkie

For a Morkie, dinner time is one of their favorite time and so feeding him should not be a trouble. They normally have trust and a passion for one member of the family, and this is the best person to feed them.

Morkies have plenty of energy, but try not to overfeed it. Ideally, you need to find a way to stick to 40 calories per pound of body weight. Provide a high protein diet to match his high metabolism, and adjust it with each life stage.

Puppy stage – Morkie puppy food should be rich in fat and protein that will support growth. The best dog food for Morkie puppies will have easily digestible ingredients and extra calories to compensate for his playful nature.

Adult stage – Small dogs can transition to adult formula at one year. A Morkie adult will need two to three meals a day of quality food. Go for the ones with 20% protein and low-fat content. They are the best choice for adults.

Senior stage – Seniors have a low metabolism. Reduce the number of calories and choose a dog food that supports joint health. Fish oils, for instance, benefit an arthritic Morkie.

Switching dog food abruptly is not the best approach, and this applies to all dog breeds. It can cause digestive issues. One effective way of making the transition is changing the food over time.

According to instructions from the American Kennel Club, change it over a week or five to six days if you are in a hurry. Mix the new food with the dog’s old food in a container in increasing amounts.

Keep in mind that you might need to delay the process for more than one week if the dog reacts negatively to the dog food. Follow these pet tips and consult a doctor if the problems associated with the transition persist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Morkies eat chicken?

Yes, Morkies can eat chicken and they love it. It is a high-quality source of protein. It’s important to be on the lookout for allergies.

Can Morkies eat rice?

Yes, Morkies can eat rice. It is one of the things that can boost their vitality. But make sure he has a healthy weight and the vet has not recommended a grain-free diet.

How much do Morkies weigh full grown?

A full-grown Morkie will weigh between four and eight pounds. A Morkie that is 20% above this is at the risk of becoming obese. Consider a weight loss plan suitable for a small dog.

Conclusion

Giving your best friend as much love as he gives you requires more than attention and warm cuddles. This information will help you with feeding him the best dog food for Morkies. Source the nutrients your dog needs for a healthy and active lifestyle while paying attention to his allergies and age.

We always advise our readers that product reviews of various dog food brands provide recommendations and a buying guide on manufacturers who include everything your dog or pup needs in their diet. We, of course recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe.

But making the final choice is up to you. Ask yourself, will the ingredients in the food help fulfill the specific benefits for your Morkie’s wellbeing?

Editor's Choice

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula - Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

It is all-natural
Contains healthy fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your Morkie
Excellent nutritional value for a strong immune system health
It promotes strong bones
High-quality protein is the first ingredient to promote muscle formation

Kathy R. Conner

From quality care tips, health tips, to training and play, Well Pet Coach is an informational site that gives the reader tips on how to best care for your pet, to help you establish that unbreakable bond with them. Well Pet Coach is the one-stop site that gives you all the information you need to ensure that both you and your pet remain happy and healthy in the years to come.

View All Posts