toy breed

Best dog food for a Papillon

Every food below is scored against a Papillon specifically, not against dogs in general. Breed changes how much each factor counts, which is why the same food can rank very differently from one breed to the next.

3–5kgTypical weight
13–15Years
249kcal/day at 4kg

What matters most for this breed

Protein fit20
Fat ceiling10
Joint support5
Skin and coat15
Filler content25
Ingredient transparency25

Target protein for a Papillon sits between 26% and 30%, with fat ideally under 16%.

Daily calories by weight

Resting requirement scaled for activity, for a neutered adult. Divide by the kcal per 100g on the pack to get grams.

WeightLowModerateActive
3kg172201258
4kg214249321
5kg253295379

A growing puppy or a senior needs a different figure again, which is where the app does the work for you.

Top ten foods for a Papillon

1. Arden Grange Adult ChickenA · 100
2. Canagan Light/Senior ChickenA · 100
3. Carnilove Fresh Carp & TroutA · 100
4. Carnilove Salmon & TurkeyA · 100
5. Fish4Dogs Finest Salmon CompleteA · 100
6. Fish4Dogs Superior SalmonA · 100
7. Millies Wolfheart Tracker MixA · 100
8. Natures Variety Senior SalmonA · 100
9. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets JMA · 100
10. Applaws Adult Ocean FishA · 95
Lowest scoring for this breed
Bakers As Good As Looks WetD · 13
Chappie Dry OriginalD · 15
Wagg Complete ChickenD · 17
Wagg Complete BeefD · 17
Pedigree Adult LambD · 17

Common questions

How much should I feed a Papillon?

A neutered adult Papillon at the middle of the breed weight range, around 4kg, needs roughly 249 kcal a day at moderate activity. Convert that to grams using the kcal per 100g on the pack. Your own dog's actual weight matters more than the breed average, which is what the app uses.

What is the best dog food for a Papillon?

Against the Papillon profile, Arden Grange Adult Chicken scores highest at 100 out of 100. The ranking below covers all 568 foods we hold.

How much does a Papillon weigh?

Typically 3 to 5kg, classed as a toy breed, with a usual lifespan of 13 to 15 years.

What should I look for in food for a Papillon?

For this breed the two heaviest weighted factors are filler content and ingredient transparency. Target protein sits between 26% and 30%, with fat ideally under 16%.

Get this for your own Papillon

Scan the pack and PawsePal scores it against your dog's actual weight, age and any health conditions, then gives you the portion in grams.

Open PawsePal

Calorie figures use the same resting energy calculation as the PawsePal app and assume a neutered adult. Weight ranges are breed typicals, not targets for an individual dog. This page is information, not veterinary advice.