Bigstock Small dogs have unique biological, metabolic and clinical characteristics that warrant tailored nutrition and preventive care, according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s World of the Small Dog Report 2026. The report, released Nov. 5 to mark the fifth anniversary of the company’s Small Paws Innovation Center in Topeka, Kan., examines health considerations in dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, which reportedly account for more than 52 percent of the global canine population.1 “When you look at a Chihuahua, Dachshund or Pomeranian, you are looking at an animal that is intrinsically different from a large breed,” says lead report author Francisco Poblanno, DVM, DVSc, Dip. ECVCN, clinical nutrition manager at Hill’s. “Small dogs are not simply smaller versions of larger dogs - they possess unique metabolic rates, faster gut transit times, and distinct health vulnerabilities. By understanding their specific biology, we can help find new ways to fundamentally transform their healthspan and quality of life.” Findings highlight several areas of increased risk. Small dogs require approximately twice as many calories per kilogram as large breeds because of higher mass-specific metabolic rates.2 Their smaller jaws and crowded teeth make them up to five times more likely to develop periodontal disease than giant breeds.3 They also face a 12-fold greater likelihood of medial patellar luxation.4 Urinary health is another concern. Analysis of approximately 388,000 canine cases submitted to the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Urolith Center from 2019 to 2024 found that small and miniature dogs accounted for 71 percent of urinary stones. Calcium oxalate stones represented 53 percent of cases in miniature breeds.5 The report also highlights small breeds’ susceptibility to myxomatous mitral valve disease and the potential for cognitive dysfunction with aging. Along with launching the report, Hill’s held the inaugural meeting of its Small & Mini Advocacy Advisory Panel (SMAAP), a global collective of veterinary specialists across gastroenterology, mobility, cardiology, urinary health, dentistry and behavior. Photo courtesy Hill's Pet Nutrition References Euromonitor International. (2025). Global dog population data. Cited in Hill’s Pet Nutrition, World of the Small Dog Report(2026). National Research Council. (2026). Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10668 Wallis, C., Saito, E.K., Salt, C., Holcombe, L.J., & Desforges, N.G. (2021). Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. The Veterinary Journal, 275, 105717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105717 Engdahl, K., Bergstrom, A., Hoglund, O.V., & Hanson, J. (2023). The epidemiology of patellar luxation in an insured Swedish dog population. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 220, 106034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106034 Minnesota Urolith Center.(2024). Canine urolithiasis analysis data (2019 - 2024). Cited in Hill’s Pet Nutrition, World of the Small Dog Report (2026). Parker, H.G. & Kilroy-Glynn, P. (2012). Myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs: Does size matter? Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, 12(1), 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2012.01.006
