Best Puppy Food for Small Breeds (No Chicken)
- If your small breed puppy reacts to chicken, turkey is the easiest swap because it is a single, less common protein.
- James Wellbeloved Junior Turkey & Rice is the toy and small breed version, with a smaller kibble for little jaws.
- All of our picks are the same James Wellbeloved turkey recipe, so choose by pack size: 2kg to trial, 7.5kg for one small pup, 15kg only for multi-dog homes.
- Small breed owners should avoid giant bags, because kibble is best used within roughly six weeks of opening.
- Give a chicken-free food 8 to 12 weeks and involve your vet before you diagnose an allergy yourself.
Suggested Reading: Best Puppy Food for Large Breeds Without Chicken and Best Puppy Food for Small Breeds with Sensitive Stomachs
The best chicken-free puppy foods for small breeds in the UK all come down to one hard truth: the real choice is James Wellbeloved. Big US lists talk about NutriSource and Now Fresh, but those brands barely exist on Amazon UK. When a small breed puppy cannot eat chicken, UK owners overwhelmingly end up with James Wellbeloved Turkey and Rice, and for good reason. It is a complete food with a single turkey protein, no artificial additives and a recipe that has been a vet-shop staple for decades.
That narrows the decision from "which brand" to "which pack size fits your home", so this guide compares the four ways you can buy the recipe, plus what to check before you switch.
Quick Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Size | Protein | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JW Junior Turkey & Rice | 2kg | Turkey | Dry (Junior) | Toy and small breed puppies |
| JW Puppy Turkey & Rice | 2kg | Turkey | Dry (Puppy) | Trying the recipe for the first time |
| JW Puppy Turkey & Rice | 7.5kg | Turkey | Dry (Puppy) | One small pup, best cost per kilo |
| JW Puppy Turkey & Rice | 15kg | Turkey | Dry (Puppy) | Multi-dog homes and big appetites |
In-Depth Reviews
1. James Wellbeloved Junior Turkey & Rice (2kg)
Dry ยท Hypoallergenic ยท Turkey single protein ยท Smaller kibble
James Wellbeloved markets Junior as its recipe for toy and small breed puppies, and the smaller kibble is the detail that matters for a Chihuahua, Yorkie or Bichon jaw. The recipe keeps the same hypoallergenic logic as the main Puppy food: turkey as the single animal protein, rice as the carbohydrate, and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
The 2kg bag is the right size for a small breed trial. James Wellbeloved's feeding guide suggests roughly 40 to 70 grams a day for a pup of that size depending on age, so a 2kg bag lasts about a month, which keeps the food fresh and gives you time to judge whether symptoms settle. If your puppy is still under the junior age range, confirm the switch with your vet and transition slowly.
- Smaller kibble suits toy and small breed mouths
- Single turkey protein, no chicken anywhere
- No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- UK brand with a long hypoallergenic pedigree
- Only the 2kg size is common on Amazon UK
- Turkey only, so no variety for fussy pups
- Grain inclusive, which some owners misread as low quality
2. James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey and Rice (2kg)
Dry ยท Hypoallergenic ยท Turkey single protein ยท Standard puppy kibble
The main Puppy recipe is the one James Wellbeloved recommends for growing puppies of any breed, so it suits a small breed pup that is older than the junior window or a household that wants one food for a mixed-size litter. It is complete for growth, which means the calcium, phosphorus and protein levels are set for developing bones rather than adult maintenance.
Start with the 2kg bag even if the larger sizes look better value. A food trial only works if nothing else changes, and a small bag means you are not committed to a month of food your puppy refuses. If the pup clears the trial with no itchy skin or loose stools, you can move up to a bigger bag with confidence.
- Complete formula for the whole puppy growth phase
- Turkey and rice is gentle on young digestion
- Small bag keeps the trial honest and fresh
- Same trusted recipe across the whole range
- Kibble is bigger than the Junior version
- 2kg works out pricier per kilo than bulk bags
- No wet food version of this exact recipe
3. James Wellbeloved Puppy Turkey and Rice (7.5kg)
Dry ยท Hypoallergenic ยท Turkey single protein ยท Best cost per kilo for a single pup
Once the 2kg trial bag is accepted, the 7.5kg sack is the sensible next step for a single small breed puppy. James Wellbeloved's feeding guide suggests around 100 to 150 grams a day for a Cavalier or Cocker-sized pup through the growth phase, which puts the 7.5kg bag at roughly seven to nine weeks of food. That stays inside the freshness window if you reseal the bag properly and store it in a cool, dry place.
This is the size that balances cost per kilo against freshness, and it is also the bag most Amazon UK reviewers of the recipe buy after their first trial. The recipe itself is identical to the 2kg version, so there is no downside to sizing up once the puppy is thriving on it.
- Best cost per kilo for a single small pup
- Still fresh for a small breed feeding rate
- Same recipe as the trial bag, zero risk in sizing up
- Heavier sack to store and reseal
- Too much if your puppy is a tiny toy breed
4. James Wellbeloved Puppy Turkey and Rice (15kg)
Dry ยท Hypoallergenic ยท Turkey single protein ยท Bulk sack
The 15kg sack only makes sense if you are feeding more than one dog. A single small breed puppy would take several months to work through it, and by then the kibble at the bottom of the bag has lost the freshness your pup deserves. Oils oxidise over time and the food can turn stale well before the use-by date printed on the sack.
Where this bag shines is the multi-dog household, or the breeder with a litter plus adult dogs on the adult turkey recipe. If that is you, the 15kg sack is the cheapest way to feed the same trusted chicken-free recipe, just decant it into an airtight container and keep the rest sealed.
- Lowest cost per kilo of the four picks
- Ideal for multi-dog and breeder households
- Same complete chicken-free recipe
- Too large for a single small breed pup
- Stale before empty if stored badly
How to Choose a Chicken-Free Puppy Food for a Small Breed
Chicken is one of the most common proteins behind food reactions in dogs, and small breed puppies can eat chicken-heavy kibble for years before owners connect the dots. If your pup is scratching, getting repeated ear trouble or passing loose stools, a chicken-free food is a reasonable thing to trial. Here is what to look for when you pick one.
Check the protein source, not the marketing: Look for a recipe where turkey, salmon, duck or lamb is the named animal protein, and scan the ingredients list for hidden chicken, chicken meal or chicken fat. Some "sensitive" foods still contain poultry derivatives, so read the small print rather than trusting the bag design.
Match the kibble size to the jaw: Toy and small breed puppies have small mouths, and standard kibble can be hard for them to pick up and chew. James Wellbeloved splits its range so that Junior uses a smaller kibble aimed at toy and small breeds, while the main Puppy recipe suits pups that are happy with standard-size biscuits.
Buy a bag you can finish while it is fresh: Most dry food brands advise using kibble within roughly six weeks of opening. Work out your puppy's daily amount from the brand feeding guide, then buy a bag size you will empty inside that window. A tiny pup on a 15kg sack is a freshness mistake waiting to happen.
Keep the food complete for growth: Puppy foods carry extra protein, calcium and phosphorus compared with adult recipes because growing bones need it. Whatever chicken-free brand you choose, the bag should say it is complete and suitable for puppies, and your pup should stay on it until your vet or the brand says they are ready to move on.
Run the trial properly: Change food gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing a little more of the new food in each day. Keep a note of scratching, ear checks and stool quality, and give the new food 8 to 12 weeks before judging it. If symptoms were severe or keep coming back, have your vet work through it with you rather than guessing at allergies alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
For a small breed puppy that cannot eat chicken, the James Wellbeloved Junior Turkey & Rice (2kg) is our top pick because it pairs the chicken-free turkey recipe with a kibble size that toy and small breed jaws can actually manage. It is the food most UK vets and owners reach for when chicken drops off the menu, and the 2kg bag is the perfect size for an honest trial.
Once your puppy is thriving on the recipe, step up to the 7.5kg sack for the best cost per kilo without risking staleness. The 2kg Puppy bag is the right starter for pups outside the junior window, and the 15kg sack only belongs in multi-dog homes. And if you have not confirmed the chicken connection with your vet yet, do that first. A food trial is far more useful when you know what you are actually trying to rule out.
Emma writes about pet care for WhoPets, covering dogs, cats, rabbits and small pets with practical, evidence-based advice for UK owners. She has worked in animal care and owns two dogs and a cat.
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Last reviewed: September 9, 2026 ยท Evidence-based content ยท Contains affiliate links