The key to having a healthy Schnauzer, like any other dog breed, is to ensure that their diet is 100% balanced and rich in the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. That said, many Schnauzers are susceptible to pancreatitis and stomach issues such as idiopathic hyperlipidemia, a condition where an excess of fat lipids occurs in the bloodstream. This means their food needs to be not only 100% balanced, but easily digestible and lower in fat too.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Schnauzers can also have difficulty picking up the kibble so you should choose one that is easy to pick up and chew. Schnauzers come in three sizes and there is no one size fits all approach to feeding a Schnauzer.
Knowing this information can help you understand how important it is to provide your Schnauzer with a diet that’s easy to ingest and contains beneficial ingredients. Let’s look at our favorites below!
A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog ‘Turkey Recipe’ Dog Food Subscription
Ultra high protien
All-natural
Profiles for all life stages
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Best Value
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains
Features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient
Aids in digestion
Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
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Royal Canin Miniature Schnauzer
Designed to meet the nutritional needs
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Promotes weight control
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Best for Puppies
Royal Canin Miniature Schnauzer Puppy
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of a purebred Miniature Schnauzer
Helps support puppy development
Promotes healthy weight management
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Hill’s Prescription Diet
Made with highly digestible proteins
Helps regulate crucial gut bacteria
Veterinarian recommended
Check Price
The 8 Best Dog Foods for Schnauzers
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Food form: Fresh
Crude protein: 23.0% min
Crude fiber: 3.5% max
Crude fat: 10.0% min
Schnauzers are a lively breed that requires a hardy diet. That’s why we recommend The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food as our overall best dog food choice. The turkey recipe is packed full of USDA-grade turkey and supplemented with a variety of fresh and wholesome greens.
Some dog foods are brittle, dry, and hard on canine digestive systems. The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food formulas were created by certified veterinarian nutritionists and are backed by the AAFCO, solidifying them as one of the healthiest options available in today’s market.
There are three other protein recipes available – chicken, beef, and pork. Once you complete the short questionnaire about your pup, The Farmer’s Dog crafts a list of options that are best suited to your schnauzer.
The one thing to consider before honing in on this brand is that it is only available through a subscription service. Although this may be undesirable for some pet owners, we liked having a steady and consistent shipment of dog food so there was never an on-hand supply shortage.
The best dog food for Schnauzers for the money is the Merrick classic chicken and brown rice dog food. You get a large 25-pound bag of dry dog food for a highly competitive price. This dog food features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient with a combination of essential vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet that includes brown rice and ancient grains such as quinoa to aid in digestion. It’s also developed with high levels of omega fatty acids to help promote healthy skin and coat while the ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin will help support hip and joint function.
Subscription only
- Subscription only
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 26.0% min
Crude fiber: 3.5% max
Crude fat: 16.0% min
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Pros
Features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient
Aids in digestion
Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
Cons
Fairly high fat content
The Royal Canin adult dry dog food is our third choice as the ingredients and formulation of this food have been specifically designed for the Schnauzer dog breed. The food contains special nutrients uniquely formulated to help this dog breed thrive. The kibble shape and size are designed for the slightly blunt muzzle and scissor bite seen in this dog breed, making it easier for small dogs to pick up and chew.
Features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient
Aids in digestion
Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
- Features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient
- Aids in digestion
- Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
Fairly high fat content
- Fairly high fat content
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 23.0% min
Crude fiber: 3.5% max
Crude fat: 10.0% min
Vitamin A along with EPA and DHA fatty acids have been added to help protect your Schnauzers skin while specific amino acids help to increase their coat health. This dog food also has an appropriately balanced formula for weight management to help keep your Miniature Schnauzer at an ideal weight.
Pros
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult miniature Schnauzers
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Promotes weight control
Cons
Pricey
This exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for Mini Schnauzer puppies. It is high in protein and has a moderate level of fat to provide puppies under 10 months of age with essential nutrients (such as L-carnitine) to help keep them at a balanced and healthy weight. This puppy food features a mix of antioxidants and Vitamin E to support healthy development in a puppy’s immune system and contains high-quality proteins and prebiotics to promote healthy digestion and optimal stool quality.
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult miniature Schnauzers
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Promotes weight control
- Designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult miniature Schnauzers
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Promotes weight control
Pricey
- Pricey
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 28.0% min
Crude fiber: 3.7% max
Crude fat: 12.0%
This food is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of a growing Miniature Schnauzer from as young as 8 weeks old. Once they have reached 10 months old, they can then be put on the Royal Canin adult Miniature Schnauzer food.
Pros
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of a purebred Miniature Schnauzer
Helps support puppy development
Promotes healthy weight management
Cons
Only suitable for puppies under 10 months old
Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care Dog Food is a prescription diet recommended by veterinarians for dogs who suffer from digestive problems, which makes it ideal for the Schnauzer dog breed. This wet food is fortified with Hill’s ActiveBiome+ ingredient technology, which helps to regulate crucial gut bacteria in the microbiome to support overall digestive wellness and nutrient absorption.
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of a purebred Miniature Schnauzer
Helps support puppy development
Promotes healthy weight management
- Designed to meet the nutritional needs of a purebred Miniature Schnauzer
- Helps support puppy development
- Promotes healthy weight management
Only suitable for puppies under 10 months old
- Only suitable for puppies under 10 months old
Food form: Wet food
Crude protein: 3.5% min
Crude fiber: 1.5% max
Crude fat: 1.0% min
The recipe includes ginger, omega fatty acids, and prebiotic fiber to help with your dog’s bowel movements and to nourish their gastrointestinal health. It’s also low in fat and contains highly digestible proteins which can help Schnauzers who are suffering from a gastrointestinal condition.
Pros
Made with highly digestible proteins
Helps regulate crucial gut bacteria
Veterinarian recommended
Cons
Expensive
Another good choice is the Wellness small breed turkey and oatmeal dog food as it’s been carefully crafted with premium proteins and wholesome grains, and is supported by omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine. This balanced and healthy dry dog food is designed to help improve your Schnauzers immune system, skin, and coat while promoting whole-body health. This naturally preserved dog food has been developed without meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives which increases the quality of the food, and the kibble shape is small making it easier for Schnauzers to eat.
Made with highly digestible proteins
Helps regulate crucial gut bacteria
Veterinarian recommended
- Made with highly digestible proteins
- Helps regulate crucial gut bacteria
- Veterinarian recommended
Expensive
- Expensive
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 28.0% min
Crude fiber: 4.0% max
Crude fat: 15.0% min
Pros
Developed without any GMOs, by-products, fillers, or preservatives
Supported by beneficial ingredients
Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains
Cons
Moderately high in fat
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula was specially created for the health and well-being of adult dogs. It contains real meat, whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruit, with the addition of LifeSource bits (a precise blend of nutrients that have been enhanced with antioxidant-rich ingredients). This adult dog food contains chicken and brown rice as the main ingredients, with protein-rich real deboned chicken and other natural ingredients to form a high-quality protein diet that helps to promote healthy muscle development in dogs, with the inclusion of healthy carbohydrates for energy.
Developed without any GMOs, by-products, fillers, or preservatives
Supported by beneficial ingredients
Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains
- Developed without any GMOs, by-products, fillers, or preservatives
- Supported by beneficial ingredients
- Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains
Moderately high in fat
- Moderately high in fat
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 24.0% min
Crude fiber: 5.0% max
Crude fat: 14.0% min
Calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins have been added for strong bones and teeth, while glucosamine is added for joint health and mobility support.
Pros
Whole grains and real meat
Promotes healthy muscle development
Aids in joint and mobility support
Cons
Large kibble size
- American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food
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Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 32.0% min
Crude fiber: 5.0% max
Crude fat: 14.0% min
The American Journey Dry Dog Food is full of nutritious ingredients that include real deboned salmon packed with the protein and amino acids dogs need for leaner muscles, plus an enticing flavor that encourages picky dogs to eat. This recipe is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, or soy which makes it ideal for dog breeds that are prone to food sensitivities. It also contains healthy carbs like sweet potatoes and chickpeas which help to give your dog energy.
Whole grains and real meat
Promotes healthy muscle development
Aids in joint and mobility support
- Whole grains and real meat
- Promotes healthy muscle development
- Aids in joint and mobility support
Large kibble size
- Large kibble size
Check Latest Price
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 32.0% min
Crude fiber: 5.0% max
Crude fat: 14.0% min
Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, dried kelp, and blueberries are included to ensure that your dog is getting beneficial fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants, and omega fatty acids are also featured in this recipe to support healthy eye and brain development. These omega acids come from several sources, including salmon oil and flaxseed. It is high in pea protein which some owners prefer to avoid.
Pros
Grain-free recipe
High in protein
Includes salmon and flaxseed oil for coat and skin health
Cons
High in carbohydrates
High in pea protein
The Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dog Food features high-quality, protein-rich duck, lamb, turkey, wild boar, and rabbit, with the addition of easily-digestible legumes. It is fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids for full-body health and nourishment. This is an advanced formulation of balanced protein and nutrient-rich superfoods to help promote lean body mass, muscle tone, and healthy coat and skin in your dog.
Grain-free recipe
High in protein
Includes salmon and flaxseed oil for coat and skin health
- Grain-free recipe
- High in protein
- Includes salmon and flaxseed oil for coat and skin health
High in carbohydrates
High in pea protein
- High in carbohydrates
- High in pea protein
Food form: Dry food
Crude protein: 34.0% min
Crude fiber: 6.0% max
Crude fat: 16.0% min
This food has a savory flavor that dogs love and it does not contain any meat by-products, fillers, grain, corn, soy, wheat gluten, or any artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors, making it an excellent choice for larger Schnauzers able to eat the large-sized kibble.
Pros
Grain-free
Promotes lean body mass, muscle tone, skin, and coat health
Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Large-sized kibble
High in legume protein which some prefer to avoid
Grain-free
Promotes lean body mass, muscle tone, skin, and coat health
Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Grain-free
- Promotes lean body mass, muscle tone, skin, and coat health
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Large-sized kibble
High in legume protein which some prefer to avoid
- Large-sized kibble
- High in legume protein which some prefer to avoid
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Right Dog Food for Schnauzers
Why should Schnauzers have a special diet?
This dog breed’s diet must contain a balance of fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrates along with a mix of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids for a healthy diet. Schnauzers are prone to a variety of health conditions, and their diet should help keep them healthy and prevent these conditions from occurring.
One of the reasons for Schnauzers needing a slightly different diet than other dogs is because their muzzle is moderately blunt and they have a lot of facial hair, which can make it difficult for them to pick up and eat their food properly. They are also prone to a variety of stomach issues and pancreatitis so they need low-fat food without the addition of excess carbohydrates and other ingredients that may be stored as fat if not used.
What makes a dog food Schnauzer-friendly?
Foods with a higher protein percentage are recommended for Schnauzers. Dog foods that contain a lot of fiber are also great for Schnauzers because they help regulate proper digestion, which is important for this dog breed.
Due to their unique beards, dry food is preferred over wet food for this dog breed. If you do decide to feed your schnauzer wet food, you may want to keep the fur around their eyes and mouth trim so that it does not get dragged in their food.
Here’s a quick look at what makes a food Schnauzer-friendly:
High in protein
Low in fat
Rich in fiber
Wholegrains
Free from harmful preservatives, colorants, and flavors
Contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
High in protein
Low in fat
Rich in fiber
Wholegrains
Free from harmful preservatives, colorants, and flavors
Contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
- High in protein
- Low in fat
- Rich in fiber
- Wholegrains
- Free from harmful preservatives, colorants, and flavors
- Contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
Conclusion
Of all the dog foods for Schnauzers, The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food is our top choice as it’s breed-specific and fortified with ingredients beneficial to the Schnauzer dog breed.
The Wellness Small Breed Adult and Turkey Dog Food is a great choice, as it’s free from artificial additives and has a great balance of fat and protein.
Schnauzers suffering from pancreatitis or hyperlipidaemia will need diets lower in fat than those above, they are available as prescription diets through your veterinary surgeon.
See also:
- 8 Best Dog Foods for Australian Shepherds – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Dog Foods for American Bullies – Reviews & Top Picks
- 6 Best Dog Foods for Corgis -Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Dog Foods for Maltese – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Jacek Korzeniewski, Shutterstock
