OVERLAND PARK – November 05, 2026 -- Hill's Pet Nutrition has released its World of the Small Dog Report, which finds that dogs under 25 pounds need roughly twice the calories per kilogram of large breeds. They also face sharply higher risks of dental, orthopedic and urinary disease.
Small dogs make up more than 52% of the global canine population, citing Euromonitor International data. Hill's says urbanization and changing lifestyles are driving their popularity. The report argues that veterinary teams have historically treated these animals as scaled-down large dogs, despite distinct anatomical, metabolic and behavioral profiles.
Report quantifies disease risk gaps between small and large breeds
Hill's highlights five clinical areas:
- Dental: Small dogs are up to five times more likely than giant breeds to develop periodontal disease, owing to jaw miniaturization and severe tooth crowding. In the report, 97% of veterinarians identify dental care as their primary health need for these dogs.
- Orthopedic: Small dogs are 12 times more likely than larger breeds to suffer slipped kneecaps (medial patellar luxation).
- Cardiovascular: Myxomatous mitral valve disease accounts for more than 70% of canine heart disease and disproportionately affects small breeds.
- Cognitive: Longer lifespans raise lifetime risk of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.
- Metabolic: Higher mass-specific metabolic rates and greater surface area-to-volume heat loss drive the calorie gap.
Minnesota Urolith Center data shows small dogs account for 71% of urinary stones
Hill's analyzed about 388,000 canine cases submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center between 2019 and 2024. The center, at the University of Minnesota, is the world's largest veterinary stone analysis laboratory. Small and mini dogs accounted for 71% of all urinary stones. Calcium oxalate uroliths made up 53% of stones in mini breeds.
Lead author Francisco Poblanno, clinical nutrition manager at Hill's, said "small dogs are not simply smaller versions of larger dogs," citing unique metabolic rates, faster gut transit times and distinct health vulnerabilities.
Hill's convenes eight-specialist advisory panel at Topeka center's fifth anniversary
Hill's first unveiled the report on Oct. 20 at the fifth anniversary of its Small Paws Innovation Center in Topeka, Kan. The company describes the facility as the only one in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to small dog biology and nutrition.
The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Small & Mini Advocacy Advisory Panel (SMAAP). The global group spans gastroenterology, mobility, cardiology, urinary health, dentistry and behavior. Members include Kathrin Busch of LMU Munich, Jody Lulich and Eva Furrow of the University of Minnesota, Denis Marcellin-Little of UC Davis, Brittany Rigby of Alberta Veterinary Dentistry and Henry W. Green, III of Louisiana State University.
Hill's Global Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Karen Shenoy said the report and panel are the next chapter in the company's small-dog science effort, aimed at delivering science-led nutrition for these pets.
The full report is available online, and veterinary professionals can access related RACE-approved canine medicine education through the Hill's Veterinary Academy.