Hill's Report: Small Dogs Need Twice the Calories per Kilogram
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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: