Valens™ - Small Breed Dog Food, Turkey & Salmon

Valens Small Breed is specifically formulated for the unique nutritional demands of small dogs. Small breeds have a faster metabolism per kilogram of body weight than large breeds, meaning they burn energy more quickly and need calorie-dense food to keep up. This formula delivers 3,600 kcal/kg with 432 calories per cup — higher than most standard adult dog foods.

The kibble size is also designed for smaller jaws and teeth, making it easier for toy and small breeds to chew and digest properly. Small dogs are more prone to dental issues, and appropriately sized kibble encourages chewing rather than swallowing whole.

The formula provides 30 % protein and 18 % fat — the higher fat content compared to standard formulas reflects the elevated energy needs of small breeds. It combines fresh deboned turkey with wild Pacific salmon, delivering both poultry and marine protein sources along with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin, coat, and overall health.

Valens Small Breed is calorie-dense at 432 calories per cup (3,600 kcal/kg), so small dogs need surprisingly little food per meal. Overfeeding is the most common mistake with small breed diets — even a quarter-cup too much adds up quickly on a small body.

General daily feeding guidelines:

• Toy breeds (1–3 kg): approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup per day
• Small breeds (3–5 kg): approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup per day
• Small-medium breeds (5–10 kg): approximately 1/2 to 1 cup per day
• Medium breeds (10–15 kg): approximately 1 to 1-1/4 cups per day

Divide the daily amount into two to three smaller meals rather than one large meal. Small breeds are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially toy breeds and puppies, and frequent smaller meals help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. Adjust based on body condition — you should feel ribs easily and see a defined waist from above.

The primary proteins are fresh deboned turkey and fresh deboned Pacific salmon, both delivered fresh and refrigerated daily to the production facility — never frozen. This dual-protein approach combines the lean muscle-building benefits of poultry with the omega-rich nutritional profile of wild-caught fish.

Supporting protein ingredients include turkey meal, salmon meal, turkey liver, and Pacific cod Vita Cube. The turkey is sourced from Valley Farms and the salmon from MSC-certified (Marine Stewardship Council) fishing operations, ensuring responsible and traceable sourcing from government-certified suppliers.

Together, these ingredients deliver a guaranteed minimum of 30 % crude protein, providing the amino acids small breeds need for maintaining lean muscle mass, healthy organ function, and energy. The inclusion of cod liver adds naturally occurring vitamins A and D3 along with additional omega-3 fatty acids, rounding out the nutritional profile without relying solely on synthetic vitamin additions.

Yes — Valens Small Breed is a completely grain-free formula. It contains no corn, wheat, rice, soy, or any cereal grains. The carbohydrate sources are peas, sweet potatoes, pea protein, and tomato pomace — all selected for digestibility and nutritional value.

Fruits and vegetables including blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots, spinach, and pumpkin are sourced from British Columbia's Okanagan and Fraser valleys. These whole-food ingredients provide natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health.

Small breeds can be particularly sensitive to grain-heavy diets, which may contribute to digestive upset, itchy skin, or excessive gas. The grain-free approach uses carbohydrate sources with a lower glycemic index, providing steady energy without the blood sugar spikes that are especially problematic for small dogs prone to hypoglycemia. If you have concerns about grain-free diets and heart health, consult your veterinarian for guidance specific to your dog's breed and health history.

Small breed dogs have a significantly higher metabolic rate per kilogram of body weight compared to large breeds. A 4 kg Chihuahua burns roughly twice as many calories per kilogram as a 40 kg Labrador — their bodies work harder to maintain core temperature, organ function, and energy levels relative to their size.

This creates a practical feeding challenge: small dogs have tiny stomachs that cannot hold large volumes of food, yet they need more concentrated nutrition per bite. A standard adult dog food at 3,200–3,300 kcal/kg may require a small dog to eat uncomfortably large portions to meet its energy needs.

Valens Small Breed addresses this with 3,600 kcal/kg and 18 % fat — the higher caloric density means your dog gets complete nutrition in a smaller, more manageable volume. The elevated fat content is the primary driver of this energy density, since fat provides more than twice the calories per gram compared to protein or carbohydrates. This is not excess — it is precisely what a fast-metabolism small breed requires to maintain healthy weight and energy throughout the day.

Yes — Valens Small Breed provides an excellent balance of both omega fatty acid families: a minimum of 2.3 % omega-3 and 2.9 % omega-6. The omega-3s come primarily from the wild Pacific salmon, salmon oil, cod liver, and flaxseed in the formula, while omega-6 is supplied through the chicken fat and other protein sources.

This ratio matters for small breeds in particular. Many small dogs — Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Maltese, and Pomeranians especially — are prone to dry, flaky skin and coat issues. In Quebec's long winters, indoor heating further dries out skin and coat, making adequate fatty acid intake even more critical from November through April.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce itching, hot spots, and seasonal allergies, while omega-6 (linoleic acid) supports the skin barrier that locks in moisture. The combination of marine and plant-based fat sources in Valens Small Breed provides these essential fatty acids from whole-food ingredients rather than relying on synthetic supplements alone.

Transition gradually over 7 to 10 days by mixing increasing amounts of Valens Small Breed with decreasing amounts of the current food. Small breeds have sensitive digestive systems, and abrupt food changes are the leading cause of temporary diarrhea or vomiting during a diet switch.

Recommended schedule:

• Days 1–3: 25 % Valens Small Breed with 75 % current food
• Days 4–6: 50 % Valens Small Breed with 50 % current food
• Days 7–9: 75 % Valens Small Breed with 25 % current food
• Day 10: 100 % Valens Small Breed

Small breed dogs with known sensitive stomachs — common in breeds like French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers — benefit from extending the transition to 14 days. Because this food is more calorie-dense than most standard kibbles, measure portions carefully during transition to avoid overfeeding. If your small dog refuses to eat the mixed food, try lightly warming it to release the aroma of the fresh turkey and salmon.

Valens Small Breed is the most calorie-dense formula in the Valens lineup at 3,600 kcal/kg, compared to 3,500 kcal/kg for Fisherman and 3,450 kcal/kg for Pasture. It also has the highest fat content at 18 %, which is what drives the higher caloric density suited to fast small-breed metabolisms.

Key differences across the three formulas:

• Small Breed (Turkey and Salmon): 30 % protein, 18 % fat, omega-3 at 2.3 %, omega-6 at 2.9 % — designed for small dogs needing maximum calorie density
• Fisherman (Salmon and Cod): 30 % protein, 16 % fat, omega-3 at 4.2 %, omega-6 at 1.0 % — highest omega-3, fully poultry-free, best for skin and coat or land-protein sensitivities
• Pasture (Lamb and Bison): 30 % protein, 17 % fat, omega-3 at 2.0 %, omega-6 at 2.1 % — red meat focus with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support

All three share the same grain-free philosophy, probiotic inclusion, and BC-sourced fruits and vegetables. Choose based on your dog's size, protein preferences, and specific health needs.