A lustrous, healthy coat is something all dog owners want for their best friend, but this is especially important for white dogs. These dogs are more prone to skin sensitivities, are more likely to show coat-specific signs of poor nutrition, and require extra care to keep their fur looking its best.

This is exactly why Superior Care created its White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food. This fish-based diet was designed specifically to address many of the issues that affect small-breed white dogs while providing coat-specific nutrition.

I had a chance to test this special formula with the help of my small-ish, white-and-black Dalmatian mix and my friend’s senior Maltese. Keep reading to see my full Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food review and find out if this niche product is worth buying.

Why White Dogs Struggle to Maintain Healthy Coats

You’re not imagining things. White dogs really do need more coat care than their darker pigmented counterparts. And there’s more than one reason for this.

To start, white dogs, especially those with white skin, are more likely to have skin sensitivities and allergies. This is because white skin has less melanin, which means it has less natural protection against environmental irritants and oxidative stress, and is less resilient overall. And because coat health is directly tied to skin health, itchy and inflamed skin leads to poor coat quality.

This extra sensitivity doesn’t just exist on the outside, either. The same cells that become skin cells during development also form the gut lining. This means that many white-skinned dogs are more prone to food sensitivities, allergies, and gut inflammation. Because gut health directly ties to coat health through nutrient absorption and bacterial load, this extra sensitivity doubly impacts the quality of your white dog’s fur.

This isn’t to say that only white dogs suffer from coat-related nutritional deficiencies or bacterial overload. But because their coat is so light, things like brittle hair and yellowing due to nutritional issues, and red staining caused by too much porphyrin—which is caused, in part, by bacterial overload—are much more visible on these dogs.

All this is to say that it is extra important to ensure your white dog is getting everything they need to maintain healthy skin and coat.

About Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed

Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food was created to provide white dogs with the extra coat support they need. It does this through tailored nutrition that provides the nutrients to maintain ongoing skin and coat health.

It does this with a combination of carefully selected proteins, fats, and micronutrients.

Unlike many dog foods that use chicken, beef, or lamb as the primary protein source, this one features fish as its primary ingredient. Fish provides a double bonus for white dogs. Not only does it contain plenty of easy-to-digest protein to keep the coat strong, but it also provides good fats to support skin health and resilience.

Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed also contains a few unique ingredients specifically included to help white dogs, which we will get into in more detail in the next section.

Who Makes Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed and Where is it Produced?

Superior Care Pet was started by a passionate dog breeder in Lithuania over 35 years ago. The company also produces other pet-related products, including grooming supplies and supplements. Today, Superior Care Pet and its sister lines serve over 60 countries.

Their dog food is manufactured in their private, specialized factory in Lithuania.

Which Type of Dog is Superior Care Pet White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Best Suited For?

As the title suggests, this food is best suited for small, adult, white-coated dogs. The kibble size is tiny, making it appropriate for tea cup pups and other dogs under about 22 pounds.

Does your dog have to have white fur to enjoy this food? Absolutely not. The coat-healthy ingredients are just as beneficial to black Chihuahuas as they are to Malteses.

But if you do have a white dog and you’ve been searching for a food to support their unique coat and gut needs, this one is definitely worth a try.

Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Product Specs

Ingredients

The main coat-supporting ingredients in this food are white fish meal (the first ingredient) and salmon oil. Fish meal is easily digestible and great for sensitive dogs. It provides plenty of protein and all the amino acids dogs need for healthy fur. The salmon oil is packed with omega fatty acids, which support skin and coat health and reduce inflammation.

Being a hypoallergenic food, I was initially concerned about the inclusion of ‘chicken fat’ in the ingredients list; however, Superior Care includes only purified fats, which means that the chicken protein element is almost nil, making the risk of allergic reaction extremely low. If your dog does have a poultry allergy, we would advise introducing the food slowly and monitoring them for any reactions, just to be on the safe side.

This formula also contains some minor nutrients advertised as targeting tear stains specifically. MicroZeoGen (MZG), also known as dynamic micronized clinoptilolite, is a volcanic mineral used to filter heavy metals. The significance for white or light-coated dogs is that it can reduce the amount of iron waste that accumulates in porphyrins, the culprit behind overly red-tinged tears and saliva. Although research into the effectiveness of this compound is in its infancy, early studies indicate that MZG may have positive detoxification effects on the gastrointestinal system.

Kibble Size

One of the most noticeable things about this kibble is how tiny it is! In fact, it is even smaller than my cat’s kibble. This makes it a great option for those tea cup breeds, small dogs with dental issues, and any other little pup that prefers their food “dainty.”

Pricing

When viewed purely on ingredient quality, there are similarly priced options that offer more meat-forward formulations and fewer fillers than this Superior Care diet. However, few foods in this price range are specifically tailored for white-coated breeds, giving this product a unique place in the market.

This diet is available in two different sizes: a 3.3 lb bag and a 22 lb bag.

Where to Find It

This Lithuanian pet food brand is surprisingly easy to find in the States. It is available on Chewy and can also be found at or ordered from PetCo and Walmart. You can also order directly from the Superior Care website.

Comparison

Our Experience With Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed

I received a 3.3 can lb bag of Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed to test for this review. While I do have a tiny dog, a six-pound tan and brindle Chihuahua, I decided to use my 30-pound Dalmatian mix, Ragz, to help with this review. While she is a little big, she has white fur that’s been especially affected by red staining as she’s gotten older.

To help with the review, I also shared this brand with my friend, who has a senior Maltese who also struggles with red staining. She was eager to test this diet out as well.

What I really liked was that white fish meal was first on the ingredient list, and that this food is made with 72% animal ingredients. That means that, despite having a lot of fillers (including dried potato pulp, sweet potato, peas, and dried beet pulp), there really is a ton of fish meal in this formula.

I also liked how small the kibble was. I’ve seen quite a few small breed diets that seem to overlook how tiny small breed dogs’ mouths can be. My friend’s senior Maltese really appreciated this, as did Ragz, who had more than half her teeth pulled years ago.

Both dogs took to this diet very well. They seemed to like the taste and were happy to eat it up as we transitioned them from their old diets. Despite both being older dogs with sensitive stomachs, neither had any digestive issues during the transition or afterward.

At this point, after only about two weeks on the new diet, my friend and I have yet to see any noticeable changes in red fur staining, or tear or saliva clarity in either dog. However, as the stained coat needs to grow out, it can take quite a while to really see these sorts of changes, so we will keep monitoring closely!

While there is some promising research on MicroZeoGen’s ability to bind and remove excess iron, the culprit behind red pigmentation in tears and saliva, I’m not entirely convinced that a little of this in my dog’s food will be enough to make a difference. Many small-breed dogs develop red staining due to tear duct and eye socket deformities, dental disease, liver issues, yeast overgrowth, and other health issues that detoxing minerals won’t address.

The manufacturer does say that to get the maximum benefit from the ‘white dog formula,’ you need to ensure that there are no other parts of the diet that could be triggering allergies or staining, which can get tricky. Superior Care also has a range of hypoallergenic treats, dental chews, and joint health snacks that cater to dogs with light and white coats, so you can stick to a strict food regimen without missing out on those extras.

I know Ragz’s staining issues likely come from her ongoing dental issues. But I’m still holding out hope that my friend’s Maltese will see some improvement thanks to the gut-healthy ingredients and detoxing additives in this diet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

Yes, this diet is likely to be a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs. White fish meal is one of the easier protein sources to digest, and the added omega fatty acids can help reduce gut inflammation.

Will this food get rid of tear stains?

This will depend on the underlying reason for your dog’s tear staining. The hypoallergenic ingredients, with a focus on skin and coat health, help address underlying skin issues that contribute to tearing, while the unique MZG formula can help reduce the red pigmentation in tear and saliva staining. It will take time, however, so don’t expect to see results after just a couple of weeks.

Is this food grain-free?

Like many specialty foods in today’s market, this one is formulated without grains or gluten. However, it does contain many plant-based ingredients, including peas and potatoes.

Is this good for picky eaters?

In general, fish-based diets are a good bet for picky eaters, as they tend to have a strong scent that dogs enjoy. This formula also features extra-tiny kibble that might help entice smaller, picky eaters.

Conclusion 

If you have a small white dog who suffers from brittle fur, a yellow coat, or other common white dog skin and coat issues, Superior Care White Dogs Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food can help.

This specialty dog food was formulated with an emphasis on ingredients that support skin and coat health, maintain a healthy gut, and remove toxins from the body. It is designed specifically for small breeds, featuring tiny kibbles and stomach-friendly fish meal. If your little white pup has been struggling with any of these issues, this food is absolutely worth a try.