How We Ranked These
Every food on this list was scored using KibbleIQ’s ingredient analysis rubric, which evaluates protein quality, filler content, preservative safety, and overall ingredient transparency on a 0–100 scale. For Havanese specifically we weighted three additional factors: grain-inclusive formulation (the FDA-CVM 2018–2024 diet-associated DCM investigation included toy-breed cases and the precautionary recommendation is grain-inclusive food as default for breeds with documented cardiac risk), glucosamine + chondroitin inclusion for the breed’s ~12% radiographic hip dysplasia rate per OFA database, and small-bite kibble format matched to a 7–13 lb mouth.
OFA hip dysplasia statistics for Havanese (drawn from voluntary radiographic submissions) consistently show 10–15% dysplastic findings — meaningfully elevated for a toy-class breed and structurally explained by the breed’s chondrodysplasia inheritance (short legs relative to body length carries elevated coxofemoral joint stress). The 2019 Havanese Club of America breed health survey echoed the OFA finding and added patellar luxation (~14% lifetime), cataracts (~9%), and Legg-Calvé-Perthes (~0.5%) to the breed’s structural risk profile. We prioritize foods with documented glucosamine + chondroitin inclusion (or at minimum chicken meal as a meaningful natural source of both).
Our Top 5 Picks
1. Wellness Complete Health — B (78/100)
Wellness Complete Health leads with deboned chicken + chicken meal + oatmeal + ground barley + peas with a moderate-protein grain-inclusive backbone. For a Havanese, that structural foundation matches the breed’s specific nutritional needs at a defensible ingredient-quality tier. The Small Breed grain-inclusive formula uses deboned chicken + chicken meal + oatmeal + ground barley + peas — structurally aligned with FDA-CVM cardiac-safe positioning (grain-inclusive, no legume-heavy formulation) and an appropriate moderate-protein backbone for a long-lived toy breed (median Havanese lifespan 14–16 years). The Small Breed line carries built-in glucosamine for the joint-risk profile and small-bite kibble matched to a 7–13 lb mouth. Read our full Wellness Complete Health review → · Shop on Amazon →
2. Hill's Science Diet — B (75/100)
Hill's Science Diet leads with vet-recommended balanced formula with extensive feeding-trial substantiation and clinical-research backing. For a Havanese, that structural foundation matches the breed’s specific nutritional needs at a defensible ingredient-quality tier. Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws is feeding-trial substantiated, vet-channel positioned, and uses tiny-bite kibble pieces matched to a Havanese mouth structure. For owners whose vet is steering them toward conservative kibble-tier choices with extensive clinical-research backing — the cardiac monitoring frequency in long-lived toy breeds makes vet-relationship continuity load-bearing — Hill’s is the most-recommended brand across general-practice clinics. Read our full Hill's Science Diet review → · Shop on Amazon →
3. Open Farm — A (90/100)
Open Farm leads with humane-certified animal ingredients with full traceability (every bag traceable to source farms) and Ocean Wise + Certified Humane partnerships. For a Havanese, that structural foundation matches the breed’s specific nutritional needs at a defensible ingredient-quality tier. Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon delivers marine omega-3 EPA + DHA from a single-source novel protein with full bag-level traceability to source fisheries. For Havanese with skin-and-coat concerns (the breed’s long silky coat carries dermatologic visibility, atopy is documented at modest rates) or for owners specifically valuing humane-certified sourcing on a long-lived toy breed, the recipe’s grain-inclusive backbone (oats + chickpeas) is cardiac-safe-positioned. Read our full Open Farm review → · Shop on Amazon →
4. Fromm — A (90/100)
Fromm leads with duck + chicken meal + menhaden fish meal with probiotics, salmon oil, and moderate grain (oatmeal + barley). For a Havanese, that structural foundation matches the breed’s specific nutritional needs at a defensible ingredient-quality tier. Fromm Gold Small Breed delivers duck + chicken meal + menhaden fish meal at small-bite size with one of the cleanest recall histories in the industry. The family-mill production model gives Havanese owners managing a small long-lived breed they’ll feed the same food to for 14+ years meaningful quality-control assurance and consistent recipe formulation across batches. Read our full Fromm review → · Shop on Amazon →
5. Acana — B (88/100)
Acana leads with Champion Petfoods sister brand to Orijen at lower price point — 60% animal ingredients with named meat first and regional sourcing. For a Havanese, that structural foundation matches the breed’s specific nutritional needs at a defensible ingredient-quality tier. Acana Heritage Small Breed delivers 60% animal ingredients with named meats first and regional Kentucky-sourced ingredients. Acana’s sister-brand-to-Orijen positioning at lower price point makes the high-meat-content formulation accessible without the Orijen premium. For Havanese owners specifically wanting Champion Petfoods sourcing transparency at a defensible everyday price point, the small-breed kibble size matches the Havanese mouth. Read our full Acana review → · Shop on Amazon →
What to Look for in Food for Havanese
Grain-inclusive cardiac-safe formulation. The FDA-CVM 2018–2024 diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy investigation identified statistical association between grain-free legume-heavy formulations (peas, lentils, chickpeas as primary carb sources) and DCM cases across multiple breeds including some toy-class entries. The precautionary recommendation from the AVMA, ACVIM cardiology consensus, and most veterinary cardiologists is grain-inclusive food as default for any breed with documented mitral valve disease prevalence — Havanese being one of those breeds. Whole-grain oats, brown rice, and barley are credible carb-base ingredients; legume-forward formulas should be avoided unless your vet has specifically prescribed one.
Glucosamine + chondroitin for the breed’s joint-risk profile. OFA radiographic data shows ~12% hip dysplasia prevalence in Havanese plus 14% patellar luxation per the 2019 breed health survey — meaningful for a toy-class breed. Look for foods that explicitly include glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, or that lead with chicken meal as a natural source of both (chicken meal carries 1,500–2,500 ppm glucosamine naturally). Supplemental joint care can be added separately (Nutramax Cosequin DS, Dasuquin) once your dog enters middle age (~6–7 years).
Small-bite kibble matched to a 7–13 lb mouth. The Havanese mouth is small-but-not-tiny. Standard small-breed kibble (5–7 mm) works well for most adult Havanese. Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws, Wellness CORE Small Breed, Fromm Gold Small Breed, and Royal Canin Small Adult are the standard products in this size category. For older Havanese with worn-down teeth or active dental disease, freeze-dried raw or wet-food rotation sidesteps the kibble-shape issue.
Omega-3 EPA + DHA for the breed’s long silky coat and modest atopy rates. The Havanese double-coat profile carries dermatologic visibility — coat dullness, dandruff, and seasonal flank thinning are common owner complaints. Marine omega-3 EPA + DHA at 1,000–1,500 mg combined per 30 lb body weight per day per 2018 ACVD guidance supports skin-barrier function. Look for salmon oil, fish oil, or whole-fish ingredients in the top half of the ingredient list.
Bottom Line
The best Havanese food solves three problems at once: grain-inclusive cardiac-safe formulation that respects the breed’s elevated mitral valve disease prevalence, glucosamine + chondroitin inclusion for the ~12% hip dysplasia plus 14% patellar luxation joint-risk profile, and small-bite kibble format matched to a 7–13 lb mouth. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed is our top pick — grain-inclusive, joint-supportive, mid-priced, widely stocked. Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws and Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon are the vet-channel and premium-sourcing alternatives. Avoid grain-free legume-heavy formulations — the FDA-CVM cardiac signal applies to the Havanese cardiac-watchlist profile by precautionary principle.
Related condition deep-dive: Best Dog Food for Joint Problems