Few dogs are as unique as the Chihuahua. This toy-sized dog is well known for its erect ears and large round eyes. Often the dog of choice for those in restricted living spaces. One recurring question is “What is the best dog food for Chihuahuas?” And we’re here to provide.
Keeping your Chihuahua at the peak of physical and mental wellness involves lots of stimulation, exercise, and the right food. However, with so many types and brands available, knowing what to feed them can be tricky. Luckily, that’s where we come in. Here are five of the best dog foods chosen by our panel of pet lovers and Chihuahua experts.
1. Royal Canin Health Nutrition Chihuahua Puppy Dog Food
This ROYAL CANIN kibble mix is designed specifically for Chihuahua puppies from 8 weeks to 8 months old. The kibble is small and created in a shape that is easy for puppies to break and chew. The food contains balanced levels of highly digestible proteins to help with your puppy’s growth and development. The kibble is also designed to reduce stool odor and meet the needs of fussy appetites – something Chihuahuas are well-known for.
The fiber content, quality protein and carbohydrate sources are balanced to create a food that offers great taste and smell and supports good digestion. The addition of Vitamins E and C, Lutein and Taurine helps to support your puppy’s natural defenses, while offering complete and balanced nutrition.
Key Features:
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition for Chihuahua puppies from 8 weeks
- Highly digestible proteins
- Reduces stool quantity and odor
- Small and carefully formed kibble – perfect for small and developing jaws
Specification:
- Brand: Royal Canin
- Model: 513825
- Weight: 2.56 Pounds
2. Taste of The Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for Chihuahuas
Taste of the Wild uses a combination of venison, duck, lamb, egg, and ocean fish to create a food that is high in easily digested proteins and fat, and also provides optimal levels of amino acids. The kibble pieces are just the right size for your small dog’s teeth and the addition of prebiotic fiber and probiotics helps to support your dog’s digestive health.
The grain-free recipe gains its fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the inclusion of fruits and vegetables. This improves the health of your dog’s skin and coat and is great for those whose digestion is upset by wheat and grains. The dry food is also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Key Features:
- Contains real venison
- Protein-rich and contains optimal amino acids for strong, lean muscles
- Added vitamins and mineral from natural food sources
- Grain and wheat free
- No artificial color, flavors, or preservatives
Specification:
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Model: 2536
- Weight: 28.7 Pounds
3. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dog Food for Chihuahuas
Wellness CORE is specifically designed to meet the higher energy level needs of small breeds, such as the Chihuahua. Made with premium chicken and turkey, it is naturally high in protein and supports the increasingly popular raw feeding philosophy. This means that it is completely free from grains, animal by-products, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
The nutrient-dense kibble is designed for small teeth and includes the perfect balance of essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that your dog needs for a healthy coat and skin. The natural fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics work together to improve and maintain good digestive health, while the high-quality protein and complex carbohydrates ensure optimal energy levels.
Key Features:
- 100% grain-free
- Contains no animal by-products
- A balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and omega acids
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
- Small kibble pieces – ideal for small teeth
Specification:
- Brand: WELLNESS CORE
- Model: 88421
- Weight: 12.25 Pounds
4. Blue Buffalo Blue Life Protection Toy Breed Dog Food
BLUE Life Protection formula is created from a mix of deboned chicken, whole grains, fruit and vegetables. With no poultry by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, the food provides a great taste and provides your dog with the essential amino acids they need to stay healthy. Complex carbohydrates and high-quality protein ensure that your Chihuahua’s energy needs are met, as well as providing them with all the nutrients they need.
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used in the development of this dry food, adding to its superior taste. The nutrient-rich elements of the food are also processed at a lower temperature to the rest of the kibble to ensure that its potency is preserved.
Key Features:
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- Protein-rich food from real meat sources
- No animal by-products, corn, wheat, or soy
- Complex carbs from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Specification:
- Brand: Blue Buffalo
- Model: 371
- Weight: 4.67 Pounds
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Chihuahuas
Hill’s Science Diet has been developed specifically for toy breeds and small breed puppies, taking the specific needs of these size animals into consideration. Developed with DHA from high quality fish oil for healthy brain and eye development, the dry food also contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids from high quality and easy-to-digest ingredients.
While the kibble contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, it is created from a mix of chicken meal, fruits, vegetables, grains and wheat. This means that it may not be suitable for dogs with intolerances to wheat or gluten, or for those whose owners are concerned about feeding their pooch these ingredients. Otherwise, the combination of crunch and flavor is something your Chihuahua will thank you for.
Key Features:
- Specifically designed for toy dog breeds and small dog breed puppies
- Contains natural DHA for healthy brain and eye development
- A balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Specification:
- Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
- Model: 9095
- Weight: 16.10 Pounds
The Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are very energetic dogs who need a lot of exercises and a diet rich in protein and high-quality complex carbohydrates to help them maintain consistent energy levels. However, with so many foods purporting to offer just this, how do you choose between them, and ensure that you are feeding your pet pooch the right ingredients? The best way to achieve this is by looking closely at the ingredients that any food has, including the source of its protein and carbohydrates.
How Much Food Should I Feed My Chihuahua Puppy?
When deciding how much to feed your Chihuahua, you should start by finding a good quality food designed for your breed of dog. If you cannot find one that you like that is breed-specific, then look for one that is designed for a toy or small dogs. This is important because toy and small dogs have very specific protein needs and require small-sized kibble pieces.
Once you have found the right food, start by following the feeding guidelines on the packet and then adjust the quantity up or down to suit your individual dog’s needs. Feeding guidelines are usually set based on the weight of your dog, so it is important to weigh them regularly and to know the recommended weight for your dog at their age and stage of life. If your Chihuahua is severely over or underweight, then you should get advice from your local veterinarian.
In terms of when to feed your Chihuahua, it is recommended that for puppies under 3 months, food is left out all the time, so they can eat as they need to. For 3 months, food should be split into 3 or 4 separate meals. This should be reduced to 2 to 3 meals at 6 months and 2 meals a day from around a year old.
Ingredients to Look For When Feeding Your Chihuahua
Chihuahuas have very specific dietary needs and on top of that they can be extremely fussy about what they eat. Given this it is important that you find a high-quality food that meets their needs and that they like. Signs of a high-quality food include not containing any artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, not including nutrient poor but calorie rich fillers, and having meat as one of the key ingredients. Here are a few other things to watch for:
- Fruit, vegetables and whole grains
Chihuahuas are very energetic dogs and need high levels of protein and complex carbohydrates to maintain healthy muscles and to keep their energy level stable. If foods are full of processed carbohydrates then, like humans, they experience steep rises and falls in energy. This has a negative effect on their physical health and on their temperament. Good carbohydrate sources include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is recommended that vegetables make up about 40% of the ingredients in your Chihuahua’s food.
- Fiber
Fiber is important to the transit of food through the digestive system. Too little and your dog is likely to suffer from constipation. However, the wrong type can leave them bloated as well. Again, this is where whole grains and vegetables are important.
- Meat
It is worth reiterating the importance of not only a high meat content, but also the need for good quality meat to be included in your dog’s food. Meat should be the number one ingredient on the list of ingredients in your food. Avoid foods where the majority of the meat comes from by-products. Ideally, you want a food that contains no animal by-products as these contain little to no nutritional value.
What Food to Avoid Feeding Your Chihuahua
Not all dog foods are created equal and some can actually harm your Chihuahua. The main foods to avoid are those that contain high levels of filler. These are low in nutritional value, but high in calories. They are likely to cause obesity and increase the risk of degenerative joint disease. Additionally, you should avoid feeding your dog:
- Chocolate – especially dark chocolate contains high levels of theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
- Onions – along with garlic, are known to cause anemia in dogs.
- Caffeine – Chihuahua’s are already energetic enough and do not need stimulants. It is also dangerous for them as it raises the heart rate.
- Bones – chicken bones especially as these can splinter and cause problems long the digestive system, as well as catching in teeth and gums. Bones in general can cause diarrhea and other tummy problems.
- Grapes, raisins, cherries – along with macadamia nuts and avocado, these are toxic to your pet. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Xylitol – Artificial sweeteners can cause liver damage and drastic drops in blood sugar levels in dogs. It would take very little for a small dog like a Chihuahua to create a toxic dose, so it is best to avoid it altogether.
Things To Consider When Buying The Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas
Pet food labels can be very confusing and contain a lot of different terminology as well as very long lists of ingredients. Here are the top things to watch out for when you are choosing the perfect food for your pooch.
- Protein, carbohydrate and starch ratios
Good quality food for Chihuahuas has a protein / carb/ starch ratio of around 40 / 40 / 20. Protein needs to come from quality meat and fish sources and carbs should be complex carbohydrates from whole grain, fruit and vegetable sources.
- Amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are therefore essential to your dog’s wellbeing. Look for foods that list the specific meat sources to ensure that your dog is getting the amino acids they need.
- Vitamins and minerals
Quality foods should list vitamins, A, E, C and B-12 among their ingredients, along with DHA omega oils, folic acid and minerals including calcium Iodate and Sodium Selenite.
- Kibble size
Chihuahuas only have small teeth and jaws, it is therefore important that the food you buy reflects their needs. Kibble should be small and easy for them to bite. Dry food is better than wet food for Chihuahuas generally because it helps maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Wheat and grains
An increasing number of dog foods are wheat, or wheat and grain-free. There is no agreement as to whether dogs should avoid grains unless they have a specific stomach or allergy issue. However, some owners prefer a completely grain-free approach to food. If you are buying a food that includes grains go for one that uses whole grains as this is more beneficial and contains better fiber.
Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
These should be avoided at all costs, along with corn syrups, fillers and refined grains. They have no benefit to your Chihuahua and could be harmful, preventing uptake of nutrients and affect the speed of transit of food through the digestive system.
- Age appropriateness
The age of your Chihuahua affects the specific balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals they need. If you have a puppy, then it is best to buy food specifically designed for this stage of their life. Pregnant or nursing dogs also have different needs and you may find different food, feeding pattern, or amounts of food are needed during this time.
We hope we have answered your question on what is the best dog food for Chihuahuas. If you have any concerns about the well-being of your dog, whether related to food or not, seek help from your local veterinarian as soon as possible.
Source: mypetneedsthat
