Despite the fact that the Chihuahua is considered the smallest breed, its representatives are more active and energetic than many large dogs. Their metabolism is accelerated, their appetite is good, but you need to know what to feed your pets in order to maintain their health and prolong their life as much as possible. The animals' diet must be balanced and not cause allergic reactions. This problem is easy to solve if you use ready-made dry food for Chihuahuas. There is a wide variety of it on the market, differing in purpose, composition and price.
Quality criteria for finished food for Chihuahuas
Despite the huge assortment, choosing good food for the Chihuahua breed is a difficult but doable task. Attention should be focused on several criteria:
- high quality meat should be at the beginning of the list of ingredients;
- sources of animal fats and protein are indicated;
- the composition does not include by-products, cheap fillers, dyes, flavors and preservatives;
- the percentage of legumes and grains is minimal;
- caloric content corresponds to the nutritional needs of Chihuahuas;
- the recipe for making dry granules includes fruits and vegetables;
- Chihuahua breeders leave positive reviews about the quality of the product;
- The manufacturer's advertising is not intrusive or aggressive.
Wolfsblut Gray Peak Small Breed (15 kg)
German quality holistic specialist. The products of this brand include only those components that are easily absorbed by the dog’s body, without causing any digestive problems.
https://dog-care.ru/zdorove/pitanie/luchshih-suhih-kormov-dlya-chihuahua.html
No wheat, oats, corn, starch or gluten. Meat makes up more than half of the food - cod, mackerel, haddock, pheasant, rabbit, trout, salmon, lamb.
pros
- Excellent balance of vitamins, minerals, healthy supplements;
- Complete absence of chemical ingredients (flavor and aroma enhancers and dyes);
- Moderate size granules;
- No noticeable odor;
- Elegant, high quality packaging;
- The company has an official website with a detailed description of the product and instructions;
- The condition of the coat improves.
Minuses
- Rarely available in pet stores;
- In isolated cases may cause constipation
Types of dry food
Depending on the recipe, the percentage of vitamins, natural additives and minerals, dry food is classified into several categories:
- economy;
- premium;
- super premium;
- holistic
They differ not only in composition, but also in price.
Economy class
Economy class dry croquettes do not contain dietary meat or high quality products. They are replaced with animal fat, bone meal and tendons. The source of protein is vegetable protein from legumes, wheat and other grains. The general composition cannot be called diverse; it does not contain enough micro- and macroelements, amino acids and vitamins. Its energy value is about 300 kcal per 100 g of product.
Chihuahuas love the taste of this food. This is due to the presence of flavorings and flavoring additives. The food coloring makes it look very attractive. Sneezes do not pay attention to quality and eat what they feed, but the dog owner must remember that such food is of little benefit.
Long-term and regular feeding of a dog with economy-class dry food is contraindicated. An insufficient amount of substances beneficial to the body in the composition will sooner or later negatively affect the health and condition of the Chihuahua’s coat.
Premium class
Premium dry food is preferred by most breeders. In addition to meat, the granules contain by-products. Their total number is about 30% of the total volume. The main part is in Fig. Premium food contains more animal proteins, vitamins, microelements, and nutrients are better balanced than in the economy class. The calorie content of the product is up to 350 kcal per 100 g. The range of dry granules in this category is varied. To find the right food for your Chihuahua, you should consult a veterinarian and read reviews from breeders.
Super premium class
Super-premium dry food is considered elite and is suitable for feeding puppies and adult Chihuahuas. It contains natural high quality turkey, chicken, lamb, eggs, nutritional supplements, fiber and grains. Some manufacturers include by-products of the first category (heart, tongue, liver, kidneys) in dry croquettes. Energy value – about 450 kcal per 100 g.
Chihuahuas fed these pellets do not require additional vitamins or minerals. The diet is balanced, food is perfectly absorbed and digested.
Holistics
Dry food in this class includes products of the highest quality, suitable for human consumption. Manufacturers list meat, probiotics, grains and oils in the ingredient list. Representatives of the companies claim that Chihuahuas, which are fed holistically from childhood, do not get sick, but this claim has not yet been verified, since the brand has only recently appeared on the market.
The composition contains up to 80% meat, added vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, minerals and vitamins. Sugar, bone meal, flavorings, soy, preservatives and dyes are prohibited.
Natural feeding
Supporters of natural nutrition should know what they can feed their Chihuahuas and what they are strictly forbidden to feed. These little “pocket” dogs are huge picky eaters - they won’t eat just anything! In addition, they are incredibly active, and their metabolism is accelerated, so nutrition should be regular and sufficiently high in calories.
Don’t even think that these little ones can be fed with leftovers from the human table. Yes, they don’t eat that much, 120-160 grams. per day, but these must be high-quality, specially prepared grams. On average, the daily diet of an adult pet is 60-80 grams. feed for 1 kg. weight. 2/3 of the total volume is protein foods, the remaining 1/3 is vegetables and cereals.
What should be in the diet
- Meat. Boiled or raw (frozen or scalded with boiling water). Low-fat varieties are suitable: rabbit, turkey, veal, beef, chicken breast.
- Vegetables. Served raw and stewed. Raw vegetables are grated and mixed with a small amount of vegetable oil.
- Cereals: rolled oats, rice, buckwheat.
- Boiled eggs. No more than once a week.
- Low-fat sea fish - 1-2 times a week.
- Calcined cottage cheese.
- Offal.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.
List of prohibited products
- Fresh raw meat. Meat is given only after heat treatment or frozen and scalded.
- Spices, onions and garlic.
- Chocolate, sweets, sugar.
- Fatty, spicy, fried and salty foods.
- Smoked meats.
- Raw fish.
- Milk.
- Pickled foods.
- Raw eggs.
- Legumes.
- Nuts, especially walnuts.
The consumption of these products leads to various pathologies: obesity, anemia, hypertension, bone fragility and gastrointestinal disorders.
Be responsible when it comes to what to feed your Chihuahua at home. The health and well-being of the dog depends on the composition of the diet. If in doubt, seek advice from your veterinarian.
Rating of the best food for Chihuahuas
The choice of ready-made dry food for small breeds such as Chihuahuas should be approached responsibly, since their digestion is very sensitive. If you feed your pets correctly, neither allergies nor obesity will develop, and the appearance and health of your pets will be excellent. Based on reviews from Chihuahua owners and the opinion of veterinarians, you can make a list of foods that include the five best products:
- Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult.
- NOW FRESH.
- Acana Classics.
- NOW Natural Fresh Small Breed Recipe.
- Royal Canin Sterelised X-small.
Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult
Royal Canin's super premium products are designed for and considered the best for Chihuahuas over eight months of age. Available in the form of granules, convenient for small dogs. The main ingredients include wheat, poultry, and rice. The composition is balanced, the presence of nutrients allows you to support immunity. If you feed Royal Canin Chihuahua Adults, your stool will normalize and your physical fitness will return to normal. Dry granules should be kept in a tightly closed package to prevent them from airing.
NOW FRESH
Universal holistic dry food for small dogs does not contain dyes or preservatives. It comes in duck, turkey and salmon flavors. The list of ingredients includes fish, chicken, apples, potato flour, berries and fruits. The balance of protein, fiber and fat is optimal.
The daily intake depends on the age of the Chihuahua and ranges from 14 g to 300 g. The serving size must be controlled to avoid obesity. Dry kibble is hypoallergenic and suitable for puppies and older children.
Acana Classics
Dry food belongs to the holistic class. The croquettes contain 50% lamb, pork or beef. Another 50% includes peas, oats and lentils. The product is perfectly absorbed by the stomach of sneezes and does not cause allergies. Dogs do not get tired of it, but they need to ensure that the daily portion is maintained, and take more walks with the pet so that the weight does not increase above normal.
Zoogurman Active Life
Dry granules from the Russian brand “Zoogurman” are intended for adult Chihuahuas from one to six years old. If you feed your pets this product for a long time, bones become stronger and muscle mass increases. The manufacturer uses veal, cereals, brewer's yeast and rose hips as ingredients. The vitamins and minerals included in the diet help maintain normal weight for Chihuahuas and reduce the risk of disease. The product has a pleasant smell, easy digestibility and rich mineral composition. It is better to feed the sneeze after walking. You can soak the granules with water.
Royal Canin Sterelised X-small
This special series is intended for Chihuahuas over ten months old and neutered. The composition contains ingredients of animal and plant origin that help prevent dog obesity and genitourinary diseases. The food can be used to clean teeth from tartar, but it is not intended for individuals with digestive problems due to the presence of wheat, corn and food additives in the product.
Before you start feeding on a regular basis, it is worth purchasing a small package and checking the Chihuahua’s reaction.
How to properly feed pregnant and lactating dogs
In order for a small dog to bear and give birth to healthy offspring, a pregnant Chihuahua needs to be fed a special diet. Dogs that receive dry food are switched to special brands for pregnant women: Royal Canin Mini Starter Mother & Babydog, Bozita super premium Puppy & Junior WHEAT FREE 25/13, etc.
Naturally fed dogs are given more foods containing calcium: apples, cottage cheese and cauliflower. Just before childbirth, the level of protein in the diet is reduced, and meat and fish are excluded 7-8 days before birth.
After giving birth, dogs are also not given meat for the first days. They feed him cottage cheese, give him calcium supplements and fermented milk products. From the second week they feed him stewed meat with vegetables, give him porridge, and boiled egg yolk. If the bitch is not allergic to milk, you can give her goat's milk.
Important! Be sure to give special vitamin and mineral complexes during pregnancy and lactation.
What dry food is best to give to a Chihuahua?
When choosing dry granules for a Chihuahua, it is wrong to focus only on the pet’s preferences. The category, composition and calorie content should be taken into account. The weight and age of the dog are equally important. According to this criterion, products are divided into three types - for adult pets, junior and puppies. Manufacturers produce special dry granules for old, sick animals, pregnant and lactating bitches.
You can select a specific product for your Chihuahua only taking into account individual characteristics and all the specified criteria.
Puppy
You can switch puppies to dry feeding after they grow up and learn to eat on their own. Chihuahua babies need to steam the pellets with hot water and let them cool to room temperature. Until six months of age, puppies are given 20 g of dry granules per intake; from 6 months to a year the norm is increased to 30-40 g. The top best dry food for Chihuahua puppies includes:
- Grain-free holistic Acana Heritage Puppy Small Breed.
- For puppies from a month old - Eukanuba Puppy Dry Dog Food For Small Breed Chicken.
- Royal Canin Chihuahua Junior.
Adult dog
Chihuahuas have a fast metabolism, so they eat a lot. To prevent them from gaining excess weight as adults, dry granules must meet several criteria:
- fat content – not less than 6%;
- amount of protein – about 20%;
- granules have a diameter of no more than 0.8 cm.
According to reviews from breeders, Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult super-premium everyday food is one of the best for adult and old dogs. Contains rice, meat, vitamins and minerals. The croquettes are shaped to fit a Chihuahua's jaws.
Feeding standards
According to established veterinary standards, for normal growth and development of dogs, food must contain at least 18-22% protein and 5-8% fat.
Adult active dogs from 1 to 7 years old need 78 to 88 calories per 1 kg of body. For aging animals, 68 calories per 1 kg of body is sufficient.
An adult dog is fed twice a day - morning and evening. The best time to eat is at 7-8 o'clock in the morning and 19-20 o'clock in the evening.
Important! Never feed animals immediately before bed.
Hypoallergenic food for Chihuahuas
Allergies often have a cumulative effect and do not always appear immediately. The cause of a painful reaction in the body can be wheat, pork, corn, beef, soy, chicken or duck.
Until the allergen is identified, you need to switch the sneeze to a hypoallergenic diet. It contains brown rice, turkey meat, oxidants, vitamins E, C, which help strengthen the immune system and improve metabolism. The ideal hypoallergenic foods are:
- Hill's Prescription Diet z/d.
- Grandorf Mini.
- Royal Canin Anallergenic.
Nutrition rules
Proper nutrition is the key to good health not only for humans, but for their pets. Therefore, when a little friend appears, you should follow certain rules.
Yorkies can be fed either homemade food or purchased specialized food. If we talk about homemade food, then offal, beef, poultry are allowed in the diet, and you can give them raw, but you must first pour boiling water over them. From cereals you will need the presence of buckwheat and rice. You should also not forget about fermented milk products, although representatives of this breed do not really like them. It is allowed to give raw or boiled fruits or vegetables; such food will become a real treat for the Yorkshire Terrier. But such dogs should refrain from fried and smoked foods. In addition, it is not recommended to give them sausages, fatty cheeses, semolina or oatmeal porridge.
Since Chihuahuas have a more sensitive digestive system, certain difficulties may arise here. Therefore, you should not keep them on a mixed diet, and the owner will need to decide whether he will feed him store-bought food or homemade food. If we talk about specialized food, then it will require alternating dry and wet food. Moreover, as mentioned above, such dogs quickly form plaque, and with the help of dry food it will be cleaned from the teeth. If the owner has decided that the pet will eat homemade food, then the diet should include boiled beef, veal, sea fish, and occasionally chicken can be given. You can feed your Chihuahua porridge, vegetables and some fruits. It is prohibited to include pork, river fish, legumes, sweets and fried or fatty foods in the diet.
Wet food - which one is better to choose for a Chihuahua?
Canned food resembles natural food in its consistency. Their composition helps prevent dehydration of the body and normalize water balance. Canned food is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. They are easily digestible and have an attractive appearance and taste. The soft structure is convenient for use in feeding dogs with dental problems or during the period of teeth change in puppies. They are convenient to use, easy to store and take on trips. For Chihuahuas you can choose:
- Grandorf Natural & Healthy is a hypoallergenic food without dyes and flavors, which helps strengthen bones and cartilage and has a beneficial effect on intestinal microflora.
- Premium assorted meats “Four-Legged Gourmand” - for dogs over one year old, containing turkey, chicken, heart, lung, tripe, liver, vegetable oil and fiber.
Criteria for choosing the best products for small breed dogs
What to pay attention to when choosing food for your pet so that your pet Yorkie or Chihuahua is always healthy, energetic and in a good mood. Which food is better to buy, selection criteria:
- ingredients and their quantities for dogs of the appropriate age;
- choose not just for small breeds, namely Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas;
- take into account the advice of experts and the opinions of other owners.
To make the right choice, you should look at the bestsellers, with what appetite your pet eats and the reaction of its stomach.
Dry food for Chihuahuas with health problems
Despite their high immunity, Chihuahuas are prone to hereditary diseases:
- allergies;
- dental diseases;
- heart valve dysplasia.
To maintain the health of the cardiovascular system and kidneys, use Forza10 dry food for adult dogs. For allergies, give Healthy Skin and Coat TOY and SMALL BREEDS for ADULTS. The Purina Pro Plan Dental Pro Bar Small&Mini brand is suitable for strengthening teeth.
Results
It is strictly forbidden to let your Chihuahua eat: chocolate and all human sweets, millet porridge, citrus fruits, baked goods, smoked meats and pickles, human canned food, onions, pasta, prunes and raisins, mushrooms, nuts, legumes, alcohol, avocado, pomegranate, grapes and cherries.
Also remember that many Chihuahuas are not only prone to allergies, but also very capricious, so the dog may simply refuse to eat many necessary foods. Then annual visits to the doctor to establish a complex of vitamins and minerals should never be skipped, because then you risk the health of your little picky child.
