What to feed a Chihuahua: the best food and necessary natural products

The Russian market offers commercial food for dogs of all breeds. Large, medium, small, pregnant and lactating, dogs with allergies and sensitive digestion, puppies. With chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey, rabbit - for every taste.

The manufacturer also took care of the consumer’s wallet. Any large company has divided its products according to price category into 4 classes:

1. Economy;
2. Premium;
3. Super Premium;
4. Holistic.

The quality of the ingredients used to make Economy and Premium class dry food does not inspire confidence. Nutritionists and experienced breeders recommend buying “Super-Premium” and “Holistic” class food for Chihuahuas. The latter features a grain-free formula. The manufacturer guarantees high quality products, a balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of the dog. But the price of one package is appropriate.

Unfortunately, even expensive food from a well-advertised brand may turn out to be of poor quality. The advertisement is engine of the trade. Huge amounts of money are invested in advertising campaigns, rather than in improving product quality. Moreover, some foods even pose a threat to the life and health of dogs and are therefore prohibited for sale in foreign countries. And in Russia - “Please, bon appetit!”

A caring owner will not feed his dog a bad product. How not to make a mistake and buy truly high-quality dry food for your Chihuahua? Today I will try to touch on all aspects of this issue, and at the end of the article I will attach a list of the best dry food for Chihuahuas for 2022. But first things first.

Natural feeding

Natural feeding in natural home conditions is called animal food, which does not contain all kinds of artificially created additives or dry mixture. This type of food is healthier for Chihuahuas than canned or packaged food, because the dog receives balanced food. At the time of feeding, no harmful additives, dyes, flavors, or flavor enhancers will enter the pet’s body.

Actions that any owner of a small dog must perform:

• buy ingredients and products in a timely manner;
• follow the animal's diet.

The Chihuahua's food should contain a sufficient amount of fats, proteins, vitamins and microelements.

Interesting article: Life expectancy of a Chihuahua: how many years do Chihuahuas live at home?

The big disadvantage of feeding a pet natural food is the high cost of food. Dry mixtures are much cheaper and this is their huge advantage.

Healthy foods for Chihuahuas:

• meat;
• fermented milk mixtures, medium fat content;
• unsweetened fruits and vegetables;
• bran of grain crops.

Ingredients in the food

The components in the granulated feed are arranged in descending order by mass fraction. They can be divided into 3 categories:

1. energy;
2. fillers;
3. auxiliary.

The first category includes products that have high energy value for the Chihuahua's body. Meat and meat ingredients are the main source of energy, which is easily absorbed in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

Fillers are heavy carbohydrates and foods with low energy value. Promotes rapid saturation of the stomach. Cheap food fillers in dry food include:

• beets and beet pulp;
• corn (maize);
• potato;
• wheat;
• beer and white rice;
• legumes;
• offal.

High quality carbohydrate sources: barley, brown rice, millet, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, pumpkin.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to post a complete list, so the most common products in the feed industry are listed.

Auxiliary ingredients include some products and medicinal herbs present in the feed in small concentrations. Each performs a specific useful task in metabolic processes.

For example, rosemary extract, ginger, turmeric, tocopherol, green tea, and garlic serve as a natural preservative and source of antioxidants.

Dried egg powder, dried beet and tomato pulp are added as a stool fixative. Widely used in dietary food for dogs with sensitive digestion and gastrointestinal diseases.

Rating of the best ready-made food

All pets love to eat tasty food and eat a lot. But if the owner can accurately determine the portion of a Chihuahua, then choosing food is a whole science.

Today on the market you can find dog food from different manufacturers.

Having tested the food, dog experts divided the “drying” into the following categories:

• economy;
• premium;
• super premium;
• holistic.

Cheap products from popular brands:

• Pedigree;
• Darling;
• Chappi;

Premium:

• Purina Dog Chow;
• Purina Pro Plan;
• Advance.

Same class, but higher quality:

• Pronature Original;
• Royal Canin;
• Hills;
• Happy dog;
• ANF.

Super premium foods include:

• Nutra Gold;
• Belcando;
• Bosch;
• Eagle Pack.

The highest quality mixtures from holistic manufacturers:

• Nature Holistic;
• Wellness;
• Taste of the Wild;
• NOW;
• Orijen;
• Innova;
• ;
• Chicken Soup;
• Canidae;

Chihuahua is an active dog. Holistic or super premium nutrition is more suitable for her.

Recommendations for choosing food for puppies

High-quality food differs from its cheap counterparts in safety and sufficient nutritional value. They contain only high-quality ingredients. The basis of a Chihuahua's diet should be meat or fish that has undergone a drying procedure. The ideal food does not contain by-products, wheat, corn, harmful additives in the form of sweeteners, flavor enhancers and flavorings. To satisfy the daily requirement for microelements, manufacturers add vitamins that the dog needs.

To choose the right food for your animal, pay attention to the main characteristics:

1. Age of the pet

   . Food intended for puppies contains a higher concentration of nutrients. They are high in calories, completely contraindicated for adult and neutered dogs. Consumption of such products by animals will inevitably lead to the development of obesity, which negatively affects the heart muscle.

2. Animal physical activity

   . All Chihuahuas, regardless of age, are active, so they require more nutrients for normal muscle development. If an animal starves, it will become less playful and the quality of its coat will change.

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3. Features of dog health

   . Consider whether the animal has had any digestive problems or episodes of allergic reactions. Being overweight is significant. If there are health problems, it is better to focus on preventive lines of food.

4. Product composition

   . As the main menu, high-quality food for Chihuahuas should contain meat ingredients: rabbit, lamb, chicken, turkey or fish. The side dish is grains: rice or oatmeal. In simplified and less healthy product options, they are replaced by corn, peas, soybeans and lentils.

5. If your dog is prone to allergic reactions,

   Carefully study the list of additional components of the feed. Often the reaction occurs to herbs, oranges, cranberries and other food components. This does not reduce the quality of the product, it simply becomes contraindicated for animals with allergies.

6. When purchasing food, carefully read the label.

   The best pet products are made in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK. The entire composition of the ingredients must be indicated on the package with the dry product, and the energy value must be noted. The shelf life of the product is equally important. High-quality dry pet food cannot be stored for more than 2 years without losing its original qualities.

Composition and prices

Economy class food is made from cheap and low-quality raw materials. As a rule, its base consists of soybeans, by-products or waste from food plants and factories. Unfortunately, there are no vitamins here. The purchase will cost from 78 to 112 rubles/kg.

Premium isn't perfect either. Preservatives, odor and taste enhancers are added to the food. All these additives are unnatural and are waste and by-products. The cost varies between 200-400 rubles. for 1 kg.

Super premium food contains pieces of meat, grains, eggs, and healthy vitamins. The price depends on the brand and ranges from 350 to 800 rubles/kg.

This is interesting: 10 best super-premium dog foods

In the holistic line, all compositions are balanced separately for each breed. Price – 700-1500 rub./kg.

Plus dry food or canned food

This was chosen once together with the breeder and veterinarian, and feed it for the rest of its life, adjusted for age. No standing at the stove, just poured it in and that’s it. But is dry food really that useful? Is it true what is written on the packaging about the composition? What about canned food? What's inside, how tasty is it for your pet?

Whether it’s a natural type of feeding - you always know what you’re giving the dog, but you can’t be 100% sure that you’re maintaining the balance of vitamins and minerals, while cooking for the dog as an individual member of the family. That is why the dispute between supporters and opponents of both types of feeding will never subside.

Each specific owner of a Chihuahua dog must decide for himself what to choose, but should never keep the baby on a mixed diet - in this case, you will accumulate all the disadvantages of both types of food, and in addition put the dog’s gastrointestinal tract at risk and will be “rewarded” with frequent indigestion pet.

Daily norm

A Chihuahua dog up to 5 months old can eat from 20 to 25 g of food at a time. Before one year, about 40 g, after - 60 g. If you compare it with the amount of feeding per day, you get about 100, 130 g.

A Chihuahua needs from 50 to 80 g per 1 kg of pet’s weight per day. The portion may be a little larger or smaller. It depends on your lifestyle whether the dog will go for a walk or not.

Good to know: Features of training a Chihuahua

Vitamins

You can purchase the 8in1 exel complex in pet stores. It is recommended to add the drug to the diet in both solid and liquid consistency.

It is intended for all ages of this breed. The Chihuahua will become active and cheerful. The supplement promotes favorable growth of the dog’s bones, teeth, and joints. This product also nourishes the dog’s skin and hair.

Menu

In the morning you can feed your pet:

• finely chopped herbs mixed with low-fat cottage cheese;
• omelette;
• egg yolk.

During the day:

• boiled, chopped veal or fish meat;
• a side dish of any cereal: rice, buckwheat, rolled oats;
• finely chopped vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, grated zucchini, fruits, watermelon.

Evening diet: boiled meat chopped into pieces with herbs and vegetables.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Food must be heated to a moderate temperature. It should be not hot, not cold.

Prepared dog food should be divided into portions. If the dog begins to gain excessive weight, the diet is adjusted. There are also times when the Chihuahua becomes indifferent to any food.

This is usually caused by actions such as:

• changing the dog’s diet, switching to artificial food or vice versa;
• stale food is served;
• the dog is stressed (for example, a family member went on a long business trip);
• most of the time the pet is alone;
• change of residence of the Chihuahua;
• The dog is in pain.

How to choose food for a Chihuahua

Most owners of such dogs choose dry food based on its taste and the appetite with which the Chihuahua eats it. But this is not the main criterion; there is a whole list of other nuances of competent preparation of a home diet. They take into account the category of food, composition, energy value, age, and special needs.

Feed category

According to the recipe used by manufacturers, which takes into account the percentage of natural additives, vitamins and minerals, feed is classified into 3 categories:

• holistic - a premium series using similar high-quality products for both people and pets, and the meat fraction can be up to 70% without semi-finished products or chemicals;
• super-premium series - professional balanced formulations of high quality and nutritional value, containing enough useful ingredients for the active life of the animal;
• premium, economy series - here there is a place for semi-finished products, products of processing plant crops, there is a small percentage of dyes, preservatives, and flavors.

This dispersion of products across categories directly affects prices. The first two groups will cost more than the last.

Compound

The following ingredients should support the growth, good health, and activity of the dog:

• pure animal protein so that the puppy grows and develops without deviations from the norm;
• Omega fatty acids to prevent skin diseases and improve coat condition;
• taurine for heart health;
• glucosamine, chondroitin, responsible for the strength and elasticity of joints;
• probiotics that support the functions of the digestive organs.

Before you buy one thing, read the recipe indicated on the package. If the list includes the specified ingredients, you can safely choose the option in question.

Energy value

Another mark on the label that inspires confidence in the buyer should indicate that the energy value of the product satisfies the needs of this breed. Remember that a Chihuahua eats 3 times a day, give preference to food with a high percentage of meat content.

Age

Chihuahuas are small breed dogs, so their food should be reserved for animals of this size. Consider not only weight, but also age. Conventionally, products are divided into 3 types according to this criterion - puppies, junior, adult dogs. For a growing baby, nutrient granules are usually the choice; for an adult, overeating is harmful.

Special Needs

Be sure to consider other specifics regarding your pet's needs. For example, there are separate products for pregnant women, lactating bitches, formulations for the molting period, special formulas for sterilized, aging or sick animals.

Useful photo and video

You can learn more about the recommendations by watching our video. The instructions will help you understand the intricacies of the Chihuahua breed and its nutrition.

What to feed a Chihuahua puppy – 5 best “puppy foods”

Having figured out the frequency of the puppy’s feeding and choosing a dry type of food for him, you need to decide on food. You cannot immediately give food to adult mini-breeds; for the first year it is worth purchasing a special series for puppies that meet all the requirements of the age group.

List of feeds:

• Acana Heritage Puppy Small Breed is holistic and has a grain-free composition.
• Eukanuba puppy dry food for small breed chicken - especially good for small dogs, as it contains a high level of protein from chicken meat.
• Bosch mini junior is a German-made protein food produced specifically for small breed puppies.
• Royal Canin Chihuahua junior - narrow breed food for up to a year.
• Royal Canin mini junior is a universal food for all miniature breed puppies up to 10 months.

IMPORTANT: owners of Chihuahua puppies often complain that the little ones are reluctant to chew food pellets. But you can cope with such lack of appetite by simply pre-soaking a portion of food in warm boiled water or vegetable broth.

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.

The best universal super-premium holistic food for small dogs NOW FRESH

• universal;
• hypoallergenic;
• packages from 230 g to 11.35 kg.

The best Canadian made food for small dogs is free of grains, dyes and preservatives. Available in 3 flavors - turkey, salmon and duck. Main ingredients: fresh poultry, fish, potato flour, apples, fiber, coconut and rapeseed oil, pieces of vegetables, fruits, berries. One of the few formulations with an optimal balance of protein, fat and fiber. In stores you can buy bags weighing 230 g, 2.72 kg, 5.44 kg and 11.35 kg. Crispy croquettes are suitable for dogs of any small breed: toy terrier, chihuahua, Yorkie, dachshund.

Universal holistic food can appeal not only to animals, but also to their owners - there is no need to waste time preparing natural food. The composition includes ingredients that will provide complete vitamin and mineral complexes. Depending on body weight, age and lifestyle, the daily portion of granules is from 14 to 304 grams.

Reviews

It is convenient to introduce grain-free food into the diet - there are small packages of 230 g each. It does not cause allergies, and stool is normalized. Unlike other brands, Now Fresh's ingredients list does not include any by-products, colors, meat meal, growth hormones, gluten, corn or soy. The only drawback is that you will have to strictly control the portion size to avoid obesity.

Behind:

• holistic;
• does not contain grains or by-products;
• small serving size with greater nutritional value;
• Suitable for puppies, adults and senior dogs.

Against:

• storage temperature must be observed.

Is it possible to give milk?

Only Chihuahua babies need milk; milk does not contribute in any way to the normal functioning of the adult body.

If you still want to give your pet milk, then this should be done extremely rarely, as it causes digestive upset. When adding milk to your Chihuahua's diet, be sure to monitor his stool .

These little dogs are real beggars. By wagging their tail and bulging their eyes at you, they can achieve anything. Don't fall for their cunning tricks. Remember that proper nutrition is the key to the health and longevity of your pet.

Purina Pro Plan Duo Delice for adult dogs

Professional food from Purina Pro Plan for small breeds is available in the form of large granules of 2 types, which consist of 17% beef and contain vitamins A, D3, E, C to maintain immunity and prevent various diseases. The dog has to chew large pieces, which cleans the enamel and reduces tartar deposits. Nutrients are well absorbed and improve gastrointestinal motility, eliminating unpleasant odors. Disadvantages include high corn content, strong taste and aroma of additives.

We cannot recommend this food for all dogs. Large pieces may be too much for very small dogs - toy terriers, Yorkies.

Reviews

A good composition at an affordable price in convenient packages with a spare parts clasp. You can take a small 700 g bag for testing. The maximum package weight is 2.5 kilograms - if the food is suitable, it is a good option for saving. Owners do not recommend taking a large volume at once - some pets experience an allergic reaction in the form of watery eyes and constant scratching.

Behind:

• designed for adult dogs;
• removes tartar;
• convenient packaging;
• long shelf life.

Against:

• contains cereals, corn;
• possible allergies;
• Some dogs can't chew kibble.

How many times a day to feed

The frequency of feeding a Chihuahua in the first months of life, like dogs of other breeds, is 6 meals per day. It is necessary to distribute the feeding regimen so that the intervals between meals are the same. You should not skip feeding, it can be harmful to your health. From 60 to 120 days, owners treat their pets 5 times a day. From four to six months, reduce the frequency of feedings to four. From six months to 12 months, adolescents are given food 3 times, and adult animals - 2 times.

Miniature dogs love to eat, get carried away, and gain excess weight. Monitoring live weight according to the standards of each of the four varieties of the breed does not always give a correct idea of ​​​​compliance with the growth rate to the standard. The division into types is conditional, so monitor the process of growth and development of the puppy according to fatness categories according to the attached diagram.

It is advisable to achieve average condition, which is indicated by the number 3. For growing pets, a temporary reduction in condition to level 2 is allowed. What to do when the dog has gained excess weight? If you reduce the portion, your pet will develop a voracious appetite and begin begging. Chihuahuas know how to pity their owner. Therefore, resort to another technique. If you reduce the one-time feeding, saturation will still occur, only the dog will ask to eat earlier than prescribed by the regime. Therefore, reduce your serving size. As a result, the number of feedings can be increased by 1 or 2. However, the total volume will not change, the pet will get used to the new feeding regimen. The effectiveness of fractional feeding is enhanced when it is combined with an increase in the duration of walking.

When the puppy reaches five months of age, the number of meals is reduced to three. If after six months the dog’s body condition does not exceed rating 3, then transfer it to feeding 2 times a day . Otherwise, the pet is fed three times a day.

Watch the video:

Food allergy to feed components

Excellent feed digestibility is indicated by external signs. The coat becomes shiny and silky. Less feces are released. They are properly formed and do not emit a foul odor. Excellent general health and activity level of the patient.

Food allergies can disrupt the idyll. Characteristic features:

• severe itching and peeling, scratching;
• skin rashes and redness;
• hair loss (alopecia);
• profuse lacrimation from the eyes;
• Wetting of the armpits;
• unpleasant odor from the ears and mouth;
• swelling of the limbs or muzzle;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• allergic otitis.

An allergy may not show signs for a long time, because... has a cumulative nature. Basic food allergens in commercial feed:

Identify the allergen and exclude it from your pet’s diet. For this purpose, contact your veterinary clinic for diagnostic tests.

While the allergen is being identified, switch the dog to medicated food. For Chihuahuas, Royal Canin Anallergenic and Hill's Prescription Diet z/d are recognized as the best today. Discuss further diet with your veterinary nutritionist.

Remember that an allergic reaction after eliminating the allergen lasts from several days to several months.

Chihuahua training course

All the secrets of training a Chihuahua are in our author's book! Raising a smart and obedient Chihuahua in 30 days is real! See for yourself!

Updated in 2021

Our beloved Chihuahua pets need not only care, affection, love, but also proper care and nutrition. Depending on the breed, size and age of the dog, a varied and balanced diet is required. We will help pet owners understand this issue by offering a rating of the best dry food for Chihuahuas, compiled taking into account reviews from breeders and the opinions of veterinarians.

The rating is based on the opinions of experts and users of our portal. The article is subjective in nature, does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Brit Care for Yorkshire Terriers

Czech-made grain-free dog food, which consists of 20% dried salmon and 15% tuna. In addition to fish, the composition includes yellow peas, chickpeas, flaxseed, seaweed, berries and fruits. The granules are quite small in size, so the manufacturer and breeders recommend moistening the kibble to make it easier for dogs to pick up the food. On sale you can find bags of 3 types: 400 g, 2 and 7 kg.

When choosing which food is best for Yorkie puppies, you can choose Brit Care. Good nutrition for animals with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Reviews

Pet owners like the natural composition and the absence of ingredients such as soy, GMOs, by-products, and grains. All the necessary microelements, fatty acids, fiber, vitamins D3, B6, E, C are already contained in the granules - there is no need to buy additional complexes.

Behind:

• good quality;
• easy to incorporate into your daily diet;
• dogs like it;
• does not contain grains.

Against:

• becomes more expensive quickly;
• maximum package volume is only 7 kg;
• You can't buy it everywhere.

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.

Diet by month from birth

• One-month-old puppies can be given skim cow's or goat's milk, similar to their mother's milk.
• When the puppy is 1.5 months old, you can gradually start feeding him porridge, minced meat and boiled vegetable puree. From this age, babies are also introduced to fermented milk products (low-fat cottage cheese, kefir).
• Buyers of puppies, as a rule, take them when they reach 2 months, when the babies already know how to eat on their own.
  At this age, the puppies' diet is supplemented with fresh liver. When buying a puppy, be sure to check how he ate, and at first follow a similar diet with a smooth transition to the menu that is convenient for you. A sudden change in diet can disrupt the baby's intestinal function.
• From 3 months to six months, the puppy’s teeth begin to change, which you need to remember and add soft calf bones to the diet.
• It is recommended to feed milk to a puppy only until four months of age. At 5 months, a Chihuahua should already be fed a full-fledged diet of an adult animal.
• If you feed your baby with ready-made food, then before he reaches six months, the portion should not exceed 20 g; after six months, the portion should be gradually increased to 30-40 grams.

What types of wet food are there?

Wet food is classified according to several criteria. Depending on the main ingredient included in the composition, they are divided into three groups:

• meat - rabbit, beef, lamb, pork;
• poultry - chicken, duck, turkey, goose;
• fish - salmon, cod, pollock.

Many manufacturers add vegetables, cereals and dried fruits to the recipe.

Canned food comes in different packages:

• cans;
• soft PET packs.

The most important criterion is the purpose of feed:

• for daily feeding;
• medicinal;
• delicacy.

For regular feeding

For daily feeding, they use canned food, which is prepared from meat products with the addition of cereals and vegetables, which makes them cheaper. They must be balanced and contain minerals and vitamins. The composition of canned food for regular feeding is not complete enough to give your Chihuahua only this. Breeders recommend combining it with dry industrial granules. Older dogs that have problems with their teeth and gastrointestinal tract should be completely switched to wet food. Among the most popular canned foods for daily use:

1. Pro Plan – pieces of beef in sauce.
2. Friskies – chicken pieces in gravy with convenient packaging 85 g.
3. Zoogourman Smolly Dog - veal, chicken, grains.
4. Best Dinner – beef, rabbit, offal, grains.

Gourmet

The delicacy category of wet food is a real treat for Chihuahuas. They are made from rare varieties of meat. Pieces of fruit and berries are used as an additive. The cardinal difference between canned gourmet foods is their high protein and fat content. When using this type of food as a daily food, skeletal development may be disrupted, and the risk of urolithiasis and obesity may increase. You shouldn't abuse it.

Delicacy varieties include:

1. Lifedog chicken livers – chicken liver in sauce.
2. Country delicacies - pieces of beef tongue.
3. AlpenHof – chicken skewers without preservatives or flavors.

Medicinal

Wet food developed to improve the condition of sick sneezes is classified as medicinal. They are used only after visiting a veterinarian and on his recommendation. The reason for use is Chihuahua disease or a weak condition after surgery. Therapeutic wet food is most often prescribed for pathologies of the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract. How long a Chihuahua should be on the prescribed diet is determined by the doctor.

The best medicinal canned foods include:

1. Hill's Prescription Diet is a product line that is recommended for dogs with intestinal disorders and includes turkey meat, pork liver, corn, and rice.
2. Dr. Clauder's Fur and Skin - suitable for Chihuahuas suffering from dermatitis and hair loss.
3. Farmina - contains trout, sardine, prescribed for allergies to relieve symptoms.
4. Purina Veterinary Diets are canned foods with reduced amounts of protein and phosphorus and antioxidants; they are used to feed elderly sneezes and for kidney disease.