Breeding a tiny dog is extremely difficult, as they tend to require extra care over other larger dog breeds. There’s no doubt that the Chihuahua is a unique variety and is well known for owning erect ears and large round eyes. Owning a Chihuahua is no less than having a wonderful companion and adding a joy to your family. However, that’s not just enough! You need to take special care and give adequate attention to its health as well, in order to ensure that your dog remains physically and mentally fit and stable.Â
What Do Chihuahuas Like to Eat?
Since Chihuahuas belong to smaller dog breeds, and are known for having weak digestive systems, you need to take more care of its diet. Make sure that your dog gets all the essential nutrients that are mandatory for its physical growth and mental health and well-being.Â
The first and foremost ingredient that you should not skip from your Chihuahua’s diet is ‘meat.’ Certainly, your dog would also like having it, for I have heard no Chihuahua ever denying it. Thus, it resembles that you can feed chicken, beef, lamb, pork and fish to your pup.Â
Take care that you should at least keep 40% of your dog’s diet comprising of meat. Also, keep veggies included into its diet. Avoid regular potatoes, whatsoever! This is because regular consumption of potatoes will add extra starch to the body than what is required. Besides, take care that your dog’s diet contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals.Â
You can pick any of the dog foods from the market, as well as, can go for homemade meals. Choice is absolutely yours! Keep in mind that a proper diet will keep your Chihuahua stay healthier, happier and stronger, as well as, it will reduce the risk of its health complications.Â
How Much Should I Feed My Chihuahua?
Since Chihuahuas are tiny and fragile, you need to administer its diet even more consciously. Eating healthy in today’s date is essential, and that is not just applicable for the humans, but the same goes for the dogs as well. Of course, you should monitor the portion size of your dog, but at the same time, know that the quantity of food doesn’t determine the quality of food.Â
Last but not the least, you must know that Chihuahuas are prone to different health complications, and thus, the best way to deal with them is to keep a journal along with yourself so that you can note as soon as its appetite changes!Â
Chihuahua foods to avoid ?
You must be aware of all the foods that are to fed to your Chihuahua, and the ones that you should avoid. The presence of certain allergens in good may deteriorate the health of your Chihuahua. Here are a few items that you should avoid:
- By-products:
The by-products are known for a lack of protein. Besides, they are regarded as the number one reason of allergic reasons in Chihuahuas.Â
- Artificial flavors:
The presence of artificial flavors in certain dog foods may encourage your Chihuahua to eat more than its usual portion size. Whatsoever, these flavors may cause health hazards, and thus, you should avoid feeding your pup with such foods.
- Garlic and onions:
The presence of garlic and onions may cause anemia in dogs. Not all food products meant for humans are to be fed to dogs!
- Chocolates:
The presence of theobromine in dark chocolate is said to be poisonous for dogs and may cause seizures, vomiting and acute diarrhea in them.Â
- Yeast products:
Keep your dog away from bread and pizza as they may lead to food poisoning, and cause health hazards.Â
- Artificial preservatives:
While feeding any packaged item, make sure that none of them comprise of artificial preservatives. Note the presence of ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxhanisole (BHA) that are usually banned in nations like Australia. Also, you should prevent feeding any food containing ascorbate, tocopherol or any other natural preservatives to your dog.Â
10 Best Dog Food For Chihuahua
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Adult Recipe
Blue Buffalo’s Small-Breed Adult recipe is full of healthy ingredients, rich in omega-3 fatty acid, also fortified with probiotics, which makes it among the best choices out there for Chihuahuas.
Fromm Gold Small Breed(Best Dog Food For Chihuahua )
Fromm makes quite a few high-quality puppy foods. This recipe is intended to meet the requirements of small dogs correctly, so it’s an excellent selection for many chihuahuas.
Wellness CORE Small Breed
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dog Food is a reasonably priced, premium ingredient dog food, offered in a distinctive small-breed recipe.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed
Blue Buffalo Rocky Mountain Small Breed Dog Food is an excellent, grain-free pet food explicitly created for smaller breeds.
Canidae Pure Small Breed
CANIDAE Pure Small Breed Dog Food is a limited-ingredient diet created for smaller breeds that may suffer from allergies.
Chihuahua Puppy Feeding Schedule And Guidelines
If you feed too much, and does not pay much attention to its nutrient consumption, you would end up exposing your Chihuahua to higher health risks, and at times, obesity. Know that you should not feed it in abundance, rather feeding it frequently in smaller portions would be ideal.Â
If your Chihuahua is still very young, it is better to consult a veterinarian so that you get a fair idea about all that are to be fed to it. You should abide by the diet chart to prevent the invitation of any unnecessary circumstance.Â
Adult Chihuahuas get an average of 320 calories on a daily basis to enjoy an active lifestyle. A moderately active dog of this particular breed weighing somewhat around 5-6 pounds must consume nearly 200 calories to keep going! Under 3 months to 6 months, it is better to make it reliant on its mother’s milk. Above 6 months or 1 year, you must feed your dog thrice a day.Â
Other guidelines:
- Note the size of the kibble:
Since Chihuahuas are small in size, and have a smaller stomach, as well as, they have a small mouth, do not give it large chunks of food. Break down the food into smaller bits to make it easier for your pup to chew and digest.Â
- Additional fatty acids:
Try offering foods containing fatty acids to your Chihuahuas. The presence of Omega 3 and Omega 6 will give a lustrous shine to your dog’s coat and make it look healthier.
- Age of the dog:
All stages of your dog’s life will require different nutritional portions, and thus, a correct diet is absolutely important for your pup, just as it is for a toddler.Â
Wrapping up:
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with a lovely appearance. Take a note of its diet, and do not miss consulting a local vet in case anything pops up, without any delay.Â
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