Q Daily Feeding Chart Of Chihuahua Puppy:
A. Adult Maintenance: 2-8 lb: ¼ ¾ cup 9-12 lb: ¾ 1 cup 13-20 lb: 1 1 ¼ cups 21-30 lb: 1 ¼ 1 ¾ cups.
Weight Loss: 2-8 lb: cup 9-12 lb: ½ cup 13-20 lb: ½ ¾ cup 21-30 lb: ¾ 1 cup.
Puppies : Feed up to twice the adult maintenance amount.
Pregnant/Nursing Females: Feed up to three times the adult maintenance amount shown above.
Transitioning to Instinct: Always introduce a new food over a period of 5 to 7 days, mixing increasing amounts of Instinct with the current food each day.
Visit the Pets Lovee Facebook Page for more specific feeding recommendations and information on how to easily combine different forms of food.
Why Is My Chihuahua Always Hungry
You may notice that your dog is always on the hunt for food. In some cases, this can be a cause for concern as an increased appetite has been linked to some serious health conditions.
However, in most cases, your dog may appear to be constantly hungry simply because they are greedy.
Dogs are scavengers and because of this natural instinct, they are always on the lookout for food which can be mistaken as hunger.
Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Seafood
- 11 pounds
- Adult dogs
As we near the end of our quest for the best dog food for Chihuahuas, we have a superb offering from Nulo thats designed with the exigencies of small breeds firmly in mind.
The first thing to note is that this is a seafood flavor. If your dog isnt partial to fishy foods, you might want to rethink. This is a large 11-pound bag, so it makes sense not to take a chance unless youre confident Rover will lap it up.
Made in Texas in the US, this is a grain-free recipe that has no corn, soy, white potatoes, or wheat. There are no artificial preservatives or flavors either, giving you an all-natural extravaganza created with your chis needs uppermost.
Thanks to the small pieces of kibble, your Chihuahua wont need to chew much and he should find his digestion is optimized.
This recipe doesnt contain too many carbs, so it can work to effectively manage your small dogs weight, something thats absolutely critical.
The patented probiotic laced into this formula ensures that Fidos gut health is fully catered for and completes a winning package from an industry heavyweight.
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Merrick Small Breed Recipe
- One 20 lb Bag – Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed…
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This recipe is perfect for small breeds thanks to the smaller pea-sized kibble. The number one ingredient is always meat for high protein content, as well as farm-fresh fruit and vegetables such as peas, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries, to name a few nutritious antioxidants. The kibble also comes in already weighed packets, or plates as they are called here, so they are easier for days on the go.
We love that Merrick offers poultry free recipes for those Chihuahuas with allergies to poultry.
Best Dog Food For Chihuahua
We hope you have found this information about the best dog food for Chihuahua adult dogs useful and informative as you narrow down your search for the optimal Chihuahua dog food!
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
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Best Puppy Foods For Chihuahuas
Nutritional requirements differ from puppyhood to adulthood.
With vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and protein content varying from one life stage to another.
We picked out great brands that offer different recipes with quality ingredients to suit your Chihuahua needs up to her senior years.
Puppy foods for Chihuahuas should contain at least 22% protein in their diet, compared to adult dogs who only need about 18% protein.
Food for puppies also has a higher fat content than adult dog food.
Chihuahua puppies are incredibly energetic and need to eat a lot, and often! It will help support their bones, muscles, and immune systems.
No matter which food you choose, be sure to follow a schedule and feed your Chi four to six times a day.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog
When you are looking for the best dog food formula for your Chihuahua, Blue Buffalo has the best product for you.
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog is currently one of the most popular dog food brands that you can buy for your Chihuahua.
It contains all the necessary nutrients that your dog needs including essential fatty acids. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and it is also fortified with probiotics.
The first two ingredients listed are deboned chicken and chicken meal so you are guaranteed a protein-packed dog food for your Chihuahua.
Just this alone makes this brand one of your best options. It contains essential fatty acids and it contains enough protein to help keep your dogs active and healthy.
Also, made from fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vegetables that would help support the immune system of your Chihuahuas and includes glucosamine that will help keep your joints healthy. The best thing about this is that this dog food is extremely palatable. Even if your Chihuahuas are picky eaters, they will surely love this amazing dog food.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dog Food For Puppies
Best Dog Food for Chihuahua Puppy
Are you bringing home a Chihuahua puppy soon? While there are several suitable puppy foods on the market, Blue Buffalos Small Breed puppy formula is a great option as it features all the health qualities from the Blue Buffalos Small Breed Adult recipe, except that its specially formulated for puppies.
The way this puppy food differs from the adult recipe relates to protein content. Adult dogs only require foods that include 18% protein, while growing pups need foods packed with at least 22% protein. Likewise, the amino acids and minerals puppies require differ from those that adult dogs require.
Also, dont just lookout for a dog food product thats high in protein. Instead, seek out a dog food label designed for growth meaning its a recipe thats appropriate for puppies and pregnant mothers.
Ingredients in Chihuahua Puppy Food
Like the adult recipe, this Blue Buffalo small-breed blend is packed full of extra protein and carbohydrates to keep your little pup full. Its formulated with premium meats, fruits, and vegetables that your Chihuahua puppy will certainly reap the benefits from.
A premium grain-free dog food product, the kibble is full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your little puppys fur gleaming and shiny. Its also full of probiotics to improve digestive health for your little one.
Common Health Problems In Chihuahuas
- Legg-Perthes Disease
Caused by a lack of healthy blood flow to the ball joint of the hip, Legg-Perthes is a condition that is known to affect chihuahuas. Its usually found in smaller and younger breeds and a good diet can help to reduce the risk of this developing. This is because a healthy diet and a healthy level of exercise can maintain a good blood flow, which can ensure the hip joint receives an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen.
- Heart Disease
Popular insurance provider PetPlan have stated that chihuahuas are, unfortunately, twice as likely to require surgery on the heart than other breeds. As they are known for a range of heart problems in particular with valve disease, in which the heart struggles to pump blood around the body – it is important to try and lower the risk level of your pup.
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How Much Should I Feed My Chihuahua Puppy A Day
Puppies up to 4 months of age or about 2 lb. weight need 4-5 small meals to maintain their energy levels throughout the day.
The amount of food your growing Chi needs will depend upon its individual calorie needs.
These calorie needs can vary based on the amount of activity or exercise your pet gets, its height and weight and overall health, as well as the season. Puppies tend to demand more food in winters.
As a general rule of thumb: your growing Chi needs 50 calories per pound of body weight. For example, a puppy weighing about 2lb will need 100 calories per meal.
Things To Look For In The Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Chihuahua:
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Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
One of the first ingredients in a suitable diet for a Chihuahua should be protein. Whole meats that are lean and derived from animals are the preferred choice. Meat meals are also an excellent source of protein and can be the first ingredient in a good quality food or act as a secondary protein to a whole meat.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements can greatly enrich a dogs ability to process its food and utilize it appropriately. Among the most desirable supplements added to food for a Chihuahua are prebiotics, probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Chihuahua should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
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Best Dog Food Ingredients For Chihuahuas
It goes without saying that you should always strive to provide the most nutritious meal for your dog as you can. However, this seems particularly the case with a Chihuahua or some of his toy and small breed cousins.
Dogs the size of a Chihuahua tends to have a longer lifespan than larger dogs. This is good news because it means our buddy will be around for a while. But it also means you need to really keep your poochs long-term health in mind whenever youre buying food
In the case of a Chihuahua, this means that you need to be diligent about what fuel youre giving to stoke his fire. The food you provide him at a young age will have good or bad ramifications on his health when hes old. Its no different than humans, as some of us may eventually pay for all the cheeseburgers we had in our twenties.
Some of these ill-gotten side effects may be seen just by looking at your dog. For instance, an unhealthy dog food could cause your Chihuahuas coat to lose some of its sheen and color. Your little guy may even experience stunted growth in some cases.
Your Chihuahua may also experience a weakened immune system if he eats the wrong food. This could leave the little guy more vulnerable to various diseases both in the short-term and in the long-term. This is particularly alarming, since you may not see any outward signs until he starts coming down with anything and everything.
When Im looking at dog food, I make sure meat is the number one ingredient.
Dog Food For Chihuahuas Buyers Guide
While Chihuahuas are adorable dogs that can steal your heart in a matter of seconds it is no secret that they are picky eaters who often leave their plates full of food. This is an issue due to their small size since one missed meal will immediately show on the scale and even on their body!
When you have a tiny dog, you can often see on them whether they have eaten their breakfast or their dinner, so a few missed meals will quickly tire them out and leave them short of important nutrients.
Finding the best small breed puppy dry dog food or adult dry dog food for Chihuahuas in your family is crucial. You need to look for something that provides them with what they need, that gives them energy to keep up with you and your family, and something that they can enjoy eating.
They will, however, let you know when youve managed to find the right product, and there are few things as satisfying as seeing that miniature dog gulp down food as if they havent had a meal for days. Small dogs need energy too, so lets have a look at what to consider when shopping for good dog food for Chihuahua members of your family. Looking for something affordable? Try this affordable dog food review.
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Main Health Concerns For Chihuahua
Just how cute and adorable are chihuahuas, right? Seeing them energetic is always fulfilling to see because it implies that your Chihuahua is happy and healthy. But despite their fun-loving personalities, its good to be cautious about your pups wellbeing. Dog owners should be aware of the common Chihuahua health problems, especially for small breed puppies like them.
Luxating Patella
A luxating patella, otherwise known as patellar luxation, is a hereditary disease that can appear four months after a Chihuahua is born. Its a kneecap dislocation that may cause limping whenever your pup walks. Although the pain is only extreme when your Chihuahuas leg first dislocates, it wont be as painful anymore for the rest of the time. If your dog has a patellar luxation, youll notice them holding up one of their hind legs. They do this to relax the muscles there, so the dislocated part will return to its original position.
Obesity
Chihuahuas have a high chance of being obese mostly because they get treated to too much food, gaining more calories to the point that it becomes unhealthy. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, obesity is related to a shorter lifespan for some dog breeds. One of them is Chihuahuas. Thats why its always essential to keep your dog on a balanced diet so that they wont have an obesity problem in the future.
Hypoglycemia
Tooth and Gum Disease
Tracheal Collapse
Feeding When You Are Not At Home
In case you are not at home during the middle of the day, you can use a pet food dispenser to dispense your pets meals at scheduled times.
Automatic food feeders are especially beneficial for feeding puppies that require more number of feeds.
They are also beneficial for feeding canned or wet food as they come with ice packs that keep gravy-based food fresh longer.
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Nutritional Needs Of A Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are known to be charmingly active and are always into some kind of activity that keeps them busy for most of the day. Theyre known to be high-energy level dogs thats why their dietary needs should be complete and balanced. The number of calories they burn from constantly being active needs to match their nutritional needs. So as a responsible pet owner, youll have to make sure that your Chihuahua is living a healthy and happy life.
Here is a list of things to make sure your Chihuahua receives proper nutrition with the food theyre eating:
Protein and Amino Acids
Chihuahuas are small breed dogs with a fast metabolism thats why they burn more calories than larger breeds. They have small stomachs that can only take so much food they can digest. Thats why its crucial to provide them with a diet that will satisfy their nutritional needs. Protein and carbs are the number one source of keeping a healthy and balanced diet for your dog.
PetMD states that Protein has several roles in the body, such as building and repairing muscles and other body tissues. It is needed to form new skin cells, grow hair, build muscle tissue, and more. It also assists in creating body chemicals like hormones and enzymes that are needed for normal function. It provides energy and keeps the immune system strong.
Omega Fatty Acids
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants
The Road To Feeding Your Chihuahua Right
You might think that the combination of high energy and the need for re-fueling a bustling metabolism may cause your Chihuahua to lay waste to whatever food you put in front of him. Yet this is not always the case.
While there are Chihuahuas that will gobble up anything and anywhere, the dog has a tendency to be one of the more finicky eaters in the canine world. This could be rather frustrating for new owners as they find themselves plundering their wallets in the hopes of getting something their little guy will like.
If you get a Chihuahua that tends to turn his nose up on his chow, its important that you dont relent by consistently serving food thats bad for him, even if he eats it effortlessly. Doing so may cause a temporary fix, but it could have nasty ramifications – particularly since the breed is prone to longevity.
Some of this finicky behavior may be connected to him coming into your home for the first time. Unless you coordinate with the dogs breeder what your little guy was eating before he came your way, hes going to have to get used to new food. Considering how stressful the first days in a new place could be, he may be a bit too emotional to eat.
Of course, if your Chihuahua is showing signs of food intolerance, its in your best interest to switch foods immediately. This typically shows up in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Your dog may be unhappy of the switch if he likes the taste, but its for his – and your – own best interest.
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