Chihuahuas are distinctive and tiny dogs with big personalities. Due to their small size and adorable nature, they have become highly popular and favorite among dog lovers. Chihuahua is one of the oldest breeds of dogs originated from the Mexican State named “Chihuahua”. However, they are very much popular throughout the world now including the United States. Generally, being healthy, Chihuahuas live from 12 to 16 years on average.
As Chihuahuas live long lives, many people consider their Chihuahua pet healthy and fit. However, it is important to tell you that Chihuahuas can pick up a variety of health problems in the course of their life. For example, you might have heard that someone’s pet dog is suffering from diabetes, obesity, arthritis, or some sort of other medical condition.
Unfortunately, if your Chihuahua develops any of the above-mentioned conditions, it can be problematic for you. These health conditions can cause a shortening of your beloved Chihuahua’s life span. Chihuahuas also face several congenital health problems.
According to the research studies, the development of diseases and medical conditions in Chihuahuas are strongly associated with poor diet and low-quality foods. Feeding your chi the right food can help to prevent or delay some of these problems. So, give your Chihuahuas the best diet if you want to keep them fit, healthy and energetic.
Table of Contents
What is the best diet for a Chihuahua?
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), these are the minimum requirements for key nutrients when you are feeding your Chihuahua:
- Protein = 40% (For reproduction and growth in Chihuahua puppies)
- Fat = 35%
- Carbohydrates = 25%
Chihuahua puppies require lots of protein to continue the process of normal growth and reproductive system development.
By keeping the recommendations of AAFCO in consideration, we have chosen some of the best diets for your Chihuahua which will not only keep your puppy safe and healthy but also provide proper nutrition.
- Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo has been in business for decades. It has helped many Chihuahua owners in getting the best diet for their Chi. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dog Food contains chicken and brown rice as its major ingredients. This dry Chihuahua feed is available in several flavors so you will have a wide range of choices according to your pup’s taste. All of the ingredients are completely natural in this dog feed.
The best thing about Blue Buffalo Dog food is that it provides your Chihuahua with the benefit of real meat. It is really something your Chi will appreciate because the meat will provide plenty of protein to enhance his body growth.
Apart from meat and brown rice, the formula is loaded with whole grains, veggies, and fruits. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dry Dog food also contains a high concentration of antioxidants to promote the overall health of your pup. Many people are using this dry dog food for their Chihuahuas and their feedback is overwhelmingly positive.
- Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Food
This dog food is particularly best for your elderly Chihuahuas because of its easily digestible natural ingredients. Wellness has a deep line of canine foods all designed with specific needs in mind. In this case, you are getting a formula that is specially tailored to meet the nutritional demands of your Chihuahua.
Deboned turkey and peas are key ingredients of Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Food. It is one of the best protein gifts you will even give to your Chi. Apart from peas and deboned turkey, this formula contains protein from whitefish which is a high-quality natural protein source. This masterpiece of the Wellness brand is also packed with healthy fatty acids (Omega 3) that can support skin coat health while also bolstering overall body healthy in your Chihuahua.
This USA-made formula contains blueberries which are rich in minerals and vitamins. Peas are another solid and natural source of protein. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Food has a very delicious taste for which your dinky pup will come back for more again and again.
The food is also loaded with wholesome grains which can help aid digestion. Many users of this food have rated its quality very high particularly for elderly Chihuahuas.
- Wellness CORE High Protein Dry Dog Food
Wellness, as you know, is a world-famous and highly effective dry dog food provider. CORE High Protein Dry Dog Food is another special product of Wellness Brand. Well, the first thing you will appreciate if you own a Chihuahua is the way the calorie content and protein levels of the formula are tailored to the specific requirements of this small breed. It is loaded with protein from premium and natural sources.
This dry dog food formula is also nutrient-dense grain-heavy. CORE High Protein also rich in antioxidants which will protect your Chi puppy against the action and damaged caused by free radicals. Taurine and glucosamine are also included in this miraculous dog food formula which contributes toward heart health in your pooch. Wellness CORE High Protein will provide Probiotics to your Chihuahua which will help him in the digestion process and increase overall gut health.
You will find no ordinary ingredients in this US-made food formula, such as no soy, no grain, and no wheat gluten. For this reason, it is an ideal food formula for your Chihuahua.
- Canidae Pure Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Canidae is an ever-reliable brand when it comes to the dog’s food. This dry dog food can be explained in one line “pet food made by pet people”. Canidae Pure Small Breed Dry Dog food is a specially tailored recipe to meet the nutritional demands of small dog breeds including Chihuahua. It is flavored with potato, egg, and chicken which highly favorite foods of the Chihuahua breed.
Although it contains limited ingredients, they are enough to keep your Chihuahua’s body growth on track. The chief and primary ingredient of Canidae Pure is real meat, poultry, or fish depending on which flavor you choose from the range. This ingredient will serve as a natural source of protein. It’s a grain-free formula which is particularly ideal for your Chi if he doesn’t like grain-heavy dog food due to a sensitive stomach. This magical dog food formula is rich in both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids with an array of antioxidants.
So, with Canidae Pure Small Breed Dry Dog Food, you are giving your Chihuahua everything he needs for normal growth and nourishment.
- Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Nulo Small Breed Dry dog food is specially designed with the exigencies of the Chihuahua breed firmly in mind. It is very important to keep in mind that Nulo Small is a seafood flavor. So, choose it only if your Chihuahua is used to fishy foods.
This is a grain-free recipe made in Texas, USA. It doesn’t include corn, white potatoes, soy, or wheat. According to the manufacturer’s claims, Nulo Small is completely free of artificial preservatives and flavors. It means you can satisfy yourself that you are giving an all-natural extravaganza to your puppy.
Thanks to the small pieces of kibble, your Chihuahua will be able to digest it without chewing much. Nulo Small doesn’t contain too many carbs as well due to which it can be helpful in managing your small Chihuahua’s weight, something that’s absolutely critical. This dog food formula contains the patented probiotic that ensures that your puppy’s gut health stays good.
Overall, Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food is equally good for lightweight and overweight Chihuahuas.
Raw Diet for Chihuahua
Although Raw Diet for Chihuahua is a controversial subject, its popularity is increasing day by day. Raw Diet which is also called raw foodism or raw veganism is the diet that consists of a collection of unprocessed foods. Food is considered raw if it has never been heated over 40 degrees temperature.
Several people give a raw diet to their Chihuahuas that are not refined, pasteurized, or treated with hazardous chemicals such as pesticides. They generally claim that raw diet provides several potential benefits to their Chihuahuas, such as
- Shinier coats
- Cleaner teeth
- Higher energy levels
- Smaller stools
- Healthier skin
These potential health benefits of the Raw Diet for Chihuahua are supported by many research studies as well. Although the popularity of raw diet for Chihuahuas is increasing continuously, many people don’t know what its major ingredients are.
Before starting a raw diet for your Chihuahua, you must try to understand his nutritional requirements. For example, protein is one of the basic needs of Chihuahuas (particularly puppies) because it is an essential macronutrient for normal growth. Your Chihuahua needs fat as well in an adequate amount to maintain the energy levels of its body.
Now, we are discussing some major ingredients which play a key role in the raw diet of your Chihuahua. These ingredients are supported by dog experts. You can also take them as an ideal raw diet for your Chihuahua.
Ideal Raw Diet for Chihuahua
An Ideal Raw Diet for Chihuahua consists of the following major ingredients:
- Muscle Meat
Muscle meat is a great source of natural protein for your Chihuahua. It is often given on the bones so your puppy can do some chewing exercise while eating. You can include any kind of unprocessed muscle meat in a raw diet for your Chihuahua such as poultry, beef or mutton, etc. Fishy muscle meat is also a good option in this regard.
- Bones
Bones, either in whole or ground form, are very helpful in boosting the growth of your Chihuahua’s body. Many dog food experts prefer ground bones especially obtained from chicken.
- Organ Meat
Organ meat is another major ingredient of a raw diet for Chihuahua. Giving organ meat such as kidneys and livers to your Chihuahuas is the best idea if you want them to grow fast.
- Raw Eggs
Raw Eggs are a rich source of natural proteins and lipids. Being an appetite suppressor, raw eggs can help in weight management as well. You can give eggs to your Chihuahua in boiled form also.
- Vegetables
Vegetables like spinach, celery, and broccoli are good ingredients of the raw diet you are giving to your Chihuahua. Always try to avoid starchy vegetables and choose low-carb ones to maintain the good health of your puppy.
- Fruits
In the raw diet for your Chihuahua, you can include some healthy fruits such as apples, bananas or pineapple, etc. They will serve as a natural source of sugar and carbohydrates.
- Dairy Products
Introducing some dairy products in the raw diet for your Chihuahua is not a bad idea because they will provide healthy and natural lipids to your Chi. You can include yogurt or butter for this purpose.
Diet for Overweight Chihuahua
Obesity is like a disease for Chihuahuas similar to humans. For this reason, if you want to keep your puppy healthy and fit, you have to give him a diet best for weight management. If you have an overweight Chihuahua, you will have to give him a diet that can help in weight loss. There many diets for overweight Chihuahuas, but the best diet is the Ketogenic Diet. Yes, you heard it right! The ketogenic diet is equally helpful for both humans and dogs in weight loss or weight management.
The Ketogenic Diet is a low-carb and high-fat diet for your overweight Chihuahua which will help him in losing weight. Actually, when you give the Keto meals to your Chihuahua, they introduce a new metabolic state in his body, called Ketosis. The process of Ketosis helps the Chihuahua’s body in burning already deposited fats in different parts of the body and lose weight continuously.
Ingredients for Keto Meals for Chihuahuas
The Keto meals you are giving to your overweight Chihuahua must have the following ingredients:
- Fatty Fish
- Muscle Meats
- Organ Meats
- Cheese
- Leafy Greens (broccoli, collard greens, lettuce, spinach, and cabbage)
- Vegetables (Carrots, Cauliflower, peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, and zucchini)
- Grains
- Nuts and Seeds
These are ingredients are not only cheap but very healthy and helpful in weight management for overweight Chihuahua.
Thank You Very Much for your precious time!
