For such a small size, the amount of energy used by the Chihuahua is amazingly high. This dog breed is very active and has a fun personality. This means that the dog has special dietary needs that are high respective to his breed.
You can’t use the standard of a lab, for instance, because he is way more massive than this tiny breed. A Chihuahua can burn almost 3 times more calories than a larger dog.
You need to feed him more to compensate for the lost calories. However, overfeeding would still be an issue as it adversely affects his health.
Don’t spoil your little dog with treats during training because he can gain weight quickly. While giving food as a reward helps increase his obedience, this kind of training may do more harm than good for your small dog.
Some extra kibble is alright, but you must carefully watch his daily calorie intake. If you notice some weight gain, then it means you fed him more than he needed. Reduce the amount, so that he can return to his ideal weight.
What is the best dog food for Chihuahua?
There are many quality products out there. Here are some of them:
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The Best Dog Foods for Chihuahua in 2022
1. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin has a wide selection of dog foods for different breeds. If you have a Chihuahua, lucky you because the company has a variety of products for this little dog.
This product is specially formulated for purebred Chihuahuas that are over 8 months old. The kibble is small enough that he won’t have trouble chewing his food.
Raising a toy dog is quite a challenge as he may experience indigestion when wrong food. Thankfully, Royal Canon is fully aware of this issue.
They came up with this product to solve that by adding digestible proteins to it. Besides, it also has a high level of fiber, which is good for promoting healthy digestion.
Other essential components in this product include omega 3, biotin, EPA, and DHA to keep his coat in good shape. By the way, you can give this food to any type of Chihuahua, like the teacup, fawn, etc. The kibble is smaller to allow them to chew it with ease.
2. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food
If the previous product is aimed at older Chihuahuas, this one is for the puppies. If your dog is still very young, then you should go for this variety instead of the former. This is specially formulated to meet his nutritional needs. Knowing that Chihuahuas have uniquely-shaped mouths, you should be pickier with their kibble.
The good news is that Royal Canin understands that completely. The company made this product to help younger Chihuahuas chew without a problem. Of all essential components, antioxidants, and Vitamins E is necessary to build his immune system. It’s normal for a puppy to have a weaker immune system, but it will improve as he gets older.
All we can do is assist him in the process by providing essential nutrients that can boost his body’s natural defense mechanism.
This product is rich in fiber and digestible protein, so you can be sure that nearly all food is absorbed well by his body. Besides, it has great taste, too. Some dogs can be very picky with food. Your little one would enjoy this a lot for sure.
3. Iams Proactive Health Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food – Chicken
If you want a food product from another brand, then make sure it’s made specifically for toy dogs or small breeds. As said before, each dog has different nutritional requirements. A small dog will be closer in need to another small breed instead of a large one.
What’s special about this kibble? Firstly, it’s recommended by vets. Secondly, it’s made of high-quality chicken, not something else with a chicken flavor but masqueraded as real chicken. It shows the health benefits that this food provides.
Since it contains real chicken, your dog will enjoy the nutritious compounds, one of which is protein and omega fatty acids. They contribute positively to your dog’s overall health, especially his skin and coat.
4. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Wet Dog Food
The high palatability of this wet food makes it a perfect treat for your little Chihuahua. It’s a good idea to combine dry and wet food because they have quite different textures.
If your dog is a picky eater and he doesn’t feel like chewing kibble, this can be a substitute. In terms of nutrition, this food isn’t inferior to its dry counterpart. He would find the soft meal tasty because it’s dipped in sauce.
There are also essential components in it, including biotin, omega-3, EPA, and DHA, which are paramount for his skin health.
5. NUTRO Ultra Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
This can also be an option for small dog breeds. The proteins in this product are derived from various sources, such as lamb, salmon, and chicken. Chicken remains the most commonly found ingredient in dog food, so be sure it is high quality because it contributes to the nutritional value.
There are other components in this awesome food, like blueberries, kale, coconut, and chia. They look like what we eat daily.
Well, dogs will also reap the same benefits if they are given these superfoods. And most importantly, there are no potential allergens in this product, among others, soy and wheat. It’s also natural since it has no artificial colors and flavors.
Conclusion – Top Rated Dog Food for Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is small, but he is in no way a lazy dog. With the way he acts, most of us would assume that he’s a working dog or something because he seems to have countless energy. Even if it’s true, you shouldn’t give him food more than he actually needs.
The best type of diet is still a balanced diet and it works for any dog, not just the Chihuahua. Too much calorie intake would always result in overweight and this is not good for a dog this small. His joints will be directly affected by the excess weight.
All in all, we know that the Chi is an active dog, but balanced nutrition is all he needs to support his growth.