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10 Best Dog Foods for Chihuahuas 2020

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Chihuahua owners certainly have a tough time deciding which dog food to choose.

We’ve perused the forums, researched the brands, asked breed experts, and tried plenty of different brands out there.

Our conclusion?

The best dog food for a Chihuahua varies from dog to dog and owner to owner.

In our guide, we will be highlighting 10 of the best kibble options that you should consider when it comes to feeding your Chi. We may not all agree on a particular brand or formula, but when you have a wide selection of quality choices in front of you, choosing one is much easier.

Top 10 Dog Foods for Chihuahuas Table

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Pay Attention to the Feeding Guidelines

It is so important for you to offer your Chihuahua balanced nutrition.

Some owners “eyeball” food portions or offer food freely throughout the day, but precision is key if you want your Chihuahua to remain in good health!

Since they have a higher metabolism, they burn calories faster than larger dogs do. Active Chihuahuas need slightly more food to keep up with the rate that their bodies are burning those calories, but be careful not to overfeed them!

Finding a balance may seem complicated, but that is why dog food manufacturers provide you with the feeding guidelines on the label.

Be sure you adhere to them when feeding your Chihuahua!

Do not “eyeball” it or dump an unknown amount of food in front of your dog. Use his weight and activity level to help you determine the manufacturer’s recommended proportion.

Toy Breed vs. Small Breed Food

While not all of the foods that we included on our list are formulated for toy breeds, they really are best for most Chihuahuas.

  • The kibble is sized just right for their tiny mouths – neither too big nor too small.
  • The proportions of calories, fat, and protein are properly balanced for dogs that weigh between 3 and 6 pounds.

Miniature Pinchers, which are considered small breeds, are much larger than Chihuahuas and other toy breeds such as the Pomeranian and the Maltese. While dog food manufacturers do list quantities for toy breeds on their small breed formulas, the nutritional proportions are different.

If you have a mix between a Chihuahua and another breed, then small breed kibble is just fine.

Help! I Have a Picky Eater!

Is your Chihuahua is picky or are you caving in and giving him table scraps 5 minutes after he turns his nose up at the food bowl?

It may be a combination of both.

Some dogs get used to table scraps and specially “decorated” food, refusing to eat their kibble without it. Try withholding table scraps for a day to see if your dog heads over to the food bowl at some point and starts eating. If so, then you know that the brand you have is fine.

If your dog shows no interest in the food and you have been withholding table scraps, then you should probably try a different brand.

Top 3 Best Dog Food for Chihuahua Reviews

[easyazon_link asin=”B00CQIOD8O” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]1. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food[/easyazon_link]

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B00CQIOD8O” cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81a432DUafL.SP500.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”250″]

Many owners will agree that Wellness’s Complete Health Small Breed formula is the best dog food for Chihuahuas, and if you happen to have a senior that can still break down kibble easily, then this is a great food.

As a senior food, it contains many of the ingredients that a dog needs during his or her golden years, including proper levels of glucosamine and chondroitin; natural fiber and probiotics, as well as lean protein to help them maintain their muscle mass.

Ideally, this is better for larger Chihuahua mixes since it is intended for small breeds, but if you have a purebred Chi and you want a smaller adult kibble (not senior), try their [easyazon_link asin=”B00CQIOENS” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Toy & Small Breed[/easyazon_link] formula.

[easyazon_link asin=”B01ALIHF08″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]2. Solid Gold Holistic Dog Food[/easyazon_link]

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B01ALIHF08″ cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81bF27PsYPL.SP500.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”250″]

We like that Solid Gold offers a formula specifically for toy and small breeds. They used chickpeas and pumpkin in place of grains and chicken is the main protein source. The kibble size is perfect for little Chis, and the flavor is usually a hit for most of them.

Usually, the only time owners need to provide a grain-free diet is if their dog has a grain allergy. Based on common opinion and the resources you find online. However, many assume that the diet is “better” and more natural.

We agree that it is better since the canine diet did not consist of grains thousands of years ago, but the modern pooch has adapted to them, and many dogs digest them without a problem. If your Chihuahua has a sensitive stomach, rice-based formulas usually help.

[easyazon_link asin=”B0018CIRMM” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]3. Stella & Chewy’s Rabbit Dog Food Dinner[/easyazon_link]

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B0018CIRMM” cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71xwo8iWTQL.SP500.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”250″]

Have you ever tried or heard about freeze dried dog food? If not, then now is the time to get to know it.

This type of food is prepared in a much different way than standard kibble. It’s basically like feeding a raw diet without having to prepare the meals yourself or supplement important vitamins and minerals in powder form. Freeze dried food is natural and raw, with all of the liquid removed from it.

The shape and consistency are much like those of the human cereal [easyazon_link asin=”B003XFOXQ6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Weetabix[/easyazon_link], so senior Chis do especially well with this since it is much softer than standard kibble. It is nutritious, natural, and a hit with many dogs!

Freeze dried food is something to consider if all of the other brands haven’t impressed you thus far. Just remember, however, that the minimum weight requirement in the feeding guidelines is 5 pounds, so if your Chi weighs less than that, you’ll have to choose one of the toy breed formulas we suggested.

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