Chihuahuas Food, Due to their small size and other factors, Chihuahuas do have some special needs to consider when choosing the best dog food for them. Chihuahuas generally need to eat foods with smaller pieces if you are buying a dry kibble, for instance. And, as with some other Toy breeds, they can experience problems with hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. For this reason a diet that is completely grain-free is not recommended for them. Having some complex carbs in their food can help keep their sugar level steadier.
What to look for in a Chihuahuas Food
As with most breeds, when you look for a good food for your Chihuahua you should look for foods that contain good quality ingredients. Look for foods that contain high quality named sources of protein such as beef, chicken, fish, and lamb unless your Chihuahua has an allergy to any of these proteins. Ideally you will choose a food that has a couple of meat proteins in the first five ingredients. Avoid foods that rely too heavily on corn which is often used as a protein filler ingredient. Corn itself is not a bad ingredient but it can be overused in dog foods because it costs less than meat protein.
As a Toy breed Chihuahuas can be prone to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Having some complex carbohydrates in their food can be beneficial for them since it will take them longer to digest the food, slowly releasing sugar into their system. You don’t have to choose a food that is high in grains or carbs, but it’s probably best to avoid a grain-free food. Sweet potatoes make a good source of carbs if you want to avoid grains.
Avoid foods that use artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, and look for natural preservatives such as vitamin E instead. Avoid foods that use artificial coloring, flavors, and sweeteners.
Some of the better foods for dogs will also add pre-biotics and probiotics to the food to help your dog’s digestion. You may see lactobacillus on the label, a probiotic found in yogurt.
Choose a food that has small bites that your Chihuahua can eat comfortably.
Which Chihuahuas Food?
Some of the best dry dog foods for dogs include:
- Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult Dry Dog Food
- Artemis Dog Food
- Dick Van Patten Natural Balance Dog Food
- Wellness Dog Food
- Eagle Pack Dog Food
- Solid Gold Dog Food
Many of these same companies also make good canned foods if you would prefer to feed your Chihuahua a canned diet. Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth well if you feed a canned diet since there is some evidence to suggest that canned diets do more to promote tooth decay.
How to feed
With a small breed such as a Chihuahua it’s a good idea to feed several small meals each day instead of one or two large meals. However, you should measure your dog’s portions and don’t feed too many snacks. Chihuahuas can be prone to becoming overweight and obese so monitor how much you feed your dog carefully. Free feeding, or leaving food down all day, is a bad idea for a Chihuahua. They will keep eating even when they aren’t hungry and put on extra weight.
You can feed your Chihuahua the best food possible by choosing a food with good quality ingredients. Look for good quality protein from named sources of meat. Avoid foods that use too much corn. However, it’s probably not a good idea to feed your Chihuahua a grain-free diet. Complex carbohydrates may be helpful for dogs that are prone to low blood sugar. You can feed your Chihuahua either kibble or canned food but choose a food from a well-known company with a good reputation.
Order Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult Dry Dog Food
Suggested Article: Best Dog Food For Beagles.
