Best Dog Food for Cheeks: Top Puppy, Adult & Senior Recommendations in 2023

If you are looking for a low-maintenance, family-friendly breed, you can’t do better than the Cheeks. These little dogs are friendly and fun-loving but they also have a low energy level and they don’t mind being left alone.

The Cheeks is a great breed for children but can also be a companion pet for seniors and they have thick, fluffy coats that make them absolutely adorable.

As a cross between the Pekingese and the Chihuahua, you can’t predict exactly what your Cheeks will look or act like, but you can expect him to be a small dog with a sweet and gentle temperament.

Down below are our top recommendations for the best dog food for Cheeks, read on.

Cheeks Breed Overview

• Pedigree: Chihuahua and Pekingese
• Size: up to 14 inches
• Weight: 3 to 9 pounds
• Energy Level: Low
• Lifespan: 14 to 20 years

The Cheeks is a crossbreed of the Chihuahua and the Pekingese. It is also known by other names such as the Pek-a-Chi or the Pekachi, but the name Cheeks is the most commonly used.

Though the Cheeks is a very small dog, its size is a little bit deceptive since they tend to inherit the thick coat for which the Pekingese is known. Even so, these dogs really only weigh 3 to 9 pounds, on average, and they stand only 10 to 14 inches tall.

You have to remember, however, that the Chihuahua has no standard minimum height and neither does the Pekingese, so your Cheeks could end up being smaller or larger than this size range. The only way you’ll know what his adult size is going to be is to let him grow up – it’s difficult to make predictions about physical traits for crossbreed dogs.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR CHEEKS

The Best Dog Food Brands for Cheeks

After reading the information above, you should have a better understanding of your Cheeks’ unique nutritional requirements, but you may be wondering how to choose the best dog food for this breed. Below you will find three reviews for recommended brands of dog food for Cheeks adults as well as one recommendation for Cheeks:

Best Dog Food for Cheeks

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
2. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed
4. Wellness Toy Breed Complete Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Peas Recipe
5. Canidae Under the Sun Small Breed Adult Chicken Recipe
6. Diamond Naturals Light Formula
7. Nature's Recipe Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
8. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Carrot Recipe
9. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed
10. Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe

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1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food

First 5 ingredients (Pork Potluck): Ground Pork, Russet Potatoes, Green beans, Yellow squash, Brown mushrooms

Nom Nom is a dog food service that provides specific recipes based on whole, natural ingredients. They only use foods that are also safe for humans to consume and a very limited ingredient list (most recipes are under eight ingredients, total.).

Each recipe is handmade weekly and delivered right to your door. The Porkalicious Potluck only has seven ingredients.

Nom Nom is an excellent fresh dog food brand that sends shipments of fresh dog food right to your door. Choose from four vet-crafted recipes made with premium animal proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Each recipe is customized according to your dog’s calorie requirements to ensure that he gets the proper nutrition – all you have to do is open the bag and feed the recommended amount. You can switch recipes or adjust your shipment at any time while resting assured that your dog is getting the best nutrition possible.

Many pet experts agree that fresh food is best for dogs. Because it is prepared fresh and not subjected to high-heat processing like traditional kibble, it retains more of its original nutritional integrity.

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2. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Turkey Meal

Merrick’s classic formula is a less expensive alternative to some of the choices above. It uses deboned chicken as the first ingredient, providing a source of high quality, lean protein. It doesn’t use potatoes for a lower glycemic option (excellent for Bichon’s in danger of developing diabetes).

The rest of the ingredients include veggies for critical vitamins and minerals and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for coat and skin health. Protein levels are 30% while fat remains at 15%. Moisture levels are 11%. These should help your dog maintain weight and urinary health. Probiotics make Merrick easier to digest and reduce stomach issues overall.

Merrick is located in Texas and uses locally grown and sourced ingredients to create dog food. No imported ingredients to worry about and you’re supporting a US-based company.

The best part is that a four-pound bag costs about $5 on average than some of the other brands, so if you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll still be able to give your Cheek high-quality food.

Remember that spending money on the dietary health of your Cheek will reduce your veterinarian costs in the long run, but this should be a good start.

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3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Specially formulated for the health and well-being of small breed dogs, it is made with real deboned chicken. You can be assured that your dog gets only high-quality protein with every serving of this chicken and brown rice recipe.

This Life Protection formula has a precise blend of carbohydrates and protein to help sustain the higher energy needs of small breed dogs. It has whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. No corn, wheat, or soy are used in this recipe.

This has the exclusive LifeSource Bits, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.

This dry dog food has glucosamine to support joint health and mobility, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

This Blue Buffalo formula for small breed dogs has unique smaller sized kibbles that are designed to reduce tartar among smaller-jawed pups. Like all Blue Buffalo recipes, this Life Protection formula has no chicken or poultry by-product meals; or artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, or preservatives.

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4. Wellness Toy Breed Complete Health Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, & Peas Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground Rice

The Wellness pet food company is dedicated to a holistic philosophy of pet nutrition. They use only the freshest, high-quality ingredients to provide your dog with the nutrients he needs and nothing he doesn’t.

Every recipe is carefully formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition as well as uncompromising quality and safety. If you want to feed your Cheeks a recipe formulated specifically for toy breeds, this Wellness recipe is a great option to consider.

This formula features protein-rich chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal to sustain your dog’s lean muscle mass as well as chicken fat for concentrated energy. For carbohydrate support, this recipe includes ground brown rice, oatmeal, and peas – there are also flaxseeds for supplementary fiber.

You’ll also be glad to know that this recipe contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients as well as chelated minerals for maximum nutrient uptake.

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5. Canidae Under the Sun Small Breed Chicken Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Green Peas, Garbanzo Beans, Chicken Fat

The Canidae pet food company is known for producing high-quality, natural pet foods made with wholesome ingredients. Unfortunately, the Canidae pet food brand is a little on the pricy side – that’s why they released the Under the Sun product line.

Under the Sun products are designed for offer wholesome, natural nutrition for pets at a more affordable price point and this Canidae Under the Sun recipe is a great example.

This formula is a wonderful choice for your Cheeks because it is formulated specifically for small-breed dogs. It features chicken meal as the primary protein with yellow peas, green peas, and chickpeas for carbohydrate energy and easy digestibility.

This recipe contains chicken fat for essential fatty acids and a concentrated source of energy, plus flaxseed for the optimal omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid balance for healthy skin and coat.

This formula is supplemented with chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption as well as fresh fruits and vegetables for natural nutrient supplementation. You’ll also be glad to know that it is free from corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as artificial additives.

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6. Diamond Naturals Light Adult Dog Food Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice

The Diamond Pet Food company sometimes gets a bad rap for having a lot of pet food recalls, but their Naturals brand offers decent quality and affordability. Diamond Naturals pet food is made with high-quality proteins plus fresh fruits and vegetables for holistic, natural nutrition.

If you’re worried about your Cheeks gaining weight, you might consider this Diamond Naturals Light Adult Dog Food Recipe. This formula features protein-rich lamb meal as the primary protein with whole grain brown rice, peas, and oatmeal as the main carbohydrates.

It offers 18% protein to help your Cheeks maintain his lean muscle mass with just 6% fat so he doesn’t take in too many calories at each meal. This recipe is also supplemented with dietary fiber and probiotics for healthy digestion as well as chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption.

You’ll also be glad to know that it contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources of key nutrients.

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7. Nature's Recipe Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Pea Starch, Poultry Fat

Small breed dogs with sensitivity to grains need a special kind of food to help them meet their nutrition needs. Little mouths have a hard time chewing big kibbles, so this food made specifically for small dogs will be just the thing they need.

This is a grain free recipe. Instead of grains, this recipe uses sweet potato & pumpkin to give the food a fiber and carbohydrate boost. Fiber, of course, keeps the digestive system healthy by speeding up elimination and bulking up stools to make it easier for them to pass. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are converted by the body into glucose which acts as the brain’s fuel.

The star of this recipe is chicken. It heads the list of ingredients and acts as the primary source of protein. Fresh chicken is supported by chicken meal to ensure that dogs get enough nutrients to build and repair tissues, develop lean muscle mass, and make crucial body chemicals like hormones and enzymes.

This brand formulates all of their products to ensure maximum palatability, balanced nutrition, and natural flavor for your dog. If you’re looking for a food especially for your Cheeks, consider the this recipe for small breeds.

This product features protein-rich real chicken plus chicken meal for a total of 25% crude protein. It also includes digestible carbohydrates like potatoes and pumpkin for easy digestibility.

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8. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Carrot Toy & Small Breed Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Ocean Fish Meal, Chickpeas, Peas

They say big things come in small packages—and toy dog owners can certainly attest! Smaller breeds need a kibble that’s full of nutrition and Mighty Mini delivers.

Perfectly balanced for their mini size, this grain and gluten free chicken and hearty vegetable recipe is packed with easily digestible protein, our unique blend of nutrient-dense super-foods and omega fatty acids to provide gut health and overall immune support.

This perfectly balanced diet features easy to digest lamb, fiber-rich sweet potatoes and antioxidant-rich cranberries to support gentle and healthy digestion.
It includes a unique blend of nutrient-dense super-foods and omega fatty acids for improved gut health and overall immune support.

This grain and gluten-free recipe also has small kibble for easy chewing for petite mouths while providing your pup with the holistic protein he needs to thrive.

This dry food from Solid Gold is ideal for toy and small breeds of all life stages including puppy and senior.

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9. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp

Iams small breed puppy formula is perfect for the baby Cheek in your life. The farm-raised chicken helps spur growth, keep up metabolism and aids in reducing skin irritations.

For a Cheek pup, there isn’t much better. Iams uses wholesome ingredients and refrains from ever using byproducts, corn wheat or soy.

This puppy food has been formulated to support the nutritional needs of your growing small-breed pup. It features real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient—a premium protein to help your little pal develop strong muscles as she grows.

It also features 22 key nutrients that your pup would get from her mother’s milk—including omega 3 DHA to help her be the smartest pooch on the block.

It’s just what your puppy needs to help her grow into the happy and healthy dog she’s meant to be!

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10. Now Fresh Small Breed Senior Recipe

First 5 ingredients: De-Boned Turkey, Whole Dried Egg, Potatoes, Potato Flour, Peas

Now Fresh’s weight control formula is formulated for small breed seniors who need some help maintaining a healthy weight. It’s grain free and uses only whole proteins with complex carbohydrates to provide all-day energy without empty calories.

Glucosamine and chondroitin support aging joints while essential fatty acids help keep skin happy and the brain healthy.

Now Fresh uses premium ingredients to create formulas that can support lifelong health and well-being. Each ingredient is explicitly chosen based on expert recommendations, and the company proudly uses either locally sourced ingredients or those carefully vetted from trusted suppliers.

With this Now Fresh Small Breed Senior Weight Management Recipe, your buddy gets 100% fresh turkey, salmon and duck, and 100% fresh omega 3 & 6 oils from coconuts and canola.

It also features wholesome berries, fruits and veggies such as peas, spinach, cranberries, pumpkin, blackberries, alfalfa sprouts, kelp, lentils and carrots.

It contains zero grains, gluten, wheat, beef, corn, soy, rendered meats, by-products or artificial preservatives. This recipe is suitable for senior dogs 9 years or older between 2 and 25 pounds.

Dietary Considerations for Cheeks

The Cheeks is a cross between the Chihuahua and the Pekingese, two of the smallest dog breeds out there. Chihuahuas don’t have a minimum size, though they generally stand no more than 5 inches tall and weigh no more than 6 pounds.

The Pekingese also doesn’t have a minimum height or weight, but most specimens of the breed are 14 pounds or less. So, the average size for the Cheeks is somewhere up to 14 inches tall and between 5 and 15 pounds.

As it was already mentioned, however, crossbreed dogs inherit their physical traits from two different breeds so it is hard to make predictions. In general, however, the Cheeks could be classified as a toy breed based on its size alone.

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When it comes to dietary considerations for the Cheeks breed, the most important thing you need to understand is that toy and small breed dogs have very fast metabolisms. This means that they need a steady intake of energy throughout the day – you can accomplish this by dividing their daily portion into three or four small meals.

You should also know that small dogs have higher energy needs than larger dogs when measured in calories per pound of body weight. For example, a 50-pound Poodle might need around 1,500 calories per day while a 5-pound Cheeks needs closer to 200 calories.

If you divide it out, however, you’ll find that the Poodle needs around 30 calories per pound of body weight while the Cheeks needs closer to 40. The best way to meet your Cheeks’ high energy needs is to feed him a high-quality dog food formulated for toy or small-breed dogs.

In addition to thinking about your Cheeks’ high energy needs, there are some other dietary considerations to make. For example, Chihuahuas are prone to both hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism which means that your Cheeks could be as well.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common in very small puppies and can be managed with frequent meals. Hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid gland, can make your Cheeks more prone to weight gain so, while you should feed your dog more often, you still need to manage his caloric intake to prevent overweight and obesity.

Chihuahuas in particular have a high risk for obesity and even an extra half pound could be significant and dangerous. If you’re worried about your Cheeks’ weight, consider a healthy weight formula designed for small breeds.

You should also know that very small dogs tend to be at a higher risk for dental disease, so it never hurts to choose a dry dog food formula that helps to scrape plaque and tartar off your dog’s teeth as he chews or offer him some dental dog treats once in a while.

If you want to enjoy your Cheeks’ company for as long as possible, do yourself (and your dog) a favor by taking the time to choose a high-quality pet food.

Start your Cheeks off the best way possible by feeding him a small-breed puppy formula and then transition into a toy or small-breed adult recipe once he reaches full size. If you need help choosing a quality diet for your dog, consider one of the top-rated brands from the reviews above.