Your tiniest companion has a lot of personality. Chihuahuas are known for their bravado1, small stature and pretty much define the term “purse dog.” They’re a national symbol for Mexico and is one of the oldest breeds of dog in the New World.
We’ve got our favorite foods for a Chihuahua that can get you started. Let’s take a look at what it takes to keep your tiniest best friend happy and healthy for a (potentially long) lifetime.
Read on to know what our recommendation for Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas are.
5 Key Nutritional Needs of a Chihuahua Puppy
Your Chihuahua puppy needs to eat a special food that will promote their overall growth and wellbeing. Diet is essential for proper growth of your new pooch, so consider their following nutritional needs:
Brain development: Every dog parent wants their new puppy to develop to their fullest potential. Most foods for Chihuahua puppies contain DHA for exceptional brain and cognitive development.
Strong bones and joints: Chihuahuas are fragile enough due to their precious stature, so it’s important that your puppy grows strong bones and joints. A quality puppy food will contain vitamins and nutrients to promote such growth.
Essential fatty acids: Purchasing a dog food that is formulated with omega fatty acids will support your puppy’s delicate skin and coat.
Small kibble size: Chihuahuas are the smallest recognized dog breed even as full grown adults. Puppies have the need for extra-tiny kibble bits that their small mouths can handle chewing, and their tummies can handle digesting.
Immune support: As your Chihuahua puppy grows, immune support is crucial. Your pup will live a long, incredible life if they are healthy from the insides out. A well-cared for and developed immune system is a great starting point for your puppy to live out their best life.
Most puppy foods are formulated with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which specifically target vision and immune system health.
Dry dog food is going to be best for your Chihuahua puppy’s dental health (when they reach an appropriate age), as it helps reduce tartar while cleaning the teeth.
If your Chihuahua puppy already has a health concern to take into consideration, you’ll want to pick out a food for them based on those needs.
Ollie is a premium pet food brand that offers high-quality, human-grade meals for dogs. Made with real, wholesome ingredients sourced from trusted farmers and suppliers, Ollie is carefully crafted to provide optimal nutrition for dogs of all sizes and breeds.
The meals are cooked in small batches, gently cooked to retain their natural flavor and nutrients, and then frozen to lock in freshness. Ollie is free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products, making it a healthier option for pets.
With customizable meal plans based on a dog's age, weight, and activity level, Ollie aims to provide convenient, nutritious, and delicious meals for furry friends, helping them thrive and live their best lives.
Furthermore, they deliver fresh dog food delivered straight to your front door. This fresh food is the most premium choice for your Chihuahua, as you could eat it with a fork yourself! Feeding your pup the healthy recipe will be like offering them a Thanksgiving feast every day of the year.
The Ollie Pet Food Recipe is packed full with natural antioxidants, vitamins and essential nutrients. The food doesn’t contain any soy, corn or wheat. Ollie recipes are veterinarian formulated, so you can trust that your Chihuahua is eating a safe, quality meal.
Pros
Human-grade dog food
Minimally processed
Delivered to your door on a reoccurring basis
Made with healthy, natural ingredients and super foods
Taste of the Wild dog food offers all of the essential nutrients your Chihuahua companion needs to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
This balanced diet contains pro and pre-biotics to support digestion, while providing a rich blend of fats and proteins to promote energy and overall wellbeing.
The small size kibble are appropriate for your Chihuahua’s tiny teeth and tummy, so it’ll be easy to eat and digest.
Taste of the Wild is nutrient-rich and made with a proprietary probiotic blend. The dog food doesn’t contain any sort of grain, corn, wheat or fillers, making it a terrific choice for pups with sensitive stomachs.
This natural recipe is formulated with lamb, egg, duck and ocean fish, with venison as the first ingredient. It also contains real fruits and vegetables, which are an excellent source of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Taste of the Wild is quality food that is made in the USA using the most scientifically advanced food safety protocols, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re feeding your Chi a premium food.
Pros
Made with premium, highly-digestible meats
Contains pre and probiotics to support digestion
Small kibble pieces are easy for your Chihuahua to chew and digest
Appropriate amount of omega fatty acids to promote overall wellness
Cons
Taste of the Wild is a premium dog food, but it comes at a higher cost.
An inexpensive yet quality dry dog food that overflows with nutrients and savory flavor. Made from deboned Salmon, this grain free formula is packed with amino acids that maintains your pet's overall health systems.
American Journey is an exceptional dog food that combines delicious flavor with nutritious qualities. Your Chihuahua is sure to crave this recipe, as it contains wholesome fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats.
This grain-free food is made with real, deboned salmon as the first ingredient. Salmon is packed with amino acids that will help your Chihuahua maintain a healthy figure.
American Journey dog food has everything you could want in a nutritious meal option for your precious Chihuahua. Fruits and veggies offer immune support, salmon promotes lean muscle mass and fiber-rich ingredients provide your Chi with boundless energy for your exciting adventures.
Pros
Affordable
Lean protein for healthy muscle mass
Good for Chihuahuas with sensitive stomachs
Packed with natural antioxidants and fiber-rich ingredients
Cons
Kibble pieces may be too large for super tiny Chihuahuas
4. Merrick Lil’ Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato Puppy
Merrick Lil’ Plates food is a perfect choice for your growing Chihuahua. Chihuahua puppies have very tiny bellies, but this food is formulated with probiotic and prebiotic fibers so it’s easy to digest.
For your growing Chihuahua puppy, Merrick Lil’ Plates food is a phenomenal option. Made with deboned Texas beef as the first ingredient, this food is catered toward the big appetite of your small pup. It’s full of hearty flavor, as real fruits and veggies add a delicious taste that your Chihuahua will absolutely love.
Chihuahua puppies have very tiny bellies, but Merrick Lil’ Plates food is formulated with pre and probiotic fiber so it’s easy to digest. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids will help your Chihuahua maintain a healthy, lustrous coat, and DHA will help support brain development.
For your precious pint-sized pup, Merrick Lil’ Plates is free of gluten and all artificial flavors and preservatives. It’s also made in Texas using ingredients from trusted farmers, so you can be confident in your Chihuahua’s meals.
Pros
Tested for quality and safety
DHA support your puppy’s brain development
Made with deboned beef plus real fruits and veggies
Small bites are appropriate for your tiny Chi’s mouth
This is an ideal option for Chihuahuas with sensitivities/allergies. It made with wholesome ingredients to provide your tiny pooch with all of the nutrients they need to live a fulfilling life.
Best Sensitive Stomach Food- This Natural Balance limited ingredient formula is exceptional for Chihuahuas with allergies and sensitive stomachs.
The limited number of protein and carbohydrate sources will provide all of the nutritional value that your pup needs without putting stress on their tummy. The diet is complete and balanced to promote your Chi’s overall wellness.
Natural Balance L.I.D. small breed bites are made with wholesome ingredients to provide your tiny pooch with all of the nutrients they need to live a fulfilling life. The formula will optimize your Chihuahua’s skin and coat while offering quality nutrition.
Furthermore, the small kibble pieces are designed to effectively clean teeth and gums to keep your pup’s pearly whites in tip-top shape!
Pros
No artificial colors or flavors
Small bites are designed to clean teeth and gums
Flaxseed and salmon oil promote healthy skin and coat
Available in other protein flavors such as fish, lamb, duck and beef
Limited ingredient diet for Chihuahuas with allergies and sensitive digestion
Cons
Some ingredients may be sourced outside of the USA
6. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Small Breed
Make your Chihuahua’s meal time exciting with this dog food from Instinct. This dog food is chock full of natural omegas and antioxidants to support the immune system, digestive health and healthy coat and skin.
Make your Chihuahua’s meal time exciting with this Raw Boost dog food from Instinct. The small kibble bits are mixed with delicious freeze-dried raw meat.
This Chihuahua food is chock full of antioxidants and natural omegas to support digestive health, the immune system, and healthy skin and coat.
It even offers joint support for your aging pup. Unlock your Chihuahua’s active potential with Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost dog food, which is proudly made in the USA.
And here’s a helpful tip from other dog parents – gently shake the bag of dog food before distributing it, as the raw pieces become easily bunched up.
This dog food from Wellness is a complete and balanced diet that offers many benefits for your beloved Chihuahua. Formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin, each bite of kibble will help your pup maintain optimal bone and joint health.
Salmon oil provides omega fatty acids, which aid in keeping your Chihuahua’s coat shiny and healthy. If you have an active Chihuahua, this Wellness CORE option is a great choice because it contains high-quality protein to support high energy needs.
This diet delivers an appropriate blend of botanicals and nutritional supplements with quality animal protein to bring your Chihuahua a delightful everyday meal.
8. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
Your Chihuahua deserves superior nutrition, and they will get it with this recipe from Diamond Naturals. Made with the highest-quality ingredients, this dog food contains carefully determined levels of protein, as well as fat and other vital nutrients.
Super foods such as blueberries, kale and pumpkin work together as natural antioxidants, while coconut and flaxseed promote healthy skin and coat.
A K9 strain probiotic will benefit your Chihuahua’s digestive health, and dried kelp and dried chicory root fiber assist in regulation. Diamond Naturals dog food is manufactured safely in the USA.
9. CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Petite Salmon Formula Small Breed
This small breed dog food is unique because each bit of kibble is coated with a delectable freeze-dried salmon and it is made with only 8 key ingredients.
This small breed dog food is unique because each bit of kibble is coated with a delectable freeze-dried salmon. It’s made with 8 key ingredients to provide a nutritional meal for even the most sensitive Chihuahuas.
This CANIDAE formula is packed with real ingredients that you will recognize and trust. A trio of probiotics, antioxidants and omega fatty acids work together to provide your pooch with a tasty meal they can’t resist.
The grain-free recipe is lovingly crafted by a family-owned company with uncompromised quality.
Give your tiny pup the taste of powerful nutrition and flavor they deserve with this small breed food from Solid Gold. Created with the perfect balance of bison, healthy fats and whole grains, this Chihuahua food blends together 20 nutritious super foods into bite-sized pieces.
Some of the ingredients include pumpkin, cranberries, blueberries, carrots and broccoli. And don’t worry about allergens – this kibble doesn’t contain any corn, wheat or soy.
Solid Gold is a holistic, whole grain dog food that is ideal for Chihuahuas at any life stage.
6 Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations
Chihuahuas have some special considerations that you’ll want to think about when picking out a quality food. This special breed requires extra care to keep their small bodies healthy and thriving.
Weight: Chihuahuas are extremely prone to obesity2 due to their small stature and generally average lifestyle in terms of activity. It’s easy to overfeed a Chihuahua, especially if your pup is extra lazy. A high-protein dog food is best for a Chihuahua who competes in dog sports or is always on the go. Remember that even one extra pound can put stress on a Chi’s body.
Eye health: Chihuahuas are known for their big, protruding eyes. Although a Chihuahua’s eyes make them especially difficult to resist when begging, their eyes can also be a source of concern. Infection and visual disorders can be a problem for this tiny breed, but many dog foods offer vitamins to supplement eye health.
Knee issues: Many small breed dogs fall victim to a luxating patella, where the knee cap slips out of place. Chihuahuas are especially vulnerable to patellar luxation if they carry excess weight. Feeding your Chi the proper amount of food, exercising them and considering a diet with joint supplements will help avoid any problems with their knees.
Dental hygiene: Chihuahuas have a lot of teeth crammed into their tiny mouths. Dental issues are common among this adorable breed, so it’s important that pet parents stay on top of oral hygiene3. Crunchy, textured kibble can help clean teeth and gums to prevent future dental concerns. As a toy breed, your Chihuahua will need special care when it comes to their small mouth and teeth.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): Small breeds such as Chihuahuas commonly suffer from IVDD. This disorder causes immense pain in a dog’s back, and it can be crippling. Keeping your Chihuahua on a healthy diet that supports bone and joint health can be very helpful. Of course it’s also imperative to keep your Chi at a healthy weight so they are less likely to get IVDD, or feel the effects of it.
Heart problems: Although the Chihuahua has a big heart metaphorically speaking, their heart is actually incredibly tiny and fragile. Picking out a dog food with heart healthy properties will be best for your Chi.
Since your Chihuahua is going to eat a tiny amount of food per day, choosing a food with protein from whole sources is a must. There’s not a lot of space to mess around with empty calories, so complete proteins are important. Combine these with complex carbohydrates that won’t spike blood sugar and plenty of fiber to maintain weight and digestive health.
Chihuahua Puppy Feeding Chart
While your vet is going to be the very best help for setting up an appropriate feeding schedule and food amount for your Chihuahua, here’s a general idea of how you should feed your dog beginning at their puppy stage:
6 Weeks Old: Ideally your Chihuahua should still be nursing from their mother at 6 weeks old to ensure they are receiving the proper macro-nutrients for growth. Now’s the time to start transitioning your Chi to a quality diet that is comparable to the nutrition they were receiving from their mother’s milk.
10 Weeks Old: Your Chihuahua should be fully weaned of their mother by the time they are around 8 weeks old. By 10 weeks old you should be increasing the amount of puppy food you offer your Chihuahua. It’s best to start with an 85% wet food diet, then slowly add more kibble as your Chi grows.
12 Weeks Old: By 12 weeks old, your Chihuahua can be completely transitioned to a dry food. Your Chihuahua can be free fed at this age to ensure they are maintaining weight and getting all of the nutrients they need for continued growth.
3 Months Old: Chihuahuas are still puppies at 3 months old. Continue offering a puppy diet, as their bones and brain are developing.
5 Months Old: While some dog breeds are fully grown adults by 5 months of age, Chihuahuas are not. Now’s the time to start measuring your Chi’s meals. Follow the feeding guidelines per the brand of food you choose.
1 Year Old: Your 1 year old Chihuahua is now an adult. You can transition them to a food for adult dogs or one for “all life stages.” It’s crucial to meticulously measure your Chihuahua’s daily meals at this point, as weight gain can now become a serious problem, especially if your pup no longer has any puppy energy.
Final Say
Chihuahuas pack a ton of personality into a tiny package, so it’s vital you support their health with densely nutritious foods. Your Chihuahua may live 15 years or more so building a system of health and well being from day one is critical to all those years being quality ones.
Look for foods with proper protein and carbohydrate balance because you don’t have a lot of room to get those amounts in. Empty calories only waste the little food you can feed your tiny breed dog.
Chihuahuas can be sensitive, both in taste and digestion, so whole ingredients with no fillers get top billing with all our foods. Corn and soy are red flags, as are artificial flavors which can encourage your Chihuahua to overeat.
They can be picky little dogs, and one good thing about tiny breeds is that you can switch to more expensive cooked food diets without feeling the effects in your wallet the way you would with a large breed.
An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
