If you are thinking of giving homemade food to your Chihuahua it can be the best idea. The homemade food is fresh, healthy and free from additives than canned dog food. It’s a more comprehensive guide about the best homemade food for Chihuahua. Cooking for Chihuahuas needs planning and understanding about breed specific needs and more. This guide will help you in everything about homemade food for Chihuahua.
Benefits of homemade food for Chihuahua
Here are some of the benefits of homemade food for Chihuahua:
- Healthy eating habits
- Quality control
- More affordable
- Healthier
- Portion size control
- Fresh ingredients
- Dietary requirements fulfill
There are also more benefits including preventing many poor diets that can cause health issues like obesity, poor skin and coat condition, pancreatitis, reduced immunity and diabetes.
Why feed homemade dog food for your Chi?
Chihuahuas have a lifespan between 12-14 years. The most common health issues of this breed include luxating Patella, joints problems, dental problems and obesity. The diseases that are faced by this breed include allergies, tracheal collapse and hypoglycemia.
There are many reasons to consider homemade food for Chihuahua including:
Increased lifespan
Research shows that dogs that eat homemade food can have a 20% longer lifespan than those who eat canned food. Because homemade food is fresh and free from additives.
Avoid allergies
Cook food for your Chihuahua without ingredients that can cause allergies. You can do a dog allergies test at home before selecting the ingredients for dog food. You will not find these options in canned food or kibbles.
Obesity and joints issues
In homemade food you can easily manage the carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins your dogs need to maintain body weight. Obesity can cause diabetes, joints and bone issues.
Easily digestible
Homemade food is easier to digest than hard kibbles. Feed them fresh food that does not stress on their stomach and reduce bloating and other digestive issues.
Cancer prevention
Homemade food is better than processed food, processed food can cause cancer in dogs. With homemade food you don’t need to worry about cancer in your pup.
Fresh ingredients without chemicals
Homemade food allows your dog to eat food that is free from additives, wholesome and chemical free from chemicals that are commonly found in kibbles.
Excellent taste and variety
Homemade food gives a different taste and variety to your pup. The dogs love the smell of fresh foods and want to enjoy a variety of food.
Avoid unsafe commercial dog food
Commercial dog food is safe for dogs but studies tell that the great kibbles are not a safe option for dogs. Avoid it and try to give your dog fresh homemade food.
Precautions while feeding your Chihuahua homemade food
Here are some precautions that your should consider when feeding your Chi a homemade food:
- First of all you need to understand your Chihuahua nutritional needs
- Do not use inadequate recipes
- Make sure your dog is taking balanced diet
- Avoid to use toxic ingredients
- Keep notice the impact of food and dietary changes
- Always focus on your dog’s health conditions
- Gradually switch to homemade food
- The diet must be according to your dog’s age, size and nutritional needs (puppies, adult or seniors)
- Always work with a vet while changing your dog’s food. He will guide you best according to your dog’s nutritional needs.
How to prepare homemade food for Chihuahuas?
For the dog’s proper growth and health of Chihuahua, the home food for them must include 6 essential nutrients: protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, fats and water. It’s also important to consider the dog’s weight, health, activity level and size.
Homemade food for Chihuahua puppies
A Chihuahua puppy’s dietary needs are different from an adult dog. Puppies required higher protein, calcium, fats and phosphorus. The less or excessive amount can cause health complications and lead to deficiencies.
Amount of food according to age are mentioned below:
- 6 weeks to 5 months puppies (3-6 meals a day)
- 6-12 month puppies (2-3 times a day)
Best homemade food for Chihuahua
The best homemade food for Chihuahuas is the balanced diet while considering your dog’s health and nutritional goals. That food is best that is fresh and free from additives and that meets all the essential nutrients of dogs. We recommend the Farmer’s Dog or Ollie because these are the best homemade food for Chihuahua adults and puppies.
What are the Chihuahua food that should avoid
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Chocolate
- Macadamia nuts
- Corn on the cob
- Avocado
- Artificial sweetener (xylitol)
- Alcohol
- Cooked bones
- Grapes and Raisin
Which human food is safe for Chihuahuas
- Carrots
- Apples
- White rice
- Dairy products
- Fish
- Peanut butter
- Plain popcorn
- Turkey
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Cucumber
- Green beans
- Watermelon
- Coconut products
Raw food for Chihuahua
If you prefer homemade food for Chihuahuas then you must know about human food and table scraps that must be avoided when feeding to Chihuahuas. Some of these like nuts that can choke an animal and it can contain salt and garlic that are very toxic to dogs and lead to anemia.
You should also avoid giving ice cream to your dog because some dogs are lactose intolerant. You can feed cheese to your Chi but in moderation, like low fat types of cottage and mozzarella cheese. Many human items that can be safe for the Chi are already mentioned above.
Conclusion
The best homemade food for Chihuahuas is the balanced diet while considering your dog’s health and nutritional goals. That food is best that is fresh and free from additives and that meets all the essential nutrients of dogs that would be healthy and allergy free. Ensure all the ingredients you add in dog food must be safe for dogs.
The diet must be according to your dog’s age, size and nutritional needs (puppies, adults or seniors). Always consult with a vet while changing your dog’s food. He will guide you best according to your dog’s nutritional needs.
FAQs of best homemade food for Chihuahua
