Like other dog breeds, Chihuahuas have their own specific needs. This breed is very sensitive to what they are being fed, how often they eat, and how fed them. The food that you choose for your Chihuahua directly affects your dog’s health. Chihuahuas need different amounts of food at different stages that an owner must be aware of. So, selecting the right food is not a simple task. You have to ensure the food should have all necessary nutrients and free from additives and chemicals. So, to know all about Chihuahua feeding read this guide.
Chihuahua Feeding🍗
| Age | Meals Per Day | Cups Per Day | Meals Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 30 days | Mother’s Milk | n/a | unlimited |
| 4 – 7 weeks | Mother’s Milk and puppy mush | n/a | unlimited |
| 8 – 12 weeks | Mother’s Milk and puppy mush | n/a | 4 – 6 |
| 12 weeks to 6 months | Puppy Kibble | 1/8 – 1/2 | 3 – 4 |
| 6 – 9 months | Puppy Kibble | 1/2 – 1 | 3 – 4 |
| 9 – 12 months | Puppy Kibble/Adult Dog Food | 1 – 2 | 3 |
| 12 Months and up | Adult Dog Food | 1 – 2 | 2 – 3 |
Changing Dog Food🍩
There is a time when you want to change the Chihuahua food. For example when you bring a puppy to your home it may be finicky and do not seem to flourish on their current diet or he has some food allergy.
Though changing the food suddenly can be warranted, unless it is a must, it’s best to do it gradually. Here is a schedule that will be helpful for you:
Week One
3/4 old food
1/4 new food – mixed well
Week Two
1/2 old food
1/2 new food – mixed well
Week Three
1/4 old food
3/4 new food – mixed well
Chihuahua meal Schedule–how often to feed⌚
The breed like Chihuahuas do its best with small, frequent meals. The time and frequency should be depend on age:
Chihuahua Puppies until 3 months old or under 2 lbs🐶
In this age period free feeding is a good idea. You should ensure food is accessible at all times. Keep in mind the food should be refreshed at various times a day to prevent it from drying out or stale.
All Chihuahua puppies and adults, from 3 months
Most of the Chihuahuas do best with 3 meals per day and several healthy snacks in between.
Meal Schedule tips–Special considerations⏲
Some dogs have food sensitivity so if your dog has food sensitivity it can cause discomfort for him. So, if you feel your dog has food sensitivity, it’s vital to consult with a vet to establish a good diet plan.
Digestive health is very important for a dog’s well being. Some dogs with sensitive stomachs can need special food to support digestion and nutrition adsorption. This food includes high fiber food, probiotics and protein.
When you are feeding your dog 3 meals per day then in mid day food you will not be at home. You can leave food in a dish for your dog. It’s best if you can play with them instead of eating, like you can leave a meal in a treat dispensing toy.
You will find the evening meal affects the Chihuahua morning bowel movement. So you adjust before or after according to your Chihuahua bathroom needs in the morning.
How much to feed a Chihuahua🍳
Calories
- The right amount to feed a Chihuahua depends on the dog’s individual requirements, like their age, activity level, health, status and even weather.
- In General the calorie requirements of puppies should be 50 calories per pound of body weight and for adult dogs it is 35 to 40 calories.
Measured Food
- The right serving size is depend of which type of food you given( wet or dry, chicken or beef or high quality or medium quality)
- 3 to 6 months old: to 3 to 4 meals a day.
- 6 months to 1 year: 2 to 3 meals per day. Morning, late afternoon and night.
- From 1 year: preferably 2 meals a day. Morning and night.
- This is a tiny breed that does not eat a lot, there are some Chihuahuas that eat over 2 cups per day. These Chihuahua are larger than the standard size.
The importance of the nutritional, balanced diet
The quality of food will affect the energy level and maintain muscles and affect short and long term health. The dog’s diet is directly linked with coat and skin health. Immune system and organ health and also diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and some forms of cancers.
There are some ingredients that are connected to Chihuahua behavioral issues like hyperactivity so keep in mind that also. The other ingredients that are intolerance or allergy can cause a wide range of issues like itching, rash, hotspots, hives, and digestive problems.
It is easy to spot that Chihuahuas are being fed a nutritional and balanced diet; the coat is shiny, skin issues are non-existent, eyes are shiny, immune system is good and energy-levels are good.
Drawbacks of Low quality food🧀
There are a lot of dog food available in the market that are mostly not good for your dogs because of:
Artificial additives
This includes chemical coloring, and preservatives that can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, vomiting, and cause of many allergies.
By-Products
These are the animal parts that are considered unfit for human consumption like fatty tissue, beaks, lungs, intestines, hooves, snouts, spleens, ears, and more.
Fillers
These do not have nutrients and the body doesn’t absorb them. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and behavioral issues like eating feces and eating grass.
Food that are Toxic food to a Chihuahua 🥑
Here are some common human foods that are toxic to Chihuahua feeding:
Note: Milk is not toxic, but can cause stomach upset like runny bowels etc.
Final Words
We hope we gave you knowledge related to everything about Chihuahua feeding. The Chihuahua feeding amount should be according to the age and size of the Chihuahua. Chihuahuas will eat everything which you serve them. It’s very important to give them quality food that has all necessary nutrients and is free from additives and chemicals.
We always recommend homemade food that allows you to have full control on what you feed your dog. Keep in mind the right amount is very necessary if you feed them in low amounts or over feeding both can affect their health. So, be careful and make a schedule by asking from a vet.
FAQs
