The 11 Best Puppy Foods For Chihuahuas
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
The Chihuahua, one of the most well-known toy breeds, is a small, lively dog with a big personality. Chihuahua owners generally carry their pups everywhere, and they make excellent "purse" dogs.
Chihuahuas, on the other hand, have special energy requirements. For optimal nutrition, they require a well-balanced diet, especially as pups.
Chihuahuas need a high-calorie, nutrient-rich diet to keep up with their high levels of activity as they grow and develop.
All dogs need a certain amount of protein, fat, and nutrients, but Chihuahuas need a high-calorie, nutrient-dense diet to keep up with their high levels of activity while they grow and develop.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has created a list of the best puppy foods for chihuahuas based on reviews from pet owners like you to assist you.
Reviews
Puppy Dry Food Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Small Breed Healthy Growth Formula Natural Chicken & Oatmeal Rice Recipe – Best Value
- Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, menhaden fish meal, peas, dried egg product are the main components
- 29% protein content
- 17% fat content
- 415 kilocalories per cup
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Small Breed Healthy Growth Formula Natural Chicken & Oatmeal Rice Recipe Puppy Dry Food is the most affordable puppy food for Chihuahuas.
With ingredients like chicken, brown rice, and garden fruits and veggies for lots of protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this value-packed mix provides the nourishment your Chihuahua puppy requires.
This dish contains peas but no artificial flavors or preservatives, wheat, soy, or by-product meals. There is evidence that peas in dog food may be connected to canine heart disease.
This food is intended for extremely small, small, and toy breed dogs and is not suitable for medium or big dogs.
Pros
- Designed for tiny breeds
- Total nutrition
- There are no artificial flavors or preservatives in this product
Cons
- It contains peas
- Not suitable for medium or big dogs
Canned Dog Food CANIDAE PURE Puppy Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Chicken Recipe
- Chicken, chicken broth, dried egg product, peas, salmon oil, potassium chloride, salt, sunflower oil are the main components
- 9% protein content
- 6.5% fat content
- 500 calories per can
Recipe for CANIDAE PURE Puppy Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Chicken Canned Dog Food is our third recommendation for Chihuahua puppy food.
This grain-free dish is designed for pups with sensitive stomachs and has only four ingredients to minimize gastric distress.
All CANIDAE products are made in the United States, and the ingredients are sourced from reputable vendors in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
It provides comprehensive nourishment and can be eaten alone or in conjunction with dry dog food for pups or pregnant or nursing females.
Some dogs will be too picky for this meal due to the restricted ingredients, and it does include peas.
Pros
- Designed for delicate stomachs
- There are only four components
Cons
- Some dogs may be very picky
- It contains peas
Dry Dog Food Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
- Chicken, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, rice, whole grain wheat, beef fat, corn germ meal are the main components
- 33% protein content
- 20% fat content
- 482 calories per cup
Purina Pro Plan Brand Dog Chow Puppy Small Breed Chicken and Rice Formula dry puppy food is strong in protein and contains chicken as the first ingredient to provide energy to your Chihuahua puppy.
The kibble is tiny to make chewing easier for toy and small breed dogs, and it is highly digestible to enhance absorption. It also contains active probiotics to aid digestion.
This dish has no artificial colors or flavors, and all of the components are nutritious. Some reviewers stated that their dogs were unhappy with the food or that they couldn’t find it and had to switch to another brand.
Pros
- Rich in nutrients
- High protein content
- The first component is chicken
Cons
- Some dogs might refuse to eat it
- Problems with availability
Science Diet by Hill’s Healthy Growth of a Puppy Vet’s Choice Small Bites Dry Dog Food
- Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, cracked pearl barley, whole grain sorghum, whole grain maize, and chicken fat are the main components
- 25% protein content
- 15% fat content
- 374 calories per cup
Science Diet by Hill’s Healthy Growth of a Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food is the veterinarian’s recommended puppy food for chihuahuas.
This recipe contains healthful components like as chicken meal and barley to meet your puppy’s nutritional needs during growth, such as nutrients for healthy brain, eye, muscular, and skeletal development.
This cuisine is made in the United States and adheres to strict purity and nutritional requirements.
This meal is full and balanced for the nutritional needs of extremely tiny, toy, and small breeds and is appropriate for pups up to one year old as well as pregnant or nursing dogs.
Some reviewers stated that their dogs did not enjoy the meal, therefore it may not be suitable for picky eaters. It’s also designed with little bits for small dogs, therefore a medium or large animal should eat something else.
Pros
- Ingredients that are nutritious
- High protein content
Cons
- Finicky dogs may not be satisfied
- Not suitable for medium or big breeds
Bil-Jac Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food with Chicken, Oatmeal, and Yam
- Chicken, chicken by-products, maize meal, chicken by-product meal, dried beet pulp, oatmeal, whole yams are the main components
- 27% protein content
- 16% fat content
- 412 kilocalories per cup
Dry Dog Bil-Jac Small Breed Puppy Chicken, Oatmeal, and Yam Recipe The first component is fresh, farm-raised chicken. It also includes slow-cooked oats, sweet potatoes, and maize meal for improved digestion.
The food is vacuum-dried in a patented Nutri-Lock low-temperature technique that removes moisture without sacrificing lipids or nutritional content.
All Bil-Jac products are manufactured in the United States and include no fillers, gluten meals, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate.
Despite the FDA’s approval as a feed ingredient, some pet owners are concerned about the BHA in this food. If you’re on a budget, this cuisine is a touch costly.
Pros
- Inventive vacuum-drying method
- The first component is fresh chicken
- There are no fillers, gluten meal, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate in this product
Cons
- BHA is present
- Pricey
PURE CANIDAE Dry Dog Food Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon
- Salmon, salmon meal, lentils, peas, tapioca, canola oil, garbanzo beans, freeze-dried salmon are the main components
- 24% protein content
- 13.5% fat content
- 525 kilocalories per cup
PURE CANIDAE Small Breed Petite Puppy Grain-Free with Salmon Small breed puppies with delicate stomachs should eat dry dog food.
To avoid allergies or digestive discomfort, this diet has only one animal protein source and few additives. The freeze-dried kibble is uncooked covered with salmon for a delectable flavor that will appeal to even the pickiest of canines.
CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon Dry Dog Food contains lentils and peas as significant components, as well as garbanzo beans, which may be connected to cardiac problems in dogs.
Some reviewers reported that their dogs refused to eat it or had gastric discomfort.
Pros
- A single source of animal protein
- Designed for delicate stomachs
Cons
- Lentils and peas are included
- Some dogs dislike it
- This product may induce stomach distress
Small Breed Grain-Free Wet Dog Food Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Puppy Mousse Chicken & Pumpkin in Broth
- Chicken, chicken broth, mung bean, chicken liver, pumpkin, kale, and fish oil are the main components
- 7% protein
- 5% fat content
- 86 calories per pouch
Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Puppy Mousse Chicken & Pumpkin in Broth Tiny Breed Grain-Free Wet Dog Food has an attractive mousse texture that is ideal for transitioning small breed puppies to solid food.
The first component is high-quality chicken to provide your dog’s energy requirements. The diet also contains nutritious nutrients like fish oil and flaxseed. The pumpkin is added to help with digestion.
Despite having many healthy components, mung beans are the star of this dish. This kind of legume may be connected to cardiac problems in dogs.
It’s also pricey for the serving size, although it may be blended with dry food or used as a topping on occasion.
Pros
- The first component is chicken
- Pumpkin for digestion
- Ingredients high in nutrients
Cons
- Mung beans are present
- Expensive
Breed Health Nutrition by Royal Canin Dry Dog Food for Chihuahua Puppies
- Chicken by-product meal, brewer’s rice, chicken fat, maize, wheat gluten, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavors are the main components
- 28% protein content
- 18% fat content
- 352 kilocalories per cup
Breed Health Nutrition by Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food is a specially designed mix for Chihuahua puppies.
The little kibble is designed to be simpler to chew for this breed’s tiny jaws. It also has highly digestible protein and fiber to help with digestion.
This meal is designed for pups up to the age of eight months, after which you should switch to Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition.
Adult Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food Several reviewers complained that the food was particularly dry, stale, and hard, making it difficult for their puppies to consume. Some dogs were also uninterested in eating it, and it is costly.
Pros
- Formula for rare breeds
- Kibble size is little
Cons
- Expensive
- Stale and tough
- Some dogs will not eat it
Cesar Puppy Classic Loaf with Sauce Chicken & Beef Recipe
- Chicken, chicken liver, beef lung, beef by-products, chicken broth, water, beef, chicken heart are the main components
- 9% protein content
- 6% fat content
- 113 calories per tray
Cesar Puppy Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Beef Recipe is a high-quality wet food made for fussy eaters.
Each single-serve tray has the ideal combination of vitamins and minerals to promote your pup’s health and growth, as well as US beef as the first ingredient.
The single-serve trays include easy-peel freshness seals, so there’s no need to refrigerate leftovers. You may feed it alone or combine it with your favorite dry food.
Some reviewers had spoiling concerns, resulting in the waste of numerous servings. The meal is very costly for the servings, which might be problematic if you’re on a tight budget.
Pros
- Single-serve trays are convenient
- The first component is beef
Cons
- Expensive
- Problems with spoilage
Why Do Chihuahuas Require Special Diets?
The majority of commercial dog food is designed to suit the nutritional requirements of dogs of various sizes, ages, and breeds.
The rules are determined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
However, some breeds or life phases, such as Chihuahuas, may benefit from a particular diet mix. Chihuahuas can only weigh six pounds as adults, making them particularly little puppies.
They don’t consume a lot of food at once, preferring to have several meals throughout the day.
Having said that, Chihuahuas require a lot of calories for such a little dog. They eat more calories per pound of body weight than bigger dogs.
They have quicker metabolisms than other toy and tiny breeds and may digest a meal in a couple of hours.
While some dogs may survive on one meal a day, Chihuahuas must eat often to avoid hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This illness is serious, particularly in pups, and can result in weakness, lethargy, convulsions, or death.
Puppies also have difficulty regulating their body temperature, so consuming enough fat and calories can help them stay comfortable and preserve proper brain function.
When you pick a small breed dog food, you receive a higher caloric density and nutritional density to guarantee your puppy gets the nourishment he requires.
Here are some things to watch for:
- Animal protein of high grade
- Fat content is high
- Whole grains and vegetables are examples of digestible carbs
- Synthetic vitamins are limited
- There are no artificial additives
- Kibble size is little
Conclusion
You have a lot of options when it comes to feeding your Chihuahua puppy.
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Healthy Breeding Natural Chicken & Puppy Dry Formula for Small Breeds Oatmeal is the finest value.
Grain-free Chicken Formula Canadie PURE Puppies Our third choice for your Chihuahua is canned dog food.
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Brand Dog Food Small Breed, High Protein Chicken and Rice Formula is also available.
Hill’s Science Diet for Growing Healthy Puppies The veterinarian recommends Small Bites Dry Dog Meal as a puppy food for Chihuahuas.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank our customers for visiting our website so I could learn about and recommend the best puppy foods for chihuahuas.
We hope you’ve selected the best food for your chihuahua puppy.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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