Choosing The Right Dog Food For a Chihuahua

Choosing a dog food for your Chihuahua isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. Like all dogs, Chihuahuas have very specific nutritional needs that must be met through proper dieting. Unfortunately, most of the dog foods sold in pet stores and grocery stores fail to provide enough nutrients for healthy growth and development. While they may provide your Chihuahua a “full” belly, they don’t offer the right balance of nutrients and minerals. If you’re wondering what the best type of dog food is for a Chihuahua, keep reading.

Chihuahua Dog Food

Why The Right Dog Food Is Important For a Chihuahua

Many owners overlook the importance of a premium dog food for their Chihuahua. As you can expect, a good brand of dog food is naturally going to cost more money, which is why some owners opt to go with the cheaper types. The problem in doing so, however, is that cheap, low-quality dog food opens up your Chihuahua to a whole world of new health problems. You might save a couple of dollars by feeding your Chihuahua a low-quality dog food, but you’ll likely end up paying more in the long run for vet visits and healthcare.

Here are some of the most common side effects associated with feeding a Chihuahua the wrong dog food:

  • The coat loses some of its color and sheen.
  • May suffer from tooth decay, tooth loss or other oral problems.
  • A weakened immune system leaves them more susceptible to disease.
  • Stunts their growth and development, causing them to grow at a slower pace than normal.
  • Leads to obesity and canine diabetes.
  • Increases the chance of food allergies.
  • May contain potentially life-threatening strains of foodborne illness, such as salmonella.

Corn

What To AVOID When Choosing Dog Food For Your Chihuahua

There are some common mistakes owners make when choosing dog food for their Chihuahua, one of which is placing their trust in brands sold at the grocery store. This can undoubtedly be confusing given the fact that some of these brands are labeled premium, but you have to carefully inspect any food you’re thinking of purchasing and feeding to your Chihuahua. Even some of these so-called “premium” dog foods are loaded down with junk ingredients and filler products that offer little-to-no nutritional value when consumed. Does this mean that ALL premium dog foods sold in grocery stores are poor choices that should be avoided? Not necessarily, but you need to be cautious and not risk your Chihuahua’s health based on the package labeling alone. Don’t worry, we’ll reveal what a good Chihuahua dog food needs to contain in a bit.

Another common mistake owners make is blindly following the advice of their veterinarian. There are plenty of ethical vets out there who enjoy helping people and the pets brought into their office, but there are others who simply want to sell products and services. If a vet recommends feeding your Chihuahua a type of dog food sold on their office premises, they are probably being financially compensated for selling that brand of dog food.  With an ulterior motive, the dog food may or may not be the right choice for your Chihuahua.

Here are some of the ingredients that should be kept to a minimum in a dog food for your Chihuahua:

  • Food dyes
  • Preservatives
  • Filler products, such as corn and low-quality grains
  • Corn gluten
  • Wheat gluten
  • Sugar
  • Corn syrup
  • Animal fat

Cooked Chicken

Things To Look For In Chihuahua Dog Food

Now that you know what to avoid in a dog food for your Chihuahua, let’s take a look at some of the beneficial ingredients that you should look for. As previously stated, most of the “premium” dog foods gold in grocery stores are actually poor choices that don’t offer the right balance of meat, vegetables and overall nutrition; therefore, they should be avoided. Instead, take a look at the dog food products sold in pet stores around your area. If there aren’t any good choices here, you can always order your Chihuahua’s food online, but you’ll probably have to pay to have it shipped. Of course, this is a small price to pay for your Chihuahua’s health and well-being.

The number one ingredient that dog food for your Chihuahua should contain is meat. Whether it’s chicken, beef, fish or lamb, the dog food needs to have roughly a 40% meat content; otherwise, it’s not going to offer enough protein to meet their needs. It might be hard to determine exactly how much meat a bag of dog food has, but you can read the ingredients label to get an idea. I like to see meat products listed in at least 3 of the top 5 ingredients, as this is a sign it’s made with a substantial amount of meat.

The second most important ingredient a dog food needs to contain are vegetables. This is essentially where your Chihuahua will get the majority of their beneficial vitamins and minerals, so you’ll want to choose a dog food with a good balance of vegetables and meat. Look for the more healthy vegetables labeled on the ingredients, such as carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini and broccoli. Regular potatoes are considered filler ingredients and should be avoided. These healthy vegetables should make up roughly 40% of the ingredients in a dog food as well. The remaining 20% should consist of starches like pastas.

Here’s a short list of high-quality premium dog foods that are great choices to feed a Chihuahua:

  • Artemis Fresh Mix
  • Blue Buffalo
  • California Natural
  • Canidae
  • EVO
  • Innova
  • Nature’s Variety
  • Taste of the Wild
  • Timberwolf Organics
  • Wellness

References:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main

https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/nutrition/choosing-the-right-dog-food

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/choose-dog-food/

Comments

    • Cathy lyn Somani
    • November 27, 2019
    Reply

    Thank you very considered response, I have always fed her Royal Canine for chihuahua, but I didn’t see it on your list, it was recommended by the pet store. if I were to prepare my own food what would you recomend?
    Lamb makes her sick although she loves it. I might give her the odd carrot and boiled chicken also omelet, but no other human food.

    • BESSIE MAY ROMAN
    • February 15, 2019
    Reply

    IS BAKE CHIX GOOD FOR THR DOG ?

    • Randy Harper
    • January 26, 2019
    Reply

    I’m looking for moist food my chihuahua is 10 and has all but 1 of her teeth but dry food is too hard to chew.

    • Ellen Wood
    • July 22, 2018
    Reply

    Try Honest Kitchen or Stella and Chewy freeze-dried. My pups love both!

    • Meg
    • December 12, 2017
    Reply

    I just got a 8 week old chi and am looking for a go brand of food to feed her any suggestions

    • Jeanua
    • October 10, 2017
    Reply

    I have 2 tiny rescue Chihuahua.. brother and sister…. although they are related they have very different likes … George: Solid Gold Holistic Dog Food for Small & Toy Breeds, Dry and Wet with Superfoods OMG he goes nuts (Mighty Mini Chicken and chick peas) …… Gracie Stella and Chewy Turkey Meal Mixers which are tiny pieces soft and fluffy you can crumble or break in half… For Dry….. Big-Jac …. been around 65 years…. a 6lb bag is made with 5lbs of chicken… I leave the dry out.. its so light and easy to smash with your fingers.. very easy chew bites….. They also love Strawberries, Apples and veggies…

      • Karen
      • November 16, 2017
      Reply

      Hi i just got a chi 3weeks ago its 11 months im the 3rd owner it was only 2kg when i got him he wasnt being fed wright i got its jags and it took it couple days to eat it was eating but not has got picky it takes it all day to eat small amount vet has checked him said hes ok im in northern ireland what can i feed it. It wont play with toys sleeps alot and very quiet for this kind of dog help thanks karen

        • Libby Alfonso
        • January 12, 2018
        Reply

        hi Karen I have three chihuahuas my oldest is 8 years old and weighs 3 lb my second is two and a half years old and weighs 7 lb both are short hair my youngest is a year-and-a-half and weighs 5 lb my little one eats Maybe a fourth of a cup of Blue Buffalo Small bites per day. My 7lb daughter her food gets measured and she only eat half a cup of food per day and most of the time she leaves some at dinner time. All three eat the same food and I’ve had them each since they were 8 weeks old they’re all different and they’re all healthy very healthy. Every now and then I give them a treat such as sliced apples or a tiny piece of cheese. They never have house food unless I have cooked it especially for them. Good luck!!

          • Louise rose
          • June 21, 2018
          Reply

          I have two chihuahua one is 12 yrs and eats wet food drom the doctor. And some dry food. My orher dog is long hair chihuahua and she weight only 6 lb i just go her and not sure what to feed her. Right now she is eating 1/8 of a cup two day of science diet wed and dry and don’t seem to like it. Can you give me any idea what is good food for her.

          • Louise rose
          • June 21, 2018
          Reply

          Hi what kind of food do you give? You said blue buffalo which kind? I have a 6lb chihuahua i just got her and she is on science dry food and don’t care fore for it. Please let me know.

    • Bye
    • September 25, 2017
    Reply

    Stay away from Cesar. Family fed it to our Chi, along with a dry kibble from the vet which she rarely ate, and she developed a rare form of cancer. Might’ve happened anyway, but can’t help but believed it contributed to a much, much, much shorter lifespan.

    • Joyce Fontana
    • August 25, 2017
    Reply

    I’m having a hard time, trying to find good food, for Louie. He will be five soon. He itches so badly, he sheds terribly. He’s been on blue buffalo. I’m hearing bad things. I just had his teeth cleaned,he’s lost nine teeth. They say he has periodontal disease. What is the best ,natural food I can give him? I don’t want kibble that’s hard like rocks. Please help me, I’m lost. I’ve tried so many brands. Thank you.

      • Dee
      • September 21, 2017
      Reply

      Zignature – Kangaroo Meat in the can

      • Amalia Alfaro
      • October 11, 2017
      Reply

      Try Freshpet select you can find it in Walmart or sometimes at your grocery store. They have them in a little refrigerator by the dog food. My dog LOVES it!

      • Natalie Stybell
      • December 24, 2017
      Reply

      Try TruFood by Wellness for smallbreed. It is baked and is not hard like traditional kibble. My 5 year old Chihuahua loves it. Can be a little hard to find lately.

      • Gwen
      • December 24, 2017
      Reply

      If he is scratching , he may have fleas. Try human food . Cooked chicken, peas, and carrots I hope it helps. God bless

      • Deborah
      • July 18, 2018
      Reply

      When a previous small dog of mine developed cancer, my vet recommended a special diet. We just adopted a 5 lb female Chi that is 1 1/2 to 2 years old and we have no trouble with her liking the same healthy diet. My concern is she drinks very little water. Maybe a few tablespoons a day. She seems to like it more mixed with 100% organic carrot juice. Any suggestions? She does not like the coconut water or the chicken broth mixed with her water.
      For those interested in the food recipe, Ours eats 1/4 cup twice a day, grocery cost appx. $20-25 and will last appx 3-4 weeks…
      Prepare separately in a crock pot nd season with a very small amount of sea salt for the iodine they need ~
      2 lbs boneless/ skinless chicken breast
      2 lbs sirloin beef

      Mix and cook the following in a rice maker
      1/2 cup uncooked barley [healthy fiber]
      1/2 cup uncooked brown rice [healthy fiber]
      2 cups low fat low sodium chicken broth
      add the following frozen or fresh diced veggies when done boiling…
      Peas and carrots
      cut green beans
      broccoli
      zuchinni
      sweet potaoto
      Divide the entire mixture in half

      Add shredded cooked chicken to 1 half
      Add diced sirloin to the other half

      I seperate the portions into 4 days serving per bag of chicken and the same for beef and freeze the rest accordingly to use later. Alternating the chicken mixture for 1 daily meal and the beef for the 2 daily meal to give them a variety. Much healthier as there are no preservatives or fillers and freshly prepared in your kitchen.

      I live in NC and this diet was recommended by our vet. My brother and wife live in Ohio and when their Oscar developed diabetes, their vet recommended the same diet so there must be healthy benefits to this diet. Hope this helps and is really more affordable than the “Premium” brands out there

      • Mary Carvalho
      • October 18, 2018
      Reply

      Have you given them fresh chicken that you prepared or bought pre cooled at like Costco? (Broiled chicken).

      • Kathy Vess
      • April 22, 2020
      Reply

      Try putting a small amount of corn oil in your fur baby’s water if she/he has itchy skin.

    • Terry
    • February 19, 2017
    Reply

    There’s a picture of a poodle on these small cups of dog food it’s the kind my picky dog eats try that

    • Susan Reed
    • February 18, 2017
    Reply

    We feed our Patches fresh pet and Rachel Ray grain free. Are these all right for him

      • Renee Dames
      • April 1, 2017
      Reply

      Thank you..bought some today…was hoping did I do good…was reading😀

    • Mary
    • February 16, 2017
    Reply

    My two chihuahuas love Bill Jac dry food. Small pellets, so it is easy for them to eat.

    • Angelica Sanchez
    • February 13, 2017
    Reply

    My Chihuahua is 4 months old. I was feeding him Pedigree for puppies but was told he wasn’t getting the right nutrients so i switched to Eukanuba for puppies, he was eating it fine for the 1st month, but now i noticed he’s lost interest in the food and doesn’t really want to eat. I live in Puerto Rico and no PetSmart near me. What other brand can I feed PeeWee ( my chihuahua) is Beneful a good brand? Or was i doing ok with Pedigree? I mean he was eating it.

      • Elaine
      • February 15, 2017
      Reply

      Stay away from Beneful it almost killed my 2 chihuahuas. Go to chewy .com. I feed my girls
      (Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food, 12-lb bag) Its around 39.00 a bag. Good luck.

        • william t cole
        • April 14, 2018
        Reply

        try blue buffalo it has all the little ones need

      • victoria
      • July 6, 2018
      Reply

      My 3 chihuahuas love royal cabin for chihuahuas

    • helen easton
    • January 31, 2017
    Reply

    So glad its not only me that has a picky girl chihuahua. We are on our third diff food brand. Found she’s allergic to grains her skin goes red and her fur falls out so we were on Wainwrights grain free, she then decided after 6 months she no longer liked it. We are now trying Ava dried and canned. She’s still not keen and goes days without eating. I have thought of fixing home cooked chicken and veg but shop advised me against it. Also, as a side note, she won’t go to toilet outside, she holds it til we get home and goes on her puppy pad!

      • Jessica Capizzo
      • June 6, 2018
      Reply

      Boiled thigh meat brown rice and peas, keeping in mind a dogs diet should be 97 % protein 3 veg is best. No seasoning. Per vet.

    • Mary Lou
    • January 17, 2017
    Reply

    My chi has lost lots and lots of hair. Had her on several big name foods. I just brought Royal Canine. The itching has started again. She throws up bile. She likes RC but is itching. Anyone else having similar problems.

      • Linda B Franklin
      • February 18, 2017
      Reply

      Royal canine has corn. I use wellness core. I feed my 7 lb Chihuahua 250 calories per day. No grains.

      • Libby Bar
      • July 25, 2017
      Reply

      My dog got sick from Royal Canin. I even tried the one that was marked specifically for Chi’s in both the dry and wet food. He really likes freshpet and I am going to go back to using Wellness now as a dry food. My little guy has a very sensitive suggestion and his favorite thing to eat is when I make chicken soup for him.

      • Martha Howe
      • July 23, 2018
      Reply

      You could try gradually moving the pad closer to the door and then outside the door and then further outside.

    • Niicolee
    • January 15, 2017
    Reply

    My dog oxy is really picky she’s only about 2 months I’ve tried almost everything what’s the best soft kibble or canned food y’all recommend?

    • Faye
    • January 12, 2017
    Reply

    My dog, Boo Girl’s (Or Stinky) absolute fave DOG FOOD is Cesar’s 💖 (Any) And you know if that dry food SMELLS after one week why would I feed it to her? Smells like something died – so no dry…
    Caesar’s smells good too! Not rotten like other dry food. I also mix in carrots or left over peas green beans from the table and I some times as a treat I give her a little scoop or finger of peanut 🥜 butter and brush it Around her bowl. She goes crazy. I give her animal cookies from PETCO… she can close lower cupboards doors (anything for a cookie ) but she won’t fetch…

      • Destiny
      • March 26, 2017
      Reply

      My little dog loves Cesar’s as well. Unfortunately, she is now overweight and might have to have surgery on her knee ligaments. My vet says that Cesar’s is the equivalent of McDonalds for dogs… not very nutritious.

      • Jeri
      • April 2, 2017
      Reply

      STOP feeding Cesars!!!!!! Get on NetFlix abd go to Documentaries…….Look at Petfood one. I was amazed. Look at indigredient labels……most of these dog foods have little or NO MEAT in them. I don’t know what to do now, I am researching……………………….. BUT I will go to grocery store and buy meat and fix it for them myself until I figure it out

    • Mark Howells
    • December 28, 2016
    Reply

    I have just brought a little chow 2 our family thank u all for the info I hope he’s not going 2b as fussy as some. Great info is what every owner needs

      • Susan Bennett
      • January 17, 2017
      Reply

      I give my chi girl who is very fussy a cooked egg yoke 1 day and webboxs chicken sticks she absolutely devours them x

        • Angelica Sanchez
        • February 13, 2017
        Reply

        Hi, I was told that mixing in eggs with their food is good for them especially for their hair. I haven’t tried it but I am.

      • richard exline.
      • November 4, 2017
      Reply

      My dog won’t eat hard dogfood what can I feed her?

        • Joni
        • August 9, 2018
        Reply

        I feed my chi freshpet, I buy it at Walmart ,some grocery stores carry it. It’s in a refrigerator by the pet food. Since a small bag last for a long time , I bag up feeding portions and freeze it, then take a couple of bags out in the evening for the next day. Lulu is not much of a water drinker so by feeding her freshpet, she is getting more water than giving her a dry kibble and she really likes this food.

    • Arkansania
    • December 8, 2016
    Reply

    My little chihuahua is not picky. I don’t get it. What I’m only saying is that,” Whoa, are Chihuahua’s supposed to be picky?” Mine isn’t. Is it unnatural that he’s not picky about what he eats and will eat vegetables without making a face?

    1. Reply

      try blue buffalo it worked after other 2 i trid if thedog has stool prob ably can give then a teaspoon of canned pumpin mixed it there dry food it help small dogs9 ( not the pumpkin pie stuff)just canned pumkin

      • Jessica Capizzo
      • June 6, 2018
      Reply

      My chi will eat anything but Iams dog food. I don’t think she even tastes it.

    • Courtney
    • September 23, 2016
    Reply

    Hi my 13 year old Chi is throwing up her food all of the sudden. We’ve always done the same food brand and type. Lamb and Rice. And sometimes we mix in a bit of soft food with her hard food since almost all of her teeth are gone. And so we haven’t given her something she hasn’t had before. But I came home last night and she had vomited 3 times in my room and she had diarrhea a couples times today and then she was sitting in my lap and threw up 2 more times. Using her nose to try and bury it. She hasn’t gotten a hold of anything strange to make her sick or eaten grass. Any help would be great I’m starting to get worried.

      • Karma Alexa
      • April 1, 2017
      Reply

      A week ago I found a Chihuahua in my driveway. I’m not sure what to feed Karma Alexa because she also threw up three times and also had diarrhea. We’re you able to get help for cortney.

        • PEGI LARSON
        • April 20, 2018
        Reply

        Have you taken your baby to the vet? As a senior, especially, dogs should be seen by a doctor if all of a sudden something such as vomiting- especially as much as your dog is throwing up- suddenly begins. Please hurry to the doggie’s doctor….. vomiting for no reason can be serious.. especially as much as your girl is doing it. DON’T DELAY… if there’s a problem, it can be dealt with if you don’t delay… however, if you wait, that can make it much more difficult. PLEASE DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH A PRECIOUS DOG! Love to you both.

      • NANCY STROM
      • April 30, 2018
      Reply

      I’m not,by no means an expert, your dog sounds like what my Chi had at one point. Her symtoms were throwing up yellow fluff and diarrhea several times. Up to this time hasn’t had any accidents up until now. She wouldn’t eat and her stomach was growling and she looked like her tummy area was swelling slightly. Took her to our vet and she was diagnosed with colitis. He put her on medicine and gave her a shot for the nausea. I hope this helps you and your pup feels better soon.

    • Jeanie
    • September 15, 2016
    Reply

    The majority of popular dog food brands are safe to eat, but the healthier feeds would be the more natural “holistics” feeds (as with humans).

    • Po
    • August 31, 2016
    Reply

    I never thought of my dog as a picky eater, I guess I never thought dogs could be picky eaters! Someone told me that dogs likes peanut butter but not this Chihuahua aka Sage. She also doesn’t like to drink other people’s water unless it’s from her own bowl or straight out of my own bottle of water. I keep switching dog food on her. Not on purpose but because I think the product is better or healthier. Would anyone recommend a brand? I recently bought Wellness TruFood Baked on Amazon just to try!

    • Gloria
    • August 20, 2016
    Reply

    I feed my 2yr old chi Royal C for adults, he will only eat it with a little water and Cesar, he will not eat it dry.

    • Carlos
    • August 18, 2016
    Reply

    Does anyone have any reviews of Royal Canin Chihuahua food?

      • Cheretta
      • September 5, 2016
      Reply

      My Chi LOVES Royal Canin Chihuahua. We switched to it when our pet store ran out and she handles it very well. In fact, she did not even get an upset stomach from the sudden switch. Seems to have good ingredients on the label. Our Pomeranian loves it, too! LOL We can’t keep her out of it.

        • Mike Pinnington
        • November 12, 2017
        Reply

        Hi Cheretta.
        Theres a very informative website called
        allaboutdog food. Royal Canin is rated as an average food on a few websites I have seen. Its pushed by vets. Some other people have said there dogs wolf down Royal Canin maybe that’s because the ingredients are not meeting the dogs nutritional needs so they need to eat more, just a thought.
        Look at Orijen and Aatu dog foods these seem to have 5 star ratings for ingredients.
        Now the price don’t be put off by the prices because you only have to feed your dog small amounts due to the premium content, they wont need to eat more to get the nutrition they need.

      • alicia
      • September 17, 2016
      Reply

      I currently feed this to my chihuahuas and have for 7 years because this is what the breeder fed them. I’m switching to another brand asap though, as I have done some research and RC contains corn, animal by product and wheat gluten, all of which are recommended to avoid in dog foods. I do have one chi with skin issues and am hoping that switching to better ingredient food may help.

        • Libby Bar
        • July 25, 2017
        Reply

        I had the exact same problem with Royal Canin and even had to take my little Jesse to the pet dermatologist. He told me that it was not enough meat in it and had products that dogs can’t fully Digest. I am beginning to believe that Royal Canin is one of those brands that was designed to be sold by vets for profit. My Jesse is like my baby and I want only the best for him but he does have a very sensitive tummy, and it has been so hard to find the right food

      • Debbie
      • October 25, 2016
      Reply

      First ingredient is corn which is not recommended.

      • Gina
      • May 6, 2018
      Reply

      I have 2 chihuahua I feed my dogs royal. They are so picky. I have to shred up chicken finely mix it together and that’s only way they eat it but again they barely eat the dog food so I leave that for next day. With no chicken.

    • Amanda
    • June 3, 2016
    Reply

    My Chi had dry skin on his belly and I heard that it would help to drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil in his dry food. It worked and he loves it!:)

      • Ladewig
      • August 21, 2016
      Reply

      Chi loves popcorn and will eat anything. Is 5 lbs heavier than when I got him. Don’t know amount to feed on a daily basis

      • Sandy
      • September 30, 2017
      Reply

      I wonder if coconut oil would help??

        • Bailey
        • October 27, 2017
        Reply

        Our puppy, a Chiweenie had severe itchy dermatitis on her belly when we brought her from the rescue. Vet prescribed steroids
        ( would not recommend) which did nothing. Researched the Internet and found coconut oil,was highly successful. Gave 1 teaspoon daily in morning meal and completely cleared up in 8 -10 days with no itching. Now maintain 2-3 times a week with 1 teaspoon. Beautiful coat, no more dermatitis or skin issues for 7 months now. Worked great.

        • Shireen M.
        • February 2, 2018
        Reply

        I have used fish oil for not only my Chi, but also other dogs I’ve had. One of my dogs was so itchy she would pull clumps of her hair out. Fish oil added to her food stopped all of her itching. Also Vitamin E added luster to all of my dogs coats as well

    • Jodik
    • May 6, 2016
    Reply

    I started feeding my Chi Orijen & it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for him. He’s a picky eater, was having tummy issues & had loose stools, but since switching to this amazing grain free brand he’s happier, softer shinier coat & his stools are a solid consistency. His breath even smells better, which tells me his tummy issues are getting better. Honestly, I’m surprised Orijen isn’t on this list. The food is even safe for human consumption (not that I would, but doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know?). Check it out. Especially if you have a Chihuahua. You won’t be disappointed. I can’t say enough about this company & it’s the highest quality of dry dog food available (in my opinion). It’s not cheap, but because it’s packed with so much nutrition you don’t have to feed as much. Best wishes. 😉

    • Marilyn S.
    • April 13, 2016
    Reply

    I have an almost 2 yr old male chihuahua. He’s a picky eater, and will turn down almost any treat, so finding him treats, I usually buy trial sizes. Whatever he doesn’t eat, our chow chow will definitely eat it.
    He is also a picky eater when it comes to dry food. I did have him on blue buffalo, and he wouldn’t eat. When I got him at age 8 months, he was being fed table food and pedigree (bad food). So I had started him on the best kibble I could think of, but he wouldn’t eat. After months of switching foods, he LOVES the wellness trufood for tiny breeds. He will eat and eat and eat. Surprises me that he loves it so much…but he leaves the dried green beans at the bottom LOL!
    I also supplement his diet with Merrick small breed canned food, and he gets raw chicken and chicken liver once a week. He has his own area in our fridge and freezer lol.

    • Aria
    • April 6, 2016
    Reply

    Is diamond any good ?

    • Karen OBrien
    • March 29, 2016
    Reply

    Wellnes, Eukanuba, and homemade, baked or boiled chicken with carrots. I got my picky girl to eat dry food by adding water down gravy. Warm. Drizzle over dry food slowly less and less. I also brought her bowl with my dinner so she thought it was my food. Took some time and patience. She still turns her nose up. But I add warm water and she gets chicken bites if she eats her food. She eats. My vet says chicken breast and carrots, with rice is perfectly fine.

      • Linda J
      • June 3, 2016
      Reply

      I am having trouble with my chihuahua Arney eating. I have tried recommended food (C—r) by the previous owners, and table food too. He eats the food for a couple of times then he stop. I enjoy selecting different flavors of C—r so he want get bored and so I will have a variety of flavors for him to eat. His favorites have been duck and juicy beef but now he will not eat those. He goes for days not eating much of anything. I am at my wit’s end. Is this a characteristic found in Chihuahuas? HELP!

        • sharron
        • June 14, 2016
        Reply

        Hi Linda – yes it goes along with being a chihuahua.
        i have a yorkie/chihuahua X and both of these breeds are
        picky – i have mine on Acana and feed her a different formula every meal to keep her interested – she did go 2 days without eating and her blood sugar dropped, brought up yellow bile, but would she give in and eat? heavens no!! – we are doing much better now.

          • Libby Bar
          • July 25, 2017
          Reply

          Is very scary to me when they don’t eat because my little guy can go two days without eating and it is very frightening. A few bets have told me that it is because we consider these dogs almost as if they are human children, but that they can go for days without eating so they can heal themselves. I cannot tell you how much food I have given away or thrown out because my dog would not eat it or got sick from it.

        • Mark
        • August 9, 2016
        Reply

        Hi Linda,

        I am taking care of two chihuahuas and they are being fed Happy Hips which they like a lot. I try to feed them 3-4 times a day but small meals. Also, I have given them shredded salmon and chicken.

        I found out tonight that watermelon is good as long as you make sure there are no seeds or buy seedless. The little guy loved it and the other bigger one who eats almost everything, passed on it. Nice little treat and healthy. They loved bacon but that’s just my direct experience as far as feeding goes. Hope that helps.

    • Mr Big Time Gambla
    • March 4, 2016
    Reply

    Give them a hot dog or chicken. They love that.

      • Donna
      • November 23, 2016
      Reply

      For goodness sake and the sake of your Chi, please do not feed them hot dogs. There is way too much sodium in the dogs for humans so you know it is not good for Chi’s because they have sensitive stomachs. And, they have lots of fat added to them also, which no dog needs.
      I make my SweetiePie’s food. using ground meat 85% lean, sweet potato, veggies like broccoli, spinach, green peas, whatever I have on hand, carrots, and believe it or not pasta such as egg noodles. I make it like a meat loaf and sometimes I put fully boiled eggs in the center of the meat loaf. She loves most of it and what she does not like she spits it out (which is not much). She also loves blueberries, apples (peeled) and she likes oranges but not in the meat loaf! Hope this helps. You can also make this with chicken that you have cooked and shredded up into smaller pieces. She likes that one also. I don’t mind cooking for her as I live alone and just use some of her meats for my meal. (I just keep enough out for me to eat and then proceed to make her food)

        • Bev
        • June 30, 2017
        Reply

        I want to say thank you for what you wrote up my teacup Chihuahua is a very picky little girl I have fed her a lot of different foods and treats and she had no interest in it I cut up the apples peeled it she loved it and so now I’m gonna go try the meatloaf I’ll update you on that but loves apples n I think she’s gonna love her meat loaf she was losing a lot of weight so I had to find the site and I think you say my little one thank you

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