Weighing less than six pounds, the Chihuahua is one of the world's smallest dog breeds. Still, if you have one, you know first-hand that these pint-sized pups make up for their small size with boisterous personalities and seemingly boundless energy.
All that spunk doesn’t come out of nowhere; Chihuahuas rely heavily on high-quality ingredients from their food to stay healthy. Unfortunately, because of their small size, they are among the top breeds prone to health issues like obesity and heart conditions. This is why it's so important to choose a food for your Chihuahua that's lower in sodium, fat, and carbs.
There are a lot of other special considerations to keep in mind when choosing a healthy food for your Chihuahua. By knowing what to look for and exploring a few of The Honest Kitchen's best food options, you can confidently pick a food that will support your dog's health and happiness.
Key Characteristics To Look For in Food For Chihuahuas
Small breeds like Chihuahuas don't do well with just any food. Because their bodies (and organs) are so small, it's important that each bite of their food contains the most nutrients to fuel their tiny bodies. As you explore your options for small breed dog food, there are a few things to be on the lookout for.
Choose Smaller Kibble For Easier Chewing
First, consider that Chihuahuas have small mouths with even smaller teeth. Larger kibble can be extremely difficult for them to effectively swallow and digest. Give your pup an easier time and minimize choking hazards by opting for a dog food with a small kibble size that's designed with these breeds in mind.
Look For a High-Quality Animal Protein
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet that consists of 18% protein and 5.5% fat for adult dogs. Therefore, the main ingredient in food for your Chihuahua (or any dog) should be high-quality animal protein.
And because Chihuahuas are already prone to obesity and heart problems, a lean animal protein will contain less fat than other protein sources and thus promote a healthy weight. Common sources of lean animal protein to look for in a food for your Chihuahua include turkey, chicken, fish, and lean beef.
Aside from meat being a great source of protein for dogs, it's also what your Chihuahua craves. As domesticated as your pup may seem, Chihuahuas still evolved from wolves — and they've inherited the same carnivorous appetites of their ancestors.
Select Foods That Don't Contain Additives (Including Artificial Flavoring)
A lot of dog food brands these days rely on artificial flavoring to make their food more appetizing to dogs. This additive is typically sprayed on top of kibble after processing. Other additives like artificial colors and preservatives are also not uncommon.
There's some debate over the safety of certain additives in dog food. Preservatives like BHA and BHT, for example, are known carcinogens to humans that can cause kidney and liver damage. Artificial colors, on the other hand, are believed by many researchers to cause hyperactivity and even anxiety in humans.
While there isn’t definitive research on how these ingredients affect our canine counterparts, we highly suggest opting for foods that avoid these ingredients.
Opt for High Quality Protein
A lean source of animal protein is one of the best things you can feed your Chihuahua. Many dog owners can be misled when they see terms like "meat meal" and "poultry meal" on a bag of dog food.
In reality, these "meals" are made from a variety of rendered meats, tossed in water and cooked down until the water evaporates. From there, a concentrated "meat meal" remains and is baked into kibble.
As you're looking at food options for your Chihuahua, keep an eye out for terms like "meat meal," "poultry meal," and any meat listed as a byproduct (like "chicken by-product meal") or a meal. Instead, favor a food that lists the exact animal source as a main ingredient (such as wild-caught salmon or free-range chicken).
Choose Foods Rich in Omega-3 and Other Fatty Acids
Last but not least, look for dog foods with added fatty acids. Research has shown that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and stabilize blood pressure in dogs. Because inflammation is a major risk factor for heart disease, anything you can do to avoid it with your pet's diet is welcome.
As an added benefit, fatty acids can promote a healthier skin and coat in Chihuahuas — so choosing a food that's high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (as well as DHA) can go a long way.
Some great sources of healthy fatty acids in dog food include:
- Salmon
- Cod
- Ground flaxseed
- Chia seeds
The Honest Kitchen Food Options For Chihuahuas
Finding a quality dog food for your Chihuahua puppy or adult Chihuahua can be difficult, but The Honest Kitchen offers a number of natural dog food options that are ideal for little dogs and their specific nutritional needs.
All of our foods are human grade, meaning they're made with the same quality ingredients (and the same regulatory standards) as the healthy foods you buy for yourself. Whether you're looking for dry dog food or something dehydrated, we've got options to suit your pup at all life stages.
1. Whole Grain Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds
Our Whole Grain Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds is specifically crafted for small dogs, featuring a tiny cluster size that's easy for Chihuahuas to chew.
Developed alongside a veterinary nutritionist, this is a convenient and delicious option that you can feel really good about serving your pup. It's available in one-, four-, and 10-pound bags, so grab one to try today.
Ingredient List
The main ingredients in this dry dog food include:
- Cage-free chicken
- Oats
- Barley
- Chicken liver
- Ground flaxseed
- Eggs
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Apples
Type
This recipe is Whole Grain, with oats as a main ingredient. Whole grains are a great source of carbohydrates for dogs and also contain important B vitamins, magnesium, and fiber to support digestion.
Why It's Great For Chihuahuas
This recipe is ideal for small breeds (including Chihuahua dogs) because it's gently processed into a small kibble size and contains only human grade ingredients with a lean protein source (cage-free chicken) as its first ingredient.
Meanwhile, our Whole Grain Chicken Clusters contain flaxseed and salmon oil, both of which are excellent sources of fatty acids. Dogs also love the delicious flavors of real fruits and veggies in this recipe!
2. Dehydrated Whole Grain Beef
Our Dehydrated Whole Grain Beef recipe is another great option for your Chihuahua and can be a great alternative to wet dog food. With this recipe, all you need to do is stir in a small amount of warm water for your dog's serving and wait three minutes to achieve a meal that looks homemade!
This recipe is available in sizes ranging from individual 1.5-ounce sample portions to 10-pound boxes (that rehydrate to 40-pounds of homemade food), so pick one up for your pup to try today.
Ingredient List
The main ingredients in our Dehydrated Whole Grain Beef recipe include:
- Ranch-raised, dehydrated beef
- Organic oats
- Organic barley
- Flaxseed
- Dehydrated potatoes, carrots, and eggs
- Dried apples, parsley, cranberries, and spinach
Type
Like our Chicken Clusters recipe, this food is whole grain. It includes organic oats and barley (an ancient grain) as some of its main ingredients, which are great sources of healthy carbohydrates.
Why It's Great For Chihuahuas
Dogs (even small breeds) naturally crave beef, but Chihuahua owners need to be careful here because not all beef is lean; too much fat can be dangerous for a toy breed. This recipe boasts ranch-raised, lean beef that allows your pup to indulge in that craving while enjoying other quality ingredients that may help support their health and wellness.
Flaxseed, for example, is an excellent source of fatty acids that support heart health. Meanwhile, this human grade recipe contains only what your pup needs and nothing that they don't.
3. Limited Ingredient Fish
If you're looking for the best dog food or puppy food for your Chihuahua that contains lean fish as its first ingredient, our Limited Ingredient Fish Dehydrated Dog Food is a great option. With organic and wild-caught white fish as its main ingredient, this delicious and human grade recipe is gently dehydrated to maintain nutrients and maximize flavor (while tempting even picky eaters).
Grab a four- or 10-pound box to try with your pup today and see the difference for yourself.
Ingredient List
The main ingredients in this recipe include:
- Wild-caught white fish
- Dried organic coconut
- Dried chickpeas
- Dehydrated pumpkin, celery, and spinach
Type
This limited-ingredient recipe is made with one quality protein source and one quality carbohydrate source, making it a great choice for dogs who are prone to food sensitivities or allergies. Likewise, this is a grain-free recipe, which may be more easily digestible for small dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Why It's Great For Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas need high-quality protein in their diets, and this recipe showcases wild-caught white fish as its main ingredient. White fish is an extremely lean protein source that provides a great taste, while added fish oil delivers the fatty acids small-breed dogs need.
Plus, a little bit of this dehydrated food goes a long way with a toy breed. Depending on your pup's appetite and activity level, a four-pound box of our dehydrated dog food can last up to 64 days!
4. Whole Grain Turkey
Like all food from The Honest Kitchen, our Whole Grain Dehydrated Turkey recipe contains no rendered meats, artificial preservatives or flavors, GMO ingredients, feed-grade ingredients, fillers, or by-products.
Instead, its human grade ingredients are gently dehydrated and packaged for your convenience. Simply add water, wait a few minutes, and serve with love! Grab individual portions or bags ranging from two to 10 pounds and treat your dog to cage-free turkey as the first ingredient.
Ingredient List
The main items in this dehydrated dog food include:
- Cage-free, dehydrated turkey
- Organic oats
- Dehydrated potatoes
- Flaxseed
- Dehydrated carrots, cabbage, apples, and honey
- Dried kelp and garlic
Type
This recipe is whole grain, with organic oats as a main ingredient. Whole grains are an excellent source of carbohydrates for dogs and also contain important B vitamins, magnesium, and fiber to aid in digestion.
Why It's Great For Chihuahuas
Aside from its tantalizing flavors, Chihuahuas love our Whole Grain Turkey recipe because a lean and low-fat animal protein is its first ingredient. From there, flaxseed provides fatty acids.
And because this recipe is dehydrated, it's easy for even the smallest of dogs to eat and enjoy. No crunchy kibbles here!
Try an Honest Kitchen Diet For Your Chihuahua
There's a lot to think about when choosing a food for your Chihuahua — and with so many pet food brands out there, finding the right recipe can feel overwhelming.
At The Honest Kitchen, we make choosing quality, human grade food easier than ever. With small kibble sizes for dry food and plenty of dehydrated and wet dog food options to choose from, we offer plenty of products to support the unique nutritional needs of Chihuahuas at all life stages, from small-breed puppy to small-breed senior.
Check out our Chihuahua testimonials from real pet owners to learn more about the difference our food has made in the lives of dogs just like yours.
From there, shop our selection of food for small dogs and treat your Chihuahua to the quality ingredients and delicious flavors they deserve!
