10 Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas [2023]

It’s not too hard to take care of Chihuahuas, but you need to feed them the right dog food. They don’t need a lot of food, but you have to make sure that you give them the best dog food for Chihuahuas. High-quality food helps to fuel their energy.

Feed your Chihuahuas the best food that you can find in the market and they will surely live a healthy life for a long time. Let’s check out some of the things that your Chihuahuas need on their food as well as the top dog foods that you can feed them. Here are the links directly to products if you are in a hurry:

1. Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food
2. Taste Of The Wild Roasted Fowl High Protein Real Meat Recipes Premium Dry Dog Food
3. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Small Breed Wet Dog Food
4. Merrick Puppy Dry Dog Food With Real Meat
5. Nulo Limited Ingredient Small Breed Dry Dog Food
6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog
7. Fromm Gold Adult Dog Food Small Breed
8. Wellness Core Dry Dog Food Small Breed
9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food
10. CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Dry Dog Food

A Little Something about Chihuahuas

Before we go to the main purpose of this article, let’s have a quick discussion about Chihuahuas and their overall health. Basically, these dogs are very healthy and like most small breeds, they can also have extremely long lives. They can live healthily for over 15 years.

For dog lovers, this is great news because a healthy dog is always the preference of most people, but there is a challenge. Since they have long lives, they are more susceptible to lifestyle-related issues. What does it mean?

Chihuahuas are more prone to certain conditions like diabetes, obesity, and arthritis so if you won’t pay attention to their diet, the chances of developing this kind of problem are high. Well, other breeds with shorter lifespans don’t suffer from them so if you have a Chihuahua, you have to be careful about what to feed them.

What to Look for in a Chihuahua Food?

When you have a Chihuahua, it means that you will have to put extra effort into finding the right diet for them. Choosing a dog food for them is extremely challenging so you need to know what to look for before you make a decision.

1. Strict Quality Control Standards

Look for dog foods that are made from countries with very strict quality control standards. We are not saying that other countries might add toxic ingredients to the food, but this is something that you need to think about before buying any dog food for them.

Although Chihuahuas are healthy dogs, they might easily get sick if they accidentally eat toxic ingredients from the dog food. Make sure that you check the labels first and see the ingredients. You have to be sure that there are no preservatives added as it may shorten the lifespan of your dog.

2. Choose Smaller Kibble

If you are buying dog foods, do not buy dog foods with large kibbles. This is a very important thing as it might choke your dogs. They will have a hard time eating the dog food and they would also have problems with digestion.

There are a lot of dog formulas made for smaller breeds and they usually contain a lot of nutrients made specifically for small breeds. Chihuahuas are not really picky when it comes to food and as long as the dog food is palatable, they will eat it. This is also the reason why you should only feed them smaller kibbles.

3. Meat should be the First Ingredient

If you have been a dog owner for a very long time, no matter what breed of dog you have, you should always look for dog foods with meat as the first ingredient. Dogs are omnivores, but they prefer eating meat because it contains protein that would help with their growth and development.

Even for Chihuahuas, meat should be the first ingredient. Chihuahuas might be small, but they came from wolves so they prefer eating meat.

Meat is a good first ingredient, but dog food should also contain other ingredients that would make the food balance.

4. Look for Foods without Artificial Flavors and Additives

We all know that dogs should not take artificial flavors or any form of additives. This is the reason why some people prefer to give human food to their dogs. However, giving them human food is causing more harm than good as these foods also contain additives and artificial flavors.

It is better to look for dog foods that don’t have any artificial flavors and they should not have any additives. This is to make sure that your dogs will not have any health issues later on.

5. Avoid Dog Foods with “Meat Meal”

It is true that meat meals or meat by-products are not really bad ingredients when it comes to dog foods, but they are considered as “mystery meat”. You don’t have any idea what type of meat is used for it.

If you are going to look for dog foods, make sure that they are properly labeled. You will see in the ingredients list it is a chicken meal, beef meal, and more. There is a difference between a labeled meal to a mystery meal. At least, you have an idea of what your Chihuahuas are ingesting.

6. Fatty Acids are Important

Chihuahuas are very susceptible to food allergies and other skin conditions so you need to make sure that the food that they are eating is filled with fatty acids. Well, not all dog foods contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids so you need to be extremely careful when choosing.

Check the ingredients carefully and only buy dog foods with fatty acids as it would provide the protection that your dogs need against food allergies and skin conditions.

Top 5 Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas

Now that you know what to look for in dog food for your Chihuahuas, the next thing to consider would be the best dog foods in the market right now. You can check each of the dog food brands that would be mentioned below and check out the list that we mentioned above. Here are some of the best dog foods made for Chihuahuas.

1. Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Nature’s Recipe is a brand that has been in the pet food industry for over 35 years manufacturing high-quality dog food. And one of their products is this grain-free recipe tailored for small dog breeds. This is one of the best dog food for Chihuahuas.

So what’s great about this food for adult dogs? As the best dog food for Chihuahuas, this recipe has real chicken as the first ingredient. This chicken provides healthy proteins to keep your Chihuahua’s muscles healthy and strong.

Grains, meat by-products, and other filler ingredients are locked out, ensuring your Chihuahua consumes a complete and balanced diet.

There are also guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorous that keep your pup’s bones strong and healthy. Moreover, the included fiber will be vital in supporting your dog’s digestion system.

After consuming this best dog food for Chihuahuas, your pup will now have consistent bowels, unlike before.

The small kibble size on this drool-worthy recipe is a guarantee that your pup will not find it hard to pick and chew it up.

Most dog parents who have started their adult dogs on this recipe say they have seen a significant improvement. However, some say they found clumps in this grain-free recipe.

First five ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, Garbanzo beans, peas, pea starch

Pros

• Dog food with easy to digest proteins
• A grain-free recipe
• Enriched with sweet potato and pumpkin rich sources of nutrients

Cons

• Pets allergic to chicken may develop diarrhea

 

2. Taste Of The Wild Roasted Fowl High Protein Real Meat Recipes Premium Dry Dog Food

Your thin Chihuahua will need a high-protein recipe for him to attain a healthy weight in no time. And one such recipe with high protein content is this one from the Taste of the Wild.

So is this recipe worth the hype? Let’s have a look. This Chihuahua dog food comprises roasted quail, roasted duck, and smoked turkey.  All these are digestible sources of proteins to see your pet gain more muscle mass.

Besides that, this recipe has a welcoming flavor and aroma that your picky Chihuahua will find irresistible.

Blueberries, raspberries, and vegetables in this recipe provide the necessary antioxidants needed to support your dog’s immunity. The proprietary k9 strain probiotics added to this recipe help the overall digestive health of your Chihuahua.

These probiotics enhance the absorption of crucial nutrients and support the overall tummy health of your dog.

This Chihuahua dog food contains omega fatty acids that nourish the coat health of your dog.

Overall, dog parents like that this recipe has no grains. However, some dog parents complain that their dog started developing poorly formed poop after consuming this recipe.

First five ingredients: duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas

Pros

• Enriched with a trio of proteins
• No grains included
• Enriched with blueberries and raspberries, sources of antioxidants
• With omega fatty acids to support coat health of your dog

Cons

• Some dogs may develop diarrheas or loose stool because of high protein content

 

3. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Small Breed Wet Dog Food

Blue Buffalo is a household name in the dog food industry. And one of their formulas is this wet dog food for small adult dogs. So what makes this recipe one of the best dog food for Chihuahuas?

This wet dog food for Chihuahuas uses real chicken, an animal protein, as the first ingredient to support your dog’s muscles and overall growth.

Above all, the ingredients here are natural and easily digestible, providing your pet’s necessary nutrients.

Moreover, the tail-wagging taste here is one that your picky Chihuahua will find irresistible. You all know how Chihuahuas can be finicky.

The exclusion of chicken by-products, corns, or artificial flavors makes this recipe one of the best dog food for Chihuahuas. After consuming this recipe, your dog will not develop gas or have irregular bowel movements.

When it comes to mealtime, you can serve this wet dog food as a complete meal. You can even mix it with kibble to enhance palatability.

So what do dog parents like or dislike about this grain-free recipe? Some dog parents say the smell here is okay. However, an emphasis on quality control is needed. Some dog parents complain that they received cans that were either ¾ full or some halfway full.

Some also received the food in dented cans. Probably the damage occurs during shipping.

First five ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, carrots, peas, brown rice

Pros

• Enriched with real animal protein
• Made with natural ingredients
• No grains

Cons

• Some dog parts received this canned dog food in dented cans

 

4. Merrick Puppy Dry Dog Food With Real Meat

Do you want to start your puppy on a healthy diet that will see him grow into an energetic and healthy Chihuahua? Then here is one of the best Chihuahua puppy food that will meet your dog’s nutritional needs.

So, what all about this best dry dog food for Chihuahuas?

This dry dog food for Chihuahua puppies has beef as the first ingredient. This healthy, digestible proteins source ensures your pup’s muscles are lean and strong.

This recipe made with real whole foods has healthy carbs that are easy to digest for your sensitive Chihuahua stomach.

Moreover, the ingredients on this recipe are from certified and trusted farmers, ensuring your pup consumes a healthy and nutrient-dense recipe.

The glucosamine and chondroitin laced in this recipe make the joint of your Chihuahua puppies healthy and strong.

Whitefish meal in this recipe provides omega fatty crucial for your dog’s coat health.

And like any other best dog food for Chihuahua puppies, this recipe has well-sized kibbles tailored for small jaws.

Such a small size makes pick up and chewing easy for your Chihuahua puppy.

Overall this recipe has lots of positive compliments from dog owners. Some dog parents say this dog food has been gentle on their dogs with food allergies.

However, some dog parents still complain that their dogs developed loose stool after consuming this recipe.

First five ingredients: deboned beef, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, white fish meal

Pros

• Fortified with omega 3 and omega 6
• Enhanced with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Small-sized pellets

Cons

• Some dog owners complain their dogs develop diarrhea after consuming this recipe

 

5. Nulo Limited Ingredient Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Are you thinking of starting your dog on a limited ingredient recipe? Here’s a recipe that should be your top choice—the Nulo Limited Ingredient Small Breed Dry Dog Food.

Per your preference, you can either give your dog the turkey or salmon recipe.

Whichever you choose, your Chihuahua pup will get a high-quality protein recipe beneficial in keeping muscles strong.

This recipe comes in various packing. If you have one Chihuahua, you can choose the 4 pounds bag. However, if you have many Chihuahuas, you can choose the 10 or 22 pounds size.

Away from that, this recipe is laced with probiotics effective in controlling allergy symptoms. Moreover, these probiotics keep your dog’s digestive system healthy.

This best dog food for Chihuahuas contains omega 3 fatty acids that give your pup healthy skin.  Whereas the l –carnitine here enhances metabolism ensuring your dog is at a healthy weight.

This grain-free recipe that utilizes animal proteins has a small kibble size that promotes proper chewing.

Most dog parents who have started their adult dogs on this recipe say their dogs now are eliminating uniformly. Others say their dog’s allergies have decreased. The only concern is that the shelf life for this recipe is short.

First five ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken pea, canola oil, sweet potatoes,

Pros

• A limited ingredient recipe with single animal protein
• Features probiotics
• Small kibble size

Cons

• Short shelf life

 

6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog

When you are looking for the best dog food formula for your Chihuahua, Blue Buffalo has the best product for you.

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog is currently one of the most popular dog food brands that you can buy for your Chihuahua.

It contains all the necessary nutrients that your dog needs including essential fatty acids. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and it is also fortified with probiotics.

The first two ingredients listed are deboned chicken and chicken meal so you are guaranteed a protein-packed dog food for your Chihuahua.

Just this alone makes this brand one of your best options. It contains essential fatty acids and it contains enough protein to help keep your dogs active and healthy.

Also, made from fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vegetables that would help support the immune system of your Chihuahuas and includes glucosamine that will help keep your joints healthy. The best thing about this is that this dog food is extremely palatable. Even if your Chihuahuas are picky eaters, they will surely love this amazing dog food.

 

7. Fromm Gold Adult Dog Food Small Breed

Fromm has created a lot of high-quality dog foods and their Fromm Gold Adult Dog Food Small Breed is one of the best for adult small dog breeds.

If you have an adult Chihuahua, this is your best choice when it comes to dog foods because it has the right amount of nutrients and minerals that your small dog needs. Chihuahuas love the taste as well so Chihuahua owners are buying this.

It is a great choice because the first ingredient is Chicken and it also contains salmon oil and menhaden fish meal that would provide Omega-3 fatty acids.

Knowing what type of meal is included can help you have some idea of what nutrients it has. You can search about menhaden fish and see what nutrients it contains.

The dog food formula also includes lamb and duck to add more protein and flavor to the dog food. All of the ingredients were also inspected by the USDA so they are safe for consumption.

If you are looking for an affordable dog food formula for your Chihuahua, this is your best option.

 

8. Wellness Core Dry Dog Food Small Breed

What makes good dog food for small breeds? Aside from having small kibbles, do you have any idea what to look for? Your dog food should always be grain-free.

Although there are a lot of dog food formulas with grains, a grain-free diet is always a better choice because it is focused on protein and other essential nutrients.

Wellness Core Dry Dog Food Small Breed is a grain-free dog food formula that is very popular for people with Chihuahuas.

It does not have any soy, corn, wheat, and other artificial flavors and colorings so it is perfectly safe for your dogs. This dog food formula is made precisely from high-quality all-natural ingredients so your dogs will surely love them.

The best thing about this dog food formula is that it is fortified with omega fatty acids and antioxidants that would keep your pet Chihuahuas healthy.

The price is also not too high so if you think that you want something that is very affordable; this is also a good option.

 

9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food

You don’t need to look elsewhere because Blue Buffalo made another dry dog food that will surely appeal to all of the dog owners out there with small breed dogs.

If you have a Chihuahua, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food is your best bet because it is made from real beef.

The Rocky Mountains recipe is a high protein dog food formula that is chicken free. It is a premium blend that contains red meat to satisfy the wild side of your dogs.

Well, Chihuahuas are not wild dogs, but they do have their wild side sometimes and it is a good source of protein and energy.

This is also a grain-free dog formula that only includes ingredients that would benefit your dogs. It also has the exclusive LifeSource Bits from BLUE, which is a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

It is formulated to provide the needs of your small dogs and to make sure that they can get the nutrients that they need to grow healthy.

 

10. CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Dry Dog Food

CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Dry Dog Food became popular for dog owners because of its 10 ingredients or less dog formula. It means that it only has limited ingredients and it is made from 7 to 10 real foods.

It means that no preservatives or other additives added and all of these ingredients can provide the vitamins and minerals that your dog needs.

This grain-free dog formula is also a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Not all Chihuahuas suffer from sensitive stomachs, but if your dog is dealing with this kind of problem, this dog formula is your best choice. It doesn’t have any corn, soy or wheat.

Probiotics are also added in every bite and it can help with the healthy digestion of your dogs. It also contains antioxidants that can support the immune system of your dogs and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to deal with skin and coat issues. It comes with 6 different proteins like lamb, salmon, boar, bison, duck, and chicken.

 

FAQ’S

What Food Is Recommended For Chihuahuas?

What’s the best dog food for Chihuahuas? I know you’ve read lots of blogs and journals. And you’ve found no clear answer after all.

As you are aware, the diet you give your Chihuahua can affect its current and future health status. So giving your Chihuahua any dog food is never a choice.

Even though this is a toy breed, you should concentrate on giving it high-quality dog food to nourish it. This high-quality diet should consist of healthy protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fatty acids sources.

When looking for the best dog food for Chihuahuas, consider a recipe with real whole meat protein as the first ingredient. However, avoid brands that don’t label the source of this meat. Some don’t include the source; instead add inferior sources of proteins like rendered meat or meat by-products.

A diet with carbohydrates is beneficial for your Chihuahua!  Even though your dog will get nutrients from fats and proteins, it still needs a small fraction of carbs in its diet. These carbohydrates can be categorized into two, complex and simple carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are digested faster, providing short-term energy.  The other form is complex carbohydrates.  These carbohydrates are slowly digested by the dog’s digestive system, providing energy slowly for a prolonged duration.

Sources of complex carbohydrates included whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

When it comes to Chihuahuas and other toy breeds, they should consume a diet with these complex carbohydrates.

With them at risk of being hypoglycemic, complex carbs ensure a steady flow of glucose in the body, unlike when on simple carbs.

The kibble size is also crucial. Most vets recommend the recipe you give your Chihuahua to have small-sized pellets. Like other toy breeds, you don’t expect a Chihuahua to gobble up humongous kibbles. The best dog food for Chihuahuas will have small-sized kibble that will promote pick up and chewing.

What Food Is Bad For Chihuahuas?

Understanding what’s right or wrong for your Chihuahua to consume is crucial. This section highlights some of these Chihuahua dog foods that can be toxic to your furry friend.

Fatty food – The high-fat content in foods like pizza or fries may lead to obesity and pancreatitis.

Coffee – Feel like sharing that cup of coffee with your dog? Don’t do it. The reason is coffee has caffeine, a stimulant that is harmful to Chihuahuas.  Like all dogs, Chihuahuas find it hard to metabolize caffeine which leads up to increased toxicity.

Garlic – Garlic, a member of the allium member, has thiosulfate, which is toxic to Chihuahua. This thiosulfate can severely destroy your Chihuahua red blood cells.

Cat food – It may seem good intentioned to give your Chihuahua your cat’s food; however, it’s not right. Cat food contains high protein and fat content higher than that of Chihuahua dog foods. Thus your Chihuahua may find cat food too cumbersome to digest.

Spoiled food – Spoiled food contains mycotoxins that can bring up stomach issues.

Grapes – Keep all grapes away from your Chihuahua as they are harmful. Grapes can lead up to kidney failure

Do Chihuahuas Need A Special Diet?

The American Kennel Club states that the Chihuahua is a tiny breed that should not weigh more than 6 pounds. With its small size and tinny tummy, one may think it requires a special diet.

Worth noting, Chihuahuas don’t need any special diet. All they need is a complete and balanced diet that will provide enough calories to sustain them daily.

However, all this is determined by the dog’s activity level, metabolism, and age. You see, puppies, adults, and senior Chihuahuas have different nutritional requirements. All the products on this list will also work for other small breeds like Bichon dogs.

For example, puppies will need a high protein recipe crucial in supporting their growth. In comparison, adult dogs will need a maintenance diet with balanced proteins, low-fat content, and low carbs.

Lastly, senior Chihuahuas may need a healthy diet comprising high protein and fats to help salvage the wasting muscles.

The energy levels of your Chihuahua will be crucial. For example, active Chihuahuas will need high-calorie content compared to sedentary Chihuahuas. This is because active Chihuahuas spend lots of energy to move all over compared to couch potato dogs.

With that, if you have a very active Chihuahua, you may look for a specialized diet tailored for active dogs.

Is Wet Food Or Dry Food Better For Chihuahuas?

Chihuahuas can thrive on wet or dry dog food. Some pet parents will prefer dry dog food as its crunchy nature promotes chewing, thus improving digestion.

Also, dry dog food crunchy textures help remove tartar on the gums and teeth. Moreover, dry dog food is economical compared to wet food.

For example, dry dog food contains high-calorie content per cup compared to wet food.  Thus you will need to serve your dog a small portion of dry food to supply the required calories compared to when your dog is on wet food. Dry dog food is also easier to take with you and put in your dog purse when going out with your pet.

Wet food packs lots of benefits too. First, wet food has an appealing taste as compared to dry dog food. Consequently, wet food’s high moisture content makes it’s a great hydrating option for your Chihuahua puppy who dislikes drinking water.

Now on to the main question. Which is the best dog food for Chihuahuas?  Do you give your Chihuahua wet or dry dog? Well, none is right or wrong. The key thing is that the type of diet you settle on should support your dog’s nutritional needs without causing health issues.

Now you can get the best dog food for Chihuahuas

You do not have to spend a lot of time searching for the best dog food for your Chihuahua because this article already provided all the necessary information that you need. As long as you check the ingredients of the dog food, you can guarantee that your dogs will always stay healthy and live for a long time.

Checking the brand is very important because a trusted brand will always guarantee that the dog food would be made from the best quality ingredients. For Chihuahuas, you need to be sure that the ingredients of the dog food are made from high-quality meat.