Diets of Chihuahuas

The high-energy, intelligent Chihuahua is a well-known breed that can live as long as 15 years. Healthy Chihuahuas are sturdy and robust, but the breed is susceptible to a number of serious health disorders, some of which can be brought about by overfeeding or improper diet.

  1. Feeding Chihuahua Puppies

    • Due to their small frames and high energy, Chihuahua puppies under the age of 1 year are at high risk of developing hypoglycemia if deprived of food for more than four hours. Feed your puppy about a half cup of high-quality puppy food at each meal to start and observe how much of it is consumed to gauge how much to feed your puppy going forward. Owners who are out during the day should leave dry food out for Chihuahua puppies to eat at will. Make sure the size of the kibble is small enough for a Chihuahua puppy's small jaws.

    Protein

    • Adult Chihuahuas should be fed high-quality, high-protein dog food once a day, although some dogs can be fed twice a day depending on the dog's eating habits and your veterinarian's recommendations. Dogs need protein to help them develop strong bones, teeth and muscles. Either dry or canned food is fine as long as the first few ingredients listed on the label are meat or meat-based. Avoid semi-moist dog food as it tends to be high in sugar.

    Risks of Obesity

    • For the sake of the small and cuddly Chihuahua's health, spoil it with love, not with food. The American Kennel Club considers 6 lbs. to be the maximum weight for a healthy adult dog of this breed. Chubby Chihuahuas are subject to joint injuries, bronchitis, arthritis, heart disease and possibly shorter life spans from obesity-related illnesses.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Resist the urge to feed a Chihuahua table scraps. Onions and garlic are highly toxic to this breed. In fact, a 4-lbs. Chihuahua can suffer anemia or even death from eating an onion. Most people know that chocolate is unhealthy for dogs, but the danger is even greater in the tiny Chihuahua. Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that can kill or severely compromise the dog's health. Theobromine metabolizes very slowly in dogs, endangering the Chihuahua's heart and kidneys.