Japanese Chin Dog's Diet

Protein and Healthy Fats

• Protein is the most important part of your Japanese Chin's diet. Protein helps to build cells and tissue as well as provide energy. The best protein sources for your dog are real meat proteins, such as chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef. Fish and eggs also are good sources of protein but avoid feeding your dog raw eggs since they may contain bacteria that can be harmful to its health. Healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are also an essential source of energy. These fats can also be found in fish.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are another source of energy for Japanese Chin. They also promote a healthy digestive system, especially carbohydrates that contain fiber. A Japanese Chin's diet should contain fewer carbohydrates than proteins and fats, however. Cooked potatoes, beet pulp, rice, corn and wheat are all foods that your dog can eat to get its share of carbohydrates. These foods are also commonly found in commercially prepared dog food. Some Japanese Chin may have an allergic reaction to wheat, however, so watch your dog carefully the first time you feed it food containing wheat products.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Your Japanese Chin also requires vitamins and minerals; they're essential for the dog's metabolism to function properly. The little dog cannot create minerals -- such as calcium, which is essential for bone and tooth health -- on its own, so you must include them in your pet's diet. In most cases, Japanese Chin dogs must absorb vitamins from their food.

Commercial Food

• You might choose to feed your Japanese Chin commercially prepared dog food. In most cases, a high-quality dry dog kibble can provide the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that your dog needs. Check the package to see whether a real source of protein -- such as chicken, beef, etc. -- is listed as the first ingredient. If it is, it's the main ingredient in the food. Also look for other ingredients, such as carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Buy food that's formulated for a small breed of dog. Food for large-breed dogs will be difficult for your Japanese Chin to chew and will contain much higher amounts of each nutrient than your small dog needs to stay healthy.

Homemade Food

• You can also feed your Japanese Chin a homemade, or raw, diet. This will require you to grind meats, carbohydrates and other food ingredients to give your pet a balanced diet. Never switch to a homemade diet without first talking to your veterinarian. He or she can help you determine what proportions you should include in the food and how much you should feed your dog each day. Japanese Chin can easily become overweight if they're overfed. Your vet can also recommend fruits and vegetables to add to the food to supply vitamins and minerals. Some foods can be harmful to your dog, so don't feed it anything that your vet has not recommended.