What is the best dog food for Chihuahuas?
I have tested top market products and found Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food to be the best dog food for Chihuahuas overall.
The tiniest of canine community Chihuahuas are bellowed pets for many families in the USA. They might be small but has a prominent personality and are loyal to their owners.
The type of food that your Chihuahua eats directly connects to his health. Providing your pet with quality food can prevent a wide range of health issues.
Additionally, a healthy diet can help to extend your dog’s lifespan.
Chihuahuas has one of the longest life spans of up to 15 years.
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas
Because different life stages lead to different needs for your pup, we select the best dog food for Chihuahuas, from when they are puppies to when entering old age. Have a look!
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Overall)
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Chickpea & Pumpkin Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Puppy Formula)
Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Adult Formula)
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Senior Formula)
Nulo Freestyle Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed & Puppy Canned Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Wet Formula)
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Review
All best dog food for Chihuahuas included in this list is within the standard of AAFCO and AAHA guidelines. It is advisable to speak with your dog’s veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Overall
Top 5 ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
Key Features
No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 26.0% min, Crude Fat 15.0% min, Crude Fiber 4.0% max, Moisture 10.0% max
Calories
397 kcal/cup
Perfect for
Overall
The Benefits
- High-quality protein for healthy muscle development.
- Carbohydrates for energy.
- Unique “small breed” kibble for smaller jaws that promotes tartar removal.
- Glucosamine for joint health and mobility
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
- Vitamins, chelated minerals and antioxidants for immune system health.
- No chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.
Customer review
My little guy can be picky. I like to change his food now and then for variety. He took to this food the first time I offered it to him.
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Chickpea & Pumpkin Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Puppy Formula
Top 5 ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Pea Protein
Key Features
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 30.0% min, Crude Fat 18.0% min, Crude Fiber 4.0% max,
Moisture 10.0% max
Calories
450 kcal/cup
Perfect for
Puppies
The Benefits
- They are specially crafted for toy and small breed dogs with smaller kibble pieces.
- Features probiotic support for your furry friend’s gut health.
- 100% free from grains and gluten.
- Meat protein source supports overall digestive health and is excellent for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Customer Reviews
Meeyah, Read More
“My puppy loved it! No problem changing my dog’s food or adapting to it.”
Cassondra, Read More
I have inherited a dog that has never eaten dog food in his life. He was always given table scraps. I was worried he would not eat it, and the vet said he needed to be on dog food.
I put this in his bowl, and at first, he was extremely hesitant, but I pretended like it was a treat, and he ate it! Now he does this cute little dance every time I go near the bag.
Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Adult Formula
Top 5 ingredients
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Rice Bran
Key Features
Digestive Health, Skin & Coat Health, No GMO
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 22.0% min, Crude Fat 14.0% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% max,
Moisture 10.0% max
Calories
341 kcal/cup
Perfect for
Adults
The Benefits
- High-quality lamb protein for lean muscles and bone health.
- Non-GMO ingredients.
- No chicken by-product meal.
- Essential antioxidants to support the immune system.
- Natural fiber to support digestion.
- Small-sized kibble is excellent for dogs who prefer petite bites.
- One year and older.
Customer reviews
BonB, Read More
“Trying to wean my dogs off chicken which seems to make them itch. Both like this lamb and rice kibble. No trouble with the switch.”
RedZebra66, Read More
This is the best dog food I’ve ever used. She doesn’t eat as much & is in better shape. My dog’s bad breath went away since I changed dog food.
I can tell she feels better. Her stools are solid & not runny, so they’re easy to clean up. I’ve bragged about it so much that my friends with dogs & cats have switched to it.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas Senior Formula
Top 5 ingredients
Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal
Key Features
High-Protein, Weight Control
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 29.0% min, Crude Fat 16.0% min, Crude Fiber 3.0%, Moisture 12.0%
Calories
487 kcal/cup
Perfect for
Seniors
The Benefits
- Live probiotics for digestive and immune health.
- Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals to maintain strong bones and teeth.
- Brain function supporting nutrients including arginine, DHA, and EPA and enhanced botanical oils.
- Developed to help maintain ideal body condition with a great protein-to-fat ratio.
Customer Reviews
Scooter, Read More
“Very pleased with the Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ I purchased. Our little guy loves it, and we can see a difference in his energy. Has helped greatly with his stomach issues as well.”
StitchMom, Read More
I’m not a fan of Purina products; they contain too much corn and too many unnecessary ingredients. I’m a raw-food, highest-quality kibble you can buy or make-my-own-food dog mom.
But when my Stitch developed canine cognitive dysfunction, and several people told me they swear that Bright Mind helps their dogs, I tried it. And it does help. Stitch can eat it for one thing. One of CCD’s nasty results is his inability to pick up and hold most food in his mouth. But the tiny pieces of kibble are easy for him to pick up from a towel, chew and swallow.
And since he’s been on it, the CCD doesn’t seem to have him in as tight a grip as it did. Oh, it’s still there, but he relaxes more easily and falls asleep much more quickly at night (like many CCD dogs, that’s his rough time). So, yeah, I believe it helps. And I’m eternally grateful for it.
Nulo Freestyle Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed & Puppy Canned Dog Food
Best Dog Foof For Chihuahuas Wet Formula
Top 5 ingredients
Duck, Duck Broth, Turkey Liver, Chickpeas, Dicalcium Phosphate
Key Features
Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten Free, High-Protein, Low Glycemic, Chicken-Free
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 10.5% min, Crude Fat 8.0% min, Crude Fiber 1.5% max, Moisture 78.0% max
Calories
223 kcal/can
Perfect for
Adults
The Benefits
- Comes in smaller tinned portions sizes for small breed dogs.
- L-carnitine supports the metabolisms of fats for healthy weight.
- A real duck naturally contains amino acids to support a healthy heart and lean muscle mass.
- Pea fiber and inulin work together to support a healthy digestive system.
- It is made without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
Customer reviews
FiFi, Read More
“I have a new puppy and had to find food that both small dogs (adult and puppy) can eat. I wanted the best quality food, and someone told me that good food and water bottle should help their eye discharge (they both have stains around their eyes).
So I am combining this wet food with Nulo dry food. They like it. I need more time to see eye results. So far, so good.”
Terry, Read More
After preparing my food for my 8-year-old peekapoo for the last six months, I decided to try commercial dog food again. This one came highly recommended.
My dog likes it and is tolerating it well. It’s such a worry to have high-quality food but so far, so good with this one.
Buying Guide and FAQ
What ingredients to look for in Chihuahua dog food?
It is important to choose food that offers a balanced formula containing energy, minerals, micro-nutrients, and vitamins. However, small breeds like the Chihuahua often risk being over-fed or overly babied.
Meat
This should be the first item on dog food’s ingredients list. This will typically be chicken, beef, lamb, venison in commercial dog food.
Meat meal
This might throw your “off’ at first. But this is more protein-rich gram for gram than a whole chicken. This also is rich in nutrients.
Grains and Carbohydrates
In recent years grains have become a controversial topic in dog food. However, as long as your dog does not have a sensitivity or allergy to grains, this can be a very nutritious option for your dog.
Carbohydrates provide your pet with energy. Corn, soy, and whole wheat are considered lower quality ingredients, but rice, oats, barley, and peas are better.
These should be lower on the ingredient list after meat sources. Good grains can provide your dog with good digestion.
Veggies and Fruits
Although this is not something your dog needs, they are a great source of vitamins and minerals.
For example:
- Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, vitamin B, beta-carotene, and antioxidants that specifically help fight against cancer-causing agents.
- Blueberries and apples are a great sources of fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Cranberries may assist with urinary tract infections and help with dental hygiene by killing certain bacteria (7)
Fats
They are needed for proper digestion and cell function and are good for a healthy coat and skin. Look for Omega 3,6, and 9 and flaxseed oil.
Vitamins, nutrients and minerals
These are needed for many chemical reactions in your dog’s body, such as building bones and keeping them strong. (8)
- Vitamin A for a healthy coat
- Vitamin B complex for the nervous system, brain function and growth of blood cells, B12 maintains healthy digestion
- Vitamin C great for the immune system (note that dogs make their Vitamin C)
Preservatives
These keep your dog food fresh for longer. However, look for preservatives such as tocopherols and ascorbic acid from natural sources.
Water
A dog needs to have access to drinking water. If a dog loses even 10% of its body water reserve, it can be in real danger or die.
How much should I feed my Chihuahua?
There are simple guides on every dog food pack. However, they are very generous and, most of the time are aimed at un-neutered or pregnant dog’s.
If in doubt, your local vet practitioner will be able to advise on your dog’s specific food amount needs.
Here are some general feeding guidelines:
Weight of Dog Daily Feeding (cups)
UP TO 5 LBS 1/4 – 1/2
6 – 7 LBS 1/2 – 1
For Puppies
Generally, divide the amount of food into four meals during the day. Spreading out is essential as large meals can upset small stomachs.
For Adults and Seniors
Aim feeding two times a day. In the morning and the evening. Some dogs might prefer one big meal per day.
What not to feed Chihuahua?
The strength of your dog’s immune system, resistance to disease and quality of life all depends on the type and quality of food it eats.
It is tempting to give your dog table scraps or “human foods”, but some of this can be harmful and even deadly to your dog.
For more details on which foods dogs should not eat, see our article: 18 human foods that dogs shouldn’t eat
You will be surprised by what those foods are.
What are the life stages for a Chihuahua?
Life Stage Age
Puppy Under 9-12 months
Adult Over 9-12 months
Senior 1 1+ years
In Conclusion
My vote for the best dog food for Chihuahuas overall goes to Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food.
This dog food provides balanced nutrition to Chihuahuas for a healthy and happy life.
More information and the latest price can be found here:
