Finding the right food portion for chihuahuas but don’t know where to start? Wanna know how much food should your chihuahuas eat? If yes, you are in the right place! Chihuahuas are a small-sized breed but they do require a good amount of food.
For average-weight puppy chihuahuas, ¼ to ½ cups of food is ideal divided into 4-6 meals. The protein content for puppy chihuahuas should be about 22-25%. For average-weight adult chihuahuas, ½ to 1 and ⅓ cups of food is enough for 2-3 meals per day. Avoid overfeeding chihuahuas to maintain their healthy weight.
This generic guide isn’t for every chihuahua. The amount of food a chihuahua should eat depends on various factors. That’s why we have a comprehensive guideline for feeding chihuahuas given below!
How Much Food Should Your Chihuahuas Eat? Feeding Guidelines.
Our small energetic furry chihuahuas are different from other dog breeds. That’s why we should take special care of a chihuahua’s dietary needs.
A chihuahua’s tiny stomach is sensitive to various foods and irregular feeding habits. It is recommended to provide a balanced diet for chihuahuas according to their weight, activity, and age.
But how can you determine the right amount of food for your chihuahuas? Let’s find out!
Chihuahua Puppy Food Quantity
You can’t be feeding the same amount of food to a puppy as an adult dog. Chihuahua puppies need a high amount of protein to provide them with enough energy. (how else would they spread chaos all day?)
A chi puppy needs 50 calories per day per pound of its body weight. So, if your puppy weighs 2 lbs, you should be feeding it 100 calories per day.
Chihuahua puppies need multiple meals spread throughout the day because of their fast metabolism. We all know how chihuahua puppies keep running and jumping around so feeding them 4-6 meals per day makes absolute sense.
They require a lot of protein, around 22-25%, for a hearty growth. Use named meats (chicken, fish, beef, etc) for protein sources for your puppy. A balanced diet is especially important during puppyhood. Otherwise, the puppy can experience hampered growth, obesity, or digestive problems.
You should also incorporate several snacks in between meals.
Got yourself a picky chihuahua? No worries, try Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Puppy Dry Food (on Amazon).
To summarize it all, your chihuahua puppy should be getting 2-4oz of food per day divided into 4-6 meals.
Chihuahua Adult Food Quantity
Is your chihuahua now 11 weeks old with considerable growth? It’s really easy to overfeed a chihuahua once it passes puppyhood.
But the bad news is:
Overfeeding a chihuahua will lead to obesity. Even a one-pound weight gain isn’t healthy for a chihuahua. So, you should stick to proper feeding guidelines for chihuahuas.
Adult chihuahuas don’t require as many calories and meals as puppies. By this time, major chihuahua growth has taken place and the activity level has reduced.
So, 3 meals per day (around 4-10 oz) with 1-2 snacks are enough for an adult chihuahua. You have to switch from puppy dog food to adult dog food such as Purina Pro Plan High Protein Small Breed Dog Food (on Amazon).
How much food should your chihuahuas eat also depends on their weight. The right way to decide how much to feed an adult chihuahua is to determine its ideal weight using Body Condition Scores.
For obese chihuahuas, the calorie intake should be less (30 or fewer calories per pound of their body weight per day) as compared to normal calorie intake (35-40 calories).
Wondering how much food should your chihuahuas eat as a senior?
Senior chihuahuas (8+ years old) should eat around 3-4 meals per day. Smaller meals are better for senior chihuahuas due to their small metabolism. You should be feeding them a diet full of vitamins and 30 calories per day per pound of their weight.
What Food Can Chihuahuas Eat?
Chihuahua parents wonder about two things: how much food should your chihuahuas eat and what food can chihuahuas eat?
When it comes to chihuahuas, there are a lot of options. These furry bosses can eat protein such as fish, chicken, duck, eggs, beef, homemade food consisting of veggies, fruits, and rice, dry and wet dog food, dog snacks, etc.
But all this should be given in a controlled amount to your chihuahua. Some of the foods you should avoid giving to your chihuahuas include garlic, onion, citrus fruit, dairy, and chocolate.
Something exciting:
We have a healthy and best homemade food for chihuahuas recipes as well as the best dog foods for chihuahuas. So, let’s check them out!
Best Homemade Food for Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are quite the picky eaters with sensitive digestive systems. So, you can’t be feeding them anything and everything. To ensure your chihuahuas are enjoying the right amount of nutrients, it is important to feed them their favorite foods.
Homemade food has no harmful toxins or preservatives. So, they are 100% safe for your chihuahua’s health.
Here’s the best homemade food for chihuahuas that is both tasty and healthy!
Chicken and Veggie Rice – Homemade Food for Chihuahuas
Chicken and vegetables are highly nutritious for chihuahuas. This recipe is easy to make and your chihuahuas won’t be able to resist eating it.
The best part about this recipe:
You can switch it by using different protein sources and vegetables and provide a paw-fect food variety to your furry friends. Due to this, we consider it the best homemade food for chihuahuas.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 Chicken Breast
- 2 Cups Green Beans
- 5 Carrots
- 1 Apple
- 2 Sweet Potatoes
- 1 Cup Water
- 2 Cups Cooked Rice
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
Instructions:
- Cut the chicken and the vegetables into small pieces.
- Add olive oil to a pan and cook the chicken.
- Once the chicken is golden brown, add all the vegetables and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the apple and a cup of water.
- Add cooked rice and mix everything.
- Cook for another 10 minutes on low flame and notice your chihuahua wagging its tail and running towards the kitchen for a bite.
You can use this recipe for an adult chihuahua for up to 5 days.
Click here for a video recipe!
Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas
Finding healthy and best dog food for chihuahuas can be hard. For chihuahuas, opt for dog food made for small-breed dogs. Otherwise, the food can get stuck in your dog’s throat.
Here are a few reliable dog food options for Chihuahuas:
- Royal Canin Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Hill Science Advanced Fitness Adult Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Core Small Breed Protein Pack
- CESAR WHOLESOME BOWLS Adult Soft Wet Dog Food
- JustFoodForDogs Frozen Fresh Dog Food
In Closing…
Now you know how much food should your Chihuahuas eat! Whether you have a puppy or an adult Chi, you should not feed it more than required to prevent obesity. We know fat dogs can look super adorable but it’s not healthy for them. So, follow a strict diet and feed your Chis at a proper time!
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