What Do Chihuahuas Eat?
Chihuahuas consume raw or cooked home-prepared meals, kibble, wet food, organs, bones, vegetables, and fruit as well as the muscular meat from chicken, turkey, bison, cow, lamb, or fish. They like variety since they are omnivores, but protein and fat must constitute the majority of their diet.
It’s essential to utilize a high-quality preparation that is devoid of chemicals and fillers when giving kibble or wet canned food to animals. Chihuahuas are a breed with a very poor tolerance for chemical additions and are very sensitive. The first ingredient on the list should be meat. Home-cooked meals that contain the right combination of nutrients are beneficial for chihuahuas. If you’re going to serve them home-cooked food, do your homework on serving sizes and take the necessary precautions. The size of chihuahuas is an important factor. Since their teeth are tiny and fragile, they are harmful around bones. Bones may need to be crushed into a soft powder first if you wish to include them in your diet. We’ll go through those specifics below since giving chihuahuas the right amounts to eat is important.
Complete List of Foods Chihuahuas Eat
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Bison
- Beef
- Lamb
- Fish
- Bone sand
- Kibble
- wet food in cans
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Eatable gum
How Much Do Chihuahuas Eat?
Chihuahuas thrive when fed often in tiny quantities. . This aids in maintaining stable energy levels and controlled blood sugar levels in them. The majority thrive when provided three meals a day in addition to snacks to keep them going in between. The precise number of calories needed depends on your exercise level, age, and health. In average, Chihuahuas need 35 to 40 calories per pound of bodyweight for adults and roughly 50 calories per day per pound of bodyweight for pups.
For chihuahuas, overfeeding may be an issue. They don’t need a lot of food every day to grow since they are so little, and it is possible to overfeed them. However, this might have harmful effects on your health, therefore it’s essential to be aware of the right ratios. In comparison to other breeds, chihuahuas have a lengthy lifetime of 12 to 18 years. A nutritious diet is essential for maintaining a long and active life.
Special Dietary Considerations
Finding the right diet for chihuahuas may need some trial and error due to their propensity for being finicky eaters. They are prone to a wide range of illnesses, such as low blood sugar, epilepsy, heart disease, and eye problems. It’s crucial to examine nutrition and rule out allergies if there are any health issues.
The teeth of a chihuahua are delicate yet sharp. For this breed, periodontal health may be a serious issue. In a study comparing the effects of dry, soft, and dental meals for chihuahuas, researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Koice, Slovakia, discovered that giving enzymatic chewing strips reduced dental plaque, calculus, and gingivitis only on certain teeth. They came to the conclusion that periodontitis cannot be completely prevented. Thus, cleaning your teeth could be the greatest course of action for oral health. It’s crucial to remember that this research did not take home-prepared diets into account.
List of Foods Chihuahuas Should Not Eat
- Onions
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Leeks
- Chives
- Chocolate
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Currants
- untamed mushrooms
- Pecans
- nut macadamia
- Walnuts
- Cherries
- Apple seeds, cores, and pits
- Xylitol
- any caffeinated food or beverage
- Nightshade vegetation
See more: Growth & Weight Chart for Chihuahuas
