The Chihuahua Diet

Puppies and young dogs require more protein, calories & nutrients than adult dogs. This is because of the high demands on their developing systems. It is best to feed your chi puppy a mostly dry kibble, puppy formula, diet. This is because that the formula is specially designed for the demanding needs of a puppy. Also, the chewing action involved helps to promote healthy teeth and gums. If you do decide to give him a little canned food, mix it 75% dry food to 25% can food and THROUGHLY mix them, if not he will only eat the canned food off the top. Be sure to keep fresh clean water for your dog at all times. Do not just top the water bowl off, but empty the dirty water and clean the dish then fill with fresh clean water. Clean the food bowl daily too.

Protein
Protein is the corner stone for healthy bones and muscles. The best sources for protein are meat or meat by-products, but also soybeans can be used as a protein source. They also aide in the production of infection fighting antibodies. Puppy food should be 25-30% protein.

Fat
Fat is the calorie containing part of the food. It is essential to chi health because it aids in the transport of vitamins and provides energy. Most dogs prefer a diet high in fat, but be sure to choose one that is proportioned to what your dog needs. Puppies need a higher fat content than older dogs. If your dog is not getting enough fat, their coat will be sparse and dry and their skin will be scaly.

Carbohydrates
The carbs in dog food are mostly plant derived, and make up a large part of commercial dry food. Carbs from rice are the best. Those that are from potato and corn are far less so. Those from wheat, oat and beans are even less.

Fiber
Fiber constitutes a small proportion of the food, and that which comes from beet pulp and rice bran are the best sources.

Vitamins & Supplements

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is used by the body for fat absorption as well as for a shiny coat. It is also good for normal growth, good eyesight and reproduction.

Vitamin B
Vitamin B protects the nervous system. It is also helps the coat, skin, appetite, growth and vision.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is usually made in the liver, so it usually isn't mentioned in food or as a supplements, but some people prefer to add it anyway.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is used to provide healthy bones, teeth and muscles. This is also dependant on the ratio of calcium and phosphorus consumed.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is used by the body for the function of muscles and the reproduction system.

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is usually made in the digestive tract. This is for the clotting of blood. If your dog seems to have a problem with "easy bleeding" you may want to discuss the addition of a vitamin k supplement with your vet.

Calcium & Phosphorus
Calcium and phosphorus are used to prevent rickets, bowed legs and other bone deformities.

Potassium
This is used by the muscles and nerves. It is also essential for normal growth.

Sodium & Chloride
This boosts your chi's appetite.

Magnesium
This prevents convulsions and nervous system disorders.

Iron
Iron is essential for healthy blood and also helps prevent fatigue from anemia.

Iodine
Prevents goiter.

Copper
Also essential for growing bones and preventing anemia.

Cobalt
Aids in normal growth and maintains the reproductive tract.

Zinc
Is used for normal growth and healthy skin.

DO NOT BUY THE CHEAPEST FOOD ON THE MARKET!!
This is not going to help you or your dog. The money that you are saving now is not going to compare to the money that is spent in vet bills later. The label may say that it has the same amounts of protein, fat and fiber, but it may be the "unusable" kind. Your dog will eat more of this food because it is not fulfilling their needs. This is especially dangerous to chihuahuas because they have a higher energy requirement per pound than larger dogs, but eat less. Chihuahuas need a high quality diet, not empty calories that a cheap brand offers. You have an advantage in owning a chihuahua, they don't eat as much and you can afford to splurge on the best possible food. Problems associated with cheap foods include slowed growth, coat and skin problems, and skeletal abnormalities.

However, the specialty foods sold at pet stores and vets can sometimes cause constipation because they are so concentrated. If this happens to your chi, find a brand that keeps the bowels moving and stick with it.

Foods to Never Give a Chi

Feeding your Chihuahua
Chihuahua's can become hypoglycemic, so it is best to offer your chihuahua several small meals, rather than 1 big meal per day. When offering your chi his food, make sure that it is fresh. By offering the same food over and over again you risk serving him food that may have gone bad.
Dog Age How Many times to Feed
under 3 months 5 times a day
3-6 months 4 times a day
6 months to a year     3 times a day
Over a Year 2 times a day


Switching Your Chi's Food
If you plan on switching your chihuahua's food, plan it over several days so that you do not upset their digestive tract and cause problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. If you plan to switch your new puppies food, be sure that it stays on its current food that the breeder was feeding it for at least three days. Your puppy is under a lot of stress during this time. Give him time to become accustomed to his new house before attempting to switch his food. Use the chart below as a guide for the transition.
Day Food Mix
1
 100% Current Food
   2 & 3     75% Current Food, 25% New Food        
4 & 5
 50% Current Food, 50% New Food
6 & 7
 25% Current Food, 75% New Food
8
 100% New Food


What's In my Chi's Food?
With all the info on the labels of dog food, sometimes it is easy to be a little confused as to what is actually in it. Here is a list of what some of the more common ingredients are. This list is from The Chihuahua Handbook, by D. Caroline Collie, Ph. D.

Meat: Mammal flesh: includes muscle, skin, heart, esophagus and tongue

Meat by-products: Cleaned mammal organs, including kidneys, stomach, intestines, brain, spleen, lungs, and liver plus blood, bone, and fatty tissue.

Meat and Bone Meal:
Product rendered from processed meat and meat products, not including blood.

Poultry by-products:
Cleaned poultry organs plus feet and heads.

Poultry by-products Meal:
Product rendered from processed poultry by products.

Fish Meal:
Dried, ground fish.

Beef Tallow:
Fat

Soybean Meal:
By product of soybean oil.

Corn Meal:
Ground entire corn kernels.

Corn Gluten Meal:
Dried residue after the removal of bran, germ, and starch from corn.

Brewer's Rice:
Fragmented rice kernels separated from milled rice.

Cereal Food Fines:
Small particles of Human breakfast cereals.

Beet Pulp:
Dried residue from sugar beets. Added for fiber.

Peanut Hulls:
Ground peanut shells added for fiber.

BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, Sodium nitrate, Tocopherols(Vitamin C & E):
Preservatives; of these, the tocopherols are generally considered to present the least health risks, but also have the shortest shelf life.

All our dogs eat Iams smart puppy. Nutritional Info for Iams Smart Puppy Food