Deciding what to feed your Chihuahua is a major component of your Chihuahua’s care. Regular exercise, periodic health check-ups, and vaccinations are also very important, but Chihuahua nutrition has a powerful influence on the dog’s health, including the condition of the gums and teeth, the condition of the coat and skin, and the digestion.
As a small dog owner, you have a greater responsibility for your pet’s diet than large dog owners. Large dogs weighing more than 20 pounds can eat greater volumes of food every day because their caloric needs are greater. Owners have more chances to provide nutrients for their dogs, and it’s not a big deal if the dog eats a few table scraps every day.
On the other hand, a typical Chihuahua six to nine inches tall should weigh only four to eight pounds and should eat just one to one-and-one-half cups of food every day. Chihuahua owners must care about every bite they feed their pets and avoid feeding their dogs’ table scraps or other versions of canine junk food.
In addition to knowing what to feed your Chihuahua, you also need to know what not to feed it. Some foods, like chocolate, raw onions, and garlic, are perfectly fine for the human diet but can be deadly to your Chihuahua’s nutrition. Because the Chihuahua is so small, eating even small amounts of these foods can mean your Chihuahua needs medical care to counteract the effects of the toxicity. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive thirst. However, do not wait for your dog to experience symptoms, because they can take several hours to show up and by then it can be too late. Take your dog to the vet as soon as you suspect it has eaten any chocolate at all.
Similarly, onions and garlic can also harm your Chihuahua. Again, your pet may vomit and have diarrhea a few hours after eating the forbidden food. In two or three days, the dog will lose interest in food and grow weak. See your vet as soon as possible for the proper Chihuahua care if you suspect that your Chihuahua has eaten onions or garlic.
Now that you know what not to feed your dog, let’s talk about the best diet for your Chihuahua. The only way to be absolutely certain your pet gets the proper nutrition may be to prepare and cook all of your dog’s food. This is the kind of Chihuahua nutrition that proves your love for your dog.
Chihuahua dog food recipes can be found in several popular cookbooks and newsletters, but you can make your own dog food for your Chihuahua by combining a few basic ingredients in different ways.
Start with a small amount of lean beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or lamb and roast or grill the meat. You can sauté or pan-fry the meat, but try not to add any fat when cooking. When the meat is fully cooked, add a similar amount of a cooked starch like boiled potatoes, noodles, or cooked rice. Next, add a cooked vegetable. Most dogs prefer sweet vegetables like carrots or peas. After the mixture cools, feed it to your Chihuahua and watch the food disappear!
Proper nutrition is essential to your Chihuahua’s health. Take the time to find and feed your dog the high quality food it needs.
Chihuhua care consists of diligent attention to the dog’s exercise, health care, and food. Chihuahua owners need to learn what foods are dangerous to their dogs so they can avoid potential problems. Chihuahuas love homemade food. Don’t be afraid to create your own Chihuahua dog food recipes by combining cooked proteins, starches, and vegetables.
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