Homemade Dog Food For Chihuahuas Guide: Recipes, Nutrition & Tips
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This is the most comprehensive guide to learning how to make homemade dog food for Chihuahuas.
Cooking for Chihuahuas requires planning and understanding your dog’s breed-specific essential nutritional requirements and more. This guide lays out everything to know about cooking for your chichi, including essential steps you might have overlooked.
So, what can I cook for my Chihuahua? Here is how to put together a balanced homemade diet for Chihuahuas that is also tasty!
Chihuahua Homemade Dog Food Benefits
Are there appreciable health and nutritional benefits that make home cooking from your Chihuahua appealing?
Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, say some of the benefits you can expect when you start feeding your dog homemade dog food include:
Additionally, a homemade dog diet is generally the healthiest alternative. It’s free of additives or preservatives, unlike regular kibble. It promotes healthier digestion and can prevent many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin and coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.
Food & Chihuahuas Health: Why Feed Homemade?
As a Chihuahua dog owner, you need to know the relationship between food and your Chihuahua’s health and how homemade food can help keep your Chihuahua free from food-related health conditions.
Dan Carey, D.V.M., with Iams Research and Development division, says one of the biggest problems found in pet Chihuahuas is obesity. Due to their small size, one snack or table treat can easily wind up being 1/3 of the daily food (calorie) intake of a Chihuahua, which can lead to obesity quickly.
Chihuahuas are also highly susceptible to food allergies and intolerances that tend to manifest as chronic ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, and red, inflamed, and flaky skin. Hair loss and a dull, dry coat are also symptoms of food allergies in the Chihuahua breed.
Other common health problems in Chihuahuas include heart valve problems, joint problems (hip dysplasia), hypoglycemia and tooth and gum disease.
How Can A Homemade Diet Help Chihuahua Health Issues?
Chihuahua Homemade Dog Food Risks
An important tip when cooking for your Chihuahua is to AVOID feeding your Chihuahua table scraps, says Sandra Whittle of Chesterfield, Virginia, Chihuahua Club of America past president.[5]
Overfeeding a Chihuahua with scraps, treats or dog food disrupts its normal fat composition. It can lead to problems in puppyhood that carry over into adulthood, such as abnormal bone development (bone weakening and bowing), obesity, skin problems, and rickets.
Remember, it doesn’t take much to unbalance their diet due to their size.
You need to understand other drawbacks of cooking homemade dog food to avoid them. These include:
Research by the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary, and two studies published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine and The Journal of Nutritional Science found that most homemade dog food recipes lack key essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.[6][7][8]
Here are the findings:
It’s vital to understand that dogs’ nutritional requirements are unique. We recommend consulting a veterinary nutritionist who can address your Chihuahua’s dietary requirements and help you make nutritionally balanced recipes or recommend a homemade food service for convenience.
Chihuahua Nutritional Guidelines to Follow
How do you ensure you meet your Chihuahua’s dietary requirements?
An important step is to consider your Chihuahua’s weight, health condition, size, and activity level.
Then, make sure the homemade diet for your Chihuahua has the six essential nutrients any dog meal should always have, according to The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO)
| Nutrient | Food | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs | Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. |
| Carbohydrates | Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat | Source of energy for dogs and supplies glucose needed by the brain, nervous system and other critical organs for normal function. |
| Fat | From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others | Responsible for providing quality energy. Necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and body tissues |
| Minerals | Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. | Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production. |
| Water | Water | Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water (10% to 15% of the water in his body) can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day. |
| Vitamins | A, B, C, D, E, and K | Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function. |
You may also want to add a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to ensure your Chihuahua pup gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.
If you need more advice on Chihuahua nutrition, an excellent resource is Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D., a long-time expert in veterinary medicine. This book it’s considered by many pet nutritionists to be the Bible of healthy homemade dog nutrition.
Recommended Supplements For Chihuahua
Here are the top recommended supplements for Chihuahua based on their main health susceptibility issues.
Always consult your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Health Dietary Changes In Chihuahua
The following chart will show you the dietary needs and adjustments you need to make if your Chihuahua develops these food-related conditions caused by allergens. A fresh homemade food approach accompanied by the following suggestions can help manage these conditions. Let’s take a look!
| Condition | Dietary Needs & Adjustments |
|---|---|
| Coat Color Changes | Increase amino acids which can be found in protein (>75 grams per 1000 calories) |
| Concurrent GI Signs | Avoid foods with tryptamine and histamine such as dairy or fermented vegetables and meats (yes, this includes bacon); try a simple ingredient food trial |
| Chronic Itching and Dermatitis | Fortify the diet with Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Zinc, omega-6 and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil; add a dog probiotic; try a simple ingredient food trial |
| Dull Coat and Scaling | Adjust EPA and DHA levels in the diet (added fish oil being the most common way); try a food that has added zinc |
| Dandruff and Crustiness | Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels |
Chart Source: NomNomNow.com
Chihuahuas are prone to develop skin and coat conditions. If your Chihuahuas suffer from skin irritation, or dull or dry coat, adding a couple of squirts of fish oil to their meals can provide relief and nourishment to keep skin and coats in the best condition.
Chihuahua Calorie Requirements
The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight.
An adult Chihuahua usually weighs between 3.5 and 7 pounds, meaning most Chihuahuas need between 139 and 234 calories daily.
Make sure you follow the 10% rule when feeding treats to your dog. Food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats the remaining 10%.
You can use our dog calorie calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.
Pregnant or lactating Chihuahuas may need up to 2 to 4 times the amount of food they normally need as the mother’s energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.
Homemade Dog Food For Chihuahua Puppies
A Chihuahua puppy’s diet varies from that of an adult Chihuahua.
Compared to adult dogs, puppies need higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Too few (or too many) of these nutrients can cause deficiencies, stunted growth, or lifelong complications.
Knowing how much your Chihuahua weighs is vital to determining the daily calories they require.
Here is how many calories Chihuahuas would need per pound of body weight.
You must split the daily calories needed by your Chihuahua puppy into different meals throughout the day. For instance, if your Chihuahua weighs 3 pounds and requires 144 calories per day. You would do three homemade meals of 48 calories each.
As explained in our nutritional guidelines above, a Chihuahua puppy’s homemade diet should properly balance proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins. For proper growth and development, it is not advised to skip meals while your puppy is growing and developing. As our nutritional guidelines previously outlined, a puppy’s diet must include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins.
Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service
Do you want to provide your Chihuahua with the benefits of a homemade diet but don’t have the time or the foggiest idea of where to begin? The Farmer’s Dog can help!
They deliver vet-designed, fresh-prepared homemade dog food tailored to your Chihuahuas’ dietary needs straight to your door. Everything is made from real, human-grade, all-natural ingredients (meats, veggies, grains, etc.)
Let the experts do the cooking for you so you never have to worry about using the wrong ingredients, counting nutrients, portion sizes, and more. It’s worth the cost after you add up the prices of all the ingredients you’ll need to cook a recipe. It’s a huge time-saver, and you can spend your time on more important things.
Our readers have access to save 50% off their first The Farmer’s Dog order. No code is needed, just use this link, and the discount will be applied!
Chihuahua Homemade Food Tips
Once you decide on a recipe for your Chihuahua, it’s time to make it. We recommend following these tips.
Cooking Homemade Dog Food For Chihuahuas
This video will get you started if you’ve never made food for your canine companion.
Best Chihuahua Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Whether you are looking for homemade dog food for a senior Chihuahua, an overweight Chihuahua, or a Chihuahua puppy, these are the best homemade dog food recipes for Chihuahuas!
We’ve also added a special treat recipe for your Chihuahua that is tasty and packed with remarkable health benefits. This recipe has our favorite secret ingredient, dog CBD oil. CBD oil can help with seizures, anxiety, arthritis, inflammation, pain, wellness and other health problems.
Note: Please consult with your pet’s veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your dog’s diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and dog’s health. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.
- CBD-Infused Dog Treats
- Wholesome Ground Sirloin Veggie
- Turkey & Vegetable Dinner
- Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Fiber-Filled-Meal
CBD-Infused Dog Treats
Treat your Chihuahua with these nutritious, therapeutic, and delicious homemade CBD dog treats. They are made with Pumpkin, a great source of essential vitamins and minerals (like vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, and iron). Pumpkin also aids with digestion and hydration. Coconut is added for skin and coat, digestion and helps reduce allergic reactions.
Just be sure to check with your vet before to ensure CBD is safe for your pup and that you are giving the correct dosage.
You can also purchase already-made CBD dog treats so your pup can experience CBD’s benefits without the cooking.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a dog cookie baking tray with coconut oil.
- Core and grate the apples, then peel and grate the carrots.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, oats, and coconut sugar. In another medium-sized bowl, beat the egg. Then, add coconut oil, water, and grated apples and carrots.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients bowl; mix completely. Finally, add CBD oil and mix once more.
- Using a Tbsp measuring spoon, portion out the dog biscuits and press them into the dog treat baking pan. Bake for 32-37 minutes or until the biscuits are firm and golden brown on the outside.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Recipe from: Truth Theory
Wholesome Ground Sirloin Veggie
This recipe is a healthy and vibrant alternative to traditional dog food. Your Chihuahua will be delighted with this simple yet delicious beef mixture, build eggs, vegetables, and tender herbs. It’s made with 100% human-grade ingredients.
Ingredients
Directions
- Start with cooking the eggs
- While the rice is cooking, you can brown the sirloin and get all the fresh ingredients together.
- Combine all ingredients in a large container and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Store in the refrigerator in-between feedings.
Recipe from: This Messisours
Turkey & Vegetable Dinner
This a great recipe for making sure your Chihuahua is fit, trim, well-fed, and full of energy. It’s ideal for overweight Chihuahuas that want or lose a few pounds.
This basic dog food recipe includes fish oil to make sure your pet gets his Omega-3 fats, which are great for the immune system. It comes with turkey for protein and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
Directions
- Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through
- Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the rice is soft and tender
- Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender
- Allow cooling before serving
- Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days
Pro tip: Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. Its high-fat content may upset your dog’s stomach.
Recipe from: Moneycrashers
Banana, Peanut Butter & Yogurt Smoothie
Dog-friendly smoothies make a delicious and nutritious treat for Chihuahuas.
This fun banana, peanut butter smoothie is a great way to provide your Chichis with a burst of vitamins and beneficial minerals. Remember, this is an occasional treat and shouldn’t be a meal replacement.
Ingredients
Directions
- Freeze your banana for a few hours or overnight.
- Measure out the above amounts of yogurt, peanut butter, and frozen banana and blend until smooth.
- Once prepared, the smoothie can also be frozen to make a fun frozen treat.
Nutritional Content: 834 calories; 27% protein calories (225 calories); 31% fat calories (259 calories); 42% carbohydrate calories (350 calories); 80.4% moisture.
NOTE: Remember not to exceed your Chihuahua’s calorie needs per day. Consult your veterinarian before feeding any new foods to your dogs or if you are unsure.
Recipe from: Pet Central
Fiber Filled Meal
Fiber is pretty awesome for your dog! If your Chihuahua stool has any irregularities or maybe Fido has digestive function issues, chances are fiber can help. This recipe provides a burst of vitamins and beneficial minerals. You shouldn’t give this to your dog more than twice a week as they need protein in their diet.
Beware: Too much fiber in your dog’s diet will cause her to poop way too much.
Ingredients
Directions
- Boil turkey and chicken in 3 cups of water over medium heat for 20 minutes
- Remove the meat from the water and set aside
- Add rice, lentils, and sweet potato to the water and return to a boil – Cook for 15 minutes
- Add remaining ingredients and cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
- Mix in the cooked meat and serve warm
- Freeze unused portions and feed as directed by your vet
Source: Withasplashofcolor
For even more Chihuahua homemade food recipes and cooking options, check out Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.
Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices
With these tips, you can ensure that your Chihuahua’s meals are safe and nutritious.
Monitor Weight And Health
It’s vital to monitor your Chihuahua’s weight when feeding him a new food.
This breed can quickly become overweight, so you need to make sure his diet positively impacts him. Track and monitor your weight for changes over time.
If you notice symptoms such as lack of energy, skin or coat disorders, malnutrition, or obesity, you must revise your dog’s diet immediately.
What Foods Should Your Chihuahua Never Eat?
Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid.
Here is the complete list of toxic ingredients your Chihuahua should never eat. Please print it out and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder.
Chihuahua Raw Diet (BARF)
A raw dog diet is meant to be similar to the diet of that dogs ate in the wild millions of years ago. Raw dog foods usually include organs, muscle, whole or ground bones, raw eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy.
Several raw dog foods are available, including homemade raw dog food and store-bought (frozen, freeze-dried, and dehydrated). Preparing a BARF diet for your Chihuahua requires extra care and planning since the risk of contamination and nutritional imbalance is higher when handling raw foods.
Raw dog diets are gaining popularity because of their fantastic health benefits for teeth, coats, digestion, and allergies. Read our raw dog food diet article to learn more about the benefits and risks, and get the best commercial raw food diet for your Chihuahua.
Should You Feed Homemade Food to Chihuahua? Alternatives
Can I feed homemade food to my Chihuahua?
Yes, cooking and feeding your Chihuahua homemade food is okay as long as they get the levels of nutrition they need to live a healthy, allergy-free life. Just be sure all the ingredients used are safe for dogs and that all of your Chihuahua’s nutritional requirements are met in every meal.
Remember, switching your Chihuahua’s food from kibble to homemade is slow and should be done progressively. You need to consider factors like your Chihuahua’s eating history, weight, and overall health before giving homemade food to your pet.
Vegan dog food is gaining popularity in dogs that suffer from food intolerance, allergies, digestive issues, or any other food health-related condition. If your Chichi is one of these dogs, it might be worth reading about vegan dog food for Chihuahuas.
