Chihuahuas are very sensitive to what they are being fed. So, you will need to put in a lot of thought and carefully feed them with appropriate meals.
Chi dogs have a very low tolerance towards chemicals in food, both artificial coloring and preservatives. Therefore, for them to have a natural and healthy diet, you need to find the right balance of proteins, essential carbs, and healthy fats in their food.
You may have to experiment a little with their food choices and see which ingredients suit them best and also what they enjoy the most.
How Much to Feed a Chihuahua Puppy?
Chihuahua’s are very fragile when it comes to health-related issues, especially when they are young. In fact, they have to be prescribed a specific diet in order to get the right amount of nutrition; otherwise, it affects their health in the worst ways.
For young Chi puppies who are only three months month old or younger, it is recommended that you free feed them. This is a method where you leave food out, which is accessible for them at all times. However, you need to make sure that the food does not get stale and is fresh and heated well.
And all Chihuahua puppies from 3 months should be provided with at least three meals per day, plus several snacks in between meals.
When To Stop Feeding Puppy Food to a Chihuahua?
One of the essential nutrients that Chihuahuas get is from puppy food. It ensures healthy bone growth and gives all the nutrition that they need for proper growth and development.
Now, when it comes to this particular breed, you can stop feeding them puppy food between 8 and 12 months. Since these are smaller than their cousins, they do most of their growing by almost eight months.
Although, in some cases, you cannot completely switch their diet in one go. So make sure that you adjust their puppy food intake as they transition from puppy to adult.
The right amount of food to give to a Chihuahua also depends on their individual calorie requirements. This can vary a lot and tends to change almost daily, depending on their activity levels, age, and overall health.
How Much to Feed a Chihuahua Senior?
Chihuahua’s need to be fed high-quality food all around the year, from their birth till their old age. But, because of their teeny size, their stomach can only take so much.
Chihuahuas that weigh around 4 to 10 pounds will not eat more than 1/2 to 1 cups per day, which you can split into as many meals you want. Yes, you read that right. In fact, it is very rare for Chihuahuas to eat over 2 cups a day; and those that do indulge in a bigger meal tend to be a little more than the standard size of their counterparts.
The size of their meals also depends on what kind of food you are providing them. Is it wet or dry? Is it chicken or beef? Does it have a high-quality rating or not? And in most cases, the feeding guidelines that are on the packaging of dog foods are accurate. They take into consideration both the age, weight, and also the number of times you intend to feed your Chihuahua.
To Sum It Up
Chihuahua’s often seem really picky and fussy about their eating habits. But it is generally the opposite, they are just trying to tell you that they have eaten enough for now. Other than that, Chihuahuas are really delightful and are very easy to feed if you nourish them with an appropriate diet.
