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The quintessential lap dog, the Chihuahua is a toy breed known for fierce loyalty and a big-dog personality. In addition to patient training, Chihuahuas require a balanced diet to stay at their best—but with all the options on the market, it can be hard to know what to feed.
Though most dogs need similar nutrients in similar ratios, there are some good reasons to take a breed-specific approach when it comes to Chihuahuas. First, they have much faster metabolisms than large breed dogs, which means they benefit from calorie-dense small-breed foods offered several times per day.
Palatability is a priority, since Chihuahuas can be picky eaters. Dry food offers tartar control to a breed prone to dental issues—but it’s not always a Chi’s first choice, so a more appealing wet or fresh food can be supplemented with dry food or dental chews and treats.
We’ve reviewed some of the top Chihuahua foods on the market in a range of styles, converting all nutrients to a dry-matter basis so you can compare across recipes with different moisture contents. Remember, before you switch foods, give your vet a call to make sure the diet you select is a good choice for your particular Chi’s health needs.
Puppies need a different ratio of nutrients than adult dogs, and Chihuahua puppies in particular need special consideration. Chi parents with puppies will want to watch for hypoglycemia, which can occur when young Chihuahuas don’t get enough calories to maintain healthy brain function. Chihuahua puppies also have trouble regulating their body temperature, so a nutrient- and calorie-dense diet is recommended with four to six feedings per day.
Made with high-quality animal protein, this Purina Pro Plan puppy food recipe for tiny dogs more than meets your Chihuahua puppy’s requirements for protein, fat, and calories to sustain healthy growth and development.
At 533 kcal per cup, this chicken and rice formula is high in calories—as it should be to support growth. Plus, the small-sized bites help make it easier for puppies to chew.
Key Nutrients:
- 533 kcal/cup
- Protein: 38.6%
- Fat: 22.7%
- Crude Fiber: 3.4%
Eukanuba Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food Chicken
The ingredients in this small breed senior dog food recipe include premium animal protein, grains, and added nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin to support your Chihuahua’s joint health.
As Chihuahuas age, they become especially prone to knee and joint injuries, including patellar luxation. That’s why many dog foods for seniors, like this Eukanuba one, contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, two ingredients that can help support a dog’s joint health.
Formulated for dogs over 7 years of age and under 23 pounds, this senior dog food features chicken as its main ingredient, grains like wheat, corn, and sorghum, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals to meet AAFCO requirements. Another benefit this food offers: its crunchy texture and unique S-shape can help reduce dental plaque buildup, another health issue that Chihuahuas may be susceptible to.
Key Nutrients:
- 387 kcal/cup
- Protein: 32.2%
- Fat: 18.9%
- Crude Fiber: 4.1%
Bil-Jac Picky No More Small Breed Chicken Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food
For picky eaters, this small-breed dry food boasts chicken liver among its ingredients to help tempt Chihuahuas to lick their bowls clean and avoid the effects of low blood sugar.
Because of their high metabolisms, Chihuahuas may need to eat frequently to stave off hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). So, if your Chi tends to skip or pick at their meals, you may want to consider this Bil-Jac Picky No More recipe for your pet.
This formula for picky eaters includes chicken liver, a nutritious treat many dogs love, and boasts a smaller kibble size that’s easy for smaller breeds to eat. To ensure it provides the AAFCO-recommended nutrition levels, this dry food also contains healthy ingredients like chicken, oatmeal, and flaxseed, as well as probiotics to help support your dog’s digestive and immune health.
Key Nutrients:
- 397 kcal/cup
- Protein: 28.9%
- Fat: 16.7%
- Crude Fiber: 4.4%
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Dental Small Breed Dry Dog Food
This small breed formula features uniquely shaped and sized kibble pieces to help remove dental tartar and plaque buildup while your dog chows down.
Because Chihuahuas are susceptible to mouth overcrowding and plaque buildup, a dry dog food that helps keep their teeth and gums healthy and provides them with all of the recommended nutrition they need may be a great option. This Royal Canin Veterinary Diet adult dental small breed food certainly fits that bill.
Developed for dogs under 22 pounds who are predisposed to dental tartar and plaque buildup, this formula contains uniquely shaped and sized bites to help create a brushing effect while they chew it. The added calcium and phosphorus in the dog food also help support dental health.
Key Nutrients:
- 329 kcal/cup
- Protein: 22.2%
- Fat: 16.7%
- Crude Fiber: 5.3%
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Small Breed Bites
For allergy-prone dogs, Natural Balance’s limited-ingredient line offers chicken-free dry food options that are specifically formulated for small breeds like Chihuahuas.
Have a Chihuahua with a food allergy? If you’re looking for dog food that doesn’t contain chicken or other ingredients that may aggravate your pet’s allergies, Natural Balance’s limited ingredient line is a great place to start.
The brand makes small breed-sized kibble featuring lamb, beef, and other alternative protein sources alongside a limited number of other ingredients. Grain-free options, like this salmon and sweet potato recipe, are also available for Chihuahuas who are allergic to grains or whose vets recommend them to be on a grain-free diet.
Key Nutrients (for the lamb option):
- 370 kcal/cup
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Crude Fiber: 4.4%
Nulo MedalSeries Small Breed All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
This small breed dog food formula features fatty acid-rich deboned salmon as its main ingredient with no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients included.
Made with 77% high-quality animal ingredients, this small-breed dog food recipe is formulated with fatty acids to help keep your dog’s skin and coat looking healthy. It boasts deboned salmon as its main ingredient and contains haddock and redfish, all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which research has shown may improve canine skin and hair.
Calorie-dense, this food also includes a wide range of dried fruits, berries, and vegetables to provide an antioxidant boost and plenty of nutritious carbs from grains like oats, barley, and millet for energy.
Key Nutrients:
- 427 kcal/cup
- Protein: 31.1%
- Fat: 17.8%
- Crude Fiber: 5%
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small & Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
For a dog food that’s gentle on a Chihuahua’s stomach, look no further than this sensitive stomach and skin formula for small and toy breeds.
Have a Chihuahua that’s prone to digestive issues, like diarrhea or an upset stomach? This Hill’s Science Diet kibble is formulated to be easily digestible and may help ease your dog’s tummy issues. Designed for small and toy breeds, it contains prebiotic fiber, too.
The added omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E in this dry food will also aid in your dog’s skin and coat health.
Key Nutrients:
- 392 kcal/cup
- Protein: 23.3%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Crude Fiber: 4.4%
Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Small Breed Weight Management Dry Dog Food
For overweight Chihuahuas who need to keep the pounds off, this chicken and rice food is formulated to help dogs manage their weight while ensuring they receive the nutrition they need.
If your vet has recommended that you help your dog lose weight, a higher-protein dog food, like this Purina Pro Plan one for small breeds, can help an obese or overweight Chihuahua lose or manage their weight. Rather than reducing the overall volume of food your dog eats, which can lead to malnutrition and loss of lean muscle mass, this formula allows your pet to eat the same amount they previously did while reducing overall calories with a higher protein and lower fat percentage.
Key Nutrients:
- 346 kcal/cup
- Protein: 34.1%
- Fat: 15.9%
- Crude Fiber: 5.1%
Nature’s Recipe Small Bites Chicken, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Designed for small breeds, this dog food recipe includes a variety of wholesome ingredients, including chicken, turkey meal, brewers rice, oatmeal, and barley.
Expensive dog food isn’t always better for your dog. If you’re on a limited budget but still want to feed your Chihuahua quality dog food, this Nature’s Recipe formula is a great option. Priced at less than $2 per pound for a 12-pound bag, the cost per meal is among the lowest you’ll find for a kibble that doesn’t skimp on quality ingredients. Chicken is the main ingredient in this nutritious recipe that also includes healthy grains like rice, barley, and oatmeal as well as added vitamins and minerals.
Key Nutrients:
- 342 kcal/cup
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Crude Fiber: 4.4%
With proper care, you can enjoy your Chihuahua’s company for 15 years or more. Adjusting your Chihuahua’s diet through their life is essential for keeping them healthy—and it doesn’t have to be complicated! Take what you’ve learned here to choose the best dog food for your Chihuahua.
To learn more about Chihuahuas, watch our video with breed facts and information below.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.