It's crucial that you give your chihuahua the proper diet in order for them to live a long, healthy life.To make this happen, you need to feed them the correct amount of food and make sure it contains the vitamins and minerals they need.By carefully choosing their food and getting them on an eating schedule, you can ensure they are receiving everything they need to flourish.
Step 1: Meat is the primary ingredient.
Making your chihuahua's food yourself is the best way to ensure they are getting food that is free of chemical preservatives, fillers, coloring, and animal by-products.Meat is the most important ingredient in your dog's food.Lean meats include chicken and hamburger, as well as fish.You can also include the brain.Discuss this with your vet and butcher.You need to be clear about what you are feeding your dog, as well as the source of the meat.Your vet can make sure your dog is eating a balanced diet.
Step 2: Add vegetables to your diet.
Vegetables and stears are used to round out your dog's meals.30 percent of your dog's diet should come from each.Vegetables include broccoli, carrots, and zucchini.Fruits without the core provide vitamins and anti-oxidants.Rice and pasta can be used in small portions.Before you add them to your dog's bowl, make sure they are cool.Corn, onions, raisins, grapes, avocado, macadamia nuts, and coffee are all very bad for your dog's health.
Step 3: You can make a stew.
One of the most popular ways to cook your chihuahua's food is to make a stew.This is a simple way to make a meal that is easy for your dog to digest.You will usually boil the meat for this stew.To cook rice, add it to the boiling water.At the end, add your vegetables.You can make a surplus of their food if you don't want to cook them every day.
Step 4: You can make a raw food mixture.
A lot of people like to make a raw food mixture for their dog.Dogs are capable of processing raw foods so this is a good option for your pet.You should keep in mind the same ratio of vegetables and starches.Make sure the ingredients you are using are fresh and clean.You can freeze some of the larger quantities of your raw food mixture.If you want to serve your dog raw food, make sure to check with your vet before you do.
Step 5: Only small pieces of food should be included.
Your dog can only digest small pieces of food, so keep that in mind.Any meats you serve should be very finely chopped.Chop or grate any vegetables you add.It is possible to puree your dog's food.There is a lot of trial and error when making homemade food for a chihuahua.Stick with the method your dog likes the most.
Step 6: Look for at least 25 percent.
You can still find a healthy manufactured food if you don't make your own homemade meals.Chicken, lamb, beef, or fish should be listed first on the nutrition label if they are included in your chihuahua's diet.To ensure meat is the main ingredient, dog food companies are required to list their ingredients in descending order.Meat meals are the main ingredient and are a concentrated form of meat.Don't buy products that contain animal by-products.
Step 7: Look for the name of the fat.
Your dog needs fat in their diet.They need to be good sources of fat.Chicken fat, fish oil, and Omega 3 fatty acids can be found on commercial dog food labels.You can top-dress your dog's dinner if your food is low.
Step 8: You can choose dry or wet food.
If you decide to feed your dog a manufactured food, it's a good idea to use kibble instead of wet food.It can affect your dog's bowels if you give him wet food.If you can't get your dog to eat their meal, try sprinkling some low-salt soup over their dry food.If your dog is already eating wet food, you can switch them to dry by mixing the wet and dry food.Make sure to cover the kibbles completely with the wet food if you want to start with a wet to dry ratio.You have to add less and less wet food for eight to ten days.
Step 9: It is recommended to research brands.
Some dog foods are better than others.Some brands are more focused on producing high quality dog food than others.Orijen and Whole Earth farms are recommended for chihuahuas.Both Royal Canin and Eukanuba have a line of dog foods.Many brands, including Blue Buffalo, offer dog foods formulated for small breeds.Science Diet and Purina Pro Plan are two additional lines that are often recommended by veterinarians for their good balance, their proper ingredients, and the research involved in developing them to be as healthy as possible for your pet.
Step 10: Feed them the right amount.
The amount of food your dog needs to eat in a day is dependent on its age and activity level.The amount of food your dog should receive depends on a number of factors, but the first two are the most important.Adult chihuahuas need 35 to 40 calories per pound of body weight daily to be healthy and active.Senior dogs need roughly 30 calories per pound of body weight a day.The Body Condition Score can be used to judge your dog's weight.You should not be able to see their ribs.Your vet can help you learn how to use this technique.Your dog's food should be adjusted.If your dog is too thin, add more food.
Step 11: They should be fed twice a day.
Feed your dog twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.To create a schedule that works best for you, you can adjust the times you feed your dog.When your dog needs to use the bathroom the next morning, the timing of their evening meal will affect.You can feed your dog one meal a day at dinner time.The breed does best when they are fed twice a day.Measure out your dog's food instead of using the scoop that comes with the container.Ensuring that your dog gets the right amount of food is important.This will help keep your dog healthy.
Step 12: Don't give snacks a lot.
Adult chihuahuas should only be given limited amounts of snacks occasionally.They are best used to reinforce good behavior.Don't look for brightly-colored manufactured snacks.Severe stomach problems can be caused by rawhides.For homemade treats, offer baby carrots.You can mix some fruit with the yogurt or give it plain white.