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What’s the best dog food for a Chihuahua?
The answer to that critical question depends on the age of your dog.
That’s because…
Chihuahua puppies, adults and seniors EACH have different nutritional needs for optimal long-term health.
Which means…
A dog food designed for an adult Chihuahua may contain too little calcium for a growing puppy… or too many calories for a less active senior.
And there are other significant differences, too..
For example…
A Chihuahua puppy needs 1.0% arginine (an essential amino acid)… while an adult requires less… just 0.51% of the same nutrient.
In comparison…
A senior “Chi” benefits from more protein… and fewer calories.
Here’s the point…
Since there are no official nutrient standards for ANY particular breed…
And to optimize your dog’s long-term health…
It’s super important to choose a food that’s designed to match the AAFCO nutrient profile for your Chihuahua’s age… and stage of life.
Chihuahua Life Stages
Since dogs age at different rates, life stage ranges for any breed are never exact.
The ages and life stage data in the table below were derived from multiple sources and should be used to help you find the best possible food for your dog.
| Life Stage | Age |
|---|---|
| Puppy | Under 9-12 months |
| Adult | Over 9-12 months |
| Senior | 11+ years |
Our Top Recommendations
On this page…
We’ll share The Dog Food Advisor’s safest and most recommended brands based on the age of your Chihuahua… and we’ll answer the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding this popular breed.
Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas December 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Chihuahuas for December 2024.
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1. Best Dry Dog Food For Chihuahuas: The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Chicken Small Breed
Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Chicken Small Breed is one of 10 recipes in our review of The Honest Kitchen dry food range.
The majority of its meat protein comes from fresh chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Made from 100% human-grade ingredients and gently dehydrated to store nutrition, this food is an excellent choice for your Chihuahua as the small clusters are easy to chew. This food is also free from fillers, GMO ingredients and feed-grade by-products.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Small kibble pieces
- Gently dehydrated
- Human-grade ingredients
Main Ingredients Chicken, potatoes, peas, lentils, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 29.5% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All small dogs (including puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at The Honest Kitchen"I’m so glad there is now another formula to choose from in the clusters for small breeds, and my dogs approve of the new beef flavor. I’m thankful for the smaller clusters since my little senior dog prefers clusters over dehydrated, and I don’t think she could chew the larger ones."
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2. Best Wet Dog Food For Chihuahuas: Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner
Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner is one of eight wet recipes evaluated in our review of the Merrick Lil’ Plates product line.
This particular recipe derives the better part of its animal protein from fresh beef and beef liver as well as dried egg whites. Dry matter label analysis reveals the formula contains 44% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.
This wet dog food contains added vitamins and minerals, and is ideal for small-breed adult dogs like Chihuahuas. It comes in convenient, single-serving trays perfectly proportioned for tiny dogs.
Read our review of the full Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dog Food (Cups) range here
Things we like
- Proportioned for tiny dogs
- High protein
- Added vitamins and minerals designed for small dogs
Main Ingredients Beef, beef broth, venison broth, beef liver, dried egg whites Texture Wet Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 44% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Chihuahuas Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We have two Chihuahuas and they love their Merrick Lil' Plates! Oh my goodness, they jump and bark out of EXCITEMENT!"
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3. Best Fresh Dog Food For Chihuahuas: The Farmer's Dog Turkey Recipe
This Turkey recipe is one of four human-grade fresh formulas covered in our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line.
This particular recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 19% fat and 40% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
A fresh, human-grade food, custom-designed and packaged to fit the nutritional needs of your Chihuahua. As close to homemade dog food as you can get. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here
Things we like
- Custom-designed
- High protein
- Human-grade ingredients
Main Ingredients USDA Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, parsnip Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Chihuahua adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com"The Farmers Dog has cleared up all of my dog's allergies and Pip just absolutely loves his fresh food!"
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4. Best Dog Food For Chihuahua Puppies: Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed with Real Chicken
Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed with Real Chicken is one of 11 recipes covered in our review of this dry product line.
This particular recipe gets the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 22% fat and 32% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
A high-protein kibble that includes calcium and phosphorus to support a puppy’s growth; helping them to form strong bones and teeth.
As it is made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors, or preservatives it is easily digestible for puppies.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- High protein
- Includes high levels of calcium and phosphorus
- Free from grain
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), chickpeas, tapioca, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid) Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult and puppy Chihuahuas Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My human has given me Instinct Puppy Food for the past year, which I liked, but always felt like a lot to eat for my 7lb body. Now that I’m a year old, human switched me to this small breed food and it is life changing! The kibble sizes are about half the size of the puppy food which is much easier to chew and the human says she’s never seen me eat so well! We will keep buying the small breed mix but may change to the kibble only so that I can try some more of the toppers that I love!"
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5. Best Affordable Dog Food For Chihuahuas: Nature's Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin
Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin is one of six dry recipes included in our review of the Nature’s Recipe product line.
This formula acquires the bulk of its meat protein from fresh salmon and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 13% fat and 51% estimated carbs… delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
It is loaded with omega-rich salmon to strengthen your Chihuahua’s immune system as well as support their skin and coat. This recipe also contains zinc proteinate and three other chelated minerals for superior nutrition. Free of BHT and other high-risk preservatives.
Fairly priced and highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Free from preservatives
- Rich in omega fatty acids
- Reasonably priced
Main Ingredients Salmon, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, canola meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult and puppy Chihuahuas Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This is the one dry food my dog loves. It’s reasonably priced and my vet approves it."
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6. Best Dog Food For Chihuahuas With Allergies: Canidae Pure Petite Small Breed Salmon Recipe
Canidae Pure Petite Grain-Free Salmon Recipe for Small Breed Dogs is one of four recipes in this dry range.
This particular recipe obtains much of its animal protein from fresh salmon and salmon meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 14% fat and 50% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Made into small kibble, this food is suitable for small dogs with allergies as it is a limited-ingredient formula that’s free from grain, wheat, corn, and soy which are all common allergens.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae Pure Petite Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Limited-ingredient recipe
- Free from grain, wheat, corn, and soy
- Small kibble size
Main Ingredients Salmon, salmon meal, peas, lentils, tapioca Texture Dry Type Grain Free Protein Percentage 27.8% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For All Adult Small Breed Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This is the only food we can feed our sweet little pup. He has been on it for years - allergic to every food we have tried, except for this! "
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7. Best Grain-Inclusive Dog Food For Chihuahuas: Eukanuba Small Breed Adult
Small Breed Adult is one of 14 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Eukanuba product line.
Eukanuba Small Breed Adult obtains much of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken by-product meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 20% fat and 41% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.
A time-proven, classic formula that features wholesome cereal grains. Small kibble size, perfect for adult Chihuahuas. Nutritionally complete and balanced. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Eukanuba Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Small kibble size
- Wide recipe range
- Reasonably priced
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn, chicken fat, wheat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Chihuahuas Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Eukanuba small breed dry food! I have 2 little furry family members, a Yorkie mix and a Chihuahua. I never worry that they are not getting the right balance in their diet and they sure do eat well with Eukanuba!"
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I switch to a new food... without making my dog sick?
In this video…
Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help lower your chihuahua’s risk of getting sick… when you switch to a new food.
Do Chihuahuas need special dog food?
That depends on the age of your Chihuahua. After about 9 to 12 months, your “Chi” is considered an adult… and can eat just about any quality dog food. Wet or dry. But for optimal health, a Chihuahua puppy should be fed a food that meets AAFCO guidelines for either “Growth” or “All Life Stages”. A senior “Chi” may benefit from a recipe made for seniors.
When can I safely switch my Chihuahua puppy to adult dog food?
Adult dog foods can be deficient in protein and other essential nutrients. Chihuahua puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready for adult food until they reach 9 to 12 months of age.
When is a Chihuahua considered a senior?
According to VCA Hospitals, small breed dogs tend to live longer than large breeds. So, Chihuahuas aren’t considered “senior” until they reach 11 years of age. If your Chi is 11 years (or older), you may wish to visit our best senior dog foods page here.
How much food should I feed my Chihuahua?
Since every dog is unique, it’s impossible to predict the exact serving size that’s “ideal” for every Chihuahua. So, start with the feeding amount printed on the package. Then, over time, adjust that quantity up or down… to reach and then maintain your Chi’s ideal weight.
Final word
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