Chihuahua are small dogs that need to receive less food when compared to other dogs. But how much should a chihuahua eat? To answer this question, we are going to talk about the dog diet, and we will address some characteristics of chihuahua dogs.
How much should a chihuahua eat?
A Chihuahua dog can eat different amounts over the course of its life. In addition, the amount of food may vary according to the composition of the diet. The ideal is to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to know how much food to offer for a Chihuahua dog.
The veterinary nutritionist will properly balance the dog’s diet by providing the amounts of each food the dog should ingest per day. In the case of commercial diets, each type of food has a different composition and the amount of food to be supplied to the animal may vary.
But on average how much can an animal eat? To answer this question, let’s talk about the 3 life stages of chihuahua dogs, which are:
- Puppies;
- Adult dogs;
- Elderly dog.
Puppies
The Chihuahua puppy should only receive milk in the first month of life. After the first month of life, puppies will need energy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals to support the dog’s healthy growth.
Industrial food for puppies is usually used at this stage of the dog’s life. The average amount of food to be provided is 29 g per kilo of animal, and this value will progressively increase according to the age and weight of the puppy. Dogs should receive puppy food up to 12 months of age.
Adult dogs
After 12 months, dogs can be considered adults and they start to receive less caloric and balanced foods for the correct functioning of the dog’s organism. On average a dog should receive 24 g per kilo of animal.
Some tutors prefer to go with natural and homemade diets, so this tutors should look for a veterinarian for the correct balance of the dog’s diet. With the consumption of a balanced diet, dogs tend to be very healthy and have fewer health problems.
Elderly dog
From the age of 6, dogs are considered elderly. Elderly dogs can have several degenerative problems, so balanced foods should be provided to prevent the worsening of degenerative diseases.
The amounts can be the same as in the adult stage, only the composition of the food varies. It is important to consult the table of the chosen industrial food or the veterinarian nutritionist. To keep a Chihuahua healthy, it is vital that the animal practice low-intensity exercise associated with balanced diets.
About the Industrial foods for dogs
Dogs can feed on industrial foods that are manufactured to meet all the dog’s dietary needs when provided in adequate amounts. Each manufacturer has a feed formula and therefore the amounts of food to be offered to dogs also change according to the animal’s weight.
Industrial food can be divided into regular, premium, and super-premium.
- Regular foods are industrial foods made to supply the basic dogs diet. It is usually made from grains and may contain dyes. Dogs need to eat more food to meet their nutritional needs.
- Premium foods are foods that reduce the amount of grain and increase the amount of meat, including vegetables, fruits, and even natural probiotics. They are better foods and tend to always maintain their composition. Dogs tend to need less food when compared to regular food.
- Super-premium tends to be the best foods on the market today, in addition to meeting the dog’s nutritional needs, they are foods without artificial flavors and colors and cuts synthetic preservatives. A small amount of food is sufficient to meet the food needs of dogs.
Along with industrial food, snacks can be offered, and foods such as fruits, vegetables and even meats. However, there is no need to add these types of foods. That’s why they should be done periodically to avoid the dog’s diet being unbalanced.
About the natural foods for dogs
Another way to feed the dog is through natural diets, diets that the tutor can cook at home and provide for his pet. To have a dog balanced diet, you should look for a veterinary nutritionist.
Homemade diets can include grains, vegetables, meats, and eggs. In addition, to supply all nutrients to dogs, supplementation with commercial vitamins may be necessary.
Food must be prepared according to the veterinarian’s instructions. The quantities of each food must be respected as prescribed. Avoiding the loss of nutrients and making it as tasty as possible for the dogs.
What happens when a dog has an unbalanced diet?
The excess of nutrients and the lack of them can lead to serious problems in dogs. The main symptoms to watch out for are:
- Obesity;
- Weakness;
- Fur loss;
- Locomotion difficulty;
- Pain in limbs;
- Neurological signs.
Animals with excess nutrients can present an imbalance in the homeostasis of the dog’s physiology. Depending on the nutrient, the dog can have skin diseases, kidney disease, heart disease and even neurological signs.
Also, the excess of food can lead to obesity in dogs, which favors the appearance of metabolic diseases that can deteriorate the animal’s health.
Already the absence of some nutrients can lead to weakness, weight loss and even difficulties in bone fractures, resulting in pain, litter, and a lot of discomfort for dogs to get around.
When the dog’s diet is unbalanced, a veterinarian should be urgently sought for dietary corrections, avoiding damage to the animal’s health. That is why you should not feed an animal with homemade diets without first consulting a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Chihuahua dogs should be fed a balanced diet, and the amount may vary according to the age and weight of the animal. A veterinary nutritionist should be consulted to avoid an imbalance in the diet that results in health problems for the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How much should a chihuahua eat?
What are the types of industrial food for dogs?
Industrial food can be divided into regular, premium, and super-premium. And these foods can still be divided into different breeds and sizes, in addition to being classified as:
- Vegan;
- Hypoallergenic;
- Gastrointestinal;
- Heart;
- Renal;
- Liver;
- Neutered dogs;
- Moist;
- Organic;
- Others.
What foods are toxic for dogs?
Common foods that are highly toxic to dogs are:
- Grapes and Raisins;
- Xylitol;
- Chocolate;
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Onions;
- Garlic;
- Alcohol.
Can you put salt in dog food?
Yes, but salt should be offered to dogs in small amounts. The sodium present in salt is a very important mineral for the proper functioning of the dog’s organism. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
References
Araújo, I. C. S., Furtado, A. P., Araújo, G. C. P., & Rocha, C. G. (2018). Effect of the diet of healthy dogs on clinical analysis and behavioral aspects. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 70, 689-698.
Picture from commons.wikimedia.org
