Chihuahua food: rating of producers and selection features
Despite their miniature size, Chihuahuas are very fond of eating densely and often, and all because of their fast metabolism. And here their owners are faced with a problem - what to feed their pets, so as not to harm them, but, on the contrary, only benefit. We will talk about which food to choose and how to give it to your dog correctly in this article.
Feeding features
Chihuahuas are among those dog breeds that need to be fed with specialized foods. Natural food it is quite difficult for them and not every owner will be able to cook it correctly.
It is important and necessary to feed these animals correctly, this is the only way to be sure that the life span of a beloved pet will not be reduced, and all the necessary substances will enter its body. For this, you can use both dry and wet food.
It is important to select only such a product that is intended for dogs of this particular breed.
In it, the pieces of food are of the ideal size, and the composition is suitable specifically for these small, nimble and active pets.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that in the selected products the fat content is not less than 6%, and protein - not less than 20%. According to veterinarians, only such food can fully satisfy all the needs of the animal's body. The serving size and its calorie content directly depend on the age of the Chihuahua. So, for dogs under seven years old, this indicator is calculated based on 85 kilocalories per 1 kg of body weight per day. The daily allowance for pets over 7 years old is calculated as follows: 68 kilocalories per 1 kg of body weight.
Puppies are fed up to 4 times a day, adult dogs - twice.The first feeding should be at 7-9 am, the second at 19-21 hours.
You should never feed your pet just before bedtime.
Composition
Food for dogs of this breed, as well as for everyone else, should include in its composition such substances as:
- trace elements;
- vitamins;
- proteins;
- fats;
- carbohydrates.
That is why the following ingredients must be included in the composition of food for the Chihuahua:
- meat or poultry: usually beef, veal, turkey or rabbit are used;
- vegetables: zucchini, eggplants, carrots, cabbage, etc.;
- vitamin and mineral complexes: use ready-made special mixtures in strictly defined proportions;
- rice or corn flour, as well as some types of cereals, are used as carbohydrates.
Natural flavors and preservatives may also be present in some foods. All are fully veterinarian approved.
Views
Today, there are several varieties of food for pets of this breed on sale. Each option has its own characteristics.
Dry food
It is often chosen due to the fact that it helps to remove tartar from the dog in a timely manner and does not allow the manifestation of severe inflammation. In addition, special additives that make up such food help not only to increase immunity and improve bowel function, but also significantly reduce the unpleasant odor of stool. It is important to choose dry food specifically for the Chihuahua, since the granules in it have the most optimal size.
It is important to remember that before changing milk teeth for puppies, dry food is slightly soaked in warm water.
Wet food is highly popular
Its consistency is as close as possible to the natural diet of dogs. It contains all the necessary trace elements and proteins. Soft food is also chosen because it helps to normalize the water balance in the animal's body and prevents it from dehydration.
But as a prophylaxis of tartar, it will not work. It is important to understand that not all types of wet prepared food are suitable for daily Chihuahua feeding.
What kind of feed to choose - each owner decides on his own. But before buying it is still better to consult a veterinarian.
Rating of the best manufacturers
In order to make the choice easier and not to be mistaken, we offer you a list of manufacturers of various types of dog food. The quality of their products is confirmed not only by specialists, but also by the reviews of ordinary buyers.
- Royal Canin Mini Adult - the best dry food for dogs of small breeds, intended for animals aged 10 months to 7 years. Has a completely natural and safe composition. Its particle size is optimal for the Chihuahua, so pets have no problems absorbing it. The composition of this feed is completely balanced, it includes cereals, meat and vitamin complexes. The food belongs to the premium segment.
- Acana. The products of this manufacturer are in no way inferior to those described above. The food is saturated with fish oil, healthy fatty acids and balanced in the ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Helps fight tartar, improves digestion in animals and the appearance of their fur. The line includes food for dogs of all ages. This product belongs to the holistic class.
- Bosch Mini Adult Lamb & Rice Is already a super premium food from Germany. Has an ideal ratio of fat and protein, vitamin supplements and minerals. This food was specially developed for dwarf dogs, including the Chihuahua. A big plus is that the range includes food designed for different age categories of pets.
- Grandorf Natural & Healthy Is the best wet dog food. The composition does not contain any natural or artificial colors, flavors.Such moist food not only never causes allergies, but also has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, and also helps to strengthen bone tissue and thicken cartilaginous tissue.
There is only one drawback of such food - it is practically not on the shelves, therefore it is better to purchase food directly from the manufacturer.
- Hill's Prescription Diet L / D Canine Hepatic Health Canned - Another excellent quality wet food with a therapeutic effect. Such nutrition not only helps to avoid the appearance of allergies, but also prevents the development of urolithiasis. This food is recommended by veterinarians for dogs after various operations. But it is also ideal for healthy pets.
- Belcando - This is a food that does not contain grain crops and therefore does not cause allergies. Balanced composition, pleasant aroma, absence of harmful additives and, as a result, a healthy and active pet. This is what those Chihuahua owners who have chosen the products of this brand receive.
Some of the above types of feed are expensive. However, it fully pays off due to the economical power consumption and its high quality. This applies to both dry and wet food.
Selection rules
Before purchasing any of the above-described feeds, you need to study some of the recommendations of specialists. They will help you make the right and safe choice for your pet.
- For castrated Chihuahuas, only specialized food should be purchased. Food intended for common dogs is not suitable for such animals.
- Feed your pet only wet or only dry food of the same brand.
In exceptional cases, they can be combined, but only after consultation with a specialist.
- For Chihuahuas at a very young age, as well as dogs over 9 years old, it is better to choose hypoallergenic food. The digestive system of such dogs is too vulnerable and it is not necessary to test the body's endurance once again.
- You can not independently change the feed for any other. Replacing the power supply is possible only on the recommendation of a specialist. He will help you choose the best replacement option.
According to the breeders, it is preferable to choose a specific food and its type precisely after contacting a veterinarian. And you should find out in advance from the previous owner what he fed his puppy with, it is possible that a replacement food will not be needed.
An overview of dog food can be found in the following video.