Feeding your Chihuahua

Feeding your Chihuahua

Feeding is an important concern for all Chihuahua and small dog owners.  Small dogs and other small animals are susceptible to hypoglycemia.  Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, causing 'sugar shock.'

To prevent low blood sugar, small Chihuahuas should have small frequent meals and plenty of time to rest.  Another preventative for this is to feed your dog Nutrical, available from your Veterinarian or your local pet store. Nutrical gives your dog the vitamins needed with a single inch strip in the morning and in the evening.  Vanilla yogurt mixed in their food is also another good source. 

Recommended food brands are Eukanuba, and other major pet store brands.  Feeding your pet "expensive" store brands can actually be less expensive, as your pet will be eating less, while actually in taking more nutrients and vitamins.  Eukanuba offers a small breed formula, created especially for smaller dogs and Iams offers a MiniChunks option.

As for soft food:  Soft food is an excellent way to teach your small puppies to eat solid foods.  It is not at all a good habit to keep.  Your dog may be little, and of course a little spoiled, however, feeding them only canned and soft foods can cause a lot of harm to their teeth over time.  The hard food keeps their teeth clean of tarter and strong.  Being that Chihuahuas live almost 20 years, keeping their teeth in optimum health is really in not only their best interest, but yours as well.  Occasional soft food is an excellent treat.