Do you take note of how these little fiery pets called chihuahuas are bursting with life and love? Because they are so energetic and active, they need some special attention when feeding them. Basically, toy breeds tend to burn more calories than normal-sized dogs: three times more. This can lead to several problems. So Excellent chihuahua Diet keys are needed.
- Owners don’t really understand how much energy these creatures are burning so they underfeed them.
- When some owners realize the magnitude of activity in chihuahuas they easily fall into the trap of overfeeding them. Maybe they forget that they are tiny dogs with a huge display of personality.
Here are 8 Keys to an Excellent chihuahua Diet:
1. How Active Is Your Dog
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Before starting any diet plan the first thing you should take into consideration is to evaluate your dog’s level of activity and fitness. Based on your chihuahua’s activity level you will determine the chihuahua’s calorie needs. This way you can control his or her weight issues.
The rule is simple active chihuahuas need much more protein than sedentary ones. Never forget to prioritize a single source of protein like chicken on your dog’s meal plan.
2. How much?
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A typical chihuahua especially small_sized weighing about 5 lbs. with moderate activity will need 200-250 calories on a single day. Actually, that is more than any other tiny dog breed would need in a day. For instance:
A Yorkie will only need around 150 lbs. on a single day, that’s 25% less.
And because not all dogs are the same weight doing some simple calculations will clearly show that for every pound of body weight, a chihuahua will require 40-50 calories. You will also realize that these little friends have a high need for protein so it’s good to go with a variety that has at least 25% in protein composition for an adult chihuahua. If the chihuahua in question is in his senior years, more protein is required.
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3. Meal schedules and adjustments
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There are several factors that must be considered when creating a meal schedule. Among the core factors, you should at least consider:
- Age
- Activity levels
As the chihuahua grows and evolves its habits, so should the meal plan change to make sure that the dog gets optimum nutrients.
Puppies that are less than three months old and under two pounds should be free feeders. Between three and six months, give the 3-4 meals a day. In the age bracket of 6 months, to1 year lower the meals to 2-3 meals in a day. Once your chihuahua hits one year, it’s time to start feeding them only twice a day. One meal is served in the morning and another in the evening.
When it comes to feeding chihuahuas, timing is very important and you should always try to synchronize the feeding time so that your dog gets used to it.
4. Feeding with long-term goals
It’s commonly agreed that chihuahuas tend to have a longer life expectancy than their huge cousins. With that in mind, you should be prepared to have your chihuahua for a long time. And you don’t want to feed him foods that will have a negative impact on their overall health when they get older.
Some of these signs are so clear to spot. By looking at your dog, does its coat seem to lose its color? Or maybe they are having stunted growth. If you ever observe any of these signs you should change the food immediately.
The most tragic feeding mistake that can happen is feeding your little chihuahua with some foods that are detrimental to the immune system. And you wouldn’t know until the poor thing starts to catch all sorts of ailments due to a weakened immune system both in the short term and the long term, and no one wants a constantly sick chihuahua.
One of the crucial elements of a good diet is proteins. In some cases, always ensure that the protein source is from meats and meals but not byproducts. In fact, don’t feed them a protein from byproducts. On the feeds, the label looks keenly to see if it says; bison, chicken, venison, and fish. If any of those are present, your chihuahua is good to go.
Occasionally, prepare a homemade meal and use an organ meal to give your pet a boost. A good carbohydrate source will cushion your chihuahua against hypoglycemia and it’s a must to have a stable source of products like brown rice and sweet potatoes. These are high in complex carbohydrates which prevent his condition. Finally, have some fruits for some vitamins and antioxidants the dog will love you for these.
5. Don’t be forceful
It’s not rare to come across dogs that are real piglets, eating anything edible. However, most of these dogs are choosy feeders and are quite frustrating sometimes. They can easily turn their nose up on the food.
Instead of constantly feeding the pet some food that they dislike, try another brand that your chihuahua may like. To avoid all these hustles, make sure that you have communicated with the breeder effectively and they should reveal what was the chihuahuas’ staple food before it landed on your house.
6. Is Your chihuahua Allergic To some Types Of Foods
In general, chihuahuas that suffer from a food-borne allergy are prone to other types of allergies than ones that don’t. In fact, their immune system display over-stimulation from an allergic reaction. Therefore it treats other potential allergens aggressively.
The two main symptoms of allergies are digestive issues or/and excessive itching. Excessive itching is a vicious cycle because when the dog starts to scratch its skin, this may allow bacterial infections to happen, boosting the itch response.
You have to bring your chihuahua only the highest-quality dog food with a clear label. Therefore you will avoid any potential food-borne allergies.
THIS ARTICLE MAY HELP: chihuahua Allergies
7. Chihuahua’s Food Ingredients Are Crucial
Just like humans, proper chihuahua nutrition must focus on a priority of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Keep in mind that food is the main source of energy for your pet. In other words, any ingredient list should have a higher amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats than any other ingredient.
High-quality macronutrients are good for skeletal-muscle development, and digestive and immune systems.
Product labels must show clearly and without any confusing terms where the food originates from and delete any additives.
The label must be simple it should state exactly what your little dog is eating.
8. The Importance Of Exercises
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A lot of owners underestimate the importance of exercise for a chihuahua. As they think these small creatures don’t need a lot of exercise. However, chihuahuas require to get at least 30-minutes of strong exercise on a daily basis.
Exercises, a great meal plan, and regular veterinarian checkups are the three factors of an ideal long healthy life.
Exercises help dogs in several areas, they maintain a healthy body and mind. In addition, to these two major benefits, exercises can play a big role in improving appetite, building muscle, alleviating anxiety, strengthening bones, and increasing moods.
Daily exercises with your pet will help you as a leader as they will strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Also, going outsing for exercises will help your dog to be more social.
Last word
Finally, in order to provide your chihuahua with a high quality of life over the long term, you will need to consider these factors: age, weight, activity level, exercise, and food intolerance.
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