One of the best-known toy breeds, the Chihuahua is a small, energetic dog bursting with personality. Most Chihuahua owners take their dogs everywhere, and they’re ideal “purse” dogs.

Chihuahuas have unique energy needs, however. They require a balanced diet for optimal nutrition, especially as puppies. While all dogs need a certain balance of protein, fat, and nutrients, Chihuahuas need a high-calorie, nutrient-dense diet to support their activity levels during growth and development.

To help, we’ve compiled our list of the best puppy food for Chihuahuas based on reviews from pet owners like you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023

Image Product Details

Best Overall

The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription

Custom recipe

Whole and balanced nutrition

High-quality ingredients

Click to Save 50%

Best Value

Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Puppy Dry Food

Formulated for small breeds

Complete nutrition

Free of artificial flavors or preservatives

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CANIDAE PURE Puppy Canned Dog Food

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Only four ingredients

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Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food

Nutrient dense

High protein

Chicken as the first ingredient

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Vet’s Choice

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food

Wholesome ingredients

High protein

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The 10 Best Puppy Foods for Chihuahuas

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

Click Here to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping with The Farmer’s Dog

Main ingredients: Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver

Protein content: 39%

Fat content: 29%

Calories: 721 kcal/cup

The Farmer’s Dog is the best overall puppy food for Chihuahuas. This premium subscription food offers fresh, customized recipes for your puppy’s needs. You simply fill out the questionnaire about your dog’s breed, weight, activity level, and age to get a feeding profile, then select your recipe and delivery schedule to have the food delivered directly to your door.

These meals must be refrigerated and offer added convenience with delivery. Once your puppy reaches adulthood, you can transition to an adult formula. The nutritional breakdown is for the beef formula, but you can choose chicken, pork, or turkey. Keep in mind that The Farmer’s Dog is only available through a subscription and may be expensive for pet parents on a budget.

Pros

Custom recipe

Whole and balanced nutrition

High-quality ingredients

Cons

Expensive

Only available through a subscription

Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Small Breed Healthy Growth Formula Natural Chicken & Oatmeal Rice Recipe Puppy Dry Food is the best puppy food for Chihuahuas for the money. This value-packed formula offers the nutrition your Chihuahua puppy needs with ingredients like chicken, brown rice, and garden fruits and vegetables for plenty of protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Custom recipe

Whole and balanced nutrition

High-quality ingredients

  • Custom recipe
  • Whole and balanced nutrition
  • High-quality ingredients

Expensive

Only available through a subscription

  • Expensive
  • Only available through a subscription

Check Price on Chewy

This recipe is free of artificial flavors or preservatives, wheat, soy, or by-product meals, but it does contain peas. There’s evidence to suggest that peas in dog food could be linked to heart disease in dogs. Note that this food is designed for extra small, small, and toy breeds, so it’s not appropriate for medium or large dogs.

Pros

Formulated for small breeds

Complete nutrition

Free of artificial flavors or preservatives

Cons

Contains peas

Not appropriate for medium or large dogs

CANIDAE PURE Puppy Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food is our third choice for a puppy food for your Chihuahua. This grain-free recipe is formulated for puppies with sensitive stomachs and only four ingredients to limit digestive upset.

Formulated for small breeds

Complete nutrition

Free of artificial flavors or preservatives

  • Formulated for small breeds
  • Complete nutrition
  • Free of artificial flavors or preservatives

Contains peas

Not appropriate for medium or large dogs

  • Contains peas
  • Not appropriate for medium or large dogs

All CANIDAE products are manufactured in US facilities and source ingredients from reliable suppliers both in the US and in Canada and New Zealand. With complete nutrition, it can be fed on its own or in combination with dry puppy food for puppies or pregnant or nursing females. With the limited ingredients, some dogs will be too finicky for this food, and it does contain peas.

Pros

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Only four ingredients

Cons

Some dogs may be too finicky

Contains peas

Purina Pro Plan Brand Dog Food Puppy Small Breed Chicken and Rice Formula dry puppy food is high in protein and features chicken as the first ingredient to give your Chihuahua puppy the energy it needs. The kibble is small to make chewing more comfortable for toy and small breeds, and it’s highly digestible to improve absorption. It’s also fortified with live probiotics for digestion.

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Only four ingredients

  • Formulated for sensitive stomachs
  • Only four ingredients

Some dogs may be too finicky

Contains peas

  • Some dogs may be too finicky
  • Contains peas

This food has no artificial colors or flavors, and all ingredients have a nutritional value. Some reviewers said their dogs weren’t pleased with the food or they struggled to source it and had to switch to other brands.

Pros

Nutrient dense

High protein

Chicken as the first ingredient

Cons

Some dogs wouldn’t eat it

Issues with availability

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food is the vet’s choice for a puppy food for chihuahuas. This formula features wholesome ingredients like chicken meal and barley to support your pup’s nutritional needs during growth, including nutrients for healthy brain, eye, and muscle and skeletal development.

Nutrient dense

High protein

Chicken as the first ingredient

  • Nutrient dense
  • High protein
  • Chicken as the first ingredient

Some dogs wouldn’t eat it

Issues with availability

  • Some dogs wouldn’t eat it
  • Issues with availability

This food is manufactured in the US and held to rigorous standards for purity and nutritional standards. Appropriate for puppies up to one year and pregnant or nursing dogs, this food is complete and balanced for the nutritional needs of extra small, toy, and small breeds. Some reviewers said their dogs didn’t like the food, so it may not be appropriate for finicky eaters. It’s also formulated with small bites for small breeds, so it’s best to choose a different food for a medium or large breed.

Pros

Wholesome ingredients

High protein

Cons

May not satisfy finicky dogs

Not appropriate for medium or large breeds

Bil-Jac Small Breed Puppy Chicken, Oatmeal & Yam Recipe Dry Dog Food uses fresh, farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient. It also contains wholesome oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and corn meal that are slow-cooked for better digestion. The food comes in a proprietary Nutri-Lock low-temperature, vacuum-drying process that extracts moisture without compromising fats or nutritional value.

Wholesome ingredients

High protein

  • Wholesome ingredients
  • High protein

May not satisfy finicky dogs

Not appropriate for medium or large breeds

  • May not satisfy finicky dogs
  • Not appropriate for medium or large breeds

All Bil-Jac foods are made in the US without fillers, gluten meals, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate. Though approved by the FDA as a feed additive, some pet owners are concerned about the BHA in this food. This food is a little pricey if you’re on a budget as well.

Pros

Proprietary vacuum-drying process

Fresh chicken as first ingredient

No fillers, gluten meal, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate

Cons

Contains BHA

Pricey

CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon Dry Dog Food is a good option for small breed puppies with sensitive stomachs. This food only has one animal protein source and limited ingredients to avoid triggering allergies or digestive upset. The freeze-dried kibble is raw coated with salmon for a delicious taste that will entice picky pups.

Proprietary vacuum-drying process

Fresh chicken as first ingredient

No fillers, gluten meal, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate

  • Proprietary vacuum-drying process
  • Fresh chicken as first ingredient
  • No fillers, gluten meal, wheat, soy, rendered fat, or protein concentrate

Contains BHA

Pricey

  • Contains BHA
  • Pricey

Despite some wholesome ingredients, CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon Dry Dog Food has lentils and peas as major ingredients, as well as garbanzo beans, which may be linked to heart concerns in dogs. Some reviewers said their dogs wouldn’t eat it or experienced some digestive upset.

Pros

Single animal protein source

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Cons

Contains lentils and peas

Some dogs don’t like it

May cause digestive upset

Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Puppy Mousse Chicken & Pumpkin in Broth Small Breed Grain-Free Wet Dog Food offers an enticing mousse texture for small breed puppies to transition them to solid food. The first ingredient is quality chicken to support your dog’s energy needs. The food also contains wholesome, nutrient-rich ingredients like fish oil and flaxseed. The pumpkin is added to improve digestibility.

Single animal protein source

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

  • Single animal protein source
  • Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Contains lentils and peas

Some dogs don’t like it

May cause digestive upset

  • Contains lentils and peas
  • Some dogs don’t like it
  • May cause digestive upset

Despite many good ingredients, this food has mung beans as a major ingredient. Legumes like this may be linked to heart issues in dogs. It’s also expensive for the portions, but it can be mixed with dry food or used as an occasional topper.

Pros

Chicken as first ingredient

Pumpkin for digestibility

Nutrient-rich ingredients

Cons

Contains mung beans

Expensive

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food is a special formula intended for Chihuahua puppies. The small kibble is created to make it easier to chew for this breed and their tiny jaws. It also contains highly digestible protein and fiber for improved digestion.

Chicken as first ingredient

Pumpkin for digestibility

Nutrient-rich ingredients

  • Chicken as first ingredient
  • Pumpkin for digestibility
  • Nutrient-rich ingredients

Contains mung beans

Expensive

  • Contains mung beans
  • Expensive

This food is intended for puppies up to eight months, after which you should transition to the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food for adults. Several reviewers said the food was especially dry, stale, and hard, making it difficult for their puppies to eat. Some dogs weren’t excited to eat it, either, and it’s expensive.

Pros

Special breed formula

Small kibble size

Cons

Expensive

Stale and hard

Some dogs won’t eat it

Cesar Puppy Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Beef Recipe is a quality wet food that’s designed for picky eaters. Each single-serve tray has a perfect balance of vitamins and minerals to support your pup’s health and development, as well as US beef as the first ingredient.

Special breed formula

Small kibble size

  • Special breed formula
  • Small kibble size

Expensive

Stale and hard

Some dogs won’t eat it

  • Expensive
  • Stale and hard
  • Some dogs won’t eat it

Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, beef lung, beef by-products, chicken broth, water, beef, chicken heart

Protein content: 9%

Fat content: 6%

Calories: 113 kcal/tray

The single-serve trays have convenient peel-away freshness seals, so you don’t need to refrigerate leftovers. You can feed this alone or mix it with a dry food of your choice. Some reviewers had spoilage issues that wasted several portions. The food is expensive for the portions as well, which may be difficult if you’re on a budget.

Pros

Convenient single-serve trays

Beef as first ingredient

Cons

Expensive

Spoilage issues

Convenient single-serve trays

Beef as first ingredient

  • Convenient single-serve trays
  • Beef as first ingredient

Expensive

Spoilage issues

  • Expensive
  • Spoilage issues

Why Do Chihuahuas Need Special Food?

Most commercial dog food is manufactured to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the standards, which are enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Still, some breeds or life stages may benefit from a specialized food formula, such as Chihuahuas. As adults, Chihuahuas may only reach six pounds, so they’re exceptionally tiny puppies. They don’t eat a lot of food at once, instead preferring to eat multiple meals a day.

That said, Chihuahuas need a lot of calories for a small dog. They actually consume more calories per pound of body weight than a larger dog. Like other toy and small breeds, they have faster metabolisms and can metabolize a meal in a matter of hours.

While some dogs can eat only one meal a day, Chihuahuas need to eat regularly to stave off low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. This condition can be dangerous, especially in puppies, and may lead to weakness, lethargy, seizures, or death.

Puppies also struggle to regulate their body temperature, so an adequate intake of fat and calories can help them stay comfortable and maintain healthy brain function.

When you choose a dog food formulated for small breeds, you get a higher caloric density and nutrient density to ensure your puppy gets the nutrition he needs.

Here’s what you should look for:

High-quality animal protein

High fat content

Digestible carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables

Limited synthetic supplements

No artificial additives

Small kibble size

High-quality animal protein

High fat content

Digestible carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables

Limited synthetic supplements

No artificial additives

Small kibble size

  • High-quality animal protein
  • High fat content
  • Digestible carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables
  • Limited synthetic supplements
  • No artificial additives
  • Small kibble size

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a good food for your Chihuahua puppy, you have plenty to choose from. Our best overall is The Farmer’s Dog for its fresh, customized recipes. For the best value, choose Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Small Breed Healthy Growth Formula Natural Chicken & Oatmeal Rice Recipe Puppy Dry Food. CANIDAE PURE Puppy Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food is our third choice for puppy food for your Chihuahua. There’s also Purina Pro Plan Brand Dog Food Puppy Small Breed Chicken and Rice Formula, which is high in protein. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food is the vet’s choice for a puppy food for Chihuahuas.

Sources

https://www.rover.com/blog/reviews/best-dog-food-chihuahuas/ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/peas-linked-dcm-canine-heart-disease/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7009650/ https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and https://www.aafco.org/ https://spca.bc.ca/news/dogs-sensitive-hot-weather/#:~:text=Puppies,themselves%20outside%20on%20hot%20days. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5949948/

See also: 10 Essential Chihuahua Supplies to Get You Started

Sources

https://www.rover.com/blog/reviews/best-dog-food-chihuahuas/ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/peas-linked-dcm-canine-heart-disease/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7009650/ https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and https://www.aafco.org/ https://spca.bc.ca/news/dogs-sensitive-hot-weather/#:~:text=Puppies,themselves%20outside%20on%20hot%20days. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5949948/

Featured Image Credit: Lara Ezhkova, Shutterstock