The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. Their popularity has increased drastically over the last decade. Unfortunately, their small size and high energy level makes them a difficult breed to feed. This homemade dog food for Chihuahua recipe may be a good option for your pint-sized pooch.
The average Chihuahua weighs 2-10 pounds, and their lifespan averages 12-20 years. Within the Chihuahua breed there is much diversity. You can find short- or long-haired Chihuahuas, a large variety of personalities and drastic differences in size and energy level.
The wide variety of traits is what can make feeding a Chihuahua a challenge. You need to give your pup enough calories to meet his daily energy requirements, while not overloading his diet with necessary nutrients.
Your dog's diet will also vary as he ages. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adults and seniors. As your dog's weight, activity level, and health condition change, you'll need to update his diet to meet his needs.
For all of these reasons, before switching to this homemade dog food for Chihuahua you'll need to consult your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. They will evaluate your dog and help you evaluate this (or any other recipe) to determine if it will meet Fido's needs. If not, they'll recommend supplements or multi-vitamins that can be added to ensure the food offers balanced nutrition for your Chihuahua.
Homemade Dog Food for Chihuahua Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless/skinless chicken
- 1 cup DRY brown rice
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1 apple (chopped)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350˚. Boil the chicken until it can be easily shredded with a fork. Shred it completely.
Steam the corn, carrots and peas. Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. Scramble and cook the egg. As you will see in my video guide above, I include the shell when I scramble the egg. It adds a great source of natural calcium, but if you prefer you can leave the shell out.
Blend the chopped apple, cooked egg and shredded chicken in a medium mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine the cooked vegetables and rice.
In a well-greased cake pan, layer 1/2 of the chicken mixture, 2/3 of the vegetable mixture, 1/2 of the chicken mixture and 1/3 of the vegetable mixture. Bake this homemade dog food for Chihuahua in the 350˚ oven for 30 minutes.
Once cooled, you can serve this food to your pet. The recommended serving size is 1/4 cup for every 10 pounds of body weight, at 2 servings per day. This homemade dog food for Chihuahua can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
READ NEXT: 6 Nutritional Guidelines for Safe Homemade Dog Food Cooking