Are you wondering what type of dog food is best for your Chihuahua? The huge variety of dog food types is confusing. For instance, there is; dry (kibble), canned, fresh, raw, freeze-dried, etc? Well, it’s no wonder we Chi pawrents are confused! Maybe you have to be a nutritional scientist to know for sure!
Would it surprise you to know that even scientists, veterinarians, and nutrition specialists disagree on what is the best food to feed a dog?
What is a responsible and loving Chi pawrent who wants to feed them the very best dog food to do? One option is to purchase a monthly subscription to a fresh food delivery service. There are two that I recommend. I’ll list them below, but they can be costly, especially if you have multiple Chihuahuas. But, first, let’s talk about rehydrated freeze-dried dog food.
How Most Dog Food Is Made
Most dog foods on the market have thoroughly removed all the moisture from their food by either baking or extruding the food at extremely high temperatures. Even canned or “wet” dog food is cooked at very high temperatures. It has to be preserved and stored on pet food and grocery market shelves. What does that mean?
What Does Extruding Mean?
The condensed explanation is:
- 1. All the raw and wet ingredients in the food are mixed together into a dough.
- 2. Then that is pushed through a machine (an expander) that uses hot water or pressurized steam to cook the dough.
- 3. While at these extreme temperatures, it is forced (or extruded) through special-sized and/or shaped holes. These extremely high temperatures virtually remove all nutrients from the food. Then it is trimmed.
- 4. This produces the different sizes you see in kibble. Then the kibble is sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, minerals, and coloring. This is to re-introduce the nutrients that were completely removed during the extruding process.
- 5. Lastly, it is packaged before the oils can spoil.
Notice the extremely high heat and the pale color of the kibble. That is why they spray coloring on to make it appear more appetizing to your dog and more appealing to you. Strictly speaking for myself, I would not eat that so why would I feed it to my Chihuahuas who are family and deeply loved?
the difference in freeze-dried dog food processing methods
Dehydrating the food is generally processed at a much lower temperature for a long time to draw out or evaporate the moisture out of the food. This preserves more of the nutrients that are in the ingredients.
Dog food manufacturers use two methods of doing this. One is by air drying and one is by freeze-drying. Air-dried dog food can be accomplished at low temperatures, but it takes longer and meats and fats are vulnerable to spoilage. So I prefer dog foods that are freeze-dried instead of air-dried.
THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING YOUR CHIHUAHUA FREEZE-DRIED DOG FOOD
- Freeze-drying preserves the food with less damage to the ingredients, the natural enzymes and vitamins than other methods.
- When rehydrated, freeze-dried foods are very tasty to most dogs, even some of the pickest of Chihuahuas. This is probably so because of the concentration of the flavor of the ingredients that they can actually taste.
- As a general rule the makers of this type of dog food are targeting the top end of the market and have an exceptional commitment to sourcing top-quality ingredients.
If you are now feeding your Chihuahua dry (kibble) dog food and have a picky eater, senior, or chronically ill Chihuahua this may be a good option for you. Even if you don’t, it’s much healthier than regular dry dog food because of the methods used to make it.
GREAT FREEZE-DRIED OPTIONS
WHAT'S THE HANDS-DOWN VERY BEST DOG FOOD FOR YOUR CHIHUAHUA?
FRESH! If you want to feed your Chihuahua the best possible dog food for a healthier, happier Chihuahua there simply is nothing better than fresh dog food. I learned firsthand how feeding your Chihuahua fresh food with the right ingredients can prolong your Chihuahua’s life. When my Pebbles (8-6-2006 to 8-31-2021) was diagnosed with heart disease at a very young age we were told her little heart would not last long.
After feeding her fresh dog food, her health improved drastically. No, it didn’t cure her heart, but it supported her heart and boosted her immune system as well as many other benefits too numerous to mention here. The result? Although on heart medications, Pebbles lived a happy and normal life for 15 years! Far longer than her veterinarian expected.
I can’t promise that yours will live longer if you feed them fresh dog food, however, I can promise that in doing so you will give your Chihuahua the best possible opportunity to live a longer and happier life. Isn’t that what we all want for our beloved tiny family members?
One Caution Regarding Fresh Dog Food
I have to caution you here, however. Only a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (fewer than 100 in the US) or a canine nutrition specialist is qualified to create a recipe that you can trust.
Many well-meaning pet owners create their own recipes to feed their dogs. But by doing that you risk your Chihuahua getting too much of one nutrient or not enough of another.
For instance, feeding your dog too much vitamin D can cause kidney damage, even kidney failure leading to death. Granted it would take a mighty large amount of vitamin D to do that, but it shows how important it is not to try to feed your own recipe.
Or on the other hand, you also risk them not getting enough of the essential nutrients that their bodies need to remain healthy. This can result in serious health issues later. So that begs the question … what’s a Chihuahua pawrent to do?
You can do one of two things. You can find a canine nutritionist specialist and pay them to create one for you OR you can get NomNom.
Why NomNom?
Nom Nom is fresh dog food made by real people who really care — they are purposeful and enthusiastic about giving your dog the best food for them and their health, so they can thrive and be the best they can be.
Why Is NomNom The Best? Let me count the ways:
- Their food is full of fresh proteins my Chihuahuas love, — and so will yours — And the vitamins and nutrients they need to thrive
- You can actually see all the proteins and vegetables — beef, chicken, pork, peas, carrots, kale, and more.
- Fresh really means fresh, and with Nom Nom you can see what your dog’s eating
- No fillers or weird ingredients with names you can’t pronounce
- Your Chi’s health starts in the gut. A better diet means softer coats, more energy, better breath, and smaller, more consistent stools. Your Chihuahua can’t tell you if they’re healthy, but you can tell when their health improves.
- It’s the easiest way to take the guesswork out of feeding your dog the best. Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists are kind of a big deal, and Nom Nom has two that work extensively to ensure everything we send out is the very best for your dog’s livelihood.
How NomNom Works:
- You tell them about your pup — age, breed, weight, allergies and protein preferences.
- They tailor a specific amount of individually packaged Nom Nom meals, and send them straight to you! You store in the freezer (or fridge) until it’s mealtime!
- Watch your dog clean their dishes, dance (Cora literally dances!) for dinner, and overall thrive!
I’m excited to tell you that now through ChiChis And Me you can get 50% OFF!! Just try it — you won’t be sorry! Just click the button to get started (offer won’t last long).
TRY ONE OF MY PERSONAL RECIPES
