Nutrition Part III ~ Series of IV
What is the best type of dog food for your Chihuahua? Would it surprise you to know that even scientists, veterinarians, and nutrition specialists disagree on what is the best food to feed a dog?
Dry Dog Food
Without a doubt, dry dog food is the most popular type of dog food sold. If you read my blog then you already know that I am not a fan of dry dog food. The research that I’ve done on canine nutrition over the years has proven to me that it just isn’t a healthy option. It seems to me that the advantages are for the dog owner, not necessarily for the dog. But, they are:
- It’s easy to feed & store.
- It has a long shelf life
- It has little odor
Some things to consider before deciding to feed your Chihuahua dry dog food
Chihuahua puppies may not consume enough dry dog food to meet their energy needs. They do, however, eat more when the nuggets are moistened.
Be sure to read the labels on the bag carefully because some are meant to be consumed dry while others form a gravy when moistened and are meant to be eaten slightly wet, and still others may be consumed either way.
When choosing dry dog food for your Chihuahua be sure to check the size of the nuggets. A tiny Chihuahua naturally prefers small pieces that they can easily chew. Large, extra-hard pieces will make it difficult for them to close their mouth to chew them.
Another thing to consider when choosing the best type of dog food is that you feed them the freshest food you can. Unless you have more than one Chihuahua and you feed them the same food, you may want to buy the smallest bag to ensure that they are always getting fresh food. Nobody, not even dogs like stale, moldy food.
The Best Dry Dog Food
In my opinion, the best “dry” dog food is Spot & Tango’s Unkibble. Unkibble is just what the name suggests. It comes in a bag, just like kibble with a personalized scoop so you can be sure that your Chihuahua is getting the perfect amount for him or her.
It is as convenient as dry dog food you buy in the pet store, but it is delivered to your door. No more running out and the mad dash to the pet store for more. And the cost is comparable to what you buy at the pet store.
Why is it better? Because it is made with whole fresh ingredients that you can actually see. Healthy ingredients equal healthy Chihuahua. Instead of extruding it is made with a revolutionary process. They combine fresh meats and veggies with their one-of-a-kind Fresh Dry process. If you want to try it you can get 50% exclusively from ChiChis And Me. Use code: CHICHIS50 at checkout.
Canned Dog Food
The biggest benefit of this type of dog food is that dogs love them! The best ones are made of mostly meat products, they have a high moisture content, which will help them to feel full.
Canned dog food is processed food that is manufactured. Again, I’m not a fan.
Some canned dog food is eaten as is and some are meant to be mixed with dry dog food. If you decide to feed your Chihuahua canned food exclusively be sure it says something like; 100% complete or “complete dinner”. I personally think that if you decide to mix you should mix a complete canned food with the dry. Some brands also provide a choice of chopped or chunky. The nutritional values are the same, but in my experience, Chihuahuas prefer the chopped variety.
The bad thing is they are also expensive when compared to the price of dry dog food. Some people think they have a very unpleasant smell. You also have to cover them and store them in the refrigerator after they have been opened.
What about semi-moist or soft-moist foods?
Just like the name implies, the moisture content of this type of dog food is higher than in dry food but less than in canned food. With that, you get a chewy texture. The best thing about semi-moist food is that they come in individual servings. While that may be good for the average size dog, the individual size servings are too much for a Chihuahua to eat at one time, and you have to store the extra in an airtight bag so they don’t dry out before their next meal.
Semi-moist foods are also usually priced higher than dry dog food, but less than canned food. Many dogs like semi-moist foods, but the reason they love them is they contain more sugar or corn syrup. They also contain too much salt and have a variety of artificial colors and preservatives. Just as I wouldn’t advise you to eat foods with too many of those ingredients, I wouldn’t advise that you feed them to your dog.
Freeze-Dried Dog Food
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 type of dog dood 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.
Frozen Dog Food
Finally, there are the frozen dog foods you find in some pet stores. The best ones provide a high percentage of meat and dogs like them. They are stored in your freezer and seldom spoil. Just be sure to check the date before purchasing and be sure to thaw your dog’s portion thoroughly before serving. You can also use these alone or mix them with dry food.