Experts may say that only a canine nutrition specialist can unravel a healthy diet for your Chihuahua. In this article, you will learn how to easily and affordably optimize your Chihuahua’s current diet. Moreover, there is much controversy about fresh homemade dog food vs commercial dog food. Thousands of articles on the web will tell you that manufactured dog food is very bad for dogs.
What Are Some Options?
Some will say that feeding them fresh, homemade dog food or a raw diet is the only way. Manufactured dog food is believed by some people to be balanced and complete. The truth is, if you know canine nutrition, you can optimize both fresh and manufactured dog food for better nutrition and better health.
However, what everyone does agree on is that commercial dog food is cooked at an extremely high temperature. This completely depletes the ingredients of any nutrients. Then it is extruded and the resulting kibble is sprayed with flavor, vitamins, minerals, and color.
“Think of it as eating the same highly processed food for every meal, day after day, for years”. ~ Says Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D
But the alternative is a fresh food delivery service. This is a great option however, it is a little pricy, especially if you have multiple Chihuahuas, like me. Or, you can cook your own homemade dog food. However:
“There are many inadequate, and sometimes dangerous recipes, available to owners,” ~ says Dr. Larsen. “There are now many studies demonstrating that most of these are not balanced.”
In addition, a homemade recipe found on the internet is not usually by a veterinarian nutritionist or by a canine nutrition specialist. Additionally, they may cause long-term health issues. Those recipes also may have deficiencies and some lead to potentially toxic amounts of excess nutrients. Just one example is an excess of vitamin D. This can cause kidney damage and over time kidney failure leading to death. It is vital that the recipe has the correct percentages of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Plus those need to be in the correct balance.
Is Your Chihuahua Overweight? CLICK HERE
What about your veterinarian? Can he or she give you a recipe for a nutritionally balanced diet for your Chihuahua? You may be surprised to learn that in veterinary school very little time is spent learning canine nutrition. So your veterinarian may not be the best source either. There are some, however, that go on to specialize in canine nutrition.
How To Optimize Your Chihuahua’s Current Dog Food
According to canine nutrition specialists, there are 40 essential nutrients required by dogs and they each have a specific role in the body. If these essential nutrients are not in the right balance it can be very dangerous to your Chihuahua’s health. The result may be mild and you may not even notice or attribute them to your Chihuahua’s diet. It can also be very severe and dogs that do not get the proper nutrition in the right balance do not live long. A poor diet can severely impact your Chihuahuas lifespan and cut it short.
Lacking in commercially manufactured dog food is fresh, whole ingredients. These should include fresh carbohydrates that provide the correct amount of nutrients. They need the right amount of fiber, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Of course, putting all this together in the right balance is tricky and should not be done by anyone who doesn’t know canine nutrition.
However, if you cannot afford to hire a veterinary nutritionist or to purchase pre-prepared meals having them shipped to you there is a much less expensive way. You can be assured that your Chihuahua is getting all the necessary nutrients their body needs and in the right balance.
I am a canine nutrition specialist and have extensive knowledge specifically of the Chihuahua breed. I offer several nutrition consultation service options. If you want to continue with your current dog food, make it healthier and balance the nutrition, you may want to consider the “Optimise It’ option. The “Optimize It” option is very affordable, easy, and it is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a monthly delivery service.
How A Canine Nutrition Consultation Works
At the time of purchase, you will receive a questionnaire about your Chihuahua and his/her health history, food preferences, etc. When I have received it and the information provided, please allow me 7 to 10 (unless otherwise stated) business days. In that time I will, of course, review the information you provide and make my recommendations as to additional whole foods, herbs and natural supplements that will help improve the nutritional value of your Chihuahua’s current diet and that will address any issues you are concerned about. The report will be created specifically for your individual Chihuahua and his or her nutritional needs.
I may ask you to provide photographs and/or veterinary reports as needed. In addition, I will then send you (through email) a detailed report explaining what your Chihuahua needs and an explanation of added fresh foods, herbs, and supplements and why your Chihuahua needs them.
This diet will enhance and boost the nutritional value of what you are currently feeding your Chihuahua using easy and readily available fresh ingredients. The report will include links to the specific recommendations, (a sample of what the report will include is below). Also included is a one-time follow-up by email two weeks after you have received your report, for support and to answer any questions you may have if requested.
The personalized report will be step-by-step and easy to follow to improve your Chihuahua’s health and assure him or her a longer life through nutrition.
SAMPLE OF YOUR REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Added fresh ingredients
Instructions
Nutritional value and balance
Notes
Suggested herbs and supplements with links
Servings instructions and portions
$59.95
