How Healthy Your Chihuahua Is Starts With Good Nutrition!
There is no other decision that you make for your Chihuahua more important than their nutrition. Many elements impact the overall health of your Chihuahua, but proper nutrition is by far the biggest factor. Feeding them high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food has a significant effect on how long your Chihuahua lives. In contrast, however, a poor diet and poor quality foods can affect their entire body in a number of negative ways.
I learned this the hard way! Let me tell you about my Pebbles and our quest for healthy nutritionally balanced dog food. When Pebbles was only 6 years old, on one of her routine visits to her veterinarian he noticed a heart murmur. After seeing two veterinarians, blood tests, x-rays, and an EKG, the diagnosis was heartbreaking!
My veterinarian informed me that Pebbles had not just a murmur, but an enlarged heart. In the x-ray, her heart took up her whole chest cavity! That day he put her on heart medications and told me that her lifespan was greatly reduced. He said it would not be long before fluid would build up around her heart and in her lungs and that would be fatal.
Pebbles on one of our trips to the beach, approximately 3 years after her diagnosis.
I decided then and there that this was not going to happen to any of my other Chihuahuas, those that I had now, and any that came to live with me in the future! I was on a quest for healthy dog food! See the FDA’s report on commercial dog food and the link to heart disease.
The very first thing I did was change my dog’s diet to a fresh and healthy one. I started feeding them NomNom that is formulated by a veterinarian. So I knew it had all the necessary nutrients to keep my Chihuahuas healthy while I went on my quest to learn all I could about canine nutrition! (if you would like to try NomNom yourself, you can get 50% off your first order today, only through ChiChis And Me! CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR 50% OFF)
Research, Research, Research!
I spent the next two years in intense research and study. I put in hours and hours of research pouring over veterinary medical journals, veterinary school libraries, veterinarian teaching hospital libraries, and talking to veterinarians, including my own, about canine nutrition.
I learned all about store-bought dog food and how it is manufactured. Where the nutrients in a bag (or can) of dog food come from. What goes into it and just how much nutrition there is (or isn’t) in manufactured dog food.
I learned that there are even premium brands out there that are actually poor in nutrition. I then learned how I could make commercial store-bought dog food healthier and nutritionally balanced with all the proper nutrients added that dogs really need. I learned that it’s not just the ingredients, but how they are produced, balanced, and absorbed in the body.
I discovered what nutrient-rich foods, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics make a diet healthy and that would ensure that my dogs got everything their bodies needed to be and remain healthy. I learned about what carbohydrates are good for them and what ones are not. I found out how important fats are to a dog’s body and which were healthy fats, oh, I could go on and on.
I ascertained what nutrients actually supported, a dog’s health issues such as heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, arthritis, allergies, and so on. Of course, there is no cure for diseases like heart, some cancers, or kidney diseases, however, there are nutrients, amino acids, minerals, and healthy fats that can slow the progress and increase the quality of life, and help your Chihuahua to live a longer life than they might have if they were eating another diet or dog food. But, of course, what really matters is the results, right?
The Amazing Results!
As a result of all that research I realized that even though every dog needs the same basic nutrition, every dog is not alike and may need different nutrients at different stages of life, based on a number of factors. Each individual dog has different nutritional needs based on their health issues and to help prevent disease. For instance, some breeds, including Chihuahuas are more susceptible to certain diseases.
I drew up a diet plan for each of my Chihuahuas based on them individually and their particular dietary needs then began feeding them my own dog food formulated by me. Cooked by my husband (he’s the cook in our family!) The recipes are easy and we make two week’s worth at a time, freeze most of it, and thaw when needed.
I am happy to report that my Pebbles is now 14 years old! Although she is still on heart medications — there is no cure — she is living a normal, happy, and quality life. Each time I see my veterinarian he is amazed by her! I can’t count the times that he has said, “that is one tough little dog!”. I know, however, that she is still with us, not because she is tough, but because her mom cared enough to ensure that she was getting the proper nutrition that helped support the health of her heart. My veterinarian agrees with me.
My other two, Chico, and Remedy Jane also benefited from a healthier diet! My husband and I immediately noticed they were more energetic, their skin was healthier, the constant licking ended, and their coats felt like angora rabbits’! Silky soft! Chico has since passed away as mentioned above, but at the ripe old age of 17, almost 18! That is an above-average life-span for a Chihuahua, and it’s all because of a healthier diet!
Cora’s Weight-Loss Story
We adopted our Corazón (Cora) on October 12, 2020. She was an unhealthy 9.2 lbs when she came to us. Her ideal weight is 5 lbs. I formulated a diet for her and feeding her the proper amount she has now lost 2 lbs (at this writing)! Update: Since writing this she is now at her healthy, ideal 5 lbs. She has so much more energy and she and Remedy chase each other around the house and in our back yard!
September 12, 2020 (9.2 lbs) 
April 8, 2021 (5.2 lbs)
Cora is now so much healthier, her coat is shiny and silky soft. She has lots more energy and zips around the house as she never did before. She is obviously happier now. She and Remedy race each other out the door to the backyard every single morning.
There is almost nothing better than witnessing your Chihuahua become healthier and happier!
On The Other Hand, A Poor Diet …
Poor nutrition can contribute to a number of other health issues, including:
- Conditions like biting and chewing paws, dry skin, chronic ear infections, hot spots, rashes, food allergies, gastrointestinal distress, and sore or stiff joints.
- Severe diseases such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, pancreatitis, cancer, kidney disease, etc.
- Poor digestion and assimilation, lead to reduced nutritional benefits and possibly reduced life expectancy.
Do I Need A Lot Of Money For Healthy Dog Food?
No! People often think feeding their Chi a healthy diet means spending a lot on pet food. They are often surprised to find out that the better brands of pet foods aren’t much more expensive than economy brands. That even some “premium” brands are not the best dog food. And that they can make the kibble they are now feeding healthier by adding the needed, but absent nutrients. Plus, after factoring in reduced portion sizes and fewer vet visits, a healthy diet can actually cost you less than a diet of food providing significantly reduced nutritional value. They can even dine on the best for less!
But, I Make My Own And It’s Healthy
Ahhh, there is nothing better than a home-cooked meal! Many loving Chi parents take the time to make their own dog food recipes. What I have learned is that although well-intended and made with love, making your own is guided by some misconceptions, some of them being downright dangerous or can lead to malnutrition (they don’t have to be skinny to still be malnourished).
Another misconception is that dogs are carnivores. They are actually omnivores, just like we are which means they need carbohydrates and plant-based grains as much as we do. However, their nutritional needs are different than ours. There are vegetables and fruits that are good for us, but toxic and potentially very dangerous for dogs. Also, some nutrients that are good for us may actually provide no nutritional value to our dogs and are simply inadequate for Chihuahuas.
The idea that because it is homemade, it must be healthy is just not true. A homemade meal without the guidance of someone that knows canine nutrition often leads to a meal that is unbalanced and lacking essential nutrients.
If you plan to cook for your dog on your own, you’ll want to consult with someone that knows canine nutrition to be sure that it is healthy, nutrient-rich, and balanced.
I get questions from readers every single day asking what to feed their Chihuahua and other nutrition-related questions. It became so often I was spending many days just answering questions and nothing else was getting done. I was lagging behind on content promised to clients and sponsors.
A Little About Me
I have owned and raised Chihuahuas (not to breed or sell) for over 20 years, I have volunteered at our local Animal Shelter and have worked at a very busy state-of-the-art veterinary hospital with eight veterinarians on staff. Over those years I have learned through experience and working at the hospital, as well as extensive research more and more about the Chihuahua breed. About their health and nutritional needs. Because of this, I am now known in the Chihuahua world and in the pet industry as a Chihuahua breed expert and a canine nutrition specialist. I am as passionate about your Chihuahua’s health as I am my own!
There is so much involved in choosing the right nutritionally balanced healthy dog food that it is no wonder that Chihuahua pawrents today are so confused!
I understand! And I have the experience, knowledge, and expertise to help! I am now offering individual nutrition consulting services. One that will fit every need and budget.
I knew that I wanted to share my research and expertise with other struggling Chihuahua owners that are on the quest for healthy, nutritionally balanced dog food. I was getting asked “what should I feed my Chihuahua?” every single day. I wanted to help, but, I also knew that I couldn’t continue spending all my time doing that and nothing else. So…
Nutrition Consulting Service
What is in your current dog food? What is each ingredient and why is it in there? Is there a different brand that is better for my Chihuahua? Better for his/her arthritis, allergies, fill in the blank)? How can I make it healthier? If I want to make my own, how do I know what ingredients are best and why? And so so much more!
So Act Now!
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