Chihuahuas can live up to 17 years, where they develop many medical conditions along the way. That’s why you need to take extra care of them, and especially pay attention to what they eat. But the question is this: what is the best dog food for senior chihuahua? The best dog food for these older pups should contain more protein and fewer calories and fat, based on the AAFCO nutrient profile.
For this post, I checked over 30 small breed dog foods in the market to pick the seven best you need to consider. Check them out below!
| DOG FOODS | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Wellness Complete Health Dog Food |  | Check Price |
 | Blue Buffalo Dog Food |  | Check Price |
 | Wellness CORE Dog Food | | Check Price |
 | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food | | Check Price |
 | Canidae Pure Dog Food | | Check Price |
 | Nulo Dog Food | | Check Price |
 | Royal Canin Chihuahua Dog Food |  | Check Price |
Which ingredients make the best dog food for a senior chihuahua?
Unlike other dog breeds, chihuahuas are more selective in their food preferences. And this drastically changes as they grow older. You can choose any brand your dog likes, but make sure it contains the ingredients below. This guarantees that your aging pup is getting the nutrition they need!
- Fiber. This is a crucial ingredient for senior chihuahuas as it makes it easier to digest the food. Without this ingredient, your dog may get constipated.
- Whole grains. Even as they get older, chihuahuas are still energetic dogs, so they need a ‘wholesome’ diet. This helps maintain their muscles and high levels of energy. Make sure the food contains at least 40% of whole grains or vegetables.
- Meat. Having a high meat quantity in a senior chi’s food is crucial. It provides your chihuahua with enough protein to keep them in top-notch health as they get older.
If you have an aging or older chihuahua, the seven products below will keep them full, healthy, and energetic even in their golden years!
Best Dog Food for Senior Chihuahua – Our Top Picks!
OUR TOP PICK: Wellness Complete Health Dog Food
Product Name: Wellness Complete Health Dog Food
Product Description: If you're looking for the best dog food for senior chihuahuas, look no further than the Wellness Complete Health Dog Food. This dog food contains a balanced formula tailored to meet the demands of older small breed dogs. It has premium proteins that will maintain your senior chihuahua's health with ease. The protein comes from whitefish, which is a high-quality meat source. Moreover, it contains healthy fatty acids that will improve skin and coat health. To make your pup's coat even lusher, it comes with flaxseeds. This organic ingredient adds luster to your dog's coat without compromising their health!
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Food quality
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Packaging
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Formula
Overall
Summary
Due to its perfectly balanced formula, this dog food has become a classic favorite among chihuahua owners, including us! In addition, its recipe comes with blueberries and peas. These are rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, completing a powerhouse of a formula. With this, your furry companion will likely be coming back for more, keeping them healthy long-term. Many users have positively backed the quality of this dog food for senior chihuahuas. The only issue with it is that some dogs may get gassy after wolfing down this food. Anyway, you can prevent this by watching over your dog while they eat. Overall, this product is the perfect all-around dog food for older chis.
Pros
Contains 100% organic wholesome grains Comes with high-grade proteins Made in the USA Top-quality kibble Generous serving
Cons
Dogs may get gassy after wolfing down a bowl of this food
RUNNERS-UP
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
The next dog food I recommend for older chihuahuas is the Blue Buffalo Dog Food. After all, who wouldn’t recognize this brand? It has been in business for decades, helping all dog owners, just like you and I!
Its formula is unbeatable because regardless of the flavor, it always has real meat. This is perfect for older chis as they need more protein than their younger counterparts. In addition to the meat, it’s also rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits!
This specific formula comes with chicken and brown rice, perfect for an aging pup’s tastes. Many reviews back this, saying their dogs always scarf this down even when introducing new dog food to them.
With Buffalo, you don’t need to worry about getting chicken by-products, corn, soy, or wheat. This dog food contains 100% natural ingredients, giving your pup everything they need.
But what I like the most about this formula is that the kibbles are perfectly sized to match the tiny jaws of our beloved senior chis. Plus, the ‘LifeSource’ bits are full of antioxidants, promoting better health for our pets!
The only issue with this is that some reviews complain about the smaller kibble sizes, which many dogs don’t seem to enjoy. But it’s just the perfect size for older chihuahuas!
Wellness CORE Dog Food
The Wellness CORE Dog Food is an efficient dog food packed in a small and budget-friendly 4-pound pack. It has become a top pick among senior dog owners looking for quality kibble at a low price!
The most notable feature of this dog food is that its formula is tailored to meet the specific needs of smaller breeds, including your senior chi. It has the perfect calorie content and protein levels your older dog needs to stay healthy.
Its formula is packed with protein from the best sources, which is crucial for an older dog. Plus, it’s grain-heavy, consisting of all-natural whole grains.
Moreover, for an added health boost, its formula also contains antioxidants. These will protect your chihuahua’s body from the side effects caused by free radicals. In addition to this, you’ll also find taurine and glucosamine. These are crucial contributors to improved heart health in senior dogs.
But the best thing about its formula is that you’ll get no meat by-products, corn, wheat gluten, or soy at all! With Wellness CORE, you’re getting the 100% all-natural formula you can trust.
The issue here is the kibble size, and you may have to crush them before giving them to your older pup since they’re a bit big.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food
Another contender from Blue Buffalo is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food. But this time, I’m featuring its famous Rocky Mountain Recipe. It’s made exclusively for small breed dogs, including chihuahuas.
Its red meat flavor is a favorite among older chis as not only is it delicious, but it also lets them pack lean muscles! When consumed in the recommended servings, your senior chihuahua will be as healthy as they can be in their golden years.
The grain-free formula gets its protein from high-quality sources, including real meat. Plus, you get many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in one package.
Moreover, you don’t need to worry about chicken by-products, soy, wheat, corn, and other artificial preservatives. This dog food contains 100% organic ingredients.
Overall, this dog food can help boost your older chihuahua’s lean muscle mass to grow. With this, you can ensure your furry friend is in optimal health, allowing them to enjoy a long life.
The downside of this formula is that its flavor and overall quality can be addictive to senior chis. After all, chihuahuas can become obese fast, triggering a series of medical conditions.
To prevent your dog from eating too much, make sure to pay attention when it’s feeding time!
Canidae Pure Dog Food
If you’re looking for well-balanced and affordable dog food for your senior chi, I highly recommend Canidae Pure Dog Food. This premium dog food uses organic ingredients formulated for all stages. And these include older dogs with sensitivities.
This dog food uses a tailored recipe to meet the demands of small breed dogs specifically. The main ingredient for this is real meat, which ranges from fish, chicken to beef.
Moreover, it uses a 100% grain-free formula, ideal for older chihuahuas with sensitive stomachs. For easy digestion and improved immune system health, it also comes with added probiotics.
Finally, it has fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote better skin and coat health.
Overall, it only has around 7 to 10 ingredients or less, making it perfect for senior dogs. After all, the fewer the ingredients are, the fewer things to irritate your older chi.
But despite this, it’s still a well-rounded dog food made with your dog’s health at the forefront.
Canidae Pure guarantees that all dog food contains no fillers, no wheat, soy, or corn! All recipes only consist of high-protein ingredients to promote lean muscle growth for senior chis.
My only issue with this dog food is that some reviews indicate that it had some problems with quality control. Anyway, you can always ask their customer service team to confirm.
Nulo Dog Food
For dog owners who are having trouble having their picky senior chis eat, I recommend getting Nulo Dog Food. It has a unique seafood flavor that’s bound to excite the taste buds of your aging chihuahua.
This dog food is designed with the necessities of smaller dog breeds at the forefront. Its recipe doesn’t contain too many carbohydrates. This allows it to work perfectly in managing your dog’s weight, which is crucial in older chis.
Aside from that, the kibble comes with patented probiotics, ensuring your dog’s gut health is maintained. Moreover, this grain-free recipe contains no corn, wheat, and soy. In this formula, you can expect the best all-natural ingredients as it’s made in Texas, USA.
Plus, thanks to its smaller-sized kibble, your senior chihuahua won’t need to chew as much. With this, your dog’s digestion should be more optimized.
The best part about this product is that it comes in large 11-pound bags, making it perfect for those looking to save a couple of dollars without compromising quality.
An issue that most buyers share is that their dogs aren’t fond of its flavor. So if you know your senior chi isn’t fond of fishy foods, you may need to rethink.
Royal Canin Chihuahua Dog Food
My last pick for the best dog food for senior chihuahuas is the Royal Canin Chihuahua Dog Food. This is a brand you’ll see everywhere when shopping for quality dog food. And this product is tailored to meet the needs of a chihuahua.
It uses a top-quality recipe for aging chihuahuas, consisting of tailored kibbles. This makes it easier for your older chi to pick up and chew. Your dog will get all the nutrition necessary without making mealtimes a chore!
It’s packed with fiber alongside easy-to-digest proteins, allowing your dog’s digestive system to be functioning on full blast! Besides using top-quality natural ingredients, this dog food is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This promotes better skin and coat health.
What I like the most about this dog food is that its flavor and aroma can entice even the pickiest dogs to eat! That’s why I included it on the list since older chis tend to be selective with their food.
But I wish this bag would come in larger sizes as this is only a 2.5 lb bag, which will last my chihuahua for the week! Plus, it isn’t cheap either.
Anyway, if you only have one aging chi at home, this can be a suitable choice!
What to Look For When Buying Dog Food for Senior Chihuahuas
There are many dog foods made for chihuahuas in the market. But not all are suitable for senior chis. To help you find the best dog food for your furry companion, I listed some factors you need to consider. Check them out below.
🦴 Nutritional content
All dog foods need to have clear and accurate nutritional information on their packaging. Ensure that the dog food you’re getting is appropriately labeled and meets the AAFCO’s nutritional adequacy statements for your pet’s safety.
🦴 Fats
Fat is a crucial energy source for dogs. However, too much of it can be harmful to senior dogs. Ensure the dog food you’re getting has 5% or less fat. But do keep your eyes peeled for good fats like omega-3 fatty acids as they provide added health benefits.
🦴 Ensured analysis
Only choose dog foods with clearly stated aluminum and maximum percentages on its nutritional information. For senior dogs, watch out for the crude fat and protein content.
🦴 Age-appropriateness
Age is a huge determiner for your pup’s nutritional needs, similar to their breed and weight. What type of food and how much to get depends on your dog’s age.
🦴 Proper packaging
Your dog should never consume any dog food with damaged packaging! That’s because this might mean that it has been tampered with or has already lost its freshness.
🦴 Quality ingredients
Make sure the dog food ingredients contain real meat and whole grains, including fruits and vegetables. With this, you can be confident that you’re investing in quality kibble.
🦴 Limited or no preservatives
Artificial preservatives can trigger negative responses in your senior dog’s metabolism, often leading to obesity and diabetes. While these add more flavor to your pet’s food, they can lead to a series of health issues. So when buying dog food, watch out for these!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to avoid when buying dog food for my senior dog?
A: You need to watch out for several ingredients when buying dog food for older dogs as they’re more sensitive. The things you need to avoid are corn, wheat gluten, BHA, BHT, meat by-products, grain meals, food dyes, PG, rendered fat, and ethoxyquin. When you find these on a dog food’s ingredient list, skip it.
Q: What should I feed my old chihuahua?
If your senior chi refuses to eat kibble, you can entice them by adding meaty broths to their dry food. You can also add finely chopped chicken on top to encourage them to eat more. Other meats are also acceptable, as long as you boil them for easy chewing.
Q: Does my older dog need grain-free food?
A: For senior dogs, grain-free food is crucial. It helps them digest their food better, preventing constipation, which can be problematic among old dogs. Plus, if your dog is allergic to grains, it only makes sense to choose grain-free dog food.
Final Words
The best dog food for senior chihuahua will keep your older pup full, happy, and healthy in their golden years. So besides taking them to the vet and buying the best accessories for them, invest in quality food to give your chi a longer life!
What do you think of these dog food products? Which ones are your senior chi’s favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
