8 Best Dog Food For Shedding Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are light to moderate shedders throughout the year. However, this shedding may become more intense if the little doggo isn’t eating a good diet. It’s the reason why you should only serve the best dog food for shedding Chihuahua to ensure that your pet’s coat remains healthy and shiny.

Aside from preventing excessive shedding, a proper diet will also keep your Chihuahua in a good shape. It will supply the little pooch with its much-needed nutrients and energy while preventing the risk of obesity.

If you’re planning to switch your Chihuahua to a coat-friendly diet, we reviewed here 8 dog food products that you can consider. See which one will appeal most to your Chi’s appetite.

DOG FOOD	BRAND	EXPERT RATING	CHECK PRICE
	Our Top Pick!  Hill’s Science Diet Specialty Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	Royal Canin Small Breed Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	IAMS Proactive Small Breed Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	Wellness CORE Small Breed Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe		Check Price
	Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food		Check Price
	Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Coat Dry Dog Food		Check Price

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Best Dog Food For Shedding Chihuahua

OUR #1 CHOICE

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RUNNERS-UP

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food

Another coat-friendly diet I recommend for Chihuahuas is the Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food. This has salmon as the number one ingredient, which means it’s a good source of Omega fatty acids that help boost a dog’s coat.

Aside from that, this dog food is packed with superfoods like blueberries, kale, kelp, chia seeds, oranges, pumpkin, and a lot more. Your Chihuahua will get top-notch nutrition in every bite.

In terms of nutritional value, the Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food contains 25% protein, 14% fat, and 5.5% fiber. It’s also a good source of Vitamins A and E as well as taurine, L-carnitine, DHA, zinc, and probiotics. Overall, it will boost your Chihuahua’s coat to reduce excessive shedding.

Moreover, the probiotics in this dog food thrive in the GI tract. It will make the food easier to digest to prevent allergic reactions that may trigger skin problems.

I also like that this dog food doesn’t have wheat fillers, corn, and artificial additives. Every bite is guilt-free and suitable even for sensitive Chis. This is also ideal for all life stages, so your Chihuahua will get the best nutrition from puppyhood to seniorhood.

However, my only niggle is that this dog food has a lot of grains. It’s not a problem per se, but Chihuahuas with sensitivity to this ingredient may not be a good fit for this diet. It’s on the expensive side, but I think it’s reasonable enough considering its quality. Other than that, I don’t see any major deal-breakers for this nutritious food.

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Royal Canin Small Breed Dry Dog Food

The Royal Canin Small Breed Dry Dog Food is a popular choice among owners of small breeds like Chihuahuas. It suits small doggos weighing up to 22 lbs. until they are 8 years old.

This specific diet is made of corn, chicken, brewers rice, and natural flavors. It’s not as fancy as Diamond Naturals when it comes to ingredients, but it still delivers reasonable nutrition that will help reduce the shedding of your Chihuahua.

Moreover, this dog food has healthy levels of DHA and EPA that supports the skin health of your Chihuahua. It contains 25% protein, 14% fat, and 3.4% fiber, which will help maintain your Chi’s healthy body.

Aside from that, the Royal Canin Small Breed Dry Dog Food has a specialized kibble with a small size. It’s easy for a small breed to pick, chew, and swallow. Overall, the kibble design is adapted to suit small jaws.

Also, this formula is made for fussy eaters. It has a nice flavor that appeals to many Chihuahuas, though it all depends on what your doggo personally likes.

However, I also want to mention that corn is the main ingredient of this dog food. It’s not pure evil, but if your Chi has a sensitive stomach, this may not be the best diet. If that’s the case, you should consider other options we reviewed here.

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IAMS Proactive Small Breed Dry Dog Food

To reduce your Chihuahua’s shedding, you need a diet packed with coat-friendly nutrients without artificial add-ons. This is exactly what IAMS offer with their Proactive Small Breed Dry Dog Food.

It has real chicken as the #1 ingredient followed by whole grain corn, sorghum, beet pulp, and chicken pulp. It’s also blended with vitamins B1, C, and E, which all help nourish the canine’s coat.

Each serving of this dog food contains 27% protein, 17% fat, and 4% fiber. It’s also packed with Omega-6 fatty acids to boost your doggo’s skin health. Your Chihuahua will also get a dose of calcium, phosphorus, and selenium, which are crucial to your dog’s health.

Aside from improving your dog’s coat, this food will also boost your Chihuahua’s immunity. It’s a wholesome diet without any artificial additives or coloring. Every bite is packed with nutrition, which is exactly what a feisty Chihuahua needs.

I also like that the kibble is really small, which is exactly what a Chihuahua needs. And for Chis with no teeth, this dry food is a perfect mix to your choice of canned dog food.

However, this may not be the most appealing if you have a picky eater. Some pet owners said that their picky doggo will only eat several pieces of this IAMS food. But overall, this isn’t really an IAMS problem, but more of your dog’s preference.

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Wellness CORE Small Breed Dry Dog Food

If your Chihuahua has digestive issues with grains, you should consider the Wellness CORE Small Breed Dry Dog Food. This premium food is made of real deboned turkey and turkey meal. It’s blended with lentils, peas, potatoes, and chicken fat. And for better flavor and added Omega fatty acids, this food has salmon oil.

This doesn’t have meat by-products, fillers, or artificial add-ons, which makes it 100% healthy. Every kibble piece delivers top-notch nutrition.

Each serving of this coat-friendly dog food contains 36% protein, 15% fat, and 5% fiber. It’s also a good source of chondroitin and glucosamine, which supports joint health in canines.

When it comes to reducing your Chi’s shedding, this Wellness CORE dry dog food has Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to do just that.

This diet is crafted for whole body health and since it’s high in protein, this will boost your Chihuahua’s muscles. It’s also formulated with probiotics and prebiotics to support digestion.

I also like that this is made specifically for small breeds, which takes away the guesswork for pet owners.  It also uses non-GMO ingredients, which is added points in terms of quality.

As for the downsides, I wish it was more affordable. Nevertheless, the price is understandable since this is a high-quality dog food product. Also, it’s quite stinky, so make sure that you seal the bag well.

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Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe

Another small breed formula I recommend is the Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Recipe. It has chicken and turkey as its main ingredient, making this diet a wholesome source of protein with rich flavors. This is also packed with Omega fatty acids that will boost your Chihuahua’s coat health to reduce excessive shedding.

Moreover, this food is mixed with healthy grains like flaxseed, alfalfa, and quinoa for a dose of vitamins and minerals. Unlike other dog food products, this doesn’t have corn that could be hard to digest by your Chihuahua.

Every serving of the Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dog Food contains 27% protein, 16% fat, and 3.5% fiber. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin, which will support your Chi’s joint health.

Overall, this food is made to boost muscle mass, energy levels, and your dog’s appetite. It doesn’t have meat by-products, so rest assured that your Chihuahua gets whole protein in every bite.

If you have a picky Chihuahua, this food will be a great option. It has flavorful turkey, which many dogs find irresistible. Also, the kibbles are small, making it easy for Chis to chew and swallow. I also like that it’s a bit moist and not too crunchy since it’s gentler on a small Chihuahua’s teeth.

Overall, I just wish they also sell this in bigger bags. Although it’s quite on the expensive side, I won’t mind feeding this to my Chihuahua because of its quality and nutrient profile.

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Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food

For toy Chihuahuas, I highly recommend the Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food. It’s made for adult toy Chis who have problems with excessive shedding. This is made with real deboned chicken as well as a turkey meal for a flavorful and nutritious combination.

Moreover, this has brown rice, oatmeal, spinach, carrot, tomato, and other vegetables for an added dose of vitamins and minerals. It also contains blueberries and spinach that delivers antioxidants for an immune system boost.

The Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food has 30/5 protein, 17% fat, and 5% fiber. It also has a crunchy texture, which helps in reducing tartar buildup in your dog’s mouth. This is free from fillers, by-products, and artificial preservatives, which may irritate your pet’s tummy.

Aside from that, your Chihuahua will get Vitamins A, C, and E from this food. It will help restore its healthy coat to reduce excessive shedding.

Overall, this formula is made to deliver immunity, energy, better digestive health, and a brighter coat. It’s also helpful in reducing eye goobers and tear stains, especially for light-colored Chis.

However, I noticed that this food doesn’t appeal that much to finicky eaters. Other than that, I still think that this is a great diet for most Chihuahuas. Some also complain about the steep price, but considering that this is a high-quality food, it’s not really a deal-breaker for me.

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Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Coat Dry Dog Food

If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option for your Chihuahua, I highly recommend the Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Coat Dog Food. This dry diet is made of deboned salmon as the first ingredient and is also available in the whitefish version. Both deliver large amounts of Omega fatty acids that will help reduce intense shedding among Chihuahuas.

Moreover, this food is blended with oatmeal, salmon meal, barley, brown rice, and beet pulp. It also has added superfoods like blueberries, cranberries, turmeric, kelp, and Yucca schidigera extracts.

With this, your Chihuahua will get 24% protein, 14% fat, and 5% fiber. It also provides an ample dose of phosphorus and taurine to keep your Chi in the best shape.

Overall, this is a science-backed diet that doesn’t have meat by-products and corn that’s hard to digest. It’s also free from artificial preservatives, so your dog is guaranteed to receive top-notch nutrition in every serving.

Aside from that, the kibble of this dog food is cold-formed to preserve the potency of its minerals. The kibble pieces are also small, which is suitable for Chihuahuas and other small breeds. 

Also, since fish is the top ingredient, there’s no doubt that this is very flavorful. It will appeal even to the fussiest Chihuahua you have. However, make sure that you seal the container well because it has a very strong odor.

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How to choose the best dog food for shedding Chihuahua

There are literally thousands of dog food products on the market. It can be challenging if you’re looking for one that can help reduce your Chihuahua’s excessive shedding.

If you’re looking for a coat-friendly diet for your Chi, you must consider the following aspects first:

1.    Your Chihuahua’s diet needs

The very first thing you have to consider is the dietary needs of your Chihuahua. Basically, you have to consider your dog’s health, age, and overall preference.

If your pooch has a lingering illness, it’s best to consult its veterinarian first. It’s important to ensure that you’re getting the right dog food product that meets your Chi’s needs.

As for the age, you must get a diet formulated for a specific life stage. The good thing is that many dog food products like some that we reviewed here are made for puppyhood up to senior years. Aside from that, you can also find breed-specific diets.

When it comes to preference, it’s all about what your Chihuahua likes to eat. Your goal is to balance your Chi’s preference with the nutritional value of the dog food you’re going to purchase. 

2.    Ingredients

The main thing you have to check on a specific dog food product is its ingredients. This is a make-or-break part since it will dictate the nutritional value of the product.

As much as possible, the first ingredient should be meat, fish, or any major protein source. You should also look for the right blend of vegetables and fruits that will deliver more nutrients to your Chihuahua’s body.

Overall, you should read and research anything you don’t understand on the label. For Chihuahuas prone to food allergy-related shedding, I recommend an all-natural or Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) to reduce the risk of irritations.

Aside from that, you should be careful when purchasing dog food products that are heavy on grains. In general, grains aren’t really bad since it provides additional vitamins and minerals to your pet’s diet. However, some of them are hard to digest and can cause problems for Chis. It’s important to check this part to ensure that grains won’t land your dog at the vet’s clinic.

3.    Nutritional profile

Chihuahuas need a high-protein diet to support their small muscles. Around 25% to 30% is the ballpark, though some Chis may need something higher at 35%. It all depends on the lifestyle and needs of your doggo as determined by the veterinarian.

As for the fats, Chihuahua owners should be modest since this doggo is small. You wouldn’t want a Chi to gain excess weight because it will be detrimental to their small bodies.

Meanwhile, you should look for a dog food product with Omega fatty acids. These are powerful nutrients that will make your dog’s coat shiny, stronger, and less prone to abnormal shedding.

Vitamin E is also a good addition because it’s known to be the “skin vitamin”. It helps restore the damaged skin of your Chi, not to mention that it also acts as an antioxidant.

4.    Flavor

The flavor is a crucial aspect of a dog’s food. Picky Chihuahuas will refuse to eat a nutritious meal if it doesn’t smell and taste good.

But as much as you want to entice your Chihuahua’s appetite, you shouldn’t resort to artificial flavorings. While these add-ons are tasty, they can also irritate your dog’s tummy.

The best option is to pick a dog food product with fish or any delicious meat as the first ingredient. This way, your Chi will enjoy natural flavors and wholesome protein without the guilt.

Overall, finding the flavor your Chihuahua will like is a matter of trial and error. Some Chis will eat just about any food while others will take a few tests to find the one that works for them.

5.    Kibble size

For Chihuahuas, always look for a small kibble size that’s easy to pick up, chew, and swallow.

Aside from that, you should consider the texture of the kibble. Crunchy ones are good since it helps with dental health. However, if your Chi only has several or no teeth, a softer texture would be ideal.

6.    Price

Lastly, always consider the price of the dog food product you’re going to purchase for your Chihuahua.

You don’t really have to spend a fortune to find a nutritious diet for your Chihuahua. Still, it’s undeniable that slightly costly ones have better ingredients and quality nutrition.

Overall, it’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to spend on your Chihuahua’s food. Just make sure that you don’t compromise the quality of the food just to save some money. In the end, spending a few more bucks on your Chi’s food is better than paying thousands of dollars on vet bills.

Additional advice on how to manage your Chihuahua’s shedding

Aside from finding the best dog food for shedding Chihuahua, there are also other ways to manage your pet’s shedding. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1.    Brush regularly

First, it’s important to brush your Chihuahua to remove loose fur before it spreads all over your house. Do this outside, so you don’t have to vacuum or sweep the collected fur.

Overall, this is mostly helpful for long-haired Chis, though short-haired ones should be brushed just the same to control shedding. A soft rubber brush will do the trick here or a pin brush with dull tips.

2.    Bathe properly

Aside from brushing, you should also bathe your Chihuahua regularly. Once every 4 to 6 weeks is usually enough for most Chis since they are indoor dogs. When bathing, make sure that you use the best Chihuahua shampoo for shedding to achieve optimal results.

3.    Dry your dog well

After bathing, it’s important to dry your Chihuahua’s body well, especially long-haired ones. It’s because trapped moisture can cause matting. And when matting occurs, the hair will be pulled from the skin, which will make shedding worse.

4.    Vacuum religiously

Another thing you should do as a Chihuahua owner is to vacuum around the house daily. This way, you can collect all shed fur instead of letting it accumulate. While this won’t stop your Chihuahua from shedding, it will save you from the stress of having to deal with tumblefurs everywhere.

5.    Treat skin allergies

Skin allergies and irritations will increase your Chihuahua’s shedding. You must address its root cause to save your dog from bald spots and secondary conditions that may stem from the skin problem. If home remedies don’t work, it’s best to bring your Chihuahua to the veterinarian.

6.    Use lint rollers

Lint rollers will save your clothes and other fabrics at home from the wrath of your Chihuahua’s shedding. This will remove all fur that clung to surfaces. Make sure that you have lint rollers at home, in your car, and your purse.

7.    Use couch covers

Tired of lint rolling your fabric couch? You can use covers or drapes instead. Basically, it’s just a blanket that you drape over your couch, so it will catch all the shed fur of your Chihuahua. You can also use these drapes on other furniture at home for easy cleaning.

8.    Consider supplements

For excessive shedding related to deficiencies, a supplement might help. Still, you must consult your Chihuahua’s veterinarian first to ensure that the supplement is necessary and safe for the pooch.

Most of the time, switching your doggo to a new diet will solve the problem. In the end, the veterinarian is still the best person to consult whether a supplement is needed or not.

9.    Invest in routine vet checks

Just because your Chihuahua looks healthy doesn’t mean it no longer needs routine vet checks. An annual examination is necessary for Chihuahuas for the same reason that it’s crucial for humans. It will allow the vet to diagnose potential health problems early, including those related to skin and shedding.

10. Never shave your Chihuahua

Lastly, never shave your Chihuahua no matter how frustrated you get about its shedding. Shaving the pooch will only damage its coat. Also, the fur will just grow back and keep shedding.

Remember that shedding is a normal part of a dog’s life. They do this to regulate their body temperature and to keep their coat healthy. If you shave them, you’re technically messing up their bodies’ natural processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can I give my Chihuahua for shedding?

A: For shedding Chihuahuas, you can add a small amount of fish oil into its food. Fish oil is rich in Omega fatty acids, which can help boost your dog’s coat health. However, if your Chihuahua is shedding more than normal, you should consult the vet instead. Your doggo might be suffering from a health problem.

Q: Does dog food make a difference in shedding?

A: Your dog’s diet makes a big difference to its coat health. Low-quality food will lead to intense shedding and dull-looking fur. Overall, your Chihuahua’s nutrition is a big factor in its coat health, so you should never skimp on quality when purchasing your pet’s food.

Q: What months do Chihuahua shed?

A: Chihuahuas shed all year long, but it’s more prominent during spring and fall. During these periods, your Chihuahua will be preparing for the intense temperature. Overall, the shedding will be heavier than usual, but it shouldn’t cause bald spots. If it does, you should bring your Chi to the vet for proper examination.

Q: What dog food is best for Chihuahua shedding?

A: If your goal is to reduce your Chihuahua’s shedding, you should get a dog food made specifically for coat health. These food products are rich in Omega fatty acids and nutrients that nourish a canine’s coat. While this will not stop shedding (nothing will!), it makes a big difference for Chihuahuas suffering from poor coat health.

Q: Does fish oil help with Chihuahua shedding?

A: Fish oil helps ease excessive shedding among Chihuahuas. It’s a food good source of Omega fatty acids crucial for healthy and shiny coat health. Aside from that, fish oil can reduce the itching related to skin allergies. Above all, fish oil can help boost a picky Chihuahua’s appetite when added to its food.

Final words

The best dog food for shedding Chihuahua will help a lot in keeping your dog’s coat healthy. However, it’s only the first step in managing your canine’s shedding. Proper grooming is also an integral part of the process as well as annual visits to the vet.

What do you think of these dog food products? Let us know your opinion below!