Best Dog Treats for Chihuahuas – Top 6 Picks

Delicious treats are must-haves when raising or training a chihuahua. These help your chi associate them with positive behavior, making them more obedient, motivated, and most importantly—happy! And they should account for at least 15% to 20% of your chi’s nutritional intake. So, what are the best dog treats for chihuahuas?

The best ones smell and taste excellent while being low in calories. Plus, the treats should be breakable since chihuahuas are prone to choking.

I’ve listed the six best dog treats for chis on the market to make it easier for you. So, let’s see what suits your chihuahua best.

TREATS	BRAND	EXPERT RATING	CHECK PRICE
	Our Top Pick!  Wellness Puppy Bites Dog Treats		Check Price
	Zuke's Puppy Naturals Dog Treats		Check Price
	Riley's Organics (Peanut Butter and Molasses) Dog Treats		Check Price
	Hill's Natural (Soft-Baked) Dog Treats		Check Price
	Purina Busy Bones Dog Treats		Check Price
	Healthy Chewy Dog Treats		Check Price

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What Are the Best Dog Treats for Chihuahuas?

OUR #1 CHOICE

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RUNNERS-UP

If you’re looking for treats you can give your chihuahua without a worry, choose Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Dog Treats. Each bite is only three calories, allowing you to provide more than usual to your chi. As a result, it’s an excellent pick for those who want to train their chihuahuas. 

Despite being low in calories, these dog treats remain nutritious and delicious! They use “real” meat as their main ingredient, ensuring the highest quality for your chi. You can choose from three flavors, each being tastier than the last. These include salmon, pork, and lamb. Meanwhile, if you’re a vegetarian, you can choose peanut butter and oats as the flavor.

If you have a picky chihuahua, Zuke’s got you covered!

You don’t have to worry about the flavoring quality as all recipes from Zukes use savory herbs or fruits. These extra ingredients make their treats tasty while having low calories. 

Best of all, you can enjoy these at affordable rates and with eco-friendly packaging! These treats come in resealable bags for your convenience as well. 

But beware, these dog treats contain some grains. And these make them more challenging to digest, especially for chihuahuas with sensitive stomachs. Still, you can give them to your chis if you don’t want to miss out on their benefits. Just be sure to limit your dog’s consumption. 

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Are you looking for all-natural dog treats for your chihuahua? Look no further than Riley’s Organic Dog Treats. These dog treats contain no sugar, salt, artificial preservative, or flavoring.

They only contain six USDA-certified organic ingredients, excellent for your chi’s health. And these include sweet potatoes, oats, coconut oil, cinnamon, oat, and peanut flour. Aside from that, these treats are made in the USA, ensuring the best quality possible.

Ingredients aside, these dog treats also have a nice texture. Resembling a wafer, they’re easier to chew and swallow for chihuahuas. And since they have a crunchy texture, these treats may also help improve your chi’s teeth. Each bite removes plaque from your dog’s teeth bit by bit.

Depending on your chi’s size, you can get these treats in small and large sizes. I recommend the former to train your chihuahua with these treats. They’re easier to consume and digest.

But the downside of these dog treats is that each bite amounts to six calories, which can add up fast. So, limit your chi’s consumption and only give more if necessary during training.

Overall, these treats from Riley’s are an excellent option if you’re looking for organic dog treats for your chihuahua. After all, they only use six quality organic ingredients, each certified by the USDA.

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The Hill’s Natural (Soft-Baked) Dog Treats are excellent for adult and older chihuahuas. They boast a high nutritional value, and their soft texture makes the treats easier to digest. 

These balanced treats consist of natural ingredients. And they use “real” meat as their main ingredients. Although the most famous variation is chicken, you can also get them in different flavors. These include beef and sweet potatoes and duck and pumpkin. But these are often more expensive. 

Either way, each bite ensures nutrition and flavor!

Aside from that, you don’t have to worry about your chi’s tummy as these treats are 100% grain-free. They’re free from artificial fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. Moreover, they don’t use synthetic dyes, preservatives, or flavorings.

Ingredients aside, these dog treats also have the best texture for older chihuahuas. They’re soft and easy to digest, cleaning plaque—improving dental health over time. So, you can see why you can be confident in giving these to your older chihuahuas. 

However, this brand is unique because they accept full refunds or replacements. So, if you were unhappy with the treats, you can always get your money’s worth.

The downside is that these treats aren’t ideal for younger chihuahuas. They don’t have enough nutritional value to support a growing chi. 

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If you want a treat that can keep your chi preoccupied and happy, go for Purina Busy Bones Dog Treats. These are dental chews packed with nutrition and flavor!

These dog treats are enough to fuel chihuahuas throughout the day. They only use “real” ingredients, including red meat, at the center. So, you don’t need to worry about exposing your chi to harmful preservatives, dyes, or flavorings. Each bite is flavorful and all-natural—satisfying your chihuahua’s taste buds. 

Also, unlike most dental chew treats, this one doesn’t have rawhide. As a result, chihuahuas can chew them better, cleaning their teeth in the long run. 

Purina’s Busy Bones Dog Treats is unique because it comes with a “meaty” center. Inside the bone is “real” meat, rewarding your chihuahua further. Aside from that, these dog treats are specially designed for chis. The unique twisted shapes allow chihuahuas to be more engaged with the treats. 

As a result, you can keep your chi preoccupied for a while.

But since each dog treat comes with hefty calories, you can’t give them as a daily reward. Also, these aren’t the best choice if you’re looking for treats you can use for training your chihuahua. After all, you can’t break them and may cause choking. 

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The last contender for the best dog treats for chihuahuas is Healthy Chewy Dog Treats. One of the best brands for healthy dog treats gives you this recipe with only four calories per bite! 

Since each treat only amounts to four calories, these are perfect for training chis. Thanks to this, you don’t need to worry about overfeeding your chihuahua—making it easier for you.

These treats use all-natural ingredients, blending dried blueberries and cranberries with chicken liver. Each comes from sustainable resources, ensuring the best quality for your chi. And even if it doesn’t use “real” meat as the main ingredient, these make up for it. They’re flavorful and packed with tons of nutritional value.

These treats are made in the USA, ensuring top-notch quality, safety, and freshness. 

So, you can see why many chis go crazy for these treats! 

What I like the most about these dog treats is their flexibility. You can give them to any chihuahua variation, young or old, big and small. So, if you’re looking for the safest options for dog treats, choose Healthy Breeds! 

Some users complained that their chihuahuas didn’t like the smell of the treats. This wasn’t the case for most buyers, so this shouldn’t deter you from considering this product.

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How to Choose the Best Dog Treats for Chihuahuas?

There are many dog treats formulated for chihuahuas available on the market. But not everything’s suited for chis! To help you find the best dog treats for chihuahuas, I listed some factors to consider:

🦴 All-Natural Ingredients 

Always choose all-natural dog treats for your chihuahua’s health and well-being. Ensure they’re free from artificial preservatives, dyes, and flavorings. If not, you’re putting your chi at risk for the following health issues:

• Skin reactions (mild itching to severe rashes)
• Stomach-ache
• Digestive problems

Some of the most dangerous preservatives are Ethoxyquin and Butylated Hydroxyanisole. Most high-quality dog treats use vitamin blends or herbs as preservatives. And these are much better for your chihuahua. 

Aside from chemical preservatives, some dyes may also harm your chihuahua’s health. And these include Yellow #5, linked to insomnia, and Blue #2, associated with brain tumors. 

It would be best if you also watched out for flavor enhancers typical in commercial dog treats. These can trigger your chihuahua’s allergic reactions. Knowing these gives you better insight into what ingredients to avoid at all costs!

🦴 Wheat-free vs. Grain-free Dog Treats 

When chihuahuas are allergic to grains, gluten is often the main culprit. So if you don’t want to rid your chi of wholesome grains, make sure the treats are gluten-free. But if you don’t want to go through the hassle, opt for grain-free dog treats! Aside from that, grain-free dog treats are more manageable for chihuahuas to digest.

🦴 Ingredients Quality

Besides knowing what the dog treats consist of, it pays to understand their quality. So, when checking what’s in your chihuahua’s dog treats, skip those with “by-products.” These are ingredients made from unwanted animal body parts, such as the following:

• Internal organs
• Undeveloped eggs
• Hooves
• Feet

Dog treats made with these by-product ingredients often lack nutritional value. In other words, they provide no benefit for your chihuahua! So, as tempting as the low price tags of these dog treats are, don’t. After all, your dog’s health should always come first. 

Aside from by-product ingredients, I recommend avoiding dog treats using “generic meat.” These are from diseased animals, road kills, or expired meat. And exposing your chihuahua to any of these won’t result in anything good. 

So, remember to go for dog treats using quality or whole foods like “real” meat, fruits, and veggies.

🦴 No Fillers

Commercial dog treats often contain many fillers as they’re incredibly cheap. These ingredients can lower the manufacturing costs of dog treats. But that low price tag comes with a price—your chihuahua’s health! After all, fillers such as corn, wheat, or rye provide little nutritional value to chis. Plus, they’re difficult to digest, putting smaller dogs like chihuahuas in danger. 

Aside from those, other fillers to watch out for are the hulls of foods like oat or rice. 

🦴 Dog Treats Size

Size does matter when it comes to dog treats for chihuahuas. After all, these small dogs are prone to choking. So, I recommend going for smaller and bite-sized dog treats. These are easier for your chi to chew, swallow, and digest. 

🦴 Texture

Another factor to consider to ensure the dog treat is safe for your chihuahua is texture. So, even if rougher and thicker treats are excellent for your chi’s dental health, they pose too many risks. For instance, robust dog treats like a rawhide can choke your chihuahua if chewed wrong. Not to mention, these can damage or break your chi’s teeth.

I recommend going for textures in-between soft and rough. Still, this depends on your chihuahua’s age and size.

🦴 Shape

A dog treat’s shape is a factor most chihuahua owners overlook. But it’s crucial for your chi’s convenience. For instance, smooth and rounded treats are more manageable for your chihuahua to chew and swallow. But these don’t offer enough mechanical actions. As a result, the dog treats will do nothing to benefit your chi’s dental health. 

Generally, the best dog treat shape for chihuahuas are those with rougher surfaces.

🦴 Calories

If you’re training your chihuahua, you’ll likely go through many dog treats. Or, if you love spoiling your chi, these goodies can run out fast! Either way, you must consider each treat’s calories to ensure your chihuahua’s health. After all, these tiny dogs are prone to obesity, and giving one too many treats can be the start.

So, opt for low-calorie options if you want to give several dog treats for training or rewards. Also, you must consider if your chi has gotten spayed or neutered. These procedures lower their metabolism, putting them at risk for weight gain.

So, remember to keep the treats small and calories low for a healthy and happy chihuahua!

🦴 Origin of Manufacturing 

I don’t recommend getting dog treats made in China or ingredients sourced from there. However, you don’t need to cross out your options if the resources are reliable and safe. Still, be careful with these treats from China. They often contain high contents of sulfur-based antibiotics and other anti-viral products. Aside from that, they may also contain melamine, a toxic used for plastic production.

So, make it a habit to read labels when shopping for dog treats for your chihuahua. I suggest sticking those made from NA or New Zealand. These nations manufacture safe dog treats and maintain excellent quality and standards. 

🦴 Variety

Chihuahuas can be picky eaters, so it’s best to have various options for dog treats. Having a variety of flavors can keep your chi intrigued and happy. So, try different flavors when starting and see which your chihuahua favors best. And use that variation as a high reward treat. 

Aside from that, having various options prevent your chihuahua from getting bored with the dog treats. 

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Going Natural: What are the Best Dog Treat Alternatives for Chihuahuas?

As convenient as going to the store and buying treats is, it isn’t always the healthiest choice for your chihuahua. Alternating what you give for a healthier and happier chi is best. You can make dog treats at home for your chihuahua or opt for these all-natural alternatives:

✔️ Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous veggies like cabbage and broccoli are excellent dog treat alternatives for chihuahuas. You can give them raw, steamed, or roasted—but remember to keep them 100% unseasoned! After all, no seasoning is ever good for chis. Aside from that, only give your dog these vegetables in small pieces and within a limit.

Although you can feed your chi raw cruciferous veggies, I recommend cooking them. Cooked food goes through a chihuahua’s digestive system better.

✔️ Squash

Squash is an excellent natural dog treat for chihuahuas. Plus, you can get it all year round. So, it’s a win-win pick for both owner and chi. And whether you go for butternut squash or zucchini, these are safe for your dog to consume. Just make sure to cook them before giving them to your chihuahua thoroughly. And ensure they’re free of seeds!

✔️ Carrots

Carrots are excellent all-natural dog treats. They’re full of beta carotene and other vitamins, perfect for growing chihuahuas! You can give carrots raw or steamed. Either way, cut them up into small bite-sized pieces before giving them to your chi. I suggest looking after your chihuahua as they’re bad at swallowing and may choke on one. 

✔️ Sweet Potatoes

If you have extra sweet potatoes at home, make good use of them and make them a healthy treat for your chihuahua. Never give your chi raw sweet potatoes—ensure they get thoroughly cooked! You don’t need to season them, and it’s best to keep sweet potatoes as they are. 

✔️ Green Peas

Whether frozen or fresh green peas, these make good natural dog treats for chihuahuas. You can use these for training as they’re easy to get and are low in calories. So, overfeeding your chis with these sweet treats is all right in moderation. It’s that easy!

✔️ Green Beans

If green peas aren’t an option, your chihuahua can also eat cooked green beans. But again, be sure they aren’t seasoned and get thoroughly cooked. These make for excellent all-natural dog treats for chis as they’re fiber-rich. 

✔️ Apples

Although an apple day won’t keep the vet away, they have some benefits to chihuahuas, like with people! After all, apples are fiber-rich and packed with nutrients, making them excellent snacks. But before giving small chunks to your chihuahua, be sure it’s free of seeds. And never give your chi the apple core as this can choke them. 

✔️ Watermelon

You can switch your chihuahua’s regular dog treats on hotter days with Watermelon. It’s tasty, hydrating, and incredibly healthy! Just be sure to remove the seeds and the rind. I recommend cutting the flesh into smaller pieces to make it easier for your chi to eat.

✔️ Bananas

Bananas are full of healthy nutrients beneficial for all chihuahuas. So, they’re a natural option you can always keep at bay. But ensure never to overdo it as it’s full of sugar. And this can put your chi at risk for obesity, which is common in their breed. 

✔️ Strawberries and Blueberries

Strawberries make for sweet treats any chi would love! They’re full of nutrients and taste incredibly delicious. But like bananas, strawberries also have high sugar content. So, give them in moderation. If your chihuahua doesn’t like strawberries, opt for blueberries instead. These are smaller and easier for your chi to eat.

Either way, these two fruits are fantastic all-natural dog treats to consider!

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Tips for Training Chihuahuas with Dog Treats

The more your chihuahua likes the dog treats, the harder they will try to obey your commands. So, knowing which dog treat works best for your chihuahua is crucial for a smoother training process. Here’s an overview of the different treat variations:

❗Small Training Dog Treats

Consistency is a crucial factor behind successful training with chihuahuas. It would be best to keep the short sessions going to prevent your chi from getting bored. And in this scenario, small training dog treats are your best option. These keep your chi distracted without making them feel too full. 

❗ Fast-Eating Dog Treats

When training chis, you must aim to keep them motivated and intrigued. And the best way to do this is with positive reinforcement. In short, you must consider how often you give your chihuahua dog treats during training. Opt for fast-eating dog treats if you’re looking to provide your chi with lots in a short period. These are the type your chihuahua can eat fast while training, keeping them intrigued! 

❗Soft Smelly Dog Treats

If you have a picky chihuahua, soft and smelly treats are your best option for training. But beware, crumbs are inevitable, and you’ll need to clean up after. Still, it’s worthwhile as it helps even the pickiest chihuahuas pay attention.

❗Have Variety 

Chihuahuas are notorious for being picky dogs, so don’t get surprised if your chi gets bored of their favorite treat! To avoid this, expose your chihuahua to different dog treats with varying smells and tastes. Doing so keeps your chi motivated and concentrated during training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best dog treats for chihuahuas?

A: The best dog treats for a chihuahua are products made from all-natural ingredients. If not, you can also opt for organic options such as apples, carrots, and bananas. When given in moderation, these can benefit your chi’s health long-term. 

Q: How many treats should I give my chihuahua daily?

A: It’s best to give your chihuahua high-value rewards like dog treats no more than 1 to 2 daily. Meanwhile, if you’re using these for training, you can add more, around 3 to 5 per day. Note these portions are best for treats that only are 3 to 5 calories each.

Q: Are rawhide treats bad for chihuahuas?

A: Although rawhide can help with your chi’s teeth, it poses too many risks. These include choking, digestive distress, or contamination. And these are so problematic that the ASPCA discourages rawhide consumption for any chihuahua. You can opt for dental chew treats if you want to help your chi with their teething. 

Q: Is it wrong to give chihuahuas dog treats daily?

A: Generally, you should keep dog treats limited to 10% of your chi’s daily caloric intake. Going beyond that can lead to digestive problems and excess weight gain over time. And nothing good will come from an obese chihuahua. So, limit the dog treats, especially if you’re not using them for training. 

Q: Why are dog treats bad for chihuahuas?

A: Dog treats are only bad for chis if they contain harmful ingredients like sorbitol or xylitol. These can induce digestive issues, which is never good. And the worst-case scenario, xylitol may poison your chi. So, stick to all-natural or organic dog treats for your chihuahua’s health and well-being.

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Final Words

The best dog treats for chihuahuas will help you reward your chi without risking their health. They keep your chi happy, appreciated, and motivated. Plus, they make it easier for you to train a stubborn chihuahua. Either way, the listed products guarantee value for money and your chi’s health—and happiness!