Since teacup chihuahua puppies are more miniature and more fragile, it’s essential to cultivate their growth early with good food and care. And in this case, you’ll need the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy to guarantee healthy growth.
The best ones cater to the unique nutritional needs of a teacup chi, supporting steady growth during puppyhood. And you need to especially watch out for high healthy fat and protein content as these aid in the pup’s development.
I’ve tested and reviewed over 30 puppy foods to pinpoint the five best to consider for your teacup chi. See which kibble can keep up with your young pup’s growth — and ever-growing appetite!
| FOOD FOR TEACUP CHIHUAHUA PUPPY | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Puppy Food for Teacup Chihuahua |  | Check Price |
 | Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Recipe Puppy Food |  | Check Price |
 | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Oatmeal Formula Natural Puppy Food | | Check Price |
 | Merrick Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Puppy Food | | Check Price |
 | Taste Of The Wild Grain-Free Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon Recipe Puppy Food |  | Check Price |
What’s the Best Food for Teacup Chihuahua Puppy?
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Puppy Food for Teacup Chihuahua
Product Name: Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Puppy Food for Teacup Chihuahua
Product Description: My top contender for the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy is Rachael Ray's Nutrish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe. Although it's not the healthiest puppy formula for your teacup pup available, it's an excellent pick for those on a tight budget who don't want to overspend. Unlike other cheap puppy food brands, this formula uses 'real' meat as the first ingredient. It provides high protein content (up to 16%) in each kibble, and we all know how crucial that is for a teacup chi pup. Although the recipe uses a chicken meal, it doesn't matter, as it still makes for a decent protein source. And the combination of 'real' and meal meat is rare for budget-friendly puppy foods. Usually, you'd only see complete by-products used for cheaper puppy foods. But the downside to this formula is that it uses fillers, including wheat, corn, and soy. And this is understandable, considering it's an affordable pick. Despite this, however, the formula still offers balanced nutrients and taste! The only time you should reconsider this budget-friendly kibble is if your teacup chihuahua is intolerant to corn, wheat, or soy. Otherwise, this puppy food catered for smaller breeds should be more than healthy and safe for your petite furry friend to enjoy. Balancing the use of unhealthy fillers is the puppy food's use of superfoods like cranberries and fish oil. They in improving a chi's immunity alongside better skin and coat growth.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Nutritional value
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Quality of ingredients
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Value for money
Overall
Summary
With balanced nutrients and taste — and an affordable price to boot, no wonder Rachael Ray dominates! Her chicken and brown rice recipe give enough protein for a growing teacup chi. Although it isn’t a perfect formula for the breed, it’s enough to keep up with its appetite and needs.
You can be confident your tiny furry friend is getting quality protein and nutrients as this formula uses ‘real’ chicken and chicken meal as its primary ingredients.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable yet quality kibble for your teacup chihuahua, choose Rachel Ray for better development and growth. But considering this is a budget-friendly pick, expect to see it use cheap fillers such as wheat and corn.
Pros
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It is affordable.
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The puppy food lists ‘real’ chicken as its primary ingredient.
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Its formula uses superfoods such as cranberries.
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It contains fish oil for healthy skin and coat growth.
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The recipe offers high protein content.
Cons
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It uses fillers, such as wheat, corn, and soy.
- It contains chicken meal (a meat by-product).
RUNNERS-UP
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Recipe Puppy Food
Packed with high protein content, healthy fats, and live probiotics, Purina has your young chi covered. Its chicken and rice formula uses ‘real’ chicken as its primary ingredient, guaranteeing a nutritious and flavorful bite from each kibble!
Purina created its Pro Plan Focus recipe focusing on cognitive development. Hence, you’ll also see fish oil in the recipe, doing wonders for your developing teacup chi’s brain.
Considering its first ingredient is a ‘real’ chicken and brewers rice, this formula has balanced protein and fat levels. The package staggers up to 28% protein and 18% healthy fats, supplementing your teacup chi’s growing needs. But the downside is its fiber content is incredibly low, making it not the best pick for chihuahuas with digestion issues.
But you’ll find animal by-products, wheat, and cornmeal in its mixture — not the highest quality ingredients. And this can be confusing, considering this puppy food isn’t cheap!
Still, despite its flaws, Purina’s Pro Plan Focus makes for excellent supplementary food for a growing teacup chihuahua puppy. And not to mention, its tasty flavor makes it a popular choice even amongst the pickiest eaters!
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Oatmeal Formula Natural Puppy Food
Are you looking for puppy food to aid your growing teacup chi’s needs without hassling your bite-sized pet? Search no further than Blue Buffalo!
The most notable feature of this puppy food is its use of ‘LifeSource Bits,’ which are small chunks of vitamin- and nutrient-filled bites mixed in with the regular kibbles.
But the benefits of this formula continue, as it also features high protein content! At most, one pack can offer over 29% quality protein to your teacup chihuahua. And it uses a unique mix of ‘real’ chicken and a fish meal, complete with healthy omega fatty acids from chicken fat and fish oil!
The downside, however, of this product is that its recipe relies on peas — a lot. And effects can vary on each teacup chihuahua. But when choosing between regular and pea protein, the former will always be the better choice for your chi. Unfortunately, this puppy food uses the latter, which isn’t ideal for this fragile breed.
You don’t have to worry about this recipe regarding the kibbles, though, as it caters to the small dog’s palate. With this, your tiny furry friend shouldn’t have issues getting its mouth around the food. And not to mention, it can reduce plaque and tarter passively!
Another worrying feature of this puppy food is its use of white potatoes, which can be difficult for some canines to digest, although it adds a tasty touch to the kibbles. And this can especially become an issue for teacup chihuahuas — notorious for having fragile digestive systems.
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formulas has all that your bite-sized dog needs to grow without issues. But before feeding your pet, ensure it’s not allergic to starch, as it can cause an upset stomach!
Merrick Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Puppy Food
If you are okay with splurging, go with Merrick’s to ensure your young teacup chi gets quality and tasty food. Its Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe is among the most flexible formulas available. You’ll find a broad nutritional profile in each bite, especially regarding the protein source!
The recipe contains beef, lamb, pork, and salmon, giving your growing teacup chi all the essential amino acids it needs. And adding to the puppy food’s nutritional profile is its use of fruits and vegetables. From blueberries to flaxseeds — this formula has it all!
Aside from that, it’s impressive that this commercial puppy food contains no fillers! And the lack of these makes it an excellent choice for chihuahuas with sensitive stomachs. Merrick has you covered if you have an issue keeping your tiny furry friend’s weight in check. After all, since it has no ’empty’ calories, you can ensure your growing pup is only getting valuable nutrients.
My issue with this puppy food is its steep price and that it gets a lot of its protein from plants. And these deprive your chi of the essential nutrients in animal meat.
Taste Of The Wild Grain-Free Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon Recipe Puppy Food
My last pick for the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy is Taste Of The Wild’s Grain-Free Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon Formula.
Young chis need omega fatty acids, regardless of their variation. After all, the antioxidants guarantee better cognitive development alongside a robust immune system. And you can get all these in each bite as this formula has the perfect mixture of all quality fish oils you can imagine!
It uses salmon, fish meal, salmon, and canola oil, creating a solid base of quality protein. And though it maxes at 27%, it’s still an impressive amount of protein for a small pup like a teacup chi. Protein aside, this formula also has high healthy fats and fiber content, boasting 15% and 5%, respectively.
Adding more nutritional value and flavor to the kibble is its use of fruits and vegetables. Hence, you can rely on this formula to provide a balanced meal in each serving.
But the most notable feature of this puppy food is its use of taurine, promoting better heart health. And this is impressive, considering it’s something many puppy food manufacturers overlook for smaller breeds.
The only downside of this kibble is its high salt content, and though it can add flavor, it risks your teacup chi of developing hypertension and diabetes.
How to Choose the Best Food for Teacup Chihuahua Puppy?
You must consider several factors when looking for the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy, such as the following:
✔️ Your Teacup Chi’s Life Stage (Age)
Teacup chis have varying nutritional needs throughout their life. Generally, young pups, especially those on the smaller side, need a high protein level for healthy growth and development. Besides, carbohydrates are ideal for lowering your pup’s risk of hypoglycemia.
As your young furry friend ages, you need to add more protein to its diet and less fat. And adding more calories to the dog’s diet is essential as the older a teacup chihuahua gets, the faster its metabolism will be.
✔️ Nutritional Profile
Due to their more fragile and sensitive systems, teacup chihuahuas have unique nutritional needs. And here are some of those one-of-kind requirements needed for the tiny dog’s diet:
Digestible Carbohydrates
Having digestible carbohydrates in your teacup chi’s diet is beneficial for its overall health. After all, it is an energy source for these tiny dogs famous for their fast metabolism! If your furry friend doesn’t consume enough carbs from its everyday diet, it can suffer from hypoglycemia.
The best source of digestible carbohydrates for a teacup chihuahua is whole-grain ingredients such as brown rice.
Fiber
Although fiber doesn’t offer a direct energy source for chihuahuas, it’s essential for their digestive health. After all, ample fiber content prevents constipation in these tiny dogs. Hence, choosing puppy food, including excellent fiber sources like coconut, is a must!
Vitamins & Minerals
Finally, completing the nutritional profile essential for a growing teacup chihuahua is vitamins and minerals. The puppy food you pick for your chi should keep up with AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines for small breeds. Following the balanced rations of minerals and vitamins suggested guarantee healthy development and growth.
Any deficiency can be problematic for growing teacup chihuahuas. Hence, it would be best if you prioritized calcium and phosphorus to assist in healthy bone development and formation. If not, your furry friend may develop skeletal diseases if their diet needs to get more of the minerals mentioned.
Meanwhile, some vitamins from veggies and fruits double as antioxidants for your chi. And these protect your growing pup’s tissue from free radicals, preventing joint pain!
High Protein Content
Pint-sized chihuahuas thrive best on high-protein diets. After all, these tiny dogs are descendants of wolves, and even if they have smaller bodies — their appetites remain large! Hence, searching for puppy food listing ‘real’ meat as its first ingredient is essential.
A crude protein content of at least 24% should accommodate a growing chi’s needs. Aside from ensuring healthy growth, high protein content also prevents muscle degeneration! That means your pup can enjoy healthier joints and a more active lifestyle as it ages.
Also, it protects your chi from hypoglycemia, which is common in toy breeds like teacup chihuahuas.
Healthy Fats
Since we want our young chis to grow without issues, having healthy fats in their diet is essential. But as picky as chihuahuas are, they’re one of the most vulnerable breeds to weight gain! So, prioritize healthy fats when choosing puppy food for your teacup chi.
Healthy fats are essential for better brain, skin, and coat health while preventing illnesses such as heart disease.
Stay far from unhealthy fats as it risks your pup becoming obese, which is prevalent in smaller breeds. Ideally, the puppy food should have healthy fat content between 10% and 20% sourced from healthy sources like fish oil.
✔️ Primary Ingredient
You can quickly confirm if a puppy formula will be high-quality, nutritious, and delicious if it lists ‘real’ meat as its primary ingredient. A high protein content is essential for a growing chi’s diet as it hails from wolves, packing a huge appetite!
✔️ Calorie Needs
As tiny teacup chihuahuas are, they’re incredibly energetic dogs that need to consume many calories to stay active and healthy. Generally, a growing chi needs to be around 200 to 300 calories daily to keep it energized and maintain a healthy weight.
✔️ The Kibble Size
Since teacup chihuahua puppies have small mouths and short snouts, regular kibble might not be the easiest for them to eat. And these can make it impossible for the toy dog to chew and digest, leading to stomach issues.
Hence, finding puppy food with bite-sized kibbles is necessary for the breed. But remember to limit your servings as a teacup chi can easily choke on the kibbles when eaten in massive amounts!
If you feed your chihuahua the wrongly-sized kibbles, it can succumb to nutrient deficiencies caused by poor digestion.
✔️ Country of Manufacturing
You can guarantee the quality of the puppy food by checking where it’s made. And usually, those formulas made in countries such as the United States and New Zealand are the best in ensuring quality dog food, no matter the designated breed.
Although it may seem trivial, you must be meticulous when choosing food for your chihuahua. After all, even the most minor errors can lead to your pup consuming a toxic ingredient! So, stay safe and opt for the countries mentioned, famous for adhering to strict quality control.
✔️ Chemical Content
Choose puppy food with little artificial flavoring, dyes, and other unnecessary additives. Although synthetic flavors and colors might not be fatal, they can trigger your chi’s food allergies. And that can make your furry friend sick for a long time!
Aside from that, avoid choosing kibble with ‘mystery’ meats. Although these aren’t harmful ingredients, it can be risky to feed your teacup chi kibble, whose protein source isn’t even indicated. So, when choosing puppy food, always go for those who label the specific meat they used.
What are Additional Tips to Remember When Feeding a Teacup Chihuahua Puppy?
Teacup chihuahuas eat a lot, and for good reasons. After all, they’re growing pups that need assistance for healthy development. And these tiny dogs are continually developing their muscles, immunity, and bones. Hence, knowing how to feed this toy dog correctly is crucial.
Generally, teacup chis strive to have several ‘small’ meals daily. And remember to feed your pup at regular times with standard serving sizes.
Teacup Chi Puppy Feeding Progression
It’s best to continue feeding your young teacup chi the same food and frequency it’s eaten from its previous owner or the breeder it came from.
You can taper onto your young chi’s new food while tapering the old food. When your furry friend reaches 12 to 13 weeks, start feeding it moist food — and go for drier and unmoistened kibble as it ages.
Remember to feed your toy dog puppy-specific formulas until nine months. Going beyond that risks your chi of becoming overweight, considering puppy food recipes usually have higher protein and fat content.
Creating a Feeding Schedule
Due to their miniature sizes and huge appetites, teacup chihuahuas do best on smaller and more frequent feedings. Feeding this tiny dog at once increases its risk of bloating, which can be fatal. Hence, feed your young pup at least 4 to 6 times daily for the best results!
Know What Medical Conditions a Teacup Chihuahua Puppy is Vulnerable From
Although teacup chihuahuas are healthy toy dogs, knowing what medical conditions they’re vulnerable to can help owners adjust their chi’s diet. And here are common health vulnerabilities teacup pups have:
Hypoglycemia
Small toy breeds like the teacup chihuahua are vulnerable to hypoglycemia. It refers to a drop in blood sugar, which can be fatal when unaddressed. Unfortunately, this is a common medical concern for this small dog, making prevention a huge must!
You can combat hypoglycemia by feeding your young teacup chi 4 to 6 times a day. Doing this gives your pint-sized furry friend a steady food energy source, keeping enough sugar in its blood.
Watch out for the following hypoglycemia symptoms in young chihuahua pups:
- Lethargy
- Confused behavior
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Muscle tremor
If you spot these signs in your chi, it’s better to give it food, or if that doesn’t work, bring it to the vet ASAP.
Obesity
We all know how much appetite toy dogs have, and a teacup chi is no exception. These pint-sized canines can eat like there’s no tomorrow, and it can be difficult not to spoil them. But remember, overfeeding these dogs can lead to quick weight gain — or worse, obesity!
Hence, never overfeed your toy canine and practice portioning its meal throughout the day to avoid bloating.
Skin and Coat Problems
Teacup chihuahua pups have varying coat lengths, but they all have sensitive skins! And these often lead to allergic reactions, which can hinder your young dog’s daily life. Luckily, all chis benefit from nutrients supporting skin health and coat growth.
Omega fatty acids are among the most crucial ingredients for healthy coat growth in toy dogs. These are ‘healthy’ fats that hail from quality sources like fish oil, encouraging the natural production of oils in your chi’s skin. And these give your small beloved pet a healthier glow.
Joint Issues
Miniature teacup chihuahuas have smaller joints than regular chis, making them more vulnerable to excess stress. And many are more likely to succumb to joint issues than their larger counterparts and other toy breeds. You can help your pint-sized furry friend combat joint problems with glucosamine.
Puppy food packed with glucosamine gives your chi the building blocks for healthier cartilage, easing discomfort. Alongside calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus promote healthier joints and bone development. If your chi’s diet doesn’t contain any of these, it can develop severe skeletal disorders.
For instance, your teacup pup can get a discounted knee cap, a prevalent condition in toy breeds. And this includes the malformation of the kneecaps, causing severe lameness.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Teacup chis are more prone to heart conditions like patent ductus arteriosus. It prevents the toy dog’s blood from invading its lungs. And though congenital, a healthier diet can keep your pup’s heart healthy and umping.
Prioritize puppy formulas packed with omega-3 fatty acids for healthier heart function.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is familiar in toy dogs as they’re vulnerable to weak cartilage rings. And once these collapses, it can lead to inflammation and stinging pain from its lining. Hence, it’s crucial to stack on glucosamine and chondroitin in your teacup chi’s diet to keep its windpipe strong.
Dental Disease
Like how small their bodies are, teacup chihuahuas also sport tiny canines! But despite not having much to work on, these toy dogs still suffer from dental disease. You can combat this by feeding your pint-sized pet dental treats — removing plaque and tartar.
Adding healthy dental treats to your young pup’s diet can keep its pearly white teeth bright and shiny over time. Aside from that, you can also choose specially-shaped kibble to scrape your chi’s teeth during mealtime.
Eye Disorders
A chi’s huge eyes are vulnerable to many eye disorders, including glaucoma, lens luxation, and corneal dystrophy. When untreated, these can make your teacup pup go blind! Luckily, you can combat these eye disorders with puppy food jam-packed with vitamin A, the most crucial nutrient for eye health.
The best sources of vitamin A for better eye health are organ meats, such as kidneys or liver. So, ensure your teacup chi’s puppy food has ample vitamin A to keep its eyesight clear!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy for better development?
A: Since young teacup chis need plenty of energy to fuel their fast growth, their food should have high protein content. Generally, the kibble you select for your young pup should list top-quality or even decent animal protein (source) as its primary ingredient. This way, you can confirm the formula can support your teacup pup’s growth.
Q: How many times do I feed my teacup chi daily?
A: Teacup chihuahuas three months below need to eat 4 to 6 times daily due to their fast metabolism. Once your pup gets older, you can lower that to 3 to 4 times daily. And once your furry friend reaches the 1-year mark, limit its meals to 3 times daily!
Q: What foods are dangerous for a teacup chi puppy to eat?
A: Avoid giving foods such as chocolate, candy, grapes, nuts, avocados, and onions to your teacup chi. Any of these can be fatal for this miniature breed when eaten even in small amounts, or worse, one bite! Hence, it’s better not to give it human food in the first place for your furry friend’s safety.
Q: How long can a teacup chi go without food?
A: A young teacup chihuahua can survive without food for 3 to 5 days if you give it ample water. But this doesn’t mean you should wait this long if your small pet isn’t eating well. Instead of waiting for the estimated time, bring your chi to the vet for proper intervention.
Q: Should I let my teacup chihuahua drink milk?
A: Never give your teacup chi milk as they can’t drink it, often leading to upset stomach and diarrhea. After all, dogs generally can’t drink the liquid as it can cause long-term health issues. So, despite having high calcium and protein content, don’t risk your tiny pet’s health!
Final Words
Guarantee healthy growth and development with the best food for teacup chihuahua puppy! All contenders mentioned offer balanced nutrition and taste, perfect for a growing chi. And no matter how fussy your pup is, those products mentioned will steal its taste buds away in no time. After all, each formula uses whole meat as its first ingredient, ensuring incredible flavors and nutrients.
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.
