How Much Should I Feed My Baby Chihuahua?
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Consider Weight
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Measure food amounts to prevent overfeeding. Knowing your puppy's weight is a vital factor in deciding how much to feed it. Most vets recommend feeding Chihuahuas under 10 pounds one-third cup to 1 cup of dry food each day. However, Chihuahuas can vary drastically in weight.
HealthyDoggy.com recommends that baby pups 4 to 8 weeks old that weigh 1 to 2 pounds should receive one-fourth cup to three-eighths cup per day. Pups that are 2 to 4 pounds should receive three-eighths to five-eighths cup, and 4- to 6-pound pups need five-eighths to 1 cup each day.
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Factor in Activity Level
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More active Chihuahuas require more calories in their diet. Puppies are generally more active than adult dogs, and thus require more calories in their diet to maintain good health. Chihuahuas with higher activity levels may require more food, or a fattier type of food. Overfeeding underactive dogs can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Use a lean dog food or decrease feeding amounts for overweight or less active puppies to help maintain the animal's health.
Bottom Line
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Knowing your Chihuahua's age, weight and activity level are essential to making sure it receives the appropriate amount of food. Since every dog is different, it may be necessary to adjust the amount of food as your dog grows. For specific recommendations for your Chihuahua, talk to you veterinarian. Or, refer to the guidelines posted on puppy food packages.
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- Photo Credit chien, chihuahua, image by Monique Pointaire from Fotolia.com measuring cup image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com Chihuahua image by PhiMcree from Fotolia.com
