The Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog. It’s what you get when you breed a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. As you can expect from its parents, the chiweenie is a small dog that has an energetic personality. It is an interesting combination that is getting the attention of many pet lovers.
One of the questions these pet lovers have is, what does a chiweenie even eat?
Being a small and energetic dog, the chiweenie will require a calorie-rich diet. It will need a bit of fats because of its fast metabolism. It will also need lean proteins so it doesn’t become too fat from those additional fats in his diet.
Always remember the main characteristics of your chiweenie – it is small and energetic. As an energetic dog, it will need a lot of calories to keep it moving. And as a small dog, it’s very prone to becoming obese.
This can become a problem. Now you have to feed your dog a lot because of its fast metabolism. But at the same time, you have to limit the food you are giving to it to avoid obesity. The trick is to find the perfect balance. And this perfect balance can change depending on the age of your chiweenie.
- For a young chiweenie, you can go with 22% protein and 8% fat. Your pet will be growing fast, so it will need all the calories it can get. You can go with higher percentages, but be careful in overfeeding.
- For an adult chiweenie, you can start becoming a little conservative. This is because your pet is no longer growing. You just have to maintain its weight and not let them get too fat. You can go with 18% protein and 5% fat.
- For an old chiweenie, you can further scale down the food proportions. Your pet will have a very slow metabolism and a higher chance of getting too fat.
The general idea is to lower the food proportions you give to your dog as it grows older. All the percentages indicated above are just guidelines. They are not set in stone.
There are simply too many factors involved, such as your chiweenie’s energy level, general health, size, and weight. It’s best to consult your veterinarian for a more personalized recommendation.
Lean proteins for your chiweenie
Your chiweenie will need lean proteins so it doesn’t get too fat. Lean proteins are low in calories but packed with other important nutrients, such as amino acids. Here are some of the most common sources of lean proteins:
- Beef – Beef has high quality proteins that help maintain your chiweenie’s muscle health.
- Chicken – Chicken has vitamins and minerals that will help boost your chiweenie’s immune system. It has such a low calorie-count that it can even help your dog lose weight.
- White fish – White fish isn’t just a good source of lean protein. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids play an important role in burning calories.
When looking for dog food for your chiweenie, specifically look for the ones that contain these lean protein sources.
Fats for your chiweenie
Fats are some of your dog’s main sources of energy. A dog with a proper balance of fat in its body will also have a healthy and shiny coat. Here are the fats you should look for:
- Omega-3 – Omega-3 fatty acids don’t just help in burning calories. They improve your dog’s heart and kidney health. They are also known to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. Omega-3 can be found in oily fishes like herrings, salmons, and sardines. Plant oils such as canola oil and flaxseed also contain Omega-3, but they lack other nutrients to make them your dog’s primary meals.
- Omega-6 – Omega-6 fatty acids improve bone and cellular health. They also help in repairing muscle and skeletal tissues. You can find Omega-6 in poultry products and meat. Many dog foods in the market that have Omega-3 also have Omega-6, so you will not have a problem looking for this fatty acid.
- DHA – DHA is a kind of Omega-3 fatty acid. It is also known as docosahexaenoic acid. DHA is good for your dog’s brain development and eyes. You can find DHA in fish and marine plants.
When looking for dog food for you chiweenie, specifically look for those that have these fatty acids.
Some dog food recommendations for your chiweenie
The chiweenie is a small mixed breed dog. As such, it can’t eat a large amount of food at once. This means that the small amount that it does eat should be packed with the appropriate nutrients to keep your dog healthy.
Here are some dog food recommendations for your chiweenie. These products have the necessary lean proteins, fats, and other nutrients your dog needs.
Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
You can never go wrong with a trusted brand like Pedigree. The Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food has a roasted chicken, rice, and vegetable flavor. It has the necessary nutrients to keep up with your chiweenie’s active and healthy lifestyle. It also has Vitamin E that helps boost your dog’s immune system.
Purina Beneful Incredibites Small Breed Dry Dog Food
The Purina Beneful Incredibites Small Breed Dry Dog Food is made of real farm-raised beef. Carrots and peas are also added in the recipe to add some variety to your dog’s diet. This dog food is specifically designed for small dogs, as it is easy to chew and small.
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High-Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food
You can also try the Taste of Wild Grain-Free High-Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food. This dog food is made of real venison, a great source of protein. It is also rich in Omega fatty acids, to ensure that your chiweenie is getting the proper fats it needs.
Why prefer dry foods for your chiweenie
The dog food recommendations above are all dry foods. That’s not a coincidence. There’s actually a reason why dry foods are better for your chiweenie.
The chiweenie is a small breed. And small breeds are more susceptible to dental problems such as tooth loss. This is because their mouths are small and typically longer. Their teeth are crammed in such a tiny space, so tartar and plaque have a lot of opportunities to thrive.
Wet foods can be a good source of lean proteins and fats too, but they have the tendency to make dental problems worse. So, it’s best to stick with dry foods.
This doesn’t mean that you will strictly feed your chiweenie dry foods. You can mix in bits and pieces of wet foods to diversify its diet. This is especially good advice if your chiweenie is a picky eater and likes more variety in food.
What to do if your chiweenie is a picky eater
Dogs can be picky eaters too. And this can easily become a problem. They may not get the nutrients they need to keep them healthy.
Add some variety to your chiweenie’s diet. Fruits and vegetables are good choices. They will provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. You can try apples, asparaguses, blueberries, cauliflowers, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.
Also remember that your chiweenie is small and can’t eat in large amounts. If you are going to serve them fruits and vegetables, make sure to serve in small proportions. You don’t want to cause digestion problems.
Also don’t quickly assume that your chiweenie is a picky eater just because it refuses to eat. There might be underlying problems. If your dog has such sudden changes in eating habits, consider going to the veterinarian.
As a small dog, your chiweenie doesn’t have a lot of reserves in its body. Don’t wait more than 48 hours before going to the veterinarian. If your chiweenie is still young, don’t wait more than 24 hours.
Summary
The chiweenie is a small and energetic dog. As such, it will need a lot of fats for its energy needs and a lot of lean proteins so it doesn’t become obese. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to balance fats and lean proteins in your chiweenie’s diet. You can consult a veterinarian for optimal results.
Beefs, chickens, and white fishes are great sources of lean proteins. And Omega fatty acids are some of the best fats for your dog. Make sure to look for these when looking for dog foods.
Also diversify your dog’s diet by adding fruits, vegetables, and some wet foods.
Keep your chiweenie happy and healthy, and it will surely light up your home.