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Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas 2025
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 06/15/2023, edited: 02/28/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Chihuahuas are charming and cute canine companions. But regardless of whether your Chihuahua is a pint-sized pup, a golden oldie, or anything in between, it’s vital that you give your fur-baby the best pawssible nutrition to keep them in tip-top shape.
Like all dogs, Chihuahuas need protein for healthy growth and to help maintain muscle mass. Fats provide energy and promote skin and coat health, while carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals are also important to help your dog stay healthy and happy.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing dog food, so to help make your job easier, we’ve put together this guide to the best dog food for Chihuahuas. Keep reading to compare a range of premium diets to suit your fur-baby.
Overview
The Farmer's Dog
5
Best overall
The Farmer’s Dog is our top pick as the best dog food for Chihuahuas for a number of reasons. This fresh food subscription service offers recipes prepared in USDA kitchens using human-grade meat and vegetables.
Once you provide some information about your dog’s life stage, size, and activity levels, The Farmer’s Dog puts together a personalized meal plan based on your fur-baby’s nutritional needs. Meals are pre-portioned to meet their calorie requirements, and there are 4 recipes to choose from — beef, chicken, pork, and turkey. The food is then delivered to you within days of cooking, providing wholesome nutrition for your Chihuahua.
Read our full review of The Farmer's Dog food to discover why we've rated this brand 5 paws!
The Farmer's Dog fresh food
Why Wag! loves The Farmer's Dog
- Designed for dogs at all life stages.
- Personalized meal plans that meet your Chihuahua’s nutritional requirements.
- Made using human-grade ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- The price won’t suit everyone’s budget.
- Some pet parents might want more variety than the 4 recipes on offer.
- Some customers complain about delivery issues.
What pet parents say about The Farmer’s Dog
“My dog has never eaten any kind of food for longer than 2 days at a time. I have had him since he was 6 months old, and have had no success with keeping him on a consistent diet as he is so picky. He was vomiting pretty often due to the inconsistencies of his diet. He was not happy with anything we did when it came to food. Now he eats every last bit of food and the portion sizes are perfect for him. His coat is shiny and he stopped vomiting. The Farmer’s Dog is a little pricey but it’s worth every penny. My dog has never been this excited about food.”
“This food has changed my dogs’ lives. They are so much healthier now. My 14 year old no longer has to get her monthly shot for itchiness/scratching, she’s lost weight, has more energy (like a puppy again) and my 11 year old actually eats this food consistently and finally gained the weight he needed to. I’ve been struggling with their diets and trying to find the right food for them for over 13 years and Farmer’s Dog is exactly what they needed. Best decision I’ve ever made for them.”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from The Farmer's Dog website. Copyright The Farmer's Dog.
Canidae All Life Stages
3.5
Best for all life stages
If you’re searching for the best dry food for Chihuahuas, Canidae’s All Life Stages range is well worth checking out. Designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes, Canidae All Life Stages food is available in dry and wet food recipes.
In the dry food range, you’ll find lamb, chicken, and multi-protein recipes, as well as options for less active dogs. While meat is the top ingredient in Canidae All Life Stages wet food, meat meal is the top ingredient in the dry foods. (That's why we rated it slightly lower than the rest of the foods listed here — scroll down to our FAQ to learn how we determine our paw ratings.)
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!'s veterinary consultants, is a fan of what Canidae food offers for dogs. “Canidae dog food is made with high-quality animal protein sources, providing essential amino acids, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can trigger allergies,” she says.
Read our full Canidae dog food review to learn more about this brand so you can make the best choice for your Chi.
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
Why Wag! loves Canidae
- Perfect if you have more than 1 dog.
- Large bags so you can buy in bulk.
- No corn, wheat, soy, or animal byproduct meals.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents complain about bags of food with lots of crumbs.
- Some complaints about it causing an upset stomach.
- Not popular with some picky eaters.
- Meat meal is the first ingredient in the dry food range
What pet parents say about Canidae All Life Stages
“I've been purchasing Canidae for about five years. They offer pet food for all ages. At the time I started using it, I had a senior pet and a puppy. They offered food for all of them and I didn’t have to keep buying separate foods. Also, it's very valuable to feed them natural ingredients.”
Read more reviews on ConsumerAffairs.
“I’ve used Canidae for many years now and have never had a problem. The dogs love it, it has many different choices and it covers all life stages.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Canidae.
Merrick Lil' Plates
4.5
Best wet food
If your furry family member prefers to dine on wet food, there’s a lot to like about Merrick Lil’ Plates. Designed specifically for small dogs, this range features high-protein foods that support healthy digestion.
“Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” says Dr. Jeremiah.
While there are also dry food recipes in the Lil’ Plates range, it’s the wet recipes that’ll really have your pup licking their lips. There are more than a dozen recipes to choose from, including names like Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew and Tiny Thanksgiving Day Dinner, so you should be able to find something to suit your dog’s tastes.
For more info on what this brand has to offer, check out our Merrick dog food review.
Merrick Lil' Plates Tiny Thanksgiving Dinner
Why Wag! loves Merrick Lil' Plates
- Real meat, fish, or poultry as the number-one ingredient.
- Huge range of flavors to choose from.
- Contains flax seeds for fatty acids and probiotics for healthy digestion.
Considerations & concerns
- The fact that these recipes are grain-free won’t please all pet parents.
- There are cheaper options available.
- Some buyers complain that the packaging is hard to open.
What pet parents say about Merrick Lil’ Plates
“I've been ordering Lil' Plates for several months. I do Chihuahua rescue plus have 2 of my own. I mix it with Small Dog Merrick kibble and every Chi loves it. I have not had any problems with spoiled food. In fact, every can is super sealed and always smells fresh.”
“These are the perfect size for my small dogs (18lb each). I previously bought the full size cans but ended up refrigerating the rest of the can. This way there are no leftovers, and each is plenty of food for each dog.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small-Breed Puppy
4.5
Best for puppies
Want to help your puppy start life on the right paw by giving them high-quality nutrition? There’s a lot to like about this Small-Breed Puppy Life Protection Formula from Blue Buffalo.
Specifically formulated for small breeds like the Chihuahua, this high-protein recipe features DHA to promote healthy growth and development, and antioxidants from a variety of fruit and vegetable sources. Oatmeal provides B vitamins for energy, fish oil supports skin and coat health, and blueberries provide vitamins A and C.
It also doesn’t feature any nasties like artificial flavors or preservatives, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small-Breed Puppy is available in 6-pound and 15-pound bags.
Check our in-depth Blue Buffalo dog food review to learn more about the products on offer from this pawpular brand.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small-Breed Puppy Formula
Why Wag! loves Blue Buffalo
- Deboned chicken is the first ingredient.
- No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Features antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Considerations & concerns
- The price tag might be a barrier for some pet parents.
- Some buyers might want larger bag sizes.
- Only 1 recipe in small-breed puppy range.
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Small Breed
“I find it provides superior quality and is a product my dog seems to always enjoy. Though a bit more expensive than some, I find it worth it. They also have a wide variety of dog foods that provide a plethora of health benefits so you can feel better about what you are feeding your dog.”
Read more reviews on ConsumerAffairs.
“Awesome puppy food! I've noticed that my little man Chihuahua has a really shiny coat! I add a teaspoon of the puppy wet food and he thinks he's having super special dinner!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior
4.5
Best for senior dogs
If your beloved Chihuahua is entering their twilight years, it’s vital to switch to a diet designed to meet the nutritional requirements of older dogs. And that’s where Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior comes in.
This deboned turkey and peas recipe provides all the nutritional goodness your golden oldie needs to maintain the spring in their step. It features glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints, fiber and probiotics to support healthy digestion, and the calories they need to stay in a healthy weight range. It also features carrots to provide beta-carotene, which helps protect against problems like cataracts, and includes omega 3-rich flaxseed for skin and coat health.
So if you’re the proud pet parent of a senior Chihuahua, add Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior to your shopping list. And if you're not sure whether it's the best food for your Chihuahua, read our full Wellness dog food review for a closer look.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior
Why Wag! loves Wellness Complete Health
- Turkey is a lean protein source and the first ingredient.
- Supports joint health for older dogs.
- Includes vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system.
Considerations & concerns
- Only available in 4-pound bags.
- There are cheaper options available.
- Also includes chicken, so may not be suitable if you’re trying to avoid common protein sources due to your dog’s food sensitivities.
What pet parents say about Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior
“Our Chihuahua loves this food. The pieces are nice and small, so it's really easy for her to eat. Wellness is a great brand.”
“I tried so many different brands until I settled on this one. I’ve ordered more than 30 of these for the past five years and this works the best for my senior Chihuahua with a sensitive stomach. I mix this with beef/chicken + soak in water and he eats them well (he is very picky + not a food enthusiast). Highly recommend this product.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Food.
Open Farm Small Breed Ancient Grains
4.5
Best sustainable choice
If you’re a pet parent who cares about where your fur-baby’s food comes from, you’re probably already familiar with Open Farm. “Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors,” says Dr. Jeremiah. “The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
Open Farm Small Breed Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small dogs. It features chicken and turkey as high-quality protein sources, while wholegrain barley provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
But it’s Open Farm’s commitment to ethically sourcing ingredients that really impresses. It only uses ingredients from farms that meet strict animal welfare standards, and you can even trace the ingredients in your bag of dog food all the way back to their source. Check out the tracing tool on the Open Farm website to find out exactly what’s in your dog’s food.
Dig into our Open Farm dog food review for a closer look at the brand's recipes, recall history, and more.
Open Farm Small Breed Ancient Grains Dry Food
Why Wag! loves Open Farm
- Ingredients are 100% traceable.
- Humanely raised protein sources.
- Non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Considerations & concerns
- Price tag could be a barrier for some pet parents.
- Not a hit with some picky eaters.
- Largest bag size available is 11 pounds.
What pet parents say about Open Farm Small Breed
"My three mini dachshunds love this! My middle child is such a picky
eater. We would basically do magic tricks with her food before she would
even consider taking a nibble. But with Open Farm, she gets excited and
gobbles up every morsel. 10/10 would recommend!"
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
FAQ
What is the best food for Chihuahuas?
Should my Chihuahua eat wet or dry food?
Do Chihuahuas need special dog food?
How does Wag! determine paw ratings for dog food?
