An adult Chihuahua weighing 2 kg, neutered and moderately active, needs about 119 kcal a day, roughly 104 g of our chicken recipe. But first comes the weight you base the portion on: in UK vet records covering more than 11,000 Chihuahuas, two in three adults weighed 3 kg or more, the top of the breed standard. Then come the teeth, the breed's most common problem, and a finding that surprises many owners: compared with crossbreeds, Chihuahuas are not more prone to being overweight.
The FCI breed standard sets a weight of 1 to 3 kg, with 1.5 to 2.5 kg as the ideal: in this breed only weight counts, not height, and a show dog over 3 kg is disqualified. The UK Kennel Club standard is stricter still, up to 2.7 kg. Yet in the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass study of 11,647 Chihuahuas under veterinary care in the UK in 2016, the median adult weight was 3.4 kg (3.7 kg for males, 3.2 kg for females), and roughly two in three adults weighed 3 kg or more. The study's growth curves also show that Chihuahuas keep gaining weight until about 4 years of age.
That does not mean they are all fat: without a body condition score the authors could not separate fat from a simply larger frame, and they suggest the public prefers a sturdier Chihuahua than the show type. The practical consequence: base the portion on your own dog's ideal weight, not on the standard. You judge it with your hands: ribs easy to feel and a waist visible from above, which is 4-5 on the WSAVA 9-point scale. On a dog this small, extra kilos are really grams: according to the AAHA guidelines each point above 5 means about 10% excess weight, just 200 g if the ideal weight is 2 kg.
In the Chihuahua study, obesity was the breed's second most common diagnosis (5.9%) and rose with age: 1.8% under 2 years, 8.0% between 2 and 7, 9.2% over 7. A second VetCompass study of 22,333 dogs of all breeds adds a finding few people expect: the Chihuahua is not one of the 8 breeds predisposed to being overweight, such as the Pug, Beagle and Golden Retriever. Overweight status was recorded in about 6% of Chihuahuas (38 of 637), against 7.1% of dogs overall; the authors warn that vets tend to under-record it, so the real figures are probably higher for every breed.
In other words, Chihuahuas do not appear to put on weight more easily than other dogs. In the same study, being overweight was linked instead to age, with the highest odds between 6 and 9 years, and to neutering. After neutering, the portion should therefore be recalculated: on a dog this size, even a few extra titbits a day tip the balance.
Periodontal disease (plaque, tartar and inflamed gums, up to tooth loss) is the most common diagnosis in Chihuahuas: 13.5% in a single year, 34% in dogs over 7. In the VetCompass study of periodontal disease, Chihuahuas had about twice the odds of crossbreeds of being diagnosed with it (odds ratio 2.09) and, within the same breed, dogs lighter than average had about 1.3 times the odds of those at or above average. Among possible reasons, the authors mention how hard it is to brush a tiny dog's teeth and small dogs' reputation as fussy eaters, reluctant to take dental chews.
Under 2 years of age, 11% of Chihuahuas also still had baby teeth next to their adult ones. These "double teeth" (retained deciduous teeth) are listed as a fault in the FCI standard and, in toy breeds, can lead to crooked teeth and other dental problems, so when your puppy is changing teeth, ask the vet to check that the baby teeth have come out.
Many owners choose kibble believing it cleans teeth. The WSAVA dental guidelines call this a myth: ordinary kibble shatters at the tip of the tooth and never reaches the gum line, where periodontal disease starts. Wet food is no shortcut either: in the studies the same guidelines cite, moist food did about as well as dry food on plaque and tartar, and in one, dogs and cats on soft food had more plaque and gum inflammation than those on a more fibrous diet. Whatever food you choose, teeth depend on the toothbrush: plaque builds up again within 24 hours, so daily is ideal, and for toy breeds the WSAVA suggests an infant toothbrush (here is how to brush your dog's teeth).
In an analysis of 124,285 calcium oxalate stones submitted in the United States between 2010 and 2015, the Chihuahua was one of 12 high-risk breeds, all of them small. Among Chihuahuas with a first stone, males outnumbered females by more than three to one, and the average age was around 8. For high-risk breeds the authors suggest yearly imaging from 5 to 6 years of age, two to three years before stones are likely to cause signs: ask your vet about it, especially for a male. If your Chihuahua has already had stones, the vet decides the diet, often a specific dietetic food: Pappa Fresh recipes are complete maintenance foods, not dietetic foods.
Puppies of toy breeds such as the Chihuahua are more prone to hypoglycaemia, a drop in blood sugar linked to their low body mass. The signs to know are weakness, trembling, a wobbly gait, unusual sleepiness and, in severe cases, collapse or seizures. If you see them, call your vet immediately: they can explain a first-aid step to take on the way, such as rubbing a little honey or glucose syrup on the inside of the cheek. That is why a Chihuahua puppy should not go long without food: agree meals and growth food with your vet (see also our puppy feeding guide).
Every Pappa Fresh recipe contains one meat only and lists the percentage of each ingredient on the label, so you always know what your dog is eating and can discuss it with your vet:
They are cooked in the pouch and keep outside the fridge until opened; once opened, they go in the fridge and should be used within 2-3 days. For a Chihuahua the best fit is the Complete plan: with Mix (half a portion alongside kibble) the 400 g pouch would last twice as long, well beyond the 2-3 days allowed once opened, and the quiz only offers Topper when it fills at least 10 pouches a cycle. If your dog has reacted to chicken, remember that turkey is poultry too: ask your vet before trying it.
An adult Chihuahua of 2 kg, neutered and moderately active, needs about 119 kcal a day: with our Chicken recipe that is about 104 g, or 88 g with the richer Beef. If entire, about 149 kcal. The table covers the FCI standard, from 1.5 kg to 3 kg: if your Chihuahua is in good shape but heavier, as many are, enter its real weight in the quiz.
The portions look generous for its size because energy needs rise with weight to the power of 0.75, as in the FEDIAF guidelines: per kilo, a 2 kg Chihuahua burns about 1.8 times the calories of a 20 kg dog. We explain the general method in how much should a dog eat.
| Weight | Energy need (kcal/day) neutered / intact | Grams per day neutered / intact | Complete plan | Mix (½) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 kg | 96 / 120 | 84 g / 105 g | €1.56/day | €0.78/day |
| 2 kg | 119 / 149 | 104 g / 131 g | €1.89/day | €1.04/day |
| 3 kg | 161 / 202 | 141 g / 177 g | €2.59/day | €1.30/day |
Grams based on the Chicken recipe (114 kcal/100 g); with Beef, which is richer (136 kcal/100 g), you need about 16% less. Prices for a neutered dog.
Figures calculated with the same method as our quiz (FEM×K: maintenance energy adjusted for breed, activity, neutering and body condition). They are an estimate: take the quiz for your dog's exact plan, and talk to your vet about any health concern.
Two minutes: enter its real weight, age and activity to get the exact portion, with 30% off your first order.
An adult 3 kg Chihuahua, neutered and moderately active, needs about 161 kcal a day, which is roughly 141 g of chicken wet food; if entire, about 177 g. These are estimates: the right portion also depends on body condition, which is worth checking with your hands every few weeks.
It depends on the calories in the wet food, which vary a lot between products, so compare foods in calories: about 119 kcal a day for a neutered adult Chihuahua of 2 kg. With our chicken recipe (114 kcal per 100 g) that is about 104 g a day.
In UK vet records of more than 11,000 Chihuahuas the median adult weight was 3.4 kg: 3.7 kg for males and 3.2 kg for females. The FCI standard gives 1 to 3 kg with 1.5 to 2.5 kg as the ideal. Body condition matters more than the number: ribs you can feel and a visible waist, 4-5 on the WSAVA 9-point scale.
Usually, yes. For a 2 kg Chihuahua the estimated need drops from about 149 to about 119 kcal a day, and neutering is associated with a higher risk of being overweight. After the operation, recalculate the portion and keep an eye on body condition over the following months.
Two meals a day is the most common choice for an adult Chihuahua. For puppies, agree the number and timing of meals with your vet, because the risk of low blood sugar is higher in toy breeds.
Written by the Pappa Fresh editorial team from published veterinary studies (see sources). Not a substitute for your vet's advice.
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