Why is my chihuahua so skinny?

Question

I just returned from the vet and they told me it was normal for my dog to be skinny. I feed my dog a mixture of dry and wet food,(Natural Choice from Nutro). He eats 3 times a day plus whatever lil treats he gets for being good. I'm still concerned and I'm going to take him to another vet for a second opinion. Any other answers will help alot and thanks to all who respond.

Answer 1

It could be:
Worms, Soft Food Diet, Nervousness, etc.

Best thing to do is take him/her to the vet, and have them check your pet out. They will know best.

Answer 2

I have the same problem with my chihuahua. He's almost two years old and 5 lbs. That's an ideal weight however his ribs protrude. i'm scared to death he might have internal problems. i took him to an awful vet as I have just moved and the vet suggested he might have a "liver stint" preventing him from benefiting from the nutrients in his food.. He too thought my little guy was too thin. However, he is a very happy dog, full of energy and his traits and habits haven't changed. I've tried everything I could here at home. I even began cooking him his own little dinners every night of beef & chicken.

Anyway, i can't put alot of merit into what this vet said as he wanted to charge me 1800 dollars to keep him over night for testing. This was not going to happen. My little guy would go into shock in a cage alone. He's very pampered.

Answer 3

Appearance

They are best known for their small size and large erect ears.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat. Many smooth-coat Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other smooth coats have a very dense, thick coat.

Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between six and ten inches at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as twelve to fifteen inches. AKC show dogs must weigh no more than six lb (2.7 kg); the FCI standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and three kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. However, pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights, to ten pounds or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines.


Chihuahuas come in many colors, from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors like fawn (tan), chocolate, blue (gray), silver, tricolored (chocolate, blue, or black with tan and white markings), brindle, and merle; and, each of these colors varies in shades and tones, as fawn can be a term to describe a tan dog from a very pale cream to a deep (almost red) tan, or any shade in between, and the chocolate coloration can range from a milky light shade of brown, to a deep mahogony brown, to a dark brown that is almost black.

Answer 4

Chihuahuas are naturally skinny, until they become seniors and become pudgyish in their old age.
There are also even skinnier crossbreeds of chihuahuas, practically sticks and bones and puppy dog tails.
Check with the vet on your next visit. He/SHe will ask "is he eating well? Active?. Happy and content?

Answer 5

If you think your dog is too skinny a visit to the vet will help. could be as simple as worms or could be a stomach problem.
Best to get it checked out.
Your animals health is important.
c

Answer 6

depends on how old she is. sometimes dogs go thru growth spurts and gorw taller and lose some of their weight. give her puppy food twice a day in the morning and then around 5 or 6 she shld be ok.

Answer 7

you might be underfeeding it or it could just be naturally skinny im not to sure about chihuahuas i never owned one but my friends looked pretty skinny every time i saw it

Answer 8

had it to the Vet lately? eating habits..internal problem..activity..wormy...Any number of things or it could be that that's as big as he/she will get...

Answer 9

First of all they are not supposed to be fat, but how skinny is she, what kind of a diet have you been feeding her??? PLease place some more information.