I have a 9 week old chihuahua and im not sure id i am feeding him the right amout of dry and wet food?

Question

I have been feeding him a scoop of canned food and a small handful of dry food in the morning and afternoon but i don't mix them i let him decide. but i dont know if feeding him wet food that much is good for him. And sense he is so little it looks like it is hard for him to eat the dry food but he doesn't seem to mind. and i leave a small bowl of dry food and water next to the bed so if he gets hungry its there but im not sure if that is a good idea or not.

Answer 1

Free feeding isn't a good idea. And wet food should only really be given on a non-frequent basis. Dry food is much better. And you let him decide? Stop that now before he turns into a spoiled little thing... YOU decide... you're his owner.

Answer 2

As long as the stool is not getting to lose the wet food amount should be ok but if it gets lose cut back on the amount chihuahuas don't eat much at a time so keep leaving the dry food out at all times get a puppy food for small breeds will help it eat it better

Answer 3

I free feed my 2 small Chihuahuas and my miniature poodle and none of them over eat. If yours does not have an issue with over eating I would leave it down, but I would also observe to ensure he is eating what is required by the dog food you are using. Hopefully you are using a high quality food. Chihuahua puppies are very small and their tummies are itty bitty so they never eat much at once. It is better to have a high quality food so that the little they do eat is very healthy. If you are going to give canned food I would choose just one meal a day. If you are not going to free feed your Chihuahua then you should feed him 5 times or more a day. I would make sure it is offered every 2 to 3 hours because they eat so little and are at high risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which left untreated can lead to death. Symptoms are confusion, trouble walking, lethergy or seizures. If ANY of these occur then immediately rub corn syrup (or Nutrical) on his gums. I would wake in the night and offer a bite of food as well while he is so young. He should have stayed with his doggy mama until he was 11 or 12 weeks old.

So to wrap things up, for such a tiny young dog it is best that they have food when hungry.

Answer 4

Let your puppy decide... leave a bowl of dry food out for him. Once he gets used to the ideal that his food isn't going anywhere he shouldn't over eat.

I had 2 Chihuahuas who lived to be 14 1/2 yrs old, they ate what they wanted and when.

Answer 5

Most dogs will continue to eat past when they have had enough, but my poodle was a nibbler so I left her down a bowl so she could eat when she wanted.

Sounds like you and the pup are getting along fine. Just follow his lead. Right now he is growning and needs more calories than he will later when he is finished growning.

And dry is good to help clean their teeth. All canned can cause their teeth to get tarter faster.

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Answer 6

make sure you are feeding puppy food. its usually smaller kibble. or you can get stuff for small breeds. he really doesnt need the canned stuff. its not that great. the kibble is good for the teeth. if you're worried that he cant eat it, you can mix it with a little water and it will soften it. we did that with my dog for about 3 weeks until she figured out that she could eat it with out it. i think your pup would be fine with about 1/4 cup of kibble 2 times a day. my 30lb dog gets about 1.5cups a day.

Answer 7

If he is big enough to eat the dry,it is better for their teeth.I fed mine every morning and evening.Had her for 15 years.Loved her and she ate dry,once I found one small enough for her...