Everyday care
Feed the dog in front of you
A tiny bowl still needs a complete diet. Choose food for your Chihuahua’s life stage and use their changing body condition, rather than a breed photograph, to guide the portion.
In this guide / 3 chapters
Build a dependable feeding routine
Choose a complete commercial dog food suitable for the dog’s age and health. Start with the packet’s guide, weigh portions on electronic kitchen scales and ask your veterinary team to help set a target if weight needs to change. Divide the allowance into meals: many adults have two, while puppies and some small dogs need more frequent feeding. Keep fresh water available. Count training rewards within the daily allowance; a few extra mouthfuls are proportionally significant for a small dog. Avoid routinely adding leftovers, and discuss medical diets with your vet rather than switching on internet advice.
Use your hands as well as the scales
Look from above for a waist and from the side for an abdominal tuck. Feel the ribs with light pressure; a long coat can disguise their outline. Ask a nurse to demonstrate body-condition scoring so you know what an appropriate shape feels like for your individual dog. Record weight and condition together. Unexplained weight loss or gain deserves a veterinary conversation, even if the dog still appears lively. Do not put a growing puppy on a weight-loss programme without professional guidance.