Are Overweight Chihuahuas Unhealthy?
Just as with humans, being overweight can bring on a number of health issues that your dog may have to deal with.
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Because additional weight can put stress on joints and bones, your pup may have to deal with arthritis from a very early age. They could also be at a higher risk of developing Type II Diabetes, which could mean they are in need of an increased amount of insulin.
It is important to have your overweight chihuahua looked at by your local veterinarian. If they do in fact have diabetes and do need insulin, it is important that they get it or they could go into diabetic shock. There could be other medical conditions too that can cause a weight issue so it’s best to get your fur kid checked.
The added stress on joints and bones can also cause issues with their back and spine that will be important to address with your veterinarian as well.
All of these issues could result in the need for additional medications to be taken as well as being placed on a healthy diet to help them lose the excess weight.
In addition, being obese can put your little friend at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This is very dangerous for your pet, as it will cause added stress to be placed on their organs and tissues, which in turn can increase their chances of having these organs fail.
However, this is not even the worst that can happen. Obesity increases your pet’s risk of heart disease. In order to handle all of the extra fat within the body, the heart must work overtime, pumping additional blood.
When combined with the added stress placed on their organs, your pet is more likely to develop heart disease.
How Can I Help My Obese Chihuahua
While it is not impossible to help your chihuahua to lose weight, with some careful preparation and extra time put in by you, your chi should be able to return to a healthy weight.
One easy suggestion to carry out first is to cut out any treats that your pet is given. Because treats typically do not have any health benefits, they really should be cut out altogether until a healthy weight is achieved.
If you cannot stop giving them treats altogether, consider a healthier alternative, such as tiny pieces of cooked chicken breast pieces. They are high in protein and very low in sugar and fat.
Because chihuahuas are small it is easy for them to gain weight. Many people overfeed them, not meaning to but not realizing what a small amount of food they actually need.
Please be careful with what you feed your pet. They should not get any table scraps if any at all as these can easily add to extra weight gain for such a small animal.
It is important to remember the digestive system of this type of dog cannot handle people food in the same way as ours, so giving too much of this type of food can be harmful.
The exception is if you are cooking for your dog and you cook them healthy plain, non-processed foods such as meats (chicken, tuna, beef, lamb, etc.), and plain veggies and fruit (such as green beans and watermelon).
Because they are such small dogs, chihuahuas do not require a large amount of food to be healthy and full throughout the day. In fact, just one to two small (1/8 cup to 1/2 cup) feedings a day is all they need.
Anything over that could be considered overfeeding and could allow them to become overweight very quickly.
If you need to reduce the amount of food your pet is consuming, do so in small amounts until you get down to a healthier amount, rather than cutting it out all at once.
This will help your pet to get used to eating smaller portions. If too much is cut out at once, the body will go into survival mode and actually hold onto fat, which in turn will not help them to lose weight.
Another way for your pet to easily gain weight is by being carried around. Instead, you should have them walk on their own as much as possible.
Ensuring they have enough exercise throughout the day is quite possibly the most important step to ensuring they are able to slim down to a healthy weight.
Taking them for a daily walk or if the weather is bad, playing indoor games with them will give them the exercise they need.
In fact, exercise will not only help them lose weight but will also actually increase their life span, giving you lots of extra time with your favorite little fur kid!
I do want to mention, if you know your chihuahua is getting enough exercise and you are sure you are not overfeeding them, do get your dog checked by the vet.
It could be a medical condition causing the problem. Often it’s something like a thyroid disorder that can be easily and cheaply controlled with medicine.
Is your chihuahua chubby? Or have you helped your chi to lose the weight they needed to lose? If so, we’d love to hear about it so leave a comment below.
Dr. Sara Ochoa
DVM
This article has been fact-checked and approved by Dr. Sara Ochoa DVM. You can read more about her on our About page.
Thank you for the information, as this is my first Chihuahua and want her to be healthy.
You are very welcome!
I recently found out at my girl’s yearly vet appointment that my 11 year old has a low thyroid condition . The vet told me that replacement therapy is ineffective in her opinion. My girl is not overweight at this point but will be closely monitored in case this happens.
Kelp supplement
That’s interesting that your vet thinks thyroid meds are ineffective. I’ve pet sat for several dogs who were diagnosed with the condition and it helped them a lot. If you do notice her weight going up or if she starts getting lethargic, I’d insist on the medication.
I use Burt Wards Gentle Giants dry dog food and can dog food! The formulation of a balance of healthy plain non-processed foods with the right portion of vegetables and fruits keep both of my chi’s fit and fiddle. I have a 7 yr old chi who still runs and plays like she is a puppy upon ingesting the Gentle Giants brand. Burt and his wife have been rescuing mistreated Danes and other breeds for over 25 years and have two dogs in their middle 20’s! Go to gentlegianisdogfood.com and read for yourself Burt Wards testimony. After all he is and was “Robin the Boy Wonder”!
Thanks for the info Darwin! I’ll go check them out.
Wouldn’t the nughets be to large for a small dog? Does in come in canned food? Thanks you
The corrected website name is gentlegiantsdogfood.com
Sorry bad typing and a fat thumb!
Thank you for this info. I think my long haired chi is getting fluffy. I plan on starting an am and pm feeding to know how much she gets. Thanks
You’re welcome Theresa. So glad this was helpful to you.
What is a good wt for a apple head chihuahua 8 years old
It really depends on their bone structure and build. Generally they shouldn’t weigh more than 6 pounds. The next time you take your chi to the vet, ask your vet what he/she should weigh. They can look at their frame and give you an accurate goal weight.
My little girl is a solid 16 lds. Shes a picky eater and i can let her outside for excercise because there is a doberman dog that keeps attacking her so i have to keep her inside all the time any help will be appreciated.
If you can’t take her outside Theresa, then maybe have a daily playtime inside. We have an article on games you can play with her here: https://ilovemychi.com/indoor-games-to-play-with-your-chihuahua/
My chi has allergies plus she hates going outside…. if you even mention the word walk, or even if you spell it she runs and hides! We use the treadmill. She took to it right away, we are currently doing 15 minutes a day…. she walks right up to it and hops on and does what she has to do, well, what I make her do!
That’s amazing Vicki!
What dry kibble food would you recommend for weight management?
I don’t have a particular brand that I recommend although there are several I have tried that are good (Canidae grain free, and Nutro Ultra small breed weight management).
I do recommend checking out this article though that gives you the 10 best kibbles for weight management: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/weight-loss-dog-foods/
No table food, 2 small meals a day and very minimal natural freeze dried treats will do it, along with at least 2 good walks per day. Letting your dog out in the yard doesn’t equate to an actual walk. If you see your Chi putting on a little weight, get on it quickly. It’s very difficult to drop their weight once they’re really chubby.
What if you have a pack of dogs and there are only a couple of them that are on the chunkie side? Also if you try and separate them, feed them less, they go out in the back and eat tootsie rolls!!!(not the real ones) They are very active but BIG! I feel I would rather have them eat the food then go out and eat it second hand!
I laughed at the tootsie roll comment Lisa.
You don’t need to feed them a weight control food but they should all be on a high quality food. And limit their treats.
I would say give the chubby chis less food but if they are going to eat poop, I’m with you. I’d rather they eat food instead of poop.
I have to follow mine with the scooper or they’ll eat it! ?
LOL, I’ll never understand what they like about eating poop. So gross!
I have two Chi girls. One is perfect, another one is the the only one survived from 6, weighted 73g when born, breeder was spoiling her so much, because she was not planning to sell her. We took her when she was 3 months old, when she was 6months old, bee bit her, so we took her to vet, immediately dietologist came and said that she NEEDS to loose weight. So we started a diet, her weight was 3,9kg!!! Target is 2.3kg. She is 11 months now, on a diet, cocumber as a snack and she became other dog! She is running like crazy, playing all the time! Every second week we are visiting our dietologist to see how she is loosing her weight and she is very happy! Now she is 3.4! 0.5kg in 5 months! Not wow but we and our GG is happy with the progress!
She’s definitely going in the right direction! Good job Greta!
We inherited our 7 year old ling haired Chi. She should be around 6 pounds and weighs just shy of 8. She literally has anxiety if we try to walk her off of our property, shaking, crying, and fighting us. She gets less than 1/4 cup of dry (divided into 2 meals)food each day plus 1/2 greenie at each of her 2 feedings.
Has she been tested for thyroid issues? For that small amount of food, she shouldn’t have a weight problem. Also trying playing some games within your yard and house if she won’t go for a walk. This article will give you some ideas: https://ilovemychi.com/indoor-games-to-play-with-your-chihuahua/
@Rena Hall,
My Chi eats like yours, just not much. She is also overweight and she has been to the vet recently, so I’m at a loss as well. I guess they all can’t be the same .
I have a friwend who fostered my Daughters Chihauhau and spoiled her with treats and food. The poor thing must weigh 40 lbs. cant exercise she gets exxerted, my friend wont stop treats and lg. amouts of cooked meals..what should I do? im afraid the dog is going to drop dead.
As long as the dog is still with the person who fostered her, there’s probably not much you can do.
If the dog is back with you, cut way down on the treats. In fact, I have cut the treats into tiny pieces so I can still give my dogs a treat now and then, but they only get a tiny bite. They don’t know the difference.
As for food, give her a weight control food and don’t give her more than 1/2 a cup twice a day. She may balk at it and not want it. But she will eat when she gets hungry enough.
I’d start off slow with exercise. If you have a yard, take her out and walk around it a few times a day. You can work up gradually to longer walks in the neighborhood.
Don’t forget about Cushing’s disease, our dog fought Cushing’s disease for four years before we lost our chubby little lover. 🙁 Anyway, he gained massive amounts of weight from a pituitary tumor (which causes Cushing’s). I know you mentioned that it could be a medical condition. But it’s so important to have your obese pup checked out.
Very good point TM.
I’ve been trying to get my chi to loose just a couple of pounds and it never goes down. He’s 8.5 lbs. and he’s a apple head. I read that he shouldn’t be more then 6 lbs. I cut out all human food and feed him Health Extension from chewy. He eats about a 1/2 a cup a day and recently started a lean treat from the Vet. He’s been this weight for 2 yrs. it never seems to change. I’ve recently bought a dog treadmill and hopefully it will help him. I don’t know what else to do. Anyone have something else I could do?
It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Has his thyroid been checked? That can cause weight problems. Some dogs (just like some people) have slow metabolisms and it makes it very hard to lose the weight.
@Cathy, I’m going to get that checked. Thanks for your reply.
You’re welcome Teri!
I know I am very wrong but I just love those chubby chibabies like the one pictured. Mine have never been overweight but I would love to hold and cuddle an obese chibaby, especially female. They are not healthy but they sure look lovable!
@Dixie, it’s true, they are cuddly.
Cathy, we must have been on same wave length. Just inquired about diet for overweight chi and here it is in new news letter. Thanks.
Great! I did answer your email though too.
My chihuahua is 12 and developed a continuous cough due to congestive heart failure. She had always had a murmur. The vet had her take a heart pill and a water pill. It helped some but the problem was still there. I was worried I was going to loose her. I didn’t think she was over weight. We went on vacation for 10 days. My friends son watched my dog. I did not give him any dry food just soft food for her. He did not feed her from his plate like I did. She only ate soft food. Nothing extra was given. She also played with their dog. When I returned she had lost a pound and her coughing was as gone! She still takes her medicine especially the water pill. She is no longer fed from the table and her treats are only meat 🥩 I cook. An amazing difference with only one pound weight loss. Ten pounds down to 9.
That’s great Shelly!
My daughter
Dog is very over weight and the dog does not walk much. Very like to do her thing an that is all. What is the out come of the dog. She is a small
Dog looks like a fat grandhog
@Beth, that is a very god description of your dog. I get told my dog looks like a wombat.
Cathy, I saw Lucy with a bully stick. My Gino is a food motivated and I was wondering if there’s a certain Bully stick I should give him that would keep him busy. I use the Ark dental sticks and he loves them after I saw that was what your furbabies get. Thank you for all you do!We enjoy reading your newsletter! Debbie
Yeah my dogs love the Ark naturals and bully sticks. We use these sticks: https://amzn.to/3TQHb2z
Hi ihave chi he is my
companion I am 78and he never leaves my side but I had op so he would not breed .the most loveliest good natured but shy I notce he has put in weight since op.aa he has all best food chicken .fruit carrot grated he does not like meat of any sort only eatcHicken is this okay I have dry food Royal Canin am I doing right he is tall for chi but we’ll proportion long hair deerhead chi regards Helen and pip
Hi Helen.
It’s common for them to put on a little weight after being neutered. You might want to cut back on his portions a little to help that. And it’s fine if the only meat he likes is chicken.
My chihuahua is fat. She weighs about 15 lbs. My husband feeds her whatever he eats. And he gets up in the night and so does she. They both eat all day. I buy her healthy dog food but she wont eat it cause she know he gone feed her what he eat. Help.
Until you can get your husband to change, there’s not much you can do. You could take her on walks so at least she’s getting some exercise but that will only help so much. I think I would take your husband to the vet the next time your dog has an appointment and have the vet explain how he is killing your dog with this way of eating.
Yo Cathy, My dog Rocco is very fat he is getting to be really old and I want him to be happy got tips because I got one for you
If you have a tip, I’d love to hear it Hank. Or are you asking for tips?