Chihuahuas can be picky eaters. One of the most famous Chihuahuas in the world is known for his single-minded food preference, heralded by his signature phrase: Yo quiero Taco Bell!

But burritos and nachos aren’t the best diets for dogs, much less your senior Chihuahua. As your pup matures, their preferences and nutritional needs will evolve. That’s why it’s so important to know what the best options are when it comes to dog food.

We’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you by scouring the internet for the best dog foods for your senior Chihuahua and compiled them into one convenient list. Our reviews will help you decide which brand is perfect for your senior buddy.

A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2024

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Senior Chihuahuas

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

The Farmer’s Dog is leading the charge for higher standards in the dog food industry. It believes that fresh ingredients are the healthiest option for all dogs, including dogs with sensitive stomachs. Its recipes are designed with the help of veterinary nutritionists and formulated for a balanced diet with USDA poultry or beef, fresh vegetables, legumes, fish oil, and its own proprietary nutrient blend.

To get started, you’ll fill out a diet plan that asks for specifics about your dog’s age, breed, activity level, etc.  The Farmer’s Dog will use that information to assemble a plan that makes the most sense for your dog, including recommended portions and calories per day. You’ll be able to choose from different recipes, with the option to mix and match or just choose one if your pup is a picky eater.

The food is delivered straight to your door and comes in convenient, ready-to-serve packages that require no preparation or cooking. The Farmer’s Dog is passionate about making nutritionally balanced meals that make sense for canine-specific needs.

All in all, we think The Farmer’s Dog is the best overall dog food for senior Chihuahuas that you can buy this year.

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2. Nutro Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

With all the premium ingredients you’d expect from a natural dog food, Nutro Natural Choice is a good budget buy. It has plenty of whole grains, high-quality protein from chicken, and vegetables to keep your Chihuahua’s diet well-rounded and balanced.

Nutro is committed to using only ingredients that you can easily recognize and pronounce. This particular formula has been crafted specifically for a mature small-breed dog. It has calcium for healthy bones and joints, antioxidants to fortify the immune system, and natural fiber to ease digestion. It’s best for senior dogs aged 8 or older, and we think it’s the best dog food for senior Chihuahuas for the money.

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3. Now Fresh Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food

If you’re looking to splurge on your senior buddy’s food then Now Fresh is another great brand to consider. Formulated with the help of vet nutritionists, it promises a balanced meal experience for aging dogs. Not only does it include deboned turkey, but it also has salmon and duck, plus a host of other healthy ingredients.

This kibble is packed with over 20 superfoods, including pumpkin to add fiber and blueberries for their antioxidants. It even has whole eggs as a complete protein source for your pup. Now Fresh also features omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and L-carnitine to support heart health.

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4. Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites Dry Dog Food

Vets love Hill’s Science Diet, and they don’t hesitate to recommend it for senior dogs. The Small Bites Chicken Meal is designed to be easy to chew and digest. It’s a blend of chicken, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Hill’s Science Diet is made from high-quality ingredients that exceed industry standards and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. It encourages vitality and weight maintenance for older dogs. Small Bites is packed with omega-6 fatty acids for coat and skin health and is recommended for small dogs aged 7 and up.

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5. Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Canned Dog Food

Some older dogs may need to or prefer to eat wet food, or you may like to mix wet food in with their dry kibble. If so, this Chicken Soup for the Soul recipe for senior dogs can be a great option.

It’s made from a blend of poultry and fish and is sure to please any palate. Chicken Soup for the Soul contains several vitamins and supplements necessary for a maturing dog’s health. These include calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin, biotin, and potassium. It also features healthy fatty acids, antioxidants from blueberries and apples, and prebiotic fiber from chicory root. It contains no artificial flavors.

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6. Eukanuba Senior Small Breed Dry Food

Eukanuba’s dry kibble for small senior dogs is formulated for dogs aged 7 and up that want to lead a healthy, active life. It helps keep joints mobile and muscles strong with chondroitin sulfate and 50% more glucosamine than the brand’s adult small-breed kibble.

The food has a crunchy texture, S-shaped kibble, and a polyphosphate to help reduce tartar build-up in your dog’s teeth. It also has added DHA and antioxidants to support healthy brain function and keep your senior dog sharp for years to come.

This kibble is recommended for dogs up to 23 pounds that tend to lead an active lifestyle.

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7. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Senior Dry Dog Food

The name says it all: Wellness aims to achieve complete health for your senior dog with this recipe. The small-sized kibble, balance of protein and grains, and carefully selected ingredients make a powerful blend for an aging dog.

Wellness Turkey and Peas is made in the USA and packaged only in 4-lb bags. It’s fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants for immune support, glucosamine, probiotics for digestion, and taurine, which helps with eye health, fat digestion, and heart health. It promises whole-body support for your small dog, with none of the byproducts, fillers, or artificial ingredients of other brands.

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8. Diamond Naturals Senior Formula Dry Dog Food

As a family-owned business based in the USA, Diamond Naturals promises only to use ingredients from trusted sources, including cage-free chicken as the first ingredient. The Senior Formula Dry Dog Food is designed to meet the needs of aging dogs with glucosamine, chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and superfoods like blueberries and oranges.

It also features proprietary probiotics to help smooth your dog’s digestion. It’s suitable for all breed sizes, which may mean that the kibble might not work for all small dogs. But it’s a popular choice with picky eaters, so it can be worth a try if you’re interested in a family-operated brand.

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9. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Mini Senior Dry Dog Food

Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain offers a slightly different spin on its kibble designed for senior dogs. It shares many things in common with the other exemplary entries on this list, including its focus on high-quality protein, small kibble that’s easy for little dogs to crunch, and ingredients from natural, non-GMO sources.

However, Farmina N&D is different in that it also provides an excellent option for dogs with diabetes. The low-glycemic formula will prevent spikes in blood sugar and keep a diabetic dog healthy.

Farmina’s dog food stands out from the crowd by featuring pomegranate and other fruits in its formula.

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10. AvoDerm Advanced Senior Health Dry Dog Food

AvoDerm is determined to take care of your dog’s changing needs as he ages. The company understands the unique nutritional requirements of a senior dog and provides a recipe designed exactly for that.

Advanced Senior Health Lamb and Chicken Meal Formula is the only option on our list with lamb as a primary ingredient. It has a high concentration of protein and includes natural sources of vitamins and minerals that benefit your senior dog’s joint health, immune system, coat condition, vision, and brain.

Some buyers have shared that the kibble was a little too large for their dogs, so keep that in mind when making your decision.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Your Senior Chihuahua

Now that we’ve done a thorough survey of the top options on the market, we can discuss how to decide which dog food is right for your senior Chihuahua. If you’re still not sure what the best choice is by the end of this article, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet to ask them for a recommendation.

Nutritional Needs of Senior Dogs

What dogs need out of their food changes as they get older. There are a few different things you’ll need to look for when choosing a brand for your senior pup.

What to Watch for When Buying Senior Dog Food

Although the dog food market is full of high-quality options for your senior Chihuahua, there are a few red flags you might want to watch out for when you’re shopping.

While it might seem overwhelming to choose from all the options available, knowing what to avoid in dog food can help narrow down your choices. You can always talk to your vet and read what other Chihuahua owners have written online to find out even more about an appropriate Chihuahua diet.

Final Thoughts

The reviews are in, and we’ve narrowed our top dog food choices for senior Chihuahuas to this elite list.

The best overall award goes to The Farmer’s Dog for its gently cooked recipes. Nutro Natural Choice comes in at number two, giving you good nutrition at a very affordable price.

We hope this article has been helpful to you as you decide what’s best for your pup. Bon appetit!

See also:

• 10 Best Canned and Wet Dog Foods for Chihuahuas
• 11 Best Canned & Wet Dog Foods for Senior Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock