Best treats for a Chihuahua
A Chihuahua's tiny size means treats need to be genuinely small and low in calories relative to their body weight, since even a couple of standard-sized dog treats can be a meaningful chunk of a Chihuahua's daily food intake. Given the breed's well-known tendency toward dental problems, a treat that supports chewing and gum health is often a sensible pick alongside the purely tasty ones.
Why size and calorie content matter more for a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas typically weigh only a couple of kilograms, so their entire daily calorie needs are a fraction of a medium or large breed's, which means treats have to be sized and portioned accordingly. A treat that would barely register for a Labrador can be a significant proportion of a Chihuahua's daily intake, so training treats broken into small pieces, or treats specifically made small, are worth prioritising over anything bulky.
Weight gain is easy to miss on such a small frame until it becomes noticeable, so keeping total treat intake to a genuinely small proportion of the day's food, and factoring treats into overall feeding rather than adding them on top, helps keep a Chihuahua at a healthy weight.
Dental health is a real consideration
Chihuahuas are commonly prone to dental crowding and gum problems, partly because of how small their jaws are relative to the number of teeth they carry, so a dental chew or dental stick alongside regular tooth brushing is a sensible addition to their treat rotation rather than an optional extra.
Soft, easily broken treats are worth choosing over anything that could pose a choking risk for such a small mouth, and it is worth supervising a Chihuahua with any new chew the first few times to see how they manage it.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats Meat Variety
Meat-variety dog treat sticks, 20 per pack, under 30 kcal each, banded by dog weight
£2.75
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treats with Chicken
Pedigree Rodeo chicken twists with weekly limits for dogs over the stated weight
£2.75
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats with Fish
Pedigree Schmackos fish-flavour strips with daily dog-size allowances
£2.75
Hatchwell Advent Calendar for Dogs
A carob advent calendar for dogs, breakable into 4 pieces, made in GB
£3.00
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 90g
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Good Gut Health Treats
Grain-free chicken dog treats with ginger, chicory root and MOS
£2.45
Common questions
- How many treats can I give my Chihuahua in a day?
- Keep treats to no more than around ten percent of your Chihuahua's total daily food intake, which for such a small dog often means only a treat or two, broken into small pieces. Adjust your dog's main meals down slightly on days with more training treats.
- Are dental chews suitable for Chihuahuas?
- Many are, but check the size guidance on the pack, since a chew sized for a medium or large dog can be too big or hard for a Chihuahua's small jaw and teeth. Look for treats specifically labelled for small or toy breeds.
- Why does my Chihuahua have bad breath?
- Dental crowding and a build-up of plaque are common in small breeds like Chihuahuas, and persistent bad breath is often a sign of dental disease rather than just something to mask with treats. It is worth having your vet check your dog's teeth if bad breath is ongoing.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.