Hello, My name is Jodie, December 30th I was given the great gift of sharing my home with a 3 year old rescued Chihuahua. My problem is this and questions are included. I am on a limited income (little over 900 dollars a month). I want to provide Buddy (my Chihuahua child) with the best nutrition possible and have always been interested in real food or what I know as Raw food diet (which may be two different things?) Anyways I was wondering on an average how much would it cost a month to feed a species appropriate diet for a larger than average Chihuahua? He's 12 and 1/2 inches at the shoulders and while he is what I would call high energy I can not offer the exact exercise he desires. I can take him for a 3 mile walk and I'll be exhausted and he's ready for more. But on average we do about a mile worth of walking in the neighborhood. If anyone could help me with info I would appreciate it. and if anyone knows of any good sites to research Vets, Diets, and care I'd appreciate it... I'd love to go as natural as possible but not go broke. thanks... Jodie and buddy.

Hi Jodie and little Buddy :) There are really too many factors to give a definitive number :( But look in to premades like Primal or Darwins and see if they would fit your budget (these are probably two of the more expensive ones you will find). Buddy will probably (based on my pups) eat about 2 to 3 ounces of food twice per day. That can vary greatly though. I have a 5 pound Chihuahua that eats 3 ounces for the entire day and a 5 pound Pom that gets less then 2 ounces for the entire day. Another option is to buy your own meats and add a premix to them to balance them. Steve Brown has a premix on his site www.seespotlivelonger.com Honest Kitchen has a premix called Preference etc. Probably the most cost effective is to make your own from scratch. Dr. Becker and Beth Taylor wrote a recipe book called "Dr. Becker's Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats". You use three meats plus eggs, sardines and vitamins/minerals to balance the diet. This is cost effective but can be challenging when starting. Once you get the hang of it though, it is easier.. Congratulations on your new little friend Buddy!!!!

Swinn, Buddy right now is around 12 pounds. He WAS 9 pounds when the shelter had him. He filled out pretty nice within the past few months. I do want to get him to as natural a diet as I can get him. The book by Dr. Becker I would love to get but right now finances are tight. Will reply later as I have company right now. Jodie and Buddy P.S thanks for the congrats he's the best gift I could have recieved.