Wondering what Chihuahuas eat in the wild?
Great!
Here you’ll find out the answer.
Keep reading to discover:
- If Chihuahuas are good hunters.
- Exactly what Chihuahuas eat in the wild.
- 5 common pack partners that Chihuahuas hunt with.
- And more…
Table of contents
What do Chihuahuas eat in the wild?
Chihuahuas feast on prey animals in the wild. This includes mice, rabbits, insects, and other small rodents. They will consume every part of the animal. This includes bones, organs, and stomach contents. They can scavenge the remains of animals that have been preyed upon. They will also eat vegetables, decaying flesh, vomit, and fecal matter.
Chihuahuas (and dogs in general) in the wild can go a week or so without eating any food without adverse effects.
Wild dogs don’t eat complete meals usually.
They tend to meet their nutritional needs over time.
Dogs are more likely to get their daily nutritional needs all at once in a household.
Why? Because households offer controlled feeding.
You might also like: Are Chihuahuas Rats? Or Related To Rodents? The Truth
Are Chihuahuas good hunters?
A Chihuahua’s history makes him an adaptable dog that can hunt. But this breed has become domesticated and may lose the ability if not trained. Without training, there are still a few scenarios in which they can capture or find food.
Lone dogs
Chihuahuas were once bred to hunt mice and other small vermin in Mexico City.
Chihuahuas may have to rely on their instincts to survive in the wild. Small prey can become a staple part of their diet.
They are likely to consume vegetables, decaying flesh, vomit, and fecal matter, too.
Pack hunting
Chihuahuas that manage to fit in with a pack of other stray dogs will thrive much more than if they were alone. Why? Because Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world.
Relying on the power and numbers of a pack can make their hunting easier.
Dogs in packs have also been observed forming their own territories. They reserve attacks for outsiders. They use non-injurious aggression against members of their pack. Their typical food source tends to be anything thrown out by humans.
Why? Because it is easier to get. Stray Chihuahuas would thrive in this company.
Scavenging
Chihuahuas that do not join a pack with other dogs may resort to scavenging. This is a trait of dogs in general, whether they are free-roaming, stray, or feral. It comes from their wolf ancestors.
Most dogs have a varied, flexible diet. There is a chance that they will eat whatever is available to them. Chihuahuas may turn to scavenge if individual or pack hunting proves to be unfavorable.
The leftover remains of prey may prove to be their best and safest bet to survive in the wild.
They can also find vegetation, flesh, vomit, or fecal matter to sustain themselves.
Chihuahuas can work with other strays
There is no way to tell for certain which kinds of dogs will be roaming the streets and the countryside. A Chihuahua may encounter a variety of breeds if he becomes lost. These dogs may prove to be useful in finding and obtaining food long term.
A stray Chihuahua may be in luck. According to Katie Finlay of I Heart Dogs, the five most common strays include:
- American Pitbull Terriers.
- Labrador Retrievers.
- German Shepherds.
- Boxers.
- Chihuahuas.
A wayward Chihuahua may find themselves in the company of other Chihuahuas in the wild.
These wild Chihuahuas may be in packs with bigger, stronger, and faster dogs.
They can provide both food and protection.
5 common pack partners
Wolves will hunt in packs. Stray chihuahuas are instinctually inclined to do the same. Stray dogs will flock together.
There are some common partners you may see if you stumble across a stray Chihuahua.
#1: American Pit Bull Terriers
American Pit Bull Terriers are among the most common dogs that live in the United States. They are also among the most common strays.
Stray Chihuahuas are likely to meet them at some point.
Chihuahuas that join them in a pack can rely on an American Pit Bull Terriers strength and bravery to search for food.
#2: Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are another common stray. A stray Chihuahua is likely to meet him. They are energetic, sporting dogs. They are also a valuable ally to any small dogs that need help acquiring food.
These popular water dogs are capable of hunting waterfowl and possibly fishing.
#3: German Shepherd Dogs
A Chihuahua might be lucky enough to meet and befriend a German Shepherd dog in the wild. German Shepherds are highly intelligent, muscular, and loyal canines.
They are adept at protecting those they are close to.
Chihuahuas who find themselves in the company of a German Shepherd may have found a hunter and a protector.
#4: Boxers
Boxers tend to be smart, strong, and very patient dogs. When socialized from a young age they can also be good with small children and crowds.
This includes people and other stray dogs. Chihuahuas would likely fare well in their company due to their patient nature and courage.
#5: Chihuahuas
A Chihuahua in a pack of mixed, stray dogs can be a good sign for other stray Chihuahuas looking for food.
Why? Because it shows that the bigger dogs have accepted much smaller dogs as part of their pack. Chihuahuas might not be big dogs, but they do possess a big dog attitude. They are also fiercely loyal and capable of hunting in packs.
Chihuahuas are the second most common breed to be found in shelters throughout the United States. Next is the American Pit Bull Terrier.
There are thousands of stray Chihuahuas in Arizona as well as California. Many are feral and adept at hunting and scavenging in the wild.
The health and environments of stray dogs
It’s simple enough to say that Chihuahuas can find many things to eat in the wild.
Why? Because all dogs are omnivorous and highly adaptable, opportunistic eaters. This simple fact is complicated by a number of factors.
A Chihuahua that cannot assimilate into a pack must fend for itself
It must either scavenge its food or hunt for small prey with variable success.
A Chihuahua that is able to hunt on its own will more than likely eat small rodents, birds, and insects to survive.
He may also consume decaying flesh, vomit, and fecal matter.
Access to food can change depending on the company that a Chihuahua keeps in the context of a pack
Very aggressive or territorial dogs may make it difficult for smaller dogs like the Chihuahua to access food.
Strong, social dogs can provide both food and safety.
Dogs with illnesses, poor mental health, or parasites can impart those factors onto every other animal they come into contact with
This includes but is not limited to the following:
- Ticks.
- Fleas.
- Rabies.
- Distemper.
- Heartworms.
- Leptospirosis.
- Parainfluenza.
Different environments will offer different advantages and disadvantages for small dogs
Large packs of feral Chihuahuas or other small dogs may recruit bigger dogs into their ranks for secure food and territory.
The weather can also impact what kind of food they have access to and when they have access to it.
A lone Chihuahua in the wild will also have to worry about being preyed upon
They are a smaller dog that can be seen as prey to a larger animal.
Without the protection of a pack, they are more susceptible to being injured or eaten.
Chihuahuas in the wild don’t need to eat every day
Wild dogs can live up to a full week without needing to eat.
As long as the Chihuahua is able to scavenge his own food or live off of his pack once a week he will remain healthy.
Final thoughts
Circumstances have a major impact on what food a wild Chihuahua has access to.
They will typically hunt for small prey, human refuse, and other scavenged food when alone in the wild.
The best circumstance for a stray Chihuahua is to find a pack with larger dogs.
They can provide much-needed food and protection.