Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult 8+ Review + 4 Alternatives

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Is Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult 8+ the best choice for your senior dog? It has a good reputation, vets recommend it, it’s in every store, but it’s also one of the most expensive foods on the market. And it isn’t the only option.

Here’s an honest review of Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult 8+ (the senior line specific to the breed), what it has, what it lacks, and 4 alternatives that are just as good or better depending on your budget. No marketing, just concrete data.

This article is informational and does not replace veterinary advice. If your Chihuahua has specific conditions (kidney, heart, or liver issues), your vet should recommend the exact food, not Google.

What is Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult 8+?

Royal Canin has one of the few lines with kibble designed specifically for Chihuahuas over 8 years old. Most brands make a “small breed senior” but don’t differentiate within the category. Royal Canin does.

Declared composition (label data):

Nutrient	% or amount
Protein	25%
Fat	14%
Fiber	1.8%
Calcium	0.9%
Phosphorus	0.6%
Omega-3 (EPA + DHA)	0.4%
Sodium	0.4% (controlled)

Main ingredients (in order):

Rice, poultry meal, corn, hydrolyzed animal proteins, corn gluten, beet pulp, animal fats, vegetable fiber, yeast, fish oil, minerals, soybean oil, fructo-oligosaccharides, taurine, L-carnitine, green tea extract, grape extract, hydrolyzed crustaceans, hydrolyzed cartilage.

The 5 real advantages of Royal Canin senior Chihuahua food

1. Kibble shaped for a Chihuahua’s jaw

The kibble is small, rounded, and textured so a Chihuahua can grip it with its short jaw. Most “small breed” kibbles are square or triangular. This sounds trivial but matters a lot in Chihuahuas with missing teeth (typical after age 10).

2. Controlled phosphorus levels (kidneys)

It has phosphorus at 0.6%, lower than a normal adult food. Important because an aging kidney processes phosphorus less well, so keeping it controlled helps avoid accelerating renal damage.

3. Antioxidants for aging

It includes vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, lutein, green tea extract, and grape extract. These antioxidants help slow age-related oxidative brain damage. Not magic, but it adds up.

4. EPA + DHA (omega-3) at high levels

0.4% EPA + DHA is a good level for joints, skin, and cognitive function. Many cheap foods have only traces. This one does make a difference.

5. Good palatability

Chihuahuas are picky eaters. Royal Canin has a reputation for being accepted by difficult dogs. In real owner reports, refusal is low.

The 3 honest cons

1. It contains grains (not grain-free)

It includes rice + corn + corn gluten. For dogs without a grain allergy this isn’t a problem; grains aren’t bad per se, they’re a digestible energy source. But if your Chihuahua has a confirmed allergy or intolerance, this is NOT for him.

2. Expensive

It’s one of the priciest foods in its category. A 2-to-3-pound Chihuahua eats about 30–40 g/day, so a 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) bag lasts 40–50 days. Monthly cost lands around $20–40 depending on where you buy.

3. It doesn’t replace prescription food

If your Chihuahua has a diagnosed clinical condition (kidney, advanced cardiac, hepatic), Royal Canin Chihuahua 8+ isn’t enough. You’ll need prescription lines (Royal Canin Renal, Cardiac, Hepatic; Hill’s k/d, h/d, l/d). Those DO have specific formulation.

4 alternatives that are just as good

If budget or preference makes you want to avoid Royal Canin, these are the options that work just as well according to vets and real reviews:

1. Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws Adult 7+

• Similar kibble shape (small, rounded)
• Proprietary antioxidants (Vitamin E + C)
• Probiotics for senior digestion

Price: similar to Royal Canin. Pro: better reputation for digestive issues. Con: can be harder to find in some markets.

2. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed

• MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) specifically for senior cognitive function
• Cheaper than Royal Canin
• Good availability

Price: 20–30% cheaper than Royal Canin. Pro: most recommended for Chihuahuas with cognitive changes. Con: less common in some regions.

3. Eukanuba Senior Small Breed

• Glucosamine + chondroitin for joints
• Good antioxidant source
• More accessible

Price: 30–40% cheaper than Royal Canin. Pro: excellent for active but senior dogs. Con: less premium ingredients.

4. A premium store brand from your vet

Many vet clinics sell house brands or second-tier brands of good quality for 40–50% less than Royal Canin. Ask your vet what they recommend in the mid-range of their store.

Pro: significant savings. Con: quality varies by clinic.

When should you switch from Adult to Senior 8+?

The Royal Canin packaging rule is: switch at 8 years for small breeds. But the reality is more nuanced:

• If your Chihuahua at 8 is active, not overweight, with no diagnoses: you can wait until 10 to switch.
• If it’s overweight, has a heart murmur, or early kidney issues: switching at 8 (sometimes 7) is the right call.
• If it passes 10 with no conditions: that’s the universal moment to switch.

How to transition:

Mix the new food with the old over 7–10 days, increasing the proportion gradually:

Day	Old food	New food
1–2	75%	25%
3–4	50%	50%
5–6	25%	75%
7+	0%	100%

If there’s vomiting or diarrhea, step back to the previous ratio for 2–3 more days.

How much should you feed?

It depends on weight and activity. As a reference for a senior Chihuahua:

Chihuahua weight	Daily amount
2–4 lb (1–2 kg)	25–35 g
4–7 lb (2–3 kg)	35–50 g
7–9 lb (3–4 kg)	50–65 g
9–11 lb (4–5 kg)	65–80 g

Split into 2 meals (morning and evening). If your senior Chihuahua has slow digestion, 3 smaller meals is even better. For more on feeding through every life stage, see our guide on what Chihuahuas eat.

Where to buy Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult 8+

Honest verdict

Is Royal Canin senior Chihuahua right for you?	Yes	No
Your Chihuahua is picky and refuses other brands	✅
You have a comfortable budget ($20–40/month)	✅
You want a breed-specific line (not generic small breed)	✅
Your Chihuahua has a diagnosed clinical condition		❌ Needs prescription
Your budget is tight		❌ Cheaper alternatives exist
You want grain-free		❌ It has grains
Your Chihuahua eats any kibble without trouble		❌ A generic small-breed senior is enough

Summary: it’s a good option if the budget allows and your Chihuahua is a picky eater. If not, there are alternatives that meet the same nutritional parameters for less.

Closing with Romeo and Lorenzo

Romeo Carlitos and Lorenzo Pablito are young (Romeo a calm senior-in-the-making, Lorenzo still energetic) and they eat Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult, the adult version, not the senior one. When they reach 8 we’ll decide whether to switch to 8+ or move to an alternative based on how they’re doing nutritionally.

The important thing about the food decision is NOT the brand: it’s keeping consistency and adjusting to the dog’s condition. A healthy Chihuahua eating Pro Plan lives just as well as one eating Royal Canin. A senior Chihuahua with a kidney problem isn’t served by either of them, it needs a specific renal diet.

If your Chihuahua is over 10 and you want more detail on how its whole routine changes (not just food), see our complete guide to senior Chihuahua care. And for a broader look at Royal Canin in younger adult Chihuahuas, there’s also the Royal Canin Chihuahua adult review.