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This article was co-written by Sheri Williams. Sheri Williams is an expert dog trainer, canine behavior specialist and owner of sheriwilliams.com, a business dedicated to teaching veterans how to turn their dogs into service dogs to assist sufferers. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based in Los Angeles, central California, Sheri has over 20 years of experience in dog training and runs a business that specializes in training and re-engaging dogs with positive techniques. She is certified by the Association of Animal Training and Behavior.
There are 14 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 22,215 times.
Chihuahuas are small, cheerful and friendly dogs. [1] X Research Sources With their utmost loyalty, [2] X Chihuahua Research Sources easily forge a special and lasting bond with their owners. If you know how to properly care for your Chihuahua, not only can you help your dog live a healthy and happy life, but the relationship between you and your dog will also be stronger and more sustainable.
Steps
Feed the Chihuahua
- A high-salt diet can lead to kidney and heart disease in small dogs, so food for Chihuahuas should be low in salt. [3] X Research Sources
- Consult your veterinarian or Chihuahua breeder about high-quality dry dog food stores.
- Start feeding your dog the amount of food directed on the package, but you should also learn how to gauge your dog’s body mass index and monitor your dog’s weight. Check regularly, and if your dog is gaining weight, you must reduce the amount of food by 5-10%.
- Chihuahuas are small in size, so even leftovers or treats add a significant amount of calories to your dog’s daily diet, which can eventually lead to obesity.
- Overfeeding your dog can lead to serious health problems, such as abnormal bone growth, arthritis, skin disease, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
- The amount of food for a Chihuahua depends on many factors, such as age, activity level, and special health needs. Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure how much to feed your dog.
- Dairy products can cause diarrhea in dogs. [5] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Grapes are toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure. [6] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Onions can also cause red blood cell damage in dogs. [7] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Chocolate is also toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, hyperactivity, and tremors. [8] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- The number of times you feed your Chihuahua will depend on your dog’s age, activity level, and health care needs.
- Try different feeding schedules to determine the best one for you and your dog.
- Instead of feeding your dog at the exact time every day, you should feed them at a general interval. That way your dog won’t be fussy when it’s time to eat.
- Wait 15-20 minutes for the Chihuahua to eat, and don’t let others get close to it during the meal – don’t let your dog feel the need to protect the food.
- Oily, dry, or flaky skin are all signs of a diet-related problem.
- If your dog has a dull coat or eyes that look dull, it may be undernourished.
- Abnormalities in the dog’s stools (diarrhea, hard stools) can be signs of diet-related problems.
- If you suspect your dog has nutritional problems, talk to your veterinarian about changing his diet.
Grooming Chihuahuas
- If your Chihuahua has a tight coat, you can brush your dog once a week with rubber grooming gloves or a soft bristle brush. [14] X Research Source Choose a brush with natural bristles. [15] X Research Source
- Long-haired Chihuahuas usually need to be brushed more often – at least once every 1-2 weeks, but ideally still every day. [16] X Research Source[17] X Research Source You should use a bristle brush. [18] X Research Sources
- Use a flea comb to remove loose hair. [19] X Research Source
- The stainless steel comb is a useful tool for detangling. [20] X Research Source
- You can buy dog grooming supplies at pet stores.
- Use only dog-specific bath oils. Human shampoo can strip essential oils from a dog’s coat.
- Bathe your Chihuahua with warm water. [22] X Research Source
- After bathing your Chihuahua, you should not let the dog’s coat dry naturally. [23] X Research Source Due to its small size, Chihuahuas can lose heat and cool very quickly. Use a towel to dry your dog immediately.
- Tears removal products are available at pet stores.
- Clean when the dog’s ears have a bad smell or have earwax. [27] X Research Source
- Do not use cotton swabs to clean the ears of Chihuahua dogs – cotton swabs can push earwax, dust, etc. deep into the ears. [28] X Research Sources
- You can apply a small amount of baby oil or coconut oil to your Chihuahua’s ear lobes if your dog’s ears seem dry. [29] X Research Sources
- Your veterinarian can recommend a good ear cleaner for your dog.
- If you’re not confident about trimming your dog’s nails, you should consider taking your dog to a dog groomer or veterinarian to have them do it.
- It’s best to start brushing your Chihuahua’s teeth when the dog is young so that he can get used to brushing. [34] X Research Sources Large dogs may be resistant to brushing.
- Be sure to use only dog toothbrushes and toothpaste. [35] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- If you’re not confident in brushing your dog’s teeth, your veterinarian can do it for you. However, the process of cleaning a dog’s teeth requires anesthesia, so it will be very expensive.
- The Chihuahua’s mouth does not have enough room for the teeth to grow properly. Your dentist may have to remove a tooth to make room for the remaining teeth to grow in properly. [36] X Research Source
- Regular check-ups of your Chihuahua’s body will help you detect health problems early while they are still treatable. [38] X Research Source
Apply preventive medical measures
- Dewormers will not prevent all types of parasites. Chihuahuas still need to be taken with a dewormer for tapeworms, whipworms, and other worms.
- There are a number of over-the-counter dewormers that you can buy at pet stores or online, but it’s a good idea to visit your vet to make sure your dog is getting the right care.
- When the Chihuahua is young, you need to give your dog a dewormer when he is 6, 8, 10 and 12 months old.
- Deworming an adult Chihuahua twice a year. [39] X Research Sources
- Ancillary vaccines, including those for Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and many others, are optional vaccines. Factors such as the dog’s health, geographical location, affect the risk of infection with Chihuahua.
- Chihuahuas should be vaccinated against parvo at 5 weeks of age.
- Chihuahuas should be vaccinated against rabies at 12 weeks of age.
- You need to have a combination vaccine for Chihuahua many times when the dog is young, and every 1-3 years as an adult. Vaccines for Lyme disease, parainfluenza and/or bordetella bronchiseptica respiratory disease can be given in one visit to the veterinarian’s office. [40] X Research Source
- Spaying helps prevent pregnancy and ovarian cancer, reduces the risk of breast cancer, and prevents estrus.
- Spaying male dogs will be less likely to wander or be aggressive, increase concentration, and prevent or reduce the risk of various diseases, including hernias and prostatitis. [41] X Research Source
Training for Chihuahua
- Short walks are good exercise for Chihuahuas. [44] X Research Source Chihuahuas are prone to tracheal damage, so use a harness instead of a regular leash when walking your dog. [45] X Research Source
- Chihuahuas can get injured from overtraining. [46] X Research Source You need to finish training before your dog is exhausted.
- Schedule play with Chihuahua based on your condition. Try to play with your dog at the same time every day.
- Limit your Chihuahua’s outdoor play time in hot weather. [49] X Research Source When taking your dog outside, keep a bowl of clean cold water nearby to prevent dehydration. [50] X Research Source
- Watch when Chihuahuas play outdoors. Chihuahuas’ small size makes them easy prey for hawks and other birds. [51] X Source of Research In addition, Chihuahuas are curious as well – and their curiosity may prompt them to run away if given the opportunity. [52] X Research Source
- Chihuahuas forget how small they are, and will go up against larger dogs when given the chance. [54] X Research Source
Chihuahua Training
- Chihuahuas are very intelligent and learn very quickly. [58] X Research Source
- Chihuahuas can also be stubborn at times, so you need to be patient but firm when training them. [59] X Research Source
- If you can’t afford to give your dog a training class, you can teach your dog how to sit, stay, run until called, and lie down. You can also train your Chihuahua to walk on a lead.
Pippa Elliott, MRVCS
Veterinarian at Royal Cplege of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
Veterinarian at Royal Cplege of Veterinary Surgeons
Veterinarian Pippa Elliott emphasizes the importance of training: “Chihuahuas are small but have the same will and drive as German Shepherds or Rottweilers. As with large breeds, you should not give up. through training Chihuahuas just because of their small size.”
- If the dog goes to the house, you need to clean it up and don’t yell at it. You wo n’t be able to teach your dog not to do this by sticking his nose in the waste, yelling, or physically punishing him. If you do, you will only make the dog afraid of you. [62] X Research Source
- Undisciplined Chihuahuas can be arbitrary and very demanding, [65] X Sources of research with no desire or motivation to behave properly.
- Chihuahuas are usually wary of strangers. When showing your Chihuahua to strangers, you should allow it to actively interact first – this will help the dog to be less afraid. [67] X Research Source
- When introducing Chihuahuas to children, do not let them cuddle or reward them first. Let the dog get close and comfortable with the baby first, then allow the child to gently pet the dog and reward the dog. [68] X Research Sources
- Strange objects can also frighten a Chihuahua. When introducing your Chihuahua to new objects, start by keeping enough distance for the dog to feel safe but still curious. Slowly move closer as it becomes more comfortable. [69] X Research Sources
Beware of Chihuahua’s Health Problems
- Knee dislocation can happen when dogs jump up and down furniture surfaces. [72] X Research Sources You should make a rule against Chihuahuas from doing this.
- Symptoms of patellar dislocation include: pain, limping, and “jumping like a rabbit” when running. [73] X Research Sources
- Open fontanelles are another neurological problem in Chihuahuas. This condition occurs when the bones in the skull do not fully fuse. As a result, there is a soft spot on the top of the head. [76] X Research Source
- Chihuahuas can live a normal life with open fontanelles, but you have to be extremely careful when playing with them. Excessive play increases the risk of fatal head injury for Chihuahuas with open fontanelles. [77] X Research Source
- Chihuahuas can suffer from hereditary tracheal damage, whereby the tracheal rings lose their firmness. [80] X Research Sources Conventional collars can damage the trachea in small dogs. [81] X Research Source
- If your dog is tired or short of breath, he probably has a heart or respiratory problem. You should take your dog to the vet for a thorough examination.
- If your Chihuahua has symptoms of hypoglycemia, you can rub honey under your dog’s tongue or on its gums as a first aid measure. [83] X Research Source
- Take your Chihuahua to the vet immediately when your dog has hypoglycemia.
Advice
- Positive reinforcement (praise, treats, extra playtime) will help you train your Chihuahua more effectively. [84] X Chihuahua Research Sources do not respond well to physical punishment or scolding.
- Chihuahuas don’t tolerate cold very well. You should dress your dog when taking him for a walk outside in cold weather. [85] X Research Sources
- Chihuahuas can live up to 12-20 years, [86] X Long-term research sources for you to develop a strong bond with your dog.
- Thanks to their loyal nature, the Chihuahua can make a great house dog. However, you need to train and communicate with the dog so that it is not too defensive against your friends and relatives.
- Chihuahuas are not very suitable for families with small children or large dogs due to the risk of playing too aggressively. [87] X Research Sources
Warning
- If you feed your Chihuahua human food, you can make your dog obese and lead to other health problems.
- Chihuahuas may snap or bite when feeling threatened or when defending themselves. [88] X Research Sources Proper training and communication can reduce this risk.
- Chihuahuas are prone to orthopedic problems and require expensive treatment.
This article was co-written by Sheri Williams. Sheri Williams is an expert dog trainer, canine behavior specialist and owner of sheriwilliams.com, a business dedicated to teaching veterans how to turn their dogs into service dogs to assist sufferers. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based in Los Angeles, central California, Sheri has over 20 years of experience in dog training and runs a business that specializes in training and re-engaging dogs with positive techniques. She is certified by the Association of Animal Training and Behavior.
There are 14 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 22,215 times.
Chihuahuas are small, cheerful and friendly dogs. [1] X Research Sources With their utmost loyalty, [2] X Chihuahua Research Sources easily forge a special and lasting bond with their owners. If you know how to properly care for your Chihuahua, not only can you help your dog live a healthy and happy life, but the relationship between you and your dog will also be stronger and more sustainable.
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