How to Care for a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas' colors can be brindle (gray with darker streaks or spots), blond, black, brown, fawn (brown-yellow) or blue. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements. They can suffer from heatstroke because of their love for the sun, so be careful about leaving them outdoors.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Dog Beds
- Dog Brushes
- Dog Collars
- Dog Conditioner
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
- Dog Food
- Dog Grooming Sprays
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog Sweaters
- Dog Tags
- Dog Toys
- Dog Training Aids
- Dog Treats
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1
Have your Chihuahua vaccinated, and follow with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.
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2
Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.
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3
Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day. They prefer this to one large meal.
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4
Brush a short-coated Chihuahua occasionally with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe her down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs daily.
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5
Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in her ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs.
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6
Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible. However, this breed tends to have quick bursts of energy and may not need to go on extensive walks. An apartment to romp around in is usually enough exercise for a Chihuahua.
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7
Consider buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your dog's neck on walks. This will also help prevent collapsed trachea and soft palate.
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8
Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.
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9
Pet your Chihuahua often. This breed requires a lot of human attention and love.
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10
Dress your Chihuahua in a sweater if walking her in temperatures below 40 degrees F. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold temperatures and probably shouldn't be walked if it's below 35 degrees F, or if there's a wind chill factor.
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11
Note that Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of screening has been done for these health problems.
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12
Be prepared to enjoy a full 11 to 18 years with your Chihuahua, as this is the breed's average life expectancy.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Chihuahuas often shiver - not just when cold, but also when excited.
Chihuahuas often like to snuggle under pillows and blankets.
A number of Chihuahua owners find that their dogs are gagging or coughing. This often turns out to be "reverse sneezing," a phenomenon related to problems with the soft palate or a collapsed trachea. Take your Chihuahua to a vet right away if these symptoms develop.
Some Chihuahuas are extremely excitable and many bark a lot, though some bark very little. Proper training can reduce excitability.
Chihuahuas tend to wheeze and snore.
This breed can be stubborn, jealous and aggressive, and may not be good with children and other animals.
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Comments
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ok I need some advice, my puppy was scratching his eye horribly abt 8 months a go, he will be 2 in Jan., took him to the vet and they did tests to see if anything was wrong, they gave us some meds, now he is scratching again and turning his bottom eyelid all the way out, vet appt tomorrow but any ideas.
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My little black pup is named Chiquita...aka Chica! We just adopted her from the SPCA where she had been seized as part of a cruelty case. She is almost 4 months old, and so far she is nothing short of a little ball of happiness. I have two small kids and she is very, very tolerant. No difficulties with temperment at all!!!
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Kendra Williams I hope you enjoy him to the fullest!
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i named mine chico mojio too!
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I'm still trying to figure out if my dog is a purebreed or mixed.
