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
• Dog Shampoo

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.

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.

3. Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day. They prefer this to one large meal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

8. Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.

9. Pet your Chihuahua often. This breed requires a lot of human attention and love.

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.

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.

12. Be prepared to enjoy a full 11 to 18 years with your Chihuahua, as this is the breed's average life expectancy.

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.

[imagae]

on 11/15/2008 "Don't take them into stores, you give other chi owners a bad reputation."

That was a little unnecessary. You know, tiny chi's deserve love and a good home too. Sometimes a puppy just isn't as big as their brothers and sisters. To shun a little dog, and say that their presence "gives you a bad name" is really pretty mean. I have a chi that could be considered a "teacup" in some people's eyes, because he is on the small side, but he was not bred to be that way, and I did not adopt him under those terms. Think before you type. It makes sense to criticize
the breeder, but not the pup, ya know?

[HoneyBee125]

on 9/3/2008 My dog Bridgette is 4months old and has a stealing proble. she will take anything thats not tied down dirty clothes clean cloths combs cups my sons toys the camera the remote my husbands shoes which it twice her size .does she need more toys or is this just a nesting thing like some cats do. help i don't want her to take something that will hurt her .
thanks kris

[10bella10]

on 6/30/2008 my dog Bella is 3 years old and she crys a lot and she's been whimpering alot since last night..She crys really loud and has been doing even when we aren't close to her.I just took her to the vet, before she started doing this and nothing was wrong with her but a bad tooth.Please if anyone knows what could be wrong please let us know..HELP
-MARISSA

(contact to [e-mail])

[dirtydirt8]

on 4/21/2008 My dog, Charlie, likes to lick the tops of comfortors, furniture, car upholostry and me. He likes cloth materials.
Is this boredom or lack of something in his system or just a compulsive disorder.
How can I break him of this.
Thanks,
Carol

[dirtydirt8]

on 4/21/2008 Can anyone tell me why my dog, Charlie, licks the tops of comfortors, furniture, car upholstory and me. He seems to like cloth materials.
Is it boredom or lack of a vitamin or mineral? He can lick for hours it seems.
Thanks,
Carol