Raising A Chihuahua
The pint sized stature of the Chihuahua makes it a dog of choice for someone who is short on space but long on the desire to have an adorable pet. Be aware, though, that the small size that makes them so cute also brings on it’s own set of challenges for raising a Chihuahua.
One thing about Chihuahuas is that they are very protective and don’t seem to realize that they are so tiny. They have no qualms taking on the biggest dog on the block, and because of this you really need to keep a close watch on him. So one thing you must be careful of is to never let your Chihuahua outside by himself.
If the Chi you get is still a puppy, it’s important that you feed him or her high quality dog food. Until a Chi puppy is three months old, you should feed him four times daily, keeping the meals smaller. When your Chi reaches three months of age, reduce it to three smaller meals each day until six months. From six months to a year, you only need to feed them two times each day.
After your Chihuahua’s first birthday, it’s perfectly acceptable to feed him once daily. This breed of dog would typically prefer a few smaller meals over one larger one. Since hard food is easier for a Chi to digest, that may be a better option, as canned food may cause diarrhea.
One thing that is much easier than most dogs when it comes to raising a Chihuahua is giving them a bath. Due to their small size, Chihuahua’s are typically easy to bathe. You should give your Chi a bath monthly. Over bathing your Chi will cause him to lose the natural oils on his coat, which could cause dandruff.
When bathing your Chihuahua, make sure that no water will get into his ears. Their ears are very sensitive to infection especially when they are wet. So if you notice any redness or if he keeps itching his ears, take him right away to the veterinarian.
Properly training your Chihuahua is required for the dog’s safety, as well as the convenience of having an obedient dog. The initial training you will need to begin on is house training (potty training) your puppy, but afterwards you need to begin teaching him or her general commands so that he or she will obey you and can be prevented from getting into dangerous situations.
Keeping your Chi’s nails trimmed is an integral part of the proper care of your pet and should be done on a monthly basis. It will be easier on both you and your dog if you start trimming his nails early on when he is still a puppy so that he grows accustomed to it. Cat claw trimmers, which are shaped like scissors but have a round indent to accommodate the animal’s claw, would be a good choice for grooming your Chi.
Chihuahuas are susceptible to weak knees and this can affect them as they get older. Monitor your Chi’s gait as he walks and if you notice him beginning to have trouble, take him to the Vet’s and have him checked out.
Getting proper veterinary care for is an important part of raising a Chihuahua. When your dog is a puppy, he will need to go to the vet in order to get his shots, and then he will need to visit the vet in order to get his ears and teeth cleaned, for regular checkups, and any booster shots the vet recommends.
Giving the proper care to your Chihuahua will not only keep him healthy and happy and add to his longevity, but it will also get you an abundance of love and affection in return from these naturally gentle, loyal and sweet-tempered animals.
