Chihuahua Care Information

Small size and large personalities make Chihuahuas popular pets. They exhibit terrier-like qualities including self-reliance, confidence and alertness. Chihuahuas generally make good family pets, although young children should be taught to handle them gently. Rough play or handling can result in injury to these toy dogs due to their size. They typically weigh 6 pounds or less. Providing proper care for your Chihuahua will ensure that both you and your dog are happy.

  1. Feeding

    • Feed your Chihuahua puppy four to five times a day, and make sure you only feed it puppy food, which can be dry or canned. You might want to start by moistening dry food then moving on to a combination of dry and canned. Your puppy should have access to dry food and water throughout the day. Reduce feedings to twice a day when your puppy turns 8 months old. If your Chihuahua finishes off an entire bowl at once, keep it on a feeding schedule. Giving it access to food all day long could result in overeating. If your dog only eats a little at a time, you can safely leave a bowl of food out all day. Consult your veterinarian about feeding an older dog or dogs with health concerns, such as obesity, since these dogs could require special diets.

    Grooming

    • Chihuahuas with smooth coats and those with long coats require minimal grooming. You can bathe your dog once a month with a high-quality shampoo and conditioner. Show dogs should be bathed more often, such as once a week. Start bathing your puppy when it is about ten weeks old, and speak to in a reassuring voice if it seems fearful. With enough praise, your puppy will get used to getting a bath. Make sure bath water is lukewarm and don't leave your Chihuahua alone in the tub. Putting cotton balls in your dog's ears will keep water from getting in. Use care while picking up your wet Chihuahua since it can be very slippery. Chihuahuas with long coats require more bathing to keep their coats from getting tangled. Use a clipper to trim your dog's nails regularly.

    Training

    • When training your Chihuahua, you might want to get down to its level or raise the dog up to your level to make training more comfortable. House training can be difficult or in some cases impossible. According to dog trainer Kathy Diamond Davis, males that haven't been neutered might never become house trained. If you plan on training your dog to eliminate on papers or pads inside the house, keep in mind that some Chihuahuas exhibit a tendency to soil several areas of the house on a regular basis. Blocking off rooms can keep this from happening, but to discourage it entirely, you should train your dog to go outdoors.

    Health

    • Chihuahuas under 1 year old could be at risk for developing juvenile hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Other common conditions in Chihuahua puppies include retained deciduous teeth, hydrocephalus and cryptorchidism. Adult Chihuahuas between 1 and 6 years old could suffer from conditions such as bladder stones and pancreatitis. Common conditions in adult and senior Chihuahuas, ages 7 and up, include tracheal collapse and patella luxation, in which the kneecap slides out of place. Chihuahuas of all ages can experience sensitivity to cold. You might want to put a sweater on your dog or limit its time outside in cold weather.

    Molera

    • Some Chihuahuas have a soft spot, known as a molera, on top of their heads, which causes some veterinarians to diagnose the dogs with hydrocephalus. Fluid build-up in the brain due to abnormal growth or disease causes this condition. The Chihuahua Club of America website cites a study conducted by Drs. Rivers and Walkers at the University of Minnesota which found that the presence of a molera does not indicate that a dog has hydrocephalus. The confusion could result from the domed skull associated with this condition. If your dog exhibits other symptoms of hydrocephalus, such as seizures or behavioral changes, consult your veterinarian since this condition can lead to deafness or blindness.