Caring for Your Chihuahua

This breed does well in a variety of environments, including both apartment living and larger homes with lots of land. The Chihuahua does well as a single pet when given enough attention and will also do well in multiple pet households that include both other dogs and even cats.

1) Very young children and very young puppies may not be the best mix. This breed can easily be injured by a child that is not able to properly hold, carry and walk a Chihuahua.

2) During the teething stage, a Chihuahua can become nippy and for this reason a close eye must be kept on any interaction between the puppy and a youngster.

The main care tip to keep in mind is that this breed is not a dog that can simply 'be there'. Owners must be present, engaged and willing to take time for all aspects of care to maintain health and happiness. 

The trachea is surrounded by rings of cartilage. When too much pressure is put on this area of the dog, damage can easily occur. If a Chihuahua has a dog collar on that is attached to a leash and the dog lunges (jumps) to the point that the leash is taunt, of the weight and pressure is going to go directly to the windpipe.

This can even happen if you are walking your pup or dog and they suddenly run ahead. If you do not have the chance to catch up, suddenly the leash goes tight and all that weight goes onto the trachea.

When this happens, and it does NOT take a lot of pressure for it to occur, the rings collapse inward. The dog is in a great deal of pain, cannot breathe well and the road to recovery is often a long and expensive one. 

1) While a daily walk is important to allow a pup to release pent up energy and is fantastic for socialization purposes, puppies should not be over-exercised during the 1st year. Too much exertion during this time can interfere with growth plates. A daily walk - once all puppy shots have been given - for 20 to 30 minutes per day (or 2 shorter walks) is advised.

2) This breed should not be allowed to jump from heights. A good rule of thumb is to not allow your Chihuahua to jump down from any height more than 2 feet (.6 meters). Injury to the hips or knees can occur.

3) Senior Chihuahua dogs should have ramps for reaching sofas or other areas of comfort to prevent injury.

4) This breed - as with most - does not do well in very hot weather or very cold weather. During hot summer months, limit outdoor activity to early mornings or later in the evening as the sun prepares to set. Be aware of surfaces such as hot pavements. 

Staying in the shade or implementing dog shoes can protect the paws. Since this breed can be sensitive to seasonal allergies, wash off the paws and limbs before entering back into the home if the dog has been on the grass.

Take note of any panting - a sign of over-exertion - seeking rest in the shade along with cool water.

During the winter, a Chihuahua may enjoy playing in the snow, but do limit this time to about 20 minutes. When walking in the wintertime, be aware of ice melt chemicals that are often sprayed by city municipal services along roadways.

These compounds can cause chemical burn to the paws. Boots can be worn for protection or paw wax can be used. Washing the paws with warm water after coming back into the house can help as well.

5) Never allow your Chihuahua to go off-leash unless in a safe, enclosed yard. This breed is notorious for finding small weaknesses in fencing and escaping in the blink of an eye. Always maintaining an on-leash policy also prevents roadway dangers and close encounters with unknown dogs.

Routinely check your Chihuahua's ears for any long, stray hairs that may be growing inside of the ear. If these are left, they make for a breeding ground for bacteria (causing infections) and possible ear mites. Any strays should be plucked out. This can be done by hand or with a pair of tweezers. Ear powder will help you gain a better grip if you are having a problem holding onto a particular strand.

Unless a puppy or dog is limping, few owners routinely check the underside of their dog’s paws. However, this should be done.Routinely check for any sores, slivers, or cuts. For long coat Chihuahuas, stray hairs can grow out from between the pads on the underside of the paws. When this happens, the dog is walking on the hairs and this can be painful as hairs pull at the skin. It can also cause traction issues. Any hairs that are long enough to grow past the pads should be very carefully trimmed to be level with the pads.

Read more about Chihuahua paw care which covers guidelines to keep the paws healthy as well as treatment for common issues. 

One of the most concerning aspects of those who ask how to take care of a Chihuahua dog is the issue of anal glands. This is many times overlooked until they are impacted. Owners who do not know about these can be taken by surprise and not understand what is happening if one or both break open…causing quite a mess and a hard to describe over-powering odor.

The anal glands are very small, peanut shaped glands, one each side of the anal opening. These hold a fluid that is normally secreted in minuscule quantities. It is the scent that allows dogs to identify each other.

It is not uncommon for the fluid to build up and become engorged. It is at this time that they should be “expressed”. It is akin to popping a pimple, however the liquid is usually a dark red / black and the smell is overwhelming. For this reason, many owners choose to have a groomer or veterinarian take care of this aspect.

1) The liquid will eventually turn to a thick pasty substance and then the dog will become extremely uncomfortable and a veterinarian will need to do a procedure to remove the hardened substance.

2) They will rip open; most often occurring when the dog scoots his bottom along the ground during or after a bowel movement. This leaves the broken skin open to infection.          .

Baths

New owners are often unsure about what age to begin...And for those with older dogs, cleaning too often can cause dry skin issues.

From birth to 7 or 8 weeks, the dam will keep her puppies clean. At 8 weeks old, an owner may begin giving shampooing and conditioning. This breed does best in a kitchen sink where an owner can have a good grasp with minimal water.

In this way, a Chihuahua feels safer and does not feel “lost” in a big bath tub. Water should be lukewarm and filled BEFORE the dog is put in. Testing the water with the inside of your wrist will give you a good idea of how hot or cold it will feel for your dog.

ONLY canine shampoo and conditioner should be used. It is never a good idea to use human shampoo, since the Ph level will be incorrect for your Chihuahua’s skin. Doing so can cause itching, dry skin, etc. Conditioner should be used, especially with long coats.

One of the most overlooked elements of care is cleaning the teeth. This is partly due to the misinformation that owner receive regarding a chew's ability to clear the teeth of plague and tarter. While dental specific treats do play a role in maintaining good oral hygiene, they are not a replacement for at-home dental care and brushings or professional cleanings.

Brushing and taking good care of a Chihuahua's teeth is just as important during the puppy phase as it is for adults. While milk teeth will fall out during teething, decay deep in the gums will affect the teeth that have yet to emerge.

For Chihuahua of any age, a daily brushing should be done with a proper canine toothbrush and canine paste. Without regular cleanings, decay and rot will not only affect teeth causing them to loosen and eventually fall out, but will also spread under the gum line. Once there, infection can spread to other parts of the body including the heart and lungs.

A vital element to care for this breed, house training can seem overwhelming at first, however by following easy guidelines, a Chihuahua can be trained in as little as 3 to 4 weeks.

While some will adapt to indoor pee-pad training, most do best with an outdoor designated area where the dog is able to choose just the 'right spot' which canines have an instinct to do.

Maintaining a strict schedule and having all household members be involved will expedite the process. Owners should keep in mind that a puppy will only be able to hold his needs for a few hours. However, as each month passes, this time will increase. Health, adult Chihuahuas are able to hold their needs for 8 to 9 hours.

This breed often needs a refresher course if moved into a new house with a new layout. Seniors will sometimes have setbacks or will need to be taken out more often than there younger counterparts.

1) Stay away from brightly colored commercial snacks. Orange or red treats have high levels of artificial coloring which is a major trigger for allergies. Stick with white or cream colored treats or wholesome, real foods such as raw baby carrots.

3) The breed does well with real meats such as chicken, lamb and fish. Beware of commercial brands that show meat by-products as an ingredient. 

By-products can legally be roadkill, animals that have died on route to other facilities and chicken beaks.

4) Vegetables and fruit should be part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. The Chihuahua breed does well with potatoes, peas and carrots. Raspberries, blueberries and banana wedges can also be great additions to meals.  Read more: Best foods for a Chihuahua.