Tips For Raising A Chihuahua | Dogs

By LeeDobbins.
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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.

When adopting a Chihuahua puppy, you must make sure to feed him the highest quality food on the market. From birth until three months of age, puppies should be given small meals four times a day; between the ages of three to six months, feedings can be decreased to three times a day and from six months to one year meals should decline to only two times a 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.

When it comes to raising a Chihuahua, one positive aspect is that they should be given a bath once a month, which is relatively simple to do. Bathing them more often than necessary can purge the fur of its natural oils, which can then end up possibly causing dandruff.

Be sure that you keep any water from getting into the ears of your Chihuahua when you bathe him, as wet ears can cause bad ear infections. Pay close attention to your Chi, and if you notice him scratching his ears a lot or redness in his ears, get him to the vet as quickly as possible.

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.

Weak knees are very common for Chihuahuas, especially as they age. Be sure to watch your chi carefully, and if you notice any difficulty walking, get him checked out by a vet.

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.

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