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.
One feeding per day is appropriate after your Chihuahua is a year old. Most Chi's prefer to eat several small meals rather than one large one. Hard food may be the best choice for your Chi as some dogs of this breed have a difficult time digesting canned food and can develop diarrhea as a result.
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.
Dog obedience for your Chihuahua is not only good for potty training and teaching “dog manners” but it is essential for safety. If your dog is trained to obey your voice commands, you will, in essence, be communicating with your dog. Start with potty training, then move on to sit, stay, come, and be quiet.
Every month you should clip your Chihuahua's nails. One method that's good to use are cat claw trimmers which resemble traditional scissors, only they have a curved notch for the claw. Starting cutting your pet's nails early-on is beneficial because it allows him to become familiar with the whole process. Not only will this make things easier for your pet in the future, it will help you as well.
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.
You will surely enjoy the company of Chihuahuas for they are by nature loyal, gentle, bright and also affectionate. And with your loving care, you can insure they live a long and healthy life.
