EVERYDAY CARE OF YOUR

CHIHUAHUA

FEEDING YOUR CHIHUAHUA

NUTRITION

Today’s high-quality dry premium foods are well formulated but are no more “complete” than types of breakfast cereal that claim to offer all the nutrition you need. You would not offer your child cereal three times a day, and you should not expect to raise a healthy dog only on that which comes to you attractively packaged in a bag.

It is a great leap of evolution to expect a species that only a flicker of time ago, gained sustenance from fresh fruits, berries, grasses, roots, mice, lizards, beetles and other small game suddenly to be transformed into a physiological package that prospers on a commercially prepared foodstuff. Entire books have been written on this subject but, suffice to say, you can measurably add to your Chihuahua’s health and longevity by including fresh or raw food in his diet. Even if raised on standard kibble, he can quickly learn to appreciate apples or bananas. He will relish cooked chicken, raw chicken wings and small chunks of beef. Cooked carrots, broccoli and spinach also will be welcomed. In fact, the vegetables will reduce his need to eat grass.

Hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt are excellent natural sources of protein. If you can procure it, unpasteurized cow or goat milk will suit his digestive system better than the sterilized, pasteurized, homogenized form that you find in the grocery store. In actual fact, Nature did not intend for the adult canine to suckle milk past weaning, but a little treat will do no harm, especially if it is in the natural form.

STORING DOG FOOD

You must store your dry dog food carefully. Open packages of dog food quickly lose their vitamin value, usually within 90 days of being opened. Mold spores and vermin could also contaminate the food.

During the weaning process, which lasts up to eight weeks, the puppy should have been fed four meals a day. By the time you adopt him at ten to twelve weeks, he can do quite nicely on three meals a day up to five or six months of age. He can then be fed twice a day, although our dogs are fed “wet” only once a day and have dry kibble for the second snack. The dry food can be skipped in favor of a good bone, which will serve the same purpose—nutrition and healthy exercise for teeth and gums.

MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production is the most elemental lesson in “supply and demand.” The babies must suckle in order to stimulate the milk glands. Common sense will almost always ensure the beginnings of first-milk, which contains the colostrum necessary to stimulate the newborn immune system. Most new moms are either groggy from anesthesia, overwhelmed by the whole experience or just too nervous to leave the nest to take in adequate liquid. The body’s attempts to produce milk may lead to dehydration and things can go rapidly downhill.

FOOD PREFERENCE

Selecting the best dry dog food is difficult. There is no majority consensus among veterinary scientists as to the value of nutrient analysis (protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash, cholesterol, minerals, etc.). All agree that feeding trials are what matter, but you also have to consider the individual dog. The dog’s weight, age and activity level, and what pleases his taste, all must be considered. It is probably best to take the advice of your veterinarian. Every dog’s dietary requirements vary, even during the lifetime of a particular dog.

Your Chihuahua can be fed a good dry food, along with portions of meat and/or vegetables. Chichis do appreciate variety in their diets. Consider adding some fruit or green vegetables to your dog’s meals. You may also wish to add a little flavored stock to give a difference to the taste.

 

There is no better food for the newborn puppy than its mother’s milk.

For any situation in which the bitch refuses to drink adequate amounts of water, offer tidbits of baked ham. Ham or any type of fatty, salty real meat is usually quite irresistible to dogs and, as you well know, it stimulates thirst that lasts for several hours. Garlic is also a tasty treat that most dogs will relish and it too will cause a bitch to drink more. While powdered or granulated garlic will suffice in a pinch, a small clove sautéed in olive oil, then mashed in with a favorite food would be even better.

WATER

Just as your dog needs proper nutrition from his food, water is an essential “nutrient” as well. Water keeps the dog’s body properly hydrated and promotes normal function of the body’s systems. During housebreaking, it is necessary to keep an eye on how much water your Chihuahua is drinking, but once he is reliably trained he should have access to clean fresh water at all times, especially if you feed dry food. Make sure that the dog’s water bowl is clean, and change the water often.

EXERCISE

Do not let the Chihuahua’s small size mislead you—this is an active dog that requires considerable exercise. Fortunately, the Chihuahua’s legs are small and will not require a two-hour jog each day to stay in shape. Chihuahua owners tend to be more sedentary than their energetic dogs. These athletic dwarfs prefer to accompany their loved one on a daily walk, preferably for a mile or two. (In Greyhound steps, that’s the equivalent of 50 or 60 miles!) For your sake, it’s easier and shorter. A sedentary lifestyle is as harmful to a dog as it is to a person.

TREAT HIM LIKE A DOG

When fed a varied diet that includes raw bones, Chihuahuas maintain healthy teeth and gums and hopefully never see a vet for problems except for the rare surgical procedure. As regards overall health and hardiness, they are indeed “terrier-like” if they are not overly coddled. By all means, hold him, sleep with him, spoil him with a green bean from your plate, but allow him to be a dog! He will enjoy a raw bone just as much as the coyote enjoys his and for the same reasons. Gnawing a bone reduces stress and calms the soul of a dog. It will clean his teeth and stimulate both his gums and digestive track. Because he is so small, some otherwise intelligent humans lose the ability to reason and treat him like a stuffed toy instead of a highly evolved carnivore!

Regular walks, play sessions in the yard and letting the dog run free in a fenced area under your supervision make excellent exercise options for the Chihuahua. Obesity is a common problem for many dog breeds, especially toy breeds who enjoy being coddled and spoiled by their devoted owners. Bear in mind that an overweight dog should never be suddenly over-exercised ; instead, he should be allowed to increase exercise slowly. Not only is exercise essential to keep the dog’s body fit, it is essential to his mental well-being. A bored dog will find something to do, which often manifests itself in some type of destructive behavior. In this sense, exercise is essential for the owner’s mental well-being as well!

BEATING THE “HO-HUM”

Your Chihuahua needs to stretch his legs and run before eating. The Chihuahua is more fortunate than large breeds confined inside, because nature designed the dog to engage in strenuous physical activity in order to secure the high-protein food he needs. Wake him up, set down a bowl of dog food and any dog will go “ho-hum.”

He also needs daily exercise in order to facilitate the elimination of waste. The inactivity forced upon large-breed house pets, combined with those awful stool-reducing prepared foods marketed today, keep dogs chronically constipated! And then we wonder why many confined dogs become lethargic, grumpy—or both!

GROOMING

COAT CARE AND BATHING

Bathing should occur about once a month. Although the breed sheds very little dander, he will collect dust and pollen due simply to being closer to the ground than most other dogs. He should be completely dried after a bath and kept indoors for a couple of hours afterward. If regularly bathed, he is virtually hypoallergenic.

In Longcoats, the ruff or furry part of the chest tends to become a bit more soiled, and if the dog should develop a loose stool, fecal matter can become stuck on the “pants.” Hand-grooming (petting and stroking) keeps the coat glossy, but a rubber curry-comb made for small dogs will provide excellent stimulation for both skin and coat.

Eyes should be checked and wiped daily, especially after eating, so as to prevent staining. A little boric-acid solution or a product made especially for that purpose can be purchased from your vet. This will keep the face clean and attractive, and alert you to any possible problem or injury to the eye.

 

The eyes should be cleaned and checked on a daily basis. The tear stains can be easily removed with products on the market made especially for this purpose.

DRINK, DRANK, DRUNK—MAKE IT A DOUBLE

In both humans and dogs, as well as other living organisms, water forms the major part of nearly every body tissue. Naturally, we take water for granted, but without it, life as we know it would cease.

For dogs, water is needed to keep their bodies functioning biochemically. Additionally, water is needed to replace the water lost while panting. Unlike humans, who are able to sweat to dissipate heat, dogs must pant to cool down, thereby losing the vital water that their bodies need to regulate their body temperatures. Humans lose electrolyte-containing products and other body-fluid components through sweating; dogs do not lose anything except water.

Water is essential always, but especially so when the weather is hot or humid or when your dog is exercising or working vigorously.

LET THE SUN SHINE

Your ChiChi worships the sun for good reason. Pets kept inside homes with curtains drawn against the sun suffer from “SAD” (Seasonal Affected Disorder) to the same degree as humans. We now know that sunlight must enter the iris and thus progress to the pineal gland to regulate the body’s hormonal system. When we live and work in artificial light, both circadian rhythms and hormone balances are disturbed.

Regarding the bath, dogs do not need to be bathed as often as humans, but regular bathing is essential for healthy skin and a healthy, shiny coat. Again, like most anything, if you accustom your pup to being bathed as a puppy, it will be second nature by the time he grows up. You want your dog to be at ease in the bathtub or else it could end up a wet, soapy, messy ordeal for both of you!

Brush your Chihuahua thoroughly before wetting his coat. This will get rid of most mats and tangles (for Longcoats), which are harder to remove when the coat is wet. Make sure that your dog has a good non-slip surface to stand on. Begin by wetting the dog’s coat. A shower or hose attachment may be necessary for thoroughly wetting and rinsing the coat. Check the water temperature to make sure that it is neither too hot nor too cold for the dog.

Next, apply shampoo to the dog’s coat and work it into a good lather. You should purchase a shampoo that is made for dogs. Do not use a product made for human hair. Bathe the head last; you do not want shampoo to drip into the dog’s eyes while you are washing the rest of his body. Work the shampoo all the way down to the skin. You can use this opportunity to check the skin for any bumps, bites or other abnormalities. Do not neglect any area of the body—get all of the hard-to-reach places.

Once the dog has been thoroughly shampooed, he requires an equally thorough rinsing. Shampoo left in the coat can be irritating to the skin. Protect his eyes from the shampoo by shielding them with your hand and directing the flow of water in the opposite direction. You should also avoid getting water in the ear canal. Be prepared for your dog to shake out his coat—you might want to stand back, but make sure you have a hold on the dog to keep him from running through the house.

 

A daily brushing removes dead hairs and stimulates the skin.

DOG SOAP, PLEASE

The use of human soap products like shampoo, bubble bath and hand soap can be damaging to a dog’s coat and skin. Human products are too strong; they remove the protective oils coating the dog’s hair and skin that make him water-resistant. Use only shampoo made especially for dogs. You may like to use a medicated shampoo, which will help to keep external parasites at bay.

EAR CLEANING

The ears should be kept clean and any excess hair inside the ear should be carefully plucked. Ears can be cleaned with a cotton ball and ear powder made especially for dogs, never probing into the ear canal. Be on the lookout for any signs of infection or ear-mite infestation. If your Chihuahua has been shaking his head or scratching at his ears frequently, this usually indicates a problem. If his ears have an unusual odor, this is a sure sign of mite infestation or infection, and a signal to have his ears checked by the veterinarian.

 

Ear cleaning should be done weekly. Excess hairs should be plucked (painless if done properly). Get instruction in ear care from your veterinarian.

BATHING BEAUTY

Once you are sure that the dog is thoroughly rinsed, squeeze the excess water out of his coat with your hand and dry him with a heavy towel. You may choose to use a blow dryer on his coat or just let it dry naturally. In cold weather, never allow your dog outside with a wet coat.

There are “dry bath” products on the market, which are sprays and powders intended for spot cleaning that can be used between regular baths if necessary. They are not substitutes for regular baths, but they are easy to use for touch-ups as they do not require rinsing. Your pet shop should offer a selection of “dry bath” products.

NAIL CLIPPING

Your Chihuahua should be accustomed to having his nails trimmed at an early age, since it will be part of your maintenance routine throughout his life. Not only does it look nicer, but long nails can be sharp and scratch someone unintentionally. Also, a long nail has a better chance of ripping and bleeding, or causing damage to the toes. A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear your dog’s nails’ clicking on the floor when he walks, his nails are too long.

Nail Maintenance

 

With black or dark nails, where the quick is not easy to see, it’s best to clip only the tip of the nail or to use a file.

 

In light-colored nails, clipping is much simpler because you can see the vein (or quick) that grows inside the casing.

 

Your local pet shop sells proper clippers with which you can trim your dog’s nails.

Before you start cutting, make sure you can identify the “quick” in each nail. The quick is a blood vessel that runs through the center of each nail and grows rather close to the end. It will bleed if accidentally cut, which will be quite painful for the dog as it contains nerve endings. Keep some type of clotting agent on hand, such as a styptic pencil or styptic powder (the type used for shaving). This will stop the bleeding quickly when applied to the end of the cut nail. Do not panic if this happens, just stop the bleeding and talk soothingly to your dog. Once he has calmed down, move on to the next nail. It is better to clip a little at a time, particularly with black-nailed dogs.

Hold your pup steady as you begin trimming his nails; you do not want him to make any sudden movements or run away. Talk to him soothingly and stroke him as you clip. Holding his foot in your hand, simply take off the end of each nail in one quick clip. You can purchase nail clippers that are specially made for dogs; you can find them wherever you buy pet or grooming supplies.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG

CAR TRAVEL

You should accustom your Chihuahua to riding in a car at an early age. You may or may not take him in the car often, but at the very least he will need to go to the vet and you do not want these trips to be traumatic for the dog or a big hassle for you. The safest way for a dog to ride in the car is in his crate. If he uses a crate in the house, you can use the same crate for travel.

GOING ABROAD

For international travel, you will have to make arrangements well in advance (perhaps months), as countries’ regulations pertaining to bringing in animals differ. There may be special health certificates and/or vaccinations that your dog will need before taking the trip; sometimes this has to be done within a certain time frame. When traveling to rabiesfree countries, you will need to bring proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination and there will likely be a quarantine period upon arrival.

LOST AND FOUND

You have a valuable dog. If the dog is lost or stolen, you would undoubtedly become extremely upset. Likewise, if you encounter a lost dog, notify the police or the local animal shelter.

Put the pup in the crate and see how he reacts. If he seems uneasy, you can have a passenger hold him on his lap while you drive. Another option is a specially made safety harness for dogs, which straps the dog in much like a seat belt. Do not let the dog roam loose in the vehicle—this is very dangerous! If you should stop short, your dog can be thrown and injured. If the dog starts climbing on you and pestering you while you are driving, you will not be able to concentrate on the road. It is an unsafe situation for everyone—human and canine.

For long trips, be prepared to stop to let the dog relieve himself. Bring along whatever you need to clean up after him. You should also take along some paper towels and perhaps some old rags for use should he have an accident in the car or suffer from motion sickness.

AIR TRAVEL

Every airline has different regulation and requirements for canine passengers. In most cases, the dog will be required to travel in a fiberglass crate but you should always check in advance with the airline regarding specific requirements. To help the dog be at ease, put one of his favorite toys in the crate with him. Do not feed the dog for several hours before checking in to minimize his need to relieve himself. However, certain regulations specify that water must always be made available to the dog in the crate.

Make sure that your dog is properly identified and that your contact information appears on his ID tags and on his crate. Likely, the airline will permit the Chihuahua to travel with his owner as a “carry-on,” a distinct advantage to owning the smallest dog in the world. If the airline does not permit this privilege, you have two options: find another airline or leave your Chihuahua at home. Unlike many larger breeds, Chihuahuas are not suitable to travel as cargo. It is too risky for such a small dog.

 

The safest way for your Chihuahua to travel is in his crate.