Tips For Raising a Chihuahua
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 your Chihuahua is still a puppy, you have to provide him with a nutritious diet.
Take note that he has different food requirements depending on his age.
From the time he starts to eat until he reaches 3 months old, he should be fed four small meals a day.
From 3 months to 6 months old, reduce his meal to three times a day.
After 6 months, two meals a day is sufficient for his food requirements until he reaches one year old.
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.
Chihuahua are not only lovable but they are also easy to take care of.
In fact, they are quite easy to bathe without any great resistance from them.
It is recommended that anyone raising a Chihuahua bathe them once in a month.
Over bathing could remove the natural oils from their furs and would also cause dandruff.
When giving your Chihuahua his bath, it's very important that you're careful to avoid getting water into his ears.
If the ears happen to get wet they can cause a horrible infection.
Due to the possibility of infection, you want to make sure you thoroughly monitor your dog's ears and call your Vet immediately if they appear to be red at all or you notice him scratching them.
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.
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.
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 your Chihuahua is still a puppy, you have to provide him with a nutritious diet.
Take note that he has different food requirements depending on his age.
From the time he starts to eat until he reaches 3 months old, he should be fed four small meals a day.
From 3 months to 6 months old, reduce his meal to three times a day.
After 6 months, two meals a day is sufficient for his food requirements until he reaches one year old.
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.
Chihuahua are not only lovable but they are also easy to take care of.
In fact, they are quite easy to bathe without any great resistance from them.
It is recommended that anyone raising a Chihuahua bathe them once in a month.
Over bathing could remove the natural oils from their furs and would also cause dandruff.
When giving your Chihuahua his bath, it's very important that you're careful to avoid getting water into his ears.
If the ears happen to get wet they can cause a horrible infection.
Due to the possibility of infection, you want to make sure you thoroughly monitor your dog's ears and call your Vet immediately if they appear to be red at all or you notice him scratching them.
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.
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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