Chihuahua Care
Chihuahua Care Explained: Standard Harmful Myths Put To Rest
Chihuahua care may not be as easy as most people expect, and this may be a good reason behind the heavy turnover of these precious little dogs from one home to the next. They are easily suited to apartment and city life, and fit well in just about any sized home. They do need to run, jump, play, walk, and see the outdoors each and every day, however, and carrying them around in your purse or sports bag all day is the exact worse thing that you can do for both their physical and emotional health. All dogs need to walk and sniff each day; this is their nature and the way that they derive a sense of their surroundings and place in the world. Depriving him of this natural process could be one of the main causes for his jittery, skittish behaviors.
Chihuahua care, therefore, will require a bit of commitment from you along the lines of daily walks and adventures, keeping your beautiful little pup as curious and physically fit as possible. Be sure, also, that when you are planning your Chihuahua care regiment you include a very nutritious dry dog food that will serve all of his needs without allowing him to gain too much weight. Chihuahuas tend to be on the finicky side, and most owners begin killing their dogs with kindness because they can’t stand to see them not eating. Though it can be dangerous for your tiny pooch to refrain from eating for more than a couple of days, you should give him this long to give into his hunger. Feeding him steak and chicken will only compound the problem, and his extra pounds.
When you choose a Chihuahua, care of his coat and nails will depend upon whether he is of the short or long haired variety. The breed is the same whichever you choose, but the care of their fur will be somewhat different. Your chi baby will need to be bathed about once per month with a mild doggy shampoo. For a short haired variety, you can allow him to air dry after brushing him with a soft bristled brush. Your long haired chi will be best served with the blown dry treatment, brushing with a soft bristled brush as you go. Both are considered as mild to medium shedding dogs, though most enthusiasts will attest to the long haired Chihuahua being a lighter shedder than his short haired counterpart.
There are a few health concerns that you will need to consider as part of your Chihuahua care regiment, and you will want to call on your veterinarian for regular checkups regarding some of the more common issues. If your chi should become pregnant, either by force or by accident, it is important that you seek help from a vet as well. Chihuahuas are rarely capable of delivering without assistance, and most births are accomplished through c-section.