Content
- How to feed the Chihuahua breed
- Chihuahuas feel cold?
- Chihuahua dog needs physical activity
- Chihuahua Education and Behavior
- Chihuahua care
- coat
- Eyes
- Teeth
- Common Diseases in Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are very small puppies that do not reach 3 kilos. They have an average life expectancy between 15 and 20 years, being animals of great longevity. It is a breed much loved around the world as it easily adapts to life in cities, among many other qualities.
If you already have or are thinking about sharing your life with one of these happy and affectionate companions, stay tuned for this article by PeritoAnimal with care, food, behavior, anyway all about chihuahua
How to feed the Chihuahua breed
for being the smallest dog in the world, it is essential to pay attention to the amounts of food he eats. Portions should be small, as you must take into account the size of your stomach and distribute your daily meals twice. If you are unsure about the amount of food, see more details on the recommended amount of food for a Chihuahua.
The best type of food is a kibble that suits your pet's needs correctly. nowadays there are feeds created especially for this breed, some brands that already offer this product, for example Royal Canin and Eukanuba. You can also offer your dog a home-cooked diet, such as the BARF diet.
Chihuahuas feel cold?
This small breed of dog is from the tropical climate, this being the reason why their coat does not have great density and length, however there are long-haired Chihuahuas. For this reason and for their small size, they are a breed that tends to feel cold.
If you live in a warm climate and provide shade, shelter and fresh water for your dog, you don't have to worry about regulating its body temperature, which happens naturally. However, if you live in very cold regions and with low temperatures, it is essential to check if your partner is cold. To know this safely just touch the dog. Some people try to be guided by the dog's tremors, which is not always reliable. Because, in addition to the cold, this breed has a tendency to shiver for several reasons., such as stress, fear, anxiety or even joy and emotion.
In this case, you should provide blankets and warm places inside the house where he can snuggle. In the street, you should protect it with a special piece of clothing for dogs, without the need to exaggerate. You should also make sure your paws don't freeze by wearing dog shoes your size, special for the snow. You can also just carry it in your arms, which is simpler.
Chihuahua dog needs physical activity
It may seem that because they are so small, Chihuahuas don't need a lot of physical activity. However, they they are very active and nervous dogs, so it is advisable that they do not accumulate energy.
You should provide at least two walks a day so that the dog can play with other dogs and get enough exercise, it is also essential that you play with him indoors doing some sessions of intelligence games, for example.
Keep in mind that, compared to larger puppies, Chihuahuas have less resistance. This means that, in case of prolonged physical activity, you should let the dog rest whenever he needs it. When walking your partner, let him lead the pace of the walk.
Chihuahua Education and Behavior
these puppies are very cunning and affectionate to their tutors and companions. Because they are so smart and observant, they take steps to make things work their way. We can say that they are like "rebel children".
Thus, it is easy to see that many are examples of this breed of dog overly spoiled, tend to have a jealous and manipulative behavior with the tutor. Through this behavior, they get more food, more attention, and more displays of affection. In addition, this is a breed with little fear of other dogs, despite the difference in size, for this reason you should educate it so that it has a good socialization with other dogs and animals, thus avoiding potential fights that it could get hurt.
It is necessary take care of education from basic topics such as where to do your needs, to topics like learning to share things with other dogs, without your will always being done. It's essential to set limits and reward it when it's what you expect.
Chihuahua care
To ensure the good health of your furry, you should be aware of some Chihuahua care that are essential for the animal's well-being, such as:
coat
It is very important to keep your pet in good hygienic conditions. In the case of Chihuahuas, one bath a month should suffice as taking too many baths is not good for any dog. You must take into account the type of hair of your companion to choose a suitable shampoo, always suitable for puppies. The product can be special for short hair or for long hair, for white or dark coat.
The water temperature should never exceed 27 º C and it is preferable to dry them with just towels and running around the house, as they have a lot of fun with it. If you have a longhaired Chihuahua you should brush the fur from your pet periodically to avoid knots that develop into skin problems. Also, don't hesitate to cut when necessary. You should also pay attention to the ears of dogs with long hair, so that they never get wet and that they are always very clean. When necessary, cut this coat to prevent unwanted ear infections.
Eyes
As you can see, Chihuahua eyes are relatively large in proportion to the rest of the face and head. This causes them to have eyes a little exposed, always watering. The eye region is always moist, hardly drying out.
This constant tearing causes the fur around it to darken and become dirty, so it is essential to always keep it clean and free of kinks. To do this, you can use saline, thyme or chamomile infusion, and sterile gauze around your finger to gently clean your dog's contour and eyes. In this way, you can keep your fur clean and your eyes healthy, free from conjunctivitis and other complications.
Teeth
Small puppies have poor teething quality compared to medium or large puppies. In this way, their teeth decay much earlier than usual in puppies. It is normal that, since young, Chihuahuas have tartar on their teeth, complicating oral health with bad breath and tooth loss.
It's very important to help them keep a healthy mouth, it may sound complicated but in reality it isn't. You should provide them with special edible prizes for mouth care and toys to help them clean their teeth with the simple act of playing. Some of these items contain products that help eliminate tartar and keep breath fresh, and toys with handles and ropes help clean and brush teeth, such as flossing on humans.
If that's not enough, you can brush the dog's teeth with a small brush and a few drops of chlorhexidine (similar to our mouthwash) special for dogs that you can find at the vet. If, even so, your partner's mouth is still in poor condition, you should go to the veterinarian so that he can perform a professional cleaning, thus avoiding possible illnesses and tooth loss.
Common Diseases in Chihuahuas
There are certain diseases that this dog breed tends to develop, such as:
- Double dentition or retention of baby teeth;
- Broken or cracked taste;
- Slightly open area of the skull that does not close properly during growth;
- Cryptorchidism, retention or lack of testicles;
- Epilepsy;
- Secondary glaucoma;
- Hypoglycemia;
- Obesity;
- Disc herniation;
- Dislocation of joints;
- Hoarseness or problems in the trachea that cause a slight asphyxia similar to a passing cough;
- Hydrocephalus;
- Gemophilia A;
- Heart problems: mainly mitral regurgitation.
Given all these diseases and even more that can affect these dogs, it is very important to keep regular visits to the veterinarian, trying to always be the same professional. That way, he will know your dog's specific problems and can adapt specific solutions for him.
To learn more about the smallest dog in the world, check out our article with 10 trivia about Chihuahuas.