As a child, when my parents brought home a tiny, yippy dog for me, I was tasked with learning everything I could about chihuahua care. It seemed a bit annoying at first, but I quickly warmed up to this amazing breed of animal. It was incredibly small, but I learned that they are alert, caring, smart, and make wonderful companions.

 However, I also learned that chihuahua care is much different than the care of any other breed of dog. They are great pets, but need an attentive owner who is ready to give them the special attention they need. Sadly, many owners blindly adopt these animals without knowing the first thing about proper chihuahua care.

 Here is some of what you need to know about chihuahua care :

 Vaccinations

Chihuahua carebegins the moment you take ownership of your new pet. The very first thing that should be done is scheduling a vet visit to have your pet vaccinated. There have been some silly claims floating around that vaccinations are a harmful part of chihuahua care . This couldn’t be further from the truth, as the daily health of your animal depends on these vaccinations.

Food

Good chihuahua care begins and ends with your dietary choices. What you feed your pet will not only determine how healthy he is, but it will dictate his expected longevity. A Chihuahua stomach is extremely small, so they need small portions, two or three times per day. A good chihuahua care diet contains little to no fillers, few carbohydrates, and is high in protein.

Training

Training is an important part of chihuahua care, and should be done before they hit a year old. They are intelligent animals, and while it is possible to train an adult Chihuahua, it is far more difficult. Training should begin as soon as your new pet enters your home, and should be done so with a firm, yet calm hand. chihuahua care and training is made easier when you are consistent in your efforts.

Exercise

They are very playful animals and chihuahua care should involve daily exercise. Unlike other animals, Chihuahuas will not run and frolic for long periods of time. Instead, they have short periods of vigorous energy, and might not even need to be walked if they have plenty of room in your home to run around.  If you do walk your animal, proper chihuahua care dictates you use a harness rather than a typical collar, due to their fragile necks.

Health Concerns

A common chihuahua care concern is wondering how to reduce the chance of illness. The short answer is some of what we already touched upon. Exercise, a good diet and proper vaccinations are all keys to chihuahua care and helping your pet to avoid illness. The most common health issues among Chihuahuas are trachea issues, hypoglycemia and heart disease.

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Grooming and Bathing

chihuahua care isn’t all worry and stress, as grooming your animal can be an enjoyable and bonding experience. The short-haired variety will just need soft brushing once per week, while long-haired chihuahua care involves brushing three times per week, or more for longer hair. (This is also a good opportunity to check for ticks and fleas)

Chihuahua care includes bathing, but experts are split on how often it should be done. Some say that shampooing too much will cause their natural coat oil to dry up. Others claim that shampooing gives them a shiny coat. Ultimately, your chihuahua care choices are for you to make, but shampooing a minimum of once per month is a good idea.

Nails

It may not be fun (for you or your pet), but good chihuahua care means cutting their nails. It is very uncomfortable for them if their nails get too long, so it must be done. Whether you choose to do it yourself or let a dog groomer handle it is up to you, as it is challenging and can result in a few bites if you don’t know how to hold him properly. It might be best to watch a groomer at first, and then take on the task yourself. It is a good feeling to know that you handle all aspects of your chihuahua care on your own.  

Whether your pet ends up a smart companion or an absolute terror really depends on you and your chihuahua care techniques. After all, they all still a dog, and must be taught and nurtured, both mentally and physically. They will reward you with years of love and devotion, making your tireless chihuahua care efforts worth it.