Raising A Chihuahua To Be Happy And Healthy

People who are lacking in space but would still like a pet that is both loyal and cute often adopt a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are so appealing because they are so small. However, their cute, small stature is what makes raising a Chihuahua a bit more challenging.

One of the funniest things about Chihuahuas is that they have no clue how small they actually are. Many times they are referred to as a "big dog in a small dog's body" and they are so defensive that they don't think twice about confronting the biggest dog on the block. Consequently, you need to always keep tabs on your Chihuahua without ever letting them go outside without you monitoring them.

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.

After your Chihuahua's first birthday, it's perfectly acceptable to feed him once daily. This breed of dog would typically prefer a few smaller meals over one larger one. Since hard food is easier for a Chi to digest, that may be a better option, as canned food may cause diarrhea.

When it comes to raising a Chihuahua, one positive aspect is that they should be given a bath once a month, which is relatively simple to do. Bathing them more often than necessary can purge the fur of its natural oils, which can then end up possibly causing dandruff.

Be sure that you keep any water from getting into the ears of your Chihuahua when you bathe him, as wet ears can cause bad ear infections. Pay close attention to your Chi, and if you notice him scratching his ears a lot or redness in his ears, get him to the vet as quickly as possible.

Properly training your Chihuahua is required for the dog's safety, as well as the convenience of having an obedient dog. The initial training you will need to begin on is house training (potty training) your puppy, but afterwards you need to begin teaching him or her general commands so that he or she will obey you and can be prevented from getting into dangerous situations.

It is best to trim your Chi's nails every month. Cat claw trimmers can also be used to your Chi which is scissor-shaped and has a round indent for the claw. Start trimming your Chi's nails even at an earlier age so that he will easily be accustomed to it. You'll have more enjoyable grooming session with your pet later on.

You should keep watch to your Chihuahuas especially when they gets older, they usually suffer from knee troubles. Keep a close eye on this and get them to the Vet the moment you notice them having a hard time walking.

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.

You will surely enjoy the company of Chihuahuas for they are by nature loyal, gentle, bright and also affectionate. And with your loving care, you can insure they live a long and healthy life.

Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com

About the Author: Please visit http://www.raisingachihuahua.com where you can learn more about raising a Chihuahua and get free dog health and training tips. 

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