How to Care for a Chihuahua - Diet, Clothing, Maintenance

Tiny Chihuahuas are ideal dogs for city living, since they adapt to any type of home, whether large or small. That said, given their nervous, restless temperament, Chihuahuas need you to dedicate enough time to them every day.

Besides their daily walks, these intelligent, affectionate dogs need other kinds of attention. If you want to know the recommended care for a Chihuahua, keep reading and discover everything you need to know to keep your little friend healthy and happy.

Basic care for a Chihuahua

The Chihuahua breed has a long life expectancy, potentially living up to 18 years if kept healthy. However, this breed is also known for other traits, like a very poor tolerance for cold and a tendency toward obesity.

Below, we present a list of everything you should keep in mind if you're thinking about adopting a Chihuahua. If you follow these tips, your little dog will be in the best hands.

Illnesses, vaccines, and parasite treatments

Your dog's health will largely depend on prevention. Follow the vaccination schedule and the parasite treatments your vet recommends, whether spot-on treatments or collars. Likewise, you should see the vet regularly to check on their health.

• Mandatory vaccination schedule for dogs

Although they're long-lived dogs, it's common for them to suffer from conditions like heart problems, disc herniation, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy. Likewise, if you notice any abnormality like lumps, swelling, redness, or another symptom, don't hesitate to consult your vet.

Besides genetic conditions, these dogs are prone to joint injuries and fractures, as happens with all toy breeds, especially if the dog is overweight. That's why rough play and jumps from high places, like a sofa, should be avoided.

Training a Chihuahua

We know it's hard not to fall for your Chihuahua's charms, since they're very affectionate and funny. However, if you let them do whatever they want without teaching them any rules, it won't be surprising if they take too many liberties, since this is a very dominant, intelligent breed.

That's why we recommend training and socializing your Chihuahua from puppyhood. Training will also help them manage the nervousness and anxiety typical of the breed. This doesn't mean we shouldn't give them affection, since these dogs need a lot of attention and love.

That said, overdoing the pampering isn't beneficial either, since despite their tiny size, your dog can become aggressive, grumpy, reject the presence of other dogs, and become dependent on you for everything, even feeling abandoned when you're not around.

• Socialization techniques for dogs

Teach them rules as if it were a game, and you'll not only train them, but also build a bond between the two of you. Don't feel bad correcting their bad behavior with a firm, annoyed tone of voice, never using physical punishment, and praise and reward their good behavior.

A Chihuahua's diet

Due to their small size, if we choose dry food like the well-known dog kibble, you should make sure it's specifically made for small/toy breeds. That way, the kibble pieces will be sized for their small mouth, preventing choking.

If you choose natural food, remember that since they're so small, we can't give them large chunks like we would a medium or large dog. Ideally, everything should be blended into a puree they can swallow easily.

• Natural food recipes for dogs

Remember they don't need large amounts of food, or they'll become overweight. Small breeds, contrary to what we generally think, need very small portions of food split into two or three daily meals.

Recommended exercise and walks for a Chihuahua

Although Chihuahuas adapt perfectly well to indoor life, they need to go out three or four times a day to exercise, socialize with other dogs, calm their anxiety, and relieve themselves.

Remember these are dogs with a lot of energy, so you should exercise your Chihuahua, though always in moderation, since their small legs are very delicate. Short walks are best, ending before they get tired to prevent injuries.

You should also make sure your Chihuahua's harness is comfortable and not too tight during walks. This breed is prone to tracheal collapse, so feeling pressure around the trachea from a collar would be counterproductive — go with a comfortable harness instead.

Chihuahua maintenance

And now that you know the basic tips for caring for your little Chihuahua, let's look at how to keep them healthy and happy with these simple tips.

Should I dress my Chihuahua warmly?

Chihuahuas, both long- and short-haired, are especially sensitive to cold and can't handle temperatures below 4°C, so in winter it's highly recommended to use dog-specific clothing, available at specialty stores.

On very cold days it's best to take a shorter walk than usual, always avoiding exposing them to temperatures below 1°C. At home, you can also help them warm up by providing a blanket in their bed.

How many times a month should I bathe the dog?

One bath a month will be enough for your little one, as long as they don't get too dirty beforehand. But careful — bathing them too often can damage their skin, causing dryness and dandruff.

You should use a shampoo made specifically for their pH and coat, and rinse with warm water. Also, prevent water from getting into their ears, since it can cause infection. Afterward, wrap them up warmly and use a hairdryer, since they're very sensitive to cold and your little one will surely start shivering.

• How to bathe a small dog at home

How should I brush their coat?

Depending on your Chihuahua's coat type, they'll need different care. For a short-haired Chihuahua, their coat won't need any special care — just keeping it clean.

If you have a long-haired Chihuahua, you should brush their coat several times a week with a soft rubber-bristle brush that won't damage their skin or pull out their hair.

How to trim a Chihuahua's nails?

You should trim your Chihuahua's nails at least once a month with nail clippers made for small dogs. Start doing this from puppyhood so they get used to it and don't develop a fear of it. Reward them for good behavior afterward.

• When and how to trim a dog's nails

Tip: if you don't feel confident trimming them yourself, ask your vet to do it.

How should I clean their ears and eyes?

Sometimes, under Chihuahuas' eyes, we can notice eye discharge, secretions, or tear stains that darken the fur around the eyes, especially in light-colored dogs.

To keep the area clean and their eyes healthy, you can gently clean the area with saline solution or cold chamomile tea.

• Chamomile for cleaning a dog's eyes

As for their ears, you can clean them with cotton and a bit of special dog ear-cleaning solution. Avoid going too deep — clean only the surface. Don't use a cotton swab, since you'll only push the dirt in deeper.

How to care for a Chihuahua's teeth?

Mini breeds tend to suffer from dental problems, like tartar and plaque buildup, and consequently, later complications like bad breath and tooth loss. To prevent this, you should brush their teeth several times a week.

If you want your dog to let you brush their teeth, you should train them from puppyhood so they get used to it. Also, remember to use a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs.