Chihuahua (Teacup Chihuahua) Dog and Puppy Care Tips

General Chihuahua care is relatively easy for a healthy dog. Regular veterinary checkups and keeping your Chihuahua up to date on his vaccinations will do wonders for keeping your pet happy and healthy, but there are other little things that you can do to help keep him feeling good in-between vet visits. One of these is grooming your Chihuahua on a regular basis. While some believe that this is only important for long coated Chihuahuas, grooming your smooth coat Chihuahua will also help him by removing dead hair and dander, same as in a long haired Chihuahua. Keeping his toenails properly clipped will also prevent your toy Chihuahua from getting injured by catching a nail on carpeting or furniture. Should your Chihuahua’s eyes tear and run excessively, you can also gently wipe these with a cloth dipped in saline solution in order to help cut down the risk of infection. Should you notice, while cleaning your Chihuahua’s eyes, that they are abnormally bloodshot or that there is a white discharge, an appointment should be made with your veterinarian, to have him checked for an eye infection.

Caring for your pet Chihuahua also encompasses other things, such as his nutrition and level of exercise. While the Chihuahua is quite often a picky eater and prefers to lounge on a lap rather than run outside, care should be taken that your Chihuahua not be allowed to gain excess weight - doing so can lead to health problems such as heart failure or tracheal collapse. The Chihuahua is also prone to having sugar problems and many tend to suffer from problems, such as hypoglycemia. When in doubt, speak with your veterinarian or a reputable breeder regarding feeding concerns for your particular dog.

Written by: Shawna L. Krautheim and Debbie Moore
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