Chihuahuas are a favorite breed of dog and for good reason. They are small, affectionate, and have endearing little personalities. If you’re thinking about adopting a Chihuahua, congratulations! They make great pets for people living in smaller homes or apartments with limited space.
But before you take the plunge and bring home a fuzzy Chihuahua friend, there are some things you should know to ensure that both of you have the happiest possible existence together.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through everything from picking out your perfect pup to training them to feed them correctly so they stay happy and healthy throughout their lifetime.
Buying from a reputable breeder
Before you bring a new Chihuahuas into your home, you need to make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder works with you to find the perfect dog for you.
They take care of all the required health checks, vaccinations, and paperwork that you’ll need to get your Chihuahua, and they make sure all puppies leave their home healthy and happy. If a breeder is selling puppies for cheap, it’s probably because they’re unwell and haven’t been properly cared for by the breeder. You want to avoid these breeders at all costs.
If a breeder is asking a lot of money for a puppy from them, it’s probably because they’ve been well taken care of by the breeder and they have a lot of health clearances in their future.
Bringing home baby Chihuahua
When you’re bringing home your Chihuahua, the best thing you can do is to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. The optimum time for bringing home. a Chihuahua puppy is at 8 weeks old.
If you bring your Chihuahua home when they’re too young, they won’t know who you are, and if you bring them home when they’re too old, they’ll have already formed bad habits that can be difficult to break later on. When you bring home your Chihuahua, give them a lot of love and attention.
Spend time with your Chihuahua in a quiet and dimly lit room so you don’t overwhelm them. Make sure to feed your Chihuahua their first meal and let them settle into their new home with you before you try to play with them or train them.
Feeding your Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are a small breed of dog, so they don’t have the same caloric intake that, say, a Labrador Retriever would. On average, puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day, and adults should be fed 2 times a day.
If you have a puppy, feed them 3 times a day, and if you have an adult, feed them 2 times a day. When you’re looking for dog food for your Chihuahua, ensure that it has a protein level of between 18-22%. If it has less than 18%, it isn’t a healthy meal for your Chihuahua, and if it has more than 22%, it’s too rich and can result in health issues later on in life.
Care and training for your Chihuahuas
When you’re caring for your Chihuahua, you want to make sure that you’re grooming them correctly. It’s better to do frequent smaller grooming sessions than one big grooming session every few weeks. This way, your Chihuahua won’t get stressed out, and they won’t associate grooming with a negative experience.
Training your Chihuahua is something that can start as soon as you bring your Chihuahua home. The best way to train your Chihuahua is with positive reinforcement. When you reward your Chihuahua for doing something good, they’re more likely to do it again.
A few words of warning
Chihuahuas are a great breed of dog, but they’re also a breed that comes with some special special considerations. Chihuahuas don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time, and it’s best if you can find someone who can come stay with your Chihuahua when you have to leave for work or school. When you’re bringing your Chihuahua inside, make sure you’re bringing them into a room where they can’t escape.
Chihuahuas are notoriously clever escape artists, and they can squeeze through the smallest cracks to get outside. When you’re feeding your Chihuahua, don’t feed them too many high-fat treats or they’ll pack on the pounds. And don’t forget to take your Chihuahua for annual health checks to make sure they’re staying healthy.
Finally
Chihuahuas make wonderful pets for people who are looking for a smaller breed of dog that doesn’t need a ton of exercise. Chihuahuas are great for people living in smaller homes or apartments and who don’t have a lot of time to spend walking or playing with a dog.
If you’re thinking about bringing a Chihuahua into your life, make sure you’ve got everything you need to care for them. From picking out your perfect Chihuahua to training them and feeding them the right way, this guide has got you covered.
