Chihuahuas are suitable for living in small apartments due to their size, but they require commitment and good care to ensure their health and happiness. Here are the most important things to know about raising a Chihuahua at home.
Raising chihuahua dog at home
Chihuahuas are small and lovable breeds that are great for keeping at home, but they require special care and attention due to their size and temperament. The following is a comprehensive guide on raising a Chihuahua at home:
Personality and Behavior:
Brave and Intelligent: Despite their small size, Chihuahuas have a bold and confident personality, and are intelligent and quick to learn.
Loyalty and Affection: Chihuahuas are known for their extreme loyalty to their owners and often bond with one particular family member.
Barking: Chihuahuas tend to bark frequently, especially toward strangers, making them good guard dogs.
Jealousy and Aggression: Chihuahuas may display jealousy and aggression toward young children or other animals, so they should be supervised constantly, especially when children are present.
Warmth Need: Chihuahuas do not tolerate cold well and require warm spaces in the home. They may require protective clothing in cold weather.
Training and Socialization:
Early Training: It is essential to begin training and socializing Chihuahuas from a young age to avoid future behavioral problems.
Watering: Chihuahuas require constant potty training due to their small size and small bladder. The dog must be monitored and its cues indicating the need to relieve itself must be observed.
Obedience Training: Chihuahuas can be trained well using positive reinforcement and rewards (such as food or toys). Rewards should be small in size to avoid obesity.
Health Care and Hygiene:
Teeth: Chihuahuas require special care and daily brushing of their teeth to avoid common health problems in this breed.
Ears: Chihuahuas' ears are prone to wax buildup and should be cleaned regularly.
Eyes: Discharge from the eyes should be gently cleaned weekly.
Nails: Chihuahuas' nails grow quickly and should be trimmed monthly.
Coat: Long-coated Chihuahuas need brushing once or twice a week with a wide-toothed comb, while smooth-coated Chihuahuas need brushing once a week. Common Diseases: Chihuahuas are prone to some health problems, such as heart disease (such as mitral valve disease), luxating patellas (dislocated kneecaps), and dental problems. Therefore, regular visits to the veterinarian are important.
Nutrition and Exercise:
Diet: Provide a high-quality food appropriate for your Chihuahua's age and size, preferably rich in protein and healthy fats.
Exercise: Chihuahuas need 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise. Due to their small size, they can burn off a lot of their energy indoors, but they enjoy playing and running with their owners in parks.
Special Considerations:
Children: It is best to avoid raising Chihuahuas in a home with very young children, to avoid injury to either of them. Children should be supervised when playing with them.
Loneliness: Chihuahuas should not be left outside unattended.
Boredom: Chihuahuas can become frustrated from boredom and lack of affection, and they need constant interaction and mental stimulation.
