Pet lovers who have only a little space to accommodate their pet usually choose Chihuahuas because of their small stature. Chihuahuas make wonderful and attractive pets and have distinguishing features that make them unique compared to other dog breeds. However, because they are so small, one does need to take special care when raising a Chihuahua.
One thing about Chihuahuas is that they are very protective and don't seem to realize that they are so tiny. They have no qualms taking on the biggest dog on the block, and because of this you really need to keep a close watch on him. So one thing you must be careful of is to never let your Chihuahua outside by himself.
When adopting a Chihuahua puppy, you must make sure to feed him the highest quality food on the market. From birth until three months of age, puppies should be given small meals four times a day; between the ages of three to six months, feedings can be decreased to three times a day and from six months to one year meals should decline to only two times a day.
One feeding per day is appropriate after your Chihuahua is a year old. Most Chi's prefer to eat several small meals rather than one large one. Hard food may be the best choice for your Chi as some dogs of this breed have a difficult time digesting canned food and can develop diarrhea as a result.
Chihuahua are not only lovable but they are also easy to take care of. In fact, they are quite easy to bathe without any great resistance from them. It is recommended that anyone raising a Chihuahua bathe them once in a month. Over bathing could remove the natural oils from their furs and would also cause 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.
Dog obedience for your Chihuahua is not only good for potty training and teaching "dog manners" but it is essential for safety. If your dog is trained to obey your voice commands, you will, in essence, be communicating with your dog. Start with potty training, then move on to sit, stay, come, and be quiet.
Keeping your Chi's nails trimmed is an integral part of the proper care of your pet and should be done on a monthly basis. It will be easier on both you and your dog if you start trimming his nails early on when he is still a puppy so that he grows accustomed to it. Cat claw trimmers, which are shaped like scissors but have a round indent to accommodate the animal's claw, would be a good choice for grooming your Chi.
Weak knees are very common for Chihuahuas, especially as they age. Be sure to watch your chi carefully, and if you notice any difficulty walking, get him checked out by a vet.
Proper Veterinary attention is an essential part of raising a Chihuahua. Be sure to take your pet in for the necessary shots and worming when he is a puppy and follow up with checkups, booster shots, and teeth and ear cleaning as your Vet recommends.
Giving the proper care to your Chihuahua will not only keep him healthy and happy and add to his longevity, but it will also get you an abundance of love and affection in return from these naturally gentle, loyal and sweet-tempered animals.
Over half of the United States is considered either overweight or obese, but there is no quick fix to this problem. Instead, those that are overweight need to focus on healthy eating and exercising habits. Good eating and exercise habits are also important for those who are not overweight, because it can help them to maintain a healthy weight and live a happy healthy life.
Eating healthy is key when either trying to lose weight or to stay healthy. Some diets limit certain foods such as dairy and whole grains, but they are actually necessary for good health. A healthy diet should consist of a variety of foods from the different food groups, with the exception of the fats and oils. All fats and oils should be consumed in small amounts, because they have little nutritional value and actually can have a negative effect on the human body.
Also consider what types of foods you are eating, because there are normally healthier alternatives. Although some fruit juices do contain a serving of fruit in them, they also contain added sugar, which adds calories and fat. Instead of drinking juice for a serving of fruit, eat an apple or orange. Also consider lean meats rather than those that are high in fat, such as substituting your morning bacon with some turkey sausage. It is important to eat a wide variety of foods, to ensure that they body is getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy. Poor eating habits can cause cardiovascular problems, digestive problems, and even problems with the respiratory system.
Getting exercise on a daily basis is also very important for happy healthy living. Because most Americans can never find time to exercise, they become over weight and unhappy with themselves. It only takes about 20 minutes a day to get in a good exercise session, and it does great for the heart and the rest of the body. In order to maintain your weight, one must burn off as many calories as they are taking in each day. Simple tasks such as walking from room to room or putting away laundry does burn calories, but not enough to burn off an entire day’s calories. Exercise is important to burn off additional calories, and to also keep the muscles in shape. Exercising not only works out the muscles right under the skin, but also many organs, including the heart. Exercise can help to improve certain medical conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems, as well as leave you feeling both healthy and energized. Although it can sometimes seem hard to find time to cook healthy meals and exercise each day, but only a little time can assure you that you will enjoy happy healthy living.
Both Lee Dobbins & Lentok Otai Lentok are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.