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Author:
C. Covington

            Chihuahuas make fantastic pets because of their ability to thrive in small living spaces such as apartments and can make do with a small yard, whereas larger dogs would have a great deal of difficulty living in these situations. Fortunately, meeting their other needs is just this simple.

            As with all dogs Chihuahuas should be fed regularly; they will eat both soft and dry food, but should be fed per meal rather than having their food left lying out for them. This will serve to prevent obesity when they approach their maturity. They also need to visit the vet regularly, particularly in their later years as Chihuahuas are prone to health problems later in life. They will need to receive heartworm medicine and rabies shots on an annual to biannual basis, depending on the part of the country they inhabit, and they will need to receive flea medicine regularly throughout the season. Giving Chihuahuas flea medicine is particularly important because fleas on a Chihuahua will cause them to chew their hair right down to the skin in order to rid themselves of the problem.

            A good veterinarian is going to be your best friend when managing the care of your Chihuahua; if you are unfamiliar with the breed you are going to want to find one that is familiar with their various idiosyncrasies and can help to educate you on the matter. Just as you would carefully research a pediatrician before placing your child in their care you should carefully interview your veterinarian. Discover their level of education, where they have practiced and how much experience they have had in dealing with Chihuahuas. Do not be afraid to ask your vet for references and to check their credentials; its all part of the game.

            They will need to be trained carefully; because of their small size it is very easy to fall into the “baby complex” and excuse their poor behavior. Do not allow your Chihuahua to behave in any manner that you would not excuse in a larger breed; while jumping up on strangers and growling at company may be cute in a puppy it will spoil an adult Chihuahua and turn them into the annoying ankle biters that they are reputed to be. Chihuahuas are extremely loyal to their masters and want to please them; training a Chihuahua is not a difficult proposition.

            The beauty of the small size of the Chihuahua dog is that it can be trained to use a litter box. Chihuahuas are notorious for their dislike of cold weather; in cold climates they are not going to want to go outdoors to do their business. By training them in the same persistent manner that you would any of their feline counterparts you can enjoy the benefits of having a completely indoor pet.

            Chihuahuas are delightful pets to have around, and are very easy to care for in the grand scheme. With proper care they can live as a house pet for up to eighteen years, guaranteeing lots of love and laughter for both you and your dog.

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