Chihuahua Personality, Feeding and Natural Health Care
By Annie Lucky, Dogwood-Lane Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are a hardy, lively and long lived little dog. They are very loving, protective and sensitive to the moods of their owners. They can be very playful and will fetch things for you just like a big dog. They are great companions to older folks as well as children, as long as children are taught to respect them and not handle them roughly or as a toy. They have a very acute sense of hearing and are brave little watch dogs, but they should not be allowed to be yappy or snappy just because they are so tiny, they have the same mind and manners of a larger dog and should be taught to behave in the same way.
With their tiny size they can be accidentally stepped on or even sat upon, so of course one has to account for this. Many years ago people used to complain that it was easy for them to break a leg if they jumped off a chair, but I would say this was more from bad diet or poor breeding, for they are also light weight and they are quite sturdy if fed and raised correctly. One shouldn't encourage them to leap off of high things of course nor set them up on the table where they might accidentally jump off.
Chihuahuas are supposed to be more like terriers in activity and energy, which means they would enjoy going for walks outdoors, even though an apartment gives them enough room to run. They are so cute and can beg so sweetly and pleadingly for food that sometimes they get overweight as they get older. And if there is another dog or cat in the house and they compete to claim and eat all the food first, they will definitely get overweight fast! If this is the case it would be better to feed each pet in a different room, or close the door and let each one in at a time to eat what it will in 5 minutes. If there is still food left after that then they are full. Two meals a day are fine for an adult.
The Chihuahua has beautiful large eyes( which should not bug out) and since he plays and runs so close to the ground he is more likely to get dust or dirt in his eyes, which then tear. I even had one get a scratched eye from tall grass. If this happens they can be treated with eye drops of colloidal silver, which you can get at a health food store. It is a very safe disinfectant. It helps heal up eye problems quickly and can prevent the brown stains at the corner of the eyes that happen with some light colored dogs, if used daily. I have used this for years for both myself and my dogs. Some years ago, it was used for newborn baby's eyes!
Dogs and especially older dogs can be prone to skin rashes, allergies and skin diseases if not properly fed. One of the best ways to prevent this is to give hardboiled egg twice a week or more. Eggs have sulfer and all kinds of good protein and lethicin that they need for a good fur coat! So many dogs now have allergies and I believe it is because of the foods they are fed. Event though there are some rather good dry foods, like Royal Canin, Bil-Jac, Solid Gold and Purina ProPlan Puppy which if several of them are mixed together and hardboiled egg also fed- can be sufficient- yet nothing compares to raw meat.
Even the "good" dry foods all have so much grain in them as well as chemical preservatives! Dogs for thousands of years have never eaten oats, rice, wheat, soybeans and cobs of corn, their digestive system is not adapted for grains or grazing. But unfortunately these are becoming more and more the second ingredient and often even the first. While the meat is meat-by products of digest or meal, which is everything not fit for humans, like guts and diseased parts. The ingredients in a bag of food are listed on the bag in the order of the amount, so if it has ground corn first, it could be 90% corn and 10% meat products next. If the meat is first it is likely to be like 25%, then three kinds of grains at 24% each which ends up about the same way- not much meat!
Most of these grains are left over from cattle feed, often being the moldy ones that aren't even fit for the cattle. They put them in dog feed as a filler, hoping it will just make a nice dry piece of kibble and quickly pass thru the dogs system before the toxic mold harms him. Since grain is similar to a laxative to dogs, it makes their stool big and bulky and often messy, while if they ate real meat as a dog was meant to do, their droppings are half that size and hardly smell because they have digested their food.
And about protein content, they can put in 20% meat by-products which might be only 8% protein and then soybean meal at 25% protein or corn gluten and wheat mids, none of which are good for dogs but are very high in protein in a form which has never been proven dogs can digest well... but then they can say the protein is like 33%. The dog may really only be getting 15% protein or less in a form that he can use. Then we wonder why dogs seem to be getting more allergies, tumors, cancer and heart disease just like people!
I feed raw meat and bones to my dogs whenever I can get them on sale, and have never had any problems with germs or bone splinters. Dogs have much stronger digestive juices then humans, they can actually dissolve the bones. You would think a little tiny Chihuahua is a delicate thing until you see her completely eat a whole raw chicken leg, bone and all! But never give cooked bones unless they are way too big to break apart since these don't digest well at all. All dogs who have had a chance to try it as puppies, love meat as their true food, and for extra vitamins, just give them some of the dry foods mentioned, every 3rd day or so or a dog vitamin. Also a product called Nutri-stat is great for vitamins and dogs almost always love it as a treat - just a little 1/2" squirt of the semi-sweet flavored nutrient gel a day is plenty for a Chihuahua.
There are great books on natural raw diets for dogs, and this doesn't mean vegetarian, we could be - but dogs aren't meant to be vegetarian. The best raw meats are lean hamburger, along with semi-cooked liver and raw heart and hardboiled or scrambled eggs. For a dog the size of a Chihuahua, you can afford to buy meat and eggs, especially when you find that the dry foods end up costing $2.00 a pound or more anyway, why not go ahead and feed the best! One warning about chicken though, chickens are fed antibiotics in their feed and may have higher concentrations in the meat then a big beef animal. So dont feed all chicken, even tho it is the least expensive.
If for any reason you must give antibiotics to your puppy or older Chihuahua, please be sure to give him a small spoon of plain yogurt mixed in his food for a week afterward, as antibiotics kill all the intestinal bacteria which make several vitamins and help keep his system healthy, and since the bad bacteria seem to grow the quickest, without the yogurt he can get fungus infections and other skin and immune problems. They were telling animal producers this long before they warned humans that the same applies to them, so at least sometimes the animals get top ranking in health care, even though it was meant for commercial food animals health!
In Chihuahuas, a breed characteristic that used to be considered the trait of a true Chihuahua is an open fontanel. In many of the toy breeds with large heads and short muzzles, which include the following: Pomeranians, Papillions, Pekingese, Pugs, English Toy Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Yorkies, Affenpinschers and Chihuahuas - some puppies are born with what are called open fonts. The fontanel is the location of the skull where all of the skull plates join. It is the soft spot at the top-center of a human baby's head. When babies - human and canine are born, the bony plates are somewhat soft and separated which makes it easier for them to be born. As they grow, these bones become more rigid and will gradually fuse together. It will take 2 - 5 months for this to happen.
In some pups they will never completely close, especially Chihuahuas who have quite large domed heads for their size. At one time it was very popular to show they were true Chihuahuas and not crossed with small terriers, but now they are getting away from it as it does pose a slight risk of injury. The dog is unaware of it and will be as happy and active as any other. You just must be sure a small child doesnt try to poke a pencil or something into that little soft spot. More often the show type Chihuahuas have this as they have the shorter noses and wider apple head then the older style pet type dogs who have narrower heads and longer noses - more terrier in style. Open fonts are not the same as hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain and is indicated by a bulge on the top of the head and disorientation. Never buy a pup with that condition as it can be fatal.
Unfortunately some Chihuahuas and other small breeds, can be prone to hypoglycemia, a condition of low blood sugar similar to diabetics. Although it may happen occasionally in younger puppies who miss a meal for many hours or who are stressed by over handling, I believe it is a tendancy that is genetic in origin as certain lines of Chihuahuas all seem to have it while others don't. It can kill a puppy or even an older dog who has it. When puppies are first weaned from their mother or later separated from brothers or sisters, they may become depressed and need to be watched and encouraged to eat some food they like. Signs of hypoglycemia are a wobbly walk like they are drunk and falling down for no reason, grayish gums instead of pink and in worse cases seizures and unconsciousness. They can usually be brought around quickly with honey or sugar water or karo syrup rubbed on the gums and tongue. Give them some food and some Nutri-stat Vitamin gel which most puppies like. If this happens in a puppy once it is settled in and is not stressed, then take it to the vet right away to make sure of the cause. For if a puppy is accidentally dropped by a child and lands on its big head, it can also have seizures. Make sure a new puppy has plently of water and free choice food high quality food, when it gets older and has no problems just feed twice a day.
Loose kneecaps and elbows are common in the tiny toy breeds as they have not been bred out because of any need for strength or rigorous activity such as a police dog or a hunting Pointer or Retriever might need. In mild cases there will be no signs nor will it cause any problems, but if a bad case it can cause pain in that leg and cause the dog to limp. There are 5 grades of luxating patellas(kneecaps). Try to get a pup who doesn't have this problem to begin with or at least with the very mildest grade of 1-2. Sometimes a very small or delicate pup will have grade 1 or 2 and will grow out of it as he exercises and matures. Large dogs are tested for hip displacia, it has 4 grades and it is rare to get Germans Shepherds without some degree of it but Chihuahuas rarely have. it. I have had loose jointed elbows and shoulders all my life and it has never caused my any problems and Ido alot of physical work. Sometimes giving extra Vitamin and not overfeeding a puppy so that he is always pudgy and plump, can prevent some of these joint problems.
Hernias are more common in the heavy bodied small breeds like Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Pugs, Lhasas and Chins, but even Chihuahuas can have them. They are either naval (belly button) or inguinal hernias. They are more cosmetic in nature and rarely cause any problems. These take just a minor surgery to correct if you want, when the puppy is spayed or neutered.
Chihuahuas often have shorter muzzles, so that their teeth can be crowded together. It is good for them to chew raw bones or dry crunchy food to help keep their teeth clean and of course no candy, which is as bad for dogs as it is for people's teeth. Variety in food is good, just make sure changes are done gradually, mixing some of the old and new food together for a few days. Give them small raw beef bones or rib bones to chew on. Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out and will need to be pulled as they stay in next to the mature tooth. If their teeth get brown around the tops by the gums, they need to be cleaned by a vet. Again much of this tooth decay is from un-natural food, wolves and coyotes don't ever get their teeth cleaned or flossed and they do fine!
Other basic Chihuahua care is to keep toenails trimmed so the dog doesnt't skid around on hard floors. When bathing rinse three times to be sure no soap is left on the skin. Sometimes anal glands can get impacted and if you see the dog scooting its rear around on the floor that or worms may be the cause. Usually with a good diet and raw meat and bones, the glands have no problems. Have a vet check for worms though, every 6 months if the dog ever goes outdoors.
Sometimes a puppy or adult dog will have diarrhea. This can happen if he eats something unusual off the ground like a big bug or some left over junk food. This can also happen if he eats too much food at a time or if the brands of food or diet are changed too quickly. But sometimes there are other more serious causes like coccidiosis or several other similar acting communicable diseases. It is good to have you dog tested by a Veterinarian in this case, especially if it lasts more then 2 days and he acts sickly or has blood in the diarrhea. I have found one rememdy that has worked for this, that is all natural. It is included on a separate page. Dogs will often eat grass and then throw it up or throw up when car-sick, this is natural and causes no problems.
All in all, Chihuahuas are a great little dog! They are so easy to take with you on a trip in a little carrier or fancy purse. They can be obedience trained just like any other dog to come and to lay down and to not bark when told. They are easy to carry and clean up after for older people and they are not intimidating and rough for gentle children.
Neutering and spaying. Chihuahua males should be neutered quite early at 4 months since they mature at 6 and will start lifting their leg all over the house to mark their territory. They are so tiny and so quick about it, they are very hard to teach not to. And while to them it is great, to us it stinks! Females should be spayed around 6 months so they won't accidentally be bred by a larger dog which could kill them when it comes time to have puppies if you dont get a c-section in time.. This is very costly and you would have a litter of cross-bred pups to take care of. So please spay or neuter.
Chihuahuas will really stick up for themselves when they meet other dogs and should be socialized to learn to get along with other dogs early if you have more then one pet, since sometimes they learn that if they are real growly and snarly they get the food from the bigger dog, but someday that bigger dog may get even and then they won't stand a chance. I had that happen with a very bold and bossy little Chihuahua female and a female German Shepherd. The Chihuahua female would come and steal the Shepherds food, though she had her own, and the Shepherd put up with it tolerantly and politely, but then one day she didn't.
Chihuahuas come in both short and long coated varieties and the long haired are nice for colder climates. A Chihuahua should not constantly skake and shiver, this is another inherited trait, for I have seen some do it all the time in warm weather and others who don't do it even in the coldest weather! This was one of the reasons it took me years to even consider getting a Chihuahua, I thought they were wimpy, sissy, bug eyed little dogs, but they definitely are not! Chihuahuas are the Greatest!!
My email is gardenan2@gmail.com if you decide you really are interested in a Chihuahua puppy!
(Below 7 week old Chihuahua puppies really enjoying raw meaty bones to chew on.)
