Heartland Chihuahua

Heartland Chihuahua

CKC Registered

Home Rasied Puppies

Tips & Treats

Tips

We would like to share what we've learned about Chihuahuas during our journey to become hobby breeders. One of the first things we discovered is the importance of using distilled or purified water in your Chihuahua's water dish. This can help reduce eye staining, which may be caused by minerals present in their water.

Adding cooked white rice to their diet can effectively address issues with runny stool.

Adding a few drops of water to their wet dog food also helps with digestion.

We strongly recommend having your Chihuahua spayed or neutered. This practice eliminates the risk of cancer in the reproductive organs and reduces the chances of birth complications in females. Accidental breeding with larger breeds than Chihuahuas can result in fatal outcomes for the females. Neutering males will significantly decrease wandering tendencies, aggressive behaviors, and territorial marking.

Occasional episodes of sneezing, snorting, honking, and wheezing are not uncommon in chihuahuas; this phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a "reverse sneeze." It is typically triggered by a temporarily misaligned elongated soft palate, a prevalent trait among toy breeds. Activities such as tugging forcefully on a leash, drinking too rapidly, or becoming excessively excited can provoke these instances of reverse sneezing. It is crucial, however, not to mistake this for a distinct condition known as a "collapsed trachea."

While reverse sneezing might seem alarming, it is usually brief in duration and can be alleviated by gently massaging the dog's neck and throat, encouraging swallowing or licking. Employing techniques like clapping your hands to divert the dog's attention or gently pinching its nostrils closed with your fingers, thereby prompting it to breathe through its mouth and swallow, can also help mitigate the reverse sneezing episodes.

Puppies should be bathed as needed using a mild, puppy-safe shampoo and kept warm, away from drafts until they are completely dry. For Chihuahuas, particularly those with long hair, regular brushing is essential. Make sure to also brush your Chihuahua's teeth regularly and provide suitable chew toys. It's important to have your veterinarian examine their teeth on a yearly basis, as poorly maintained teeth could potentially lead to other health issues.

To maintain your Chihuahua's ears, use a cotton ball and a gentle ear cleanser specifically designed for dogs. If you notice redness, irritation, or a brown residue inside the ear, it's advisable to have your dog checked by a veterinarian.

Keep your Chihuahua's nails trimmed consistently and ensure their anal glands are expressed. If you're uncomfortable performing these tasks, it's a good idea to have your vet or a professional groomer handle them. If left untreated, unexpressed anal glands can lead to bursting, causing significant discomfort for your pet. Additionally, untrimmed nails can result in splayed feet and discomfort while walking for your furry companion.

Treats

Our adult Chihuahuas start their day with a fun activity, a free-for-all! We take freeze-dried beef liver bites, "see below" cut into small cubes, and toss them in the air all at once. This allows the dogs to run around, searching for the delicious snacks. Additionally, both the adult Chihuahuas and puppies enjoy a treat consisting of white American cheese and sliced baby carrots. To ensure the safety of the puppies, the carrots are matchstick cut to prevent choking.

Later in the day, both the adults and puppies receive another delightful treat. It could be sliced turkey, ground beef, or beef tips - they all love it! Another beloved treat for both the adults and puppies are marrow bones, which can be found in the meat department of your local grocery store. We don’t recommend cooked bones as they may splinter.

Treats:

We prefer to give Chihuahuas treats that are more natural, rather than processed commercial products, in order to limit their intake of artificial ingredients.

All Beef Hot Dogs un-cooked sliced very small
Baby Carrots matchstick cut
Beef Tips sliced very small
Ground Beef cooked
Ground Chicken cooked
Marrow Bones
Turkey Cold Cuts
White American Cheese sliced into smaller pieces

Marrow Bones

Snacks:

Snacks are commercial products that we allow the Chihuahuas to have on occasion. Below is a list of products we have used for both the adult dogs and puppies.

Heartland Chihuahua does not endorse or receive

any compensation from the following products.

Adult Dogs only

Adult Dogs and Puppies

Adult Dogs Only

Adult Dogs and Puppies

Adult Dogs only

Adult Dogs and Puppies

Adult Dogs and Puppies

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Heartland Chihuahua - Central, Florida

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