But how much attention will a Chihuahua need, and why exactly are Chihuahuas so clingy? Let’s take a closer look…

Why is my Chihuahua so clingy? Chihuahuas are renowned as having a clingy nature due to how they have been bred; as dogs designed for human companionship in more modern times. Because of this, Chihuahua will follow their owners everywhere and are prone to suffering with separation anxiety.

If you don’t think you can handle this neediness, a Chihuahua really isn’t the dog for you. They will constantly need you to be in close attention, so won’t suit someone with a busy lifestyle you cannot give the Chihuahua the attention it needs.

If this is going to annoy you, look at different smaller dog breeds that are known to be more independent such as Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, Miniature Pinschers, and Scottish Terriers.

Do Chihuahuas require a lot of attention?

Because of their clingy nature, Chihuahuas are rather manic dogs and are also rather susceptible to separation anxiety, meaning that they dislike being left at home for even short periods of time. Here’s a list of things you might not be able to do due to how much attention Chihuahuas need:

• You might not be able to leave the house.
• You might not be able to shut them in a room when the doorbell goes.
• You might not be able to cuddle your partner or kids.
• You might not be able to go to the toilet without them barking and scratching at the door.
• You might not be able to go to work from 9 to 5 without doggy daycare help.
• You might not be able to leave them in the car for a few minutes when you run in a store.

However, because of their small size they are also easy to take with you. Leaving your Chihuahua at home on its own for a long period of time can lead to destructive behaviour, either from anxiety or boredom.

If you have things like work commitments, or a life so busy that you can’t give the Chihuahua the attention it needs then don’t get one. The other alternative is to possibly think about getting more than one Chihuahua… many owners say Chihuahuas are better in pairs.

The bottom line is this; Chihuahuas require a lot of attention and if you can’t give them that it could not only impact on their mental health, but also cause you untold problems around your home.

Do Chihuahuas get attached to one person?

In many cases, Chihuahuas do become attached to just the one person. Their chief care giver will become the focus on their world and can result in clingy behavior, and sometimes even aggression towards others.

However, this isn’t a blanket rule by any stretch, but compared to other dog breeds, Chihuahuas do tend to be very clingy towards just one person.

My Chihuahua has just started getting more clingy than usual

Whilst the majority of Chihuahuas have a large degree of clinginess, sometimes the clingy behaviour can accelerate and become more intense than usual.

There are some common reasons for this including:

1. A change in your behavior: for example, if you have started a new job or have changed the times you come in and out of the house.
2. A new person in the house: Chihuahuas have known to become clingier when a new arrival comes into the house. That could be a baby, a visitor, or a new partner who takes the attention away from them.
3. A change to their environment: if you move to a new house, or even move their bed into a new room, this could trigger your Chihuahua’s anxiety, making them even more needy than before.
4. A change in their health: other aspects that make your Chihuahua more clingy than usual can be their own health. For example, if their eyesight or hearing has started to reduce, and they get scared.
5. A sudden noise or act of aggression: classic Chihuahua neediness can be triggered by the stress of fireworks or an aggressive interaction they have had with another dog.
6. A lack of mental stimulation: all dogs like to play, and if your Chihuahua doesn’t have enough toys, he could become more needy and clingy around you.
7. A case of separation anxiety: Chihuahuas cannot be left alone for longer than an hour or two. Any more than that and they could develop separation anxiety, but more about that in a moment.

What does Chihuahua separation anxiety look like?

These factors above all come into play with separation anxiety. Chihuahuas should not be left alone for hours, as they simply won’t be able to cope with the stress.

The signs below are classic signals to look out for if your Chihuahua is suffering separation anxiety:

• Urinating and defecating in a new place (here’s how to retrain them).
• Pacing, heavy panting, and drooling.
• Barking and howling more than usual.
• Digging your garden, chewing your stuff, and being destructive.
• Trying to escape the yard or house – like under or over fences.

You can reduce your Chihuahua’s separation anxiety when you leave your home by adopting the following routines:

• Always stay calm and put them at ease.
• Don’t make a big thing of it when you leave the house.
• Calm them when they try and wait outside a bathroom door for you.
• Build them a safe and comfortable place to sleep in.
• Only leave the house for short absences at first.
• Use positive reinforcement.
• Keep your Chihuahua happy and entertained with toys.
• Keep your Chihuahua well exercised to burn off excess energy.
• Employ a dog walker or doggy day care if you are away for a few hours.
• Speak with your vet for professional advice and possible medication.

Check if your Chihuahua is happy (and smiling)

If you still not sure whether your Chihuahua is happy or not, then you might want to check out other signs to look out for.

Conclusion

If you want a dog that doesn’t require constant attention, a Chihuahua really isn’t for you. They are renowned as being clingy and needy and cannot be left alone at home.

However, if it’s a side by side companion you want who will be your life partner until the end, a Chihuahua is a great choice.

But before you do jump in and buy one, please do your research first. Chihuahuas are renowned for suffering with a range of health issues, some of which I’ve detailed in the blog posts below.

• Pray for the day that your Chihuahua finally calms down
• How to deal with a snoring Chihuahua so you finally get the sleep you need

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/xTJ4ZtPD__8

The post Why Are Chihuahuas So Clingy? The Attention They Need Might Shock You! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Are Chihuahuas calm dogs? I would say Chihuahuas are not calm (as a sweeping generalisation). This is primarily due to their terrier-like characteristics, alert and playful traits, and what can often be a suspicious nature around strangers.

Chihuahuas appear to have a lot more energy than your average small dog breed and, as a result, are a lot more hyperactive and quite low down on the calm scale – this is very anecdotal and purely based on my experience!

Chihuahuas aren’t always hyper though and some can be calm… but there are a lot of facets involved. For example, a Chihuahua’s level of hyperactivity will vary dramatically depending on their age.

When do Chihuahuas calm down? When a Chihuahua reaches the one year old, you should expect them to calm down a lot over the subsequent 6 to 12 months. Although your Chihuahua may continue to be hyper after two years, it will never be to the same extent of them in their adolescent age. Again, this is a generalisation.

To learn more about the average Chihuahua’s hyperactivity and the best ways you can calm them down, and whether neutering them can have an effect, read on!

The causes of a hyper Chihuahua who won’t calm down

There are many reasons why your Chihuahua might seem overly hyperactive, but some of the most common factors and causes are listed below.

1. Immaturity

Chihuahuas are an interesting breed, because whilst they can physically mature very quickly to their adult size, but inside they’ve still got the mind of a puppy!

It can take some time for your Chihuahua’s mental maturity to catch up with their physical maturity, and a lot of the time your dog might be full of seemingly limitless energy because they have not yet fully developed the capacity to self-regulate their energy levels.

Their hyperactivity peaks and troughs throughout their life, so below is a rough guide:

2 to 4 months

At this age, your Chihuahua will be very excited and fascinated by everything. They’ll be moderately hyper, but will have a significant lack in focus, and it isn’t uncommon for them to be full of energy one minute and crashing the next during this stage of development.

4-12 months

This is probably the age where your Chihuahua will be the most hyper it will ever be. It will have a lot of pent-up energy, so it is important that they have plenty of opportunity to healthily release it via exercise or playtime. If not, you risk instilling harmful behaviour patterns.

12 to 24 months

Your Chihuahua will still be moderately hyper at this stage, but this is the period where most Chihuahua owners will notice a turning point. Yes, your Chihuahua will still appear more hyper than the average dog at this time, and this is because the gap between the physical and the mental development is most pronounced.

Handy Hint: One part of a hyper Chihuahua will be their tendency to bite your ankles all the time, and here’s why and how to stop it.

But, with patience and plenty of means to healthily expel of excess energy, you can feel assured that at this stage, your Chihuahua will calm down considerably.

24 months+

Another notable benchmark many Chihuahua owners mention is around two and a half years. This should be the time where the mental development starts to match up with the physical development of your dog, meaning that now they can be considered as fully being in the ‘adult’ stage.

They will still have their moments, but at this point they will ideally have an established routine and exercise regime that keeps their energy levels at bay.

8 years+

This is the stage at which a Chihuahua can be considered as being a senior dog. When they get to this age, they will be a lot more inclined to relax and snooze as opposed to charging around, but you should still keep up with their exercise.

2. A lack of physical and mental stimulation

As we have seen from the above, the key to controlling a hyperactive Chihuahua is routine – this can have a huge calming effect. Their routine should involve enough exercise that not only challenges their body, but their mind too.

Chihuahuas should have one 30 minute walk a day. If your walks are shorter or you’re skipping out on the play, it is likely that your Chihuahua isn’t expelling as much energy as it needs to, which then manifests in more hyperactive behaviour.

The same can be said, in turn, for a lack of mental stimulation. Chihuahuas, are incredibly intelligent creatures for a tiny dog breed. Subsequently, if they aren’t intellectually challenged, they will get hyper and restless and won’t calm down easily.

There are many easy ways to mentally stimulate your dog, such as teaching them tricks and commands or providing them with interactive toys where they have to work for their treats.

This should be done regularly, and with the right combination of physical and mental exercise, you will most likely see an improvement in your Chihuahuas’ behaviour and temperament.

They just need to be challenged in order to calm down.

3. A lack of attention

All dogs need love, and Chihuahuas are especially affectionate, widely renowned for their temperament as a companion dog. It is important to take the time to play with your Chihuahua, even if it’s a quick game indoors for ten minutes or a few cuddles and treats.

If your Chihuahua feels lonely or isolated, they might begin to develop unhealthy behaviour patterns such as hyperactivity, as if they barely get any time with you, when they eventually do, they’ll likely get overexcited and overwhelmed.

4. Hyperkinesis

Also known as canine ADHD (read more on the US National Library), this condition is rare in dogs but may well be the case if your Chihuahua is inexplicably hyper.

However, hyperactivity alone is not a symptom of hyperkinesis. Other symptoms of hyperkinesis include:

• Attention seeking behaviour – including being very clingy
• Short attention spans.
• Impulsive nature.

So, if your Chihuahua is always hyper, and these behaviours are displayed alongside some of these other seemingly inexplicable symptoms, it is a good idea to take them to the you’re your vet will be able to diagnose and treat with a combination of medication and specialist training.

How to calm down your Chihuahua

If your Chihuahua is always hyper, here’s what to do. There are several steps you can take in order to tackle that behaviour in a positive, long-term manner.

• Teach your Chihuahua tricks: it will make them more disciplined, occupy their mind and provide them with some much-needed mental stimulation.
• Offer them breaks from playing: and provide them with an area to retreat as mentioned, Chihuahuas struggle to self-regulate, so encouraging them to rest and giving them an area to associate with relaxation helps them to learn to develop healthy boundaries.
• Make their exercise more challenging: when on walks, trying using an extended lead so they are free to run, or maybe set up very small jumps in your yard to encourage their inner athlete!
• Reassess their current routine: as mentioned above, if your Chihuahua seems unusually hyperactive, you should ask yourself whether they are getting the appropriate amount of physical and mental exercise. Chihuahuas thrive on routine, so if they are getting less than what is recommended, the simple answer to is up their activity and make a new routine! You’ll definitely see the difference within a week.
• Consider neutering: whilst this isn’t a quick fix, if neutered early, your Chihuahua might calm down and not grow up to be as hyper. More on this in the next section.

Handy Hint: No matter how naughty your Chihuahua is, you should never shout at them. Here are better ways of discipling this breed instead.

Do Chihuahuas calm down after neutering?

There’s a common belief that Chihuahuas calm down after neutering. Whilst there is some degree of truth to this statement, it’s not always the case. It will depend on the age they get neutered, and what behaviours they might have already learned to enjoy.

The reason the answer isn’t as clear cut as you might think, we need to understand the effects of neutering. Not only does the removal of the male Chihuahua’s testicles render him infertile, but it will also prevent him from producing testosterone.

A Chihuahua with no testosterone can display some subtle behavioural changes. But that doesn’t mean he will necessarily get calmer, and here’s why…

At around 6 months old, the testosterone levels in a male Chihuahua puppy will rise dramatically. This can lead to behavioural issues such as:

• Increased aggression.
• Increased self-confidence.
• Increased risk taking.
• Increased fear response.
• Increased territorial behavior (such as urine marking).
• Increased sex drive.
• Increased desire to roam.
• Reduced ability to calm down.

Based on that, you would assume that by neutering your Chihuahua, he should calm down. That would make to sense anyone reading this, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

For example, if you neuter a Chihuahua before he hits the puberty stage where the testosterone levels jump, it’s probable that he won’t exhibit the issues listed above.

However, if you neuter your Chihuahua after this point, he will have learned those behaviours, and possibly found them fun and exciting. As a result, even after neutering and with a lack of testosterone, he could still exhibit these behaviours, rather than calming down.

But, it’s still important to understand that your hyper Chihuahua could be acting the way he is due to his libido. And this is one thing that neutering will definitely have a calming effect on – no matter what the age of your dog.

Here’s what vets say you might expect after neutering:

• Libido driven behaviour will definitely reduce.
• Aggression could reduce (the biting can stop).
• Territorial behaviour could reduce.

It’s unlikely that your Chihuahua’s personality will be changed dramatically. He is probably still going to be a happy dog but could still display hyper tendencies!

So, to conclude, neutering can calm a Chihuahua down sometimes and if the hyper behaviour is related to sex drive and if done before a puberty. However, if neutering is done at an older age, their hyper habits could be harder to break!

Conclusion

With their hyperactive nature, Chihuahuas need owners who are patient and who can keep up with their mood swings.

Although it can be intense looking after a Chihuahua sometimes, you just need to be resilient, receptive and have faith that things will calm down as and when they get older.

You might also like…

Here are some more Chihuahua guides recently published:

• Reasons for red eye in Chihuahuas
• How to reduce your Chihuahua’s snoring problem

Image in header licensed via Storyblocks.com.

The post When Do Chihuahuas Calm Down? + Neutering Effects on Hyper Behavior appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Why does my Chihuahua have red eyes? A Chihuahua with red eyes could be suffering with a number of different eye problems including cherry eye (tear gland inflammation), dry eye where the tear ducts stop producing tears, or it could be an allergy if your Chihuahua’s eyes are bloodshot.

I will now explain the different eye problems your Chihuahua may suffer from, in particular focusing in on red or bloodshot eyes as these are the most common complaints.

It includes what causes Chihuahua cherry eye, dry eye, and allergic reactions, with some information on treatment and when you should call your vet.

Are red eyes normal for Chihuahuas?

Chihuahuas have a lot of characteristics most other dog breeds do not. That squashed face and yes, and a muzzle that’s short and flat. One characteristic any healthy Chihuahua should not have red eyes. Like any dog, the whites of a Chihuahua’s eyes should be, well, white.

If they’re not, there are several reasons for it.

What does it mean if my Chihuahua has red eyes?

In the intro, I mentioned there are three causes of red or bloodshot eyes in Chihuahuas. These are tear gland inflammation, dry eye, or possibly an allergy in most cases where you see a bloodshot appearance. Here are some more details on those red eye causes.

Chihuahua cherry eye (tear gland inflammation)

If your Chihuahua has what looks like a small red cherry in the corner of their eye, then it’s most likely going to be tear gland inflammation. This inflammation, also known as cherry eye, could cause eye duct slippage if the glands become swollen enough.

Red cherry eye affects the tear duct gland, causing it to swell up and look reddened. In the worst of cases, the gland could move from its natural positioning because it’s gotten so big and swollen.

That would be considered a more severe case of cherry eye, as it may impact your Chihuahua’s vision at that point.

While a small case of cherry eye doesn’t hurt your Chihuahua, you still need to go to the vet as if not given treatment it could go onto become a more serious issue in the future.

Chihuahua cherry eye can also be combined with red bloodshot eyes, some visible discharge and lots of blinking. It can be clear up by itself, or your vet may decide to perform a small corrective surgery.

Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

The next reason your Chihuahua has red eyes could be dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Dry eye is painful and necessitates a vet trip.

If your Chihuahua’s tear glands look okay but their eyes are still somewhat red, then more than likely, they have dry eye. Another dead giveaway with dry eye is if your Chihuahua blinks a lot. They’re trying to lubricate their eyes, but it won’t work. You might also see a yellow discharge and swelling of the eyelids.

A Chihuahua with dry eye cannot produce tears, leading to a lack of lubrication. Dry eye can affect people as well as pets.

Not only does dry eye hurt a lot, but it can cause long-term trouble as well. Without the lubrication provided by tears, the eye can no longer combat debris and irritants from settling on its surface.

These could either irritate the eye further, making dry eye even more painful, or scratch the delicate parts of the eye.

Chihuahuas are already quite prone to traumatic eye injuries such as scratches. It’s something you should do your best to safeguard your dog from, such as removing any items with pointy edges that are at the Chihuahua’s eye height.

Without proper treatment, red and dry eyes can become scarred leading to permanent vision loss. Vets will treat dry eye with a combination of eye drops, pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and possibly a course of antibiotics.

Why does my Chihuahua have bloodshot eyes?

If your Chihuahua has bloodshot eyes and you cannot see any visible signs of swelling, a lack of tears, or a red cherry eye, then it could simply be an allergy… or possibly even tiredness. Here’s what it could mean…

Bloodshot eyes due to allergies

Chihuahua eye allergies can typically be recognized by not just red bloodshot eyes, but also a clear discharge with no discoloration.

An allergy can develop very quickly and could be caused by something as simple as getting dust, dust mites, pollen, or even mold in their eyes.

There are two types of allergies that can result in bloodshot eyes:

• Airborne allergies: think of things such as grass, dust, pollen, and other small particles that can get into your Chihuahua’s eye in the wind.
• Contact allergies: these can occur just by touch alone. Some Chihuahuas can be allergic to something as simple as a food bowl, fabric conditioner in their bedding, or even a favorite toy.

If it is an allergy it’s very likely that both eyes will be bloodshot at the same time, rather than cherry eye which can be isolated to just one eye.

Other Chihuahua eye problems

Aside from your Chihuahua having red and bloodshot eyes, there are other eye and visual problems this breed can suffer from. Other eye problems include:

• Eye inflammation and irritation: as well as allergies, Chihuahuas can also develop eye problems with sleep dust. It can be treated with an eye ointment if you see any swelling or excessive blinking combined with an obvious sign of debris.
• Eyelash abnormalities: these can include trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectopic cilia. It means the eyelashes can either become in-grown, grow from an abnormal place on the eyelid, and even come up through the eyelid’s inside. This can damage your Chihuahua’s eyes, the cornea particularly.
• Entropion: entropion is another common Chihuahua eye problem, occurring when eyelid hairs connect and rub the cornea. It’s irritating to the eye and the eyelid margin will roll out. It’s common with Chihuahua puppies, and many will actually grow out of it.
• Corneal abrasions and ulcerations: corneal ulcers often occur with Chihuahuas and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds who have bulging eyes. An ulcer or abrasion can be the next stage after dry eye.
• Pigmentary keratitis: if you see a brown/black color across the surface of your Chihuahua’s eye then it’s most likely a case of pigmentary keratitis. This is where pigmented melanin granules are deposited into the eye and is very common with brachycephalic dog breeds.

Chihuahua cherry eye treatment

There are two ways in which a vet will treat cherry eye in a dog.

1. Medical management: vets will prescribe a steroid ointment eye drop that encourages your Chihuahua’s red eye gland to return back to its natural position. If the treatment is unsuccessful then the next stage would be surgery. They might also recommend that the eye is massaged.
2. Surgical procedure: vets will prefer to not remove the red eye gland if at all possible, but this can happen in more serious cases. Your vet could recommend a procedure to re-position the gland into the conjunctiva instead.

Whilst I always recommend you talk with your vet as soon as you see any red in your Chihuahua’s eyes, some owners have successfully treated their dogs themselves… if it’s something like an allergy or a dry eye problem.

Here are some suggestions I found online for treating Chihuahuas with red eyes.

Home remedies

Okay, so you’ve taken a closer look at your Chihuahua’s red eyes and you’re pretty sure it’s either an allergy or dry eye. The question becomes, what can you do for your dog?

It turns out, plenty. Here are some home remedies and treatment methods you can try for your poor Chihuahua.

1. Herbs

Several herbs and herbal products could alleviate the redness of the dog’s eyes as well as any discomfort they may be in. The first of these is eyebright.

Eyebright is an herb (yes, that’s the real name) that you can use to make a natural eye drop that should treat your Chihuahua’s eyes. You only need a small quantity of eyebright, about an ounce. Then, steep it in boiling water. At the very least, keep the herb in the water for 60 minutes, but it’s better if you can do it overnight.

Then, the next morning, apply the drops to your Chihuahua’s eyes. Do this up to four times in a day if your dog really needs it.

Besides eyebright, marigold is another herb to have. It contains zeaxanthin, a type of carotenoid. Astaxanthin, an algae, is one to use as well, as it’s packed with stuff that’s good for eyes, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants.

2. Change your Chihuahua’s diet

Yes, what your pup eats can play a role in the health of their peepers. Stop buying the packaged dog kibble and incorporate a diet that includes sardines, kale, broccoli, blueberries, pumpkin, and carrots.

Why those foods in particular?

Well, sardines have omega oils for eye health, kale and broccoli contains phytonutrients, and blueberries antioxidants. Orange veggies such as pumpkin and carrots are loaded with carotenoids.

3. Keep your Chihuahua’s eye clean

This is a good one to do even if your Chihuahua’s eyes aren’t red. You only need gauze or a cotton cloth and some warm water to clean your dog’s eye area.

If you do use a gauze, make sure it’s at least 4×4. Also, don’t reuse them. In lieu of water, you can always try saline solution, but make sure it’s warm.

As you clean, begin in the center, moving towards the part of your Chihuahua’s eye that’s nearest their snout. Make sure you go extremely slowly and carefully so you don’t accidentally hurt your dog.

When to call a vet

You may opt to start with some home remedies if you see your Chihuahua has red eyes. You can also skip that and go straight to the vet if you’re very concerned.

To be honest, I would always consult with a vet first, and don’t place too much faith in home-based remedies.

If your Chihuahua has never exhibited red eyes before, then a vet appointment is undoubtedly in order. You want to make sure this symptom isn’t part of a larger, possibly more serious issue.

There are several signs that your dog needs professional treatment. If your Chihuahua seems averse to you cleaning their eyes, that’s a pretty big indicator.

Other signs include your Chihuahua keeping their eyes closed more than open, crying out, trying to rub at the eye with their paw, or having an illness or fever that precedes the eye redness.

Your vet will start with a checkup, then do some testing to confirm the diagnosis of your Chihuahua’s red eyes.

If it’s a case of dry eye, then they’ll likely prescribe you a medication for the dog. This can simulate tears while triggering your Chihuahua’s tear ducts to make their own natural tears.

What about cherry eye?

That’s treatable by a veterinarian as well. Eye drops can eliminate this condition if your Chihuahua has never had cherry eye before.

In the most serious cases, such as when the tear ducts pop up and move, your vet can push the tear duct where it should be with sutures.

If that doesn’t work, then they’ll try to reposition the gland or take the tear duct out entirely. Your Chihuahua would need a recurring prescription for eyedrops to maintain eye moisture from that point forward. Otherwise, they’ll get dry eye.

Handy Hint: All dogs will occasionally get a hard crust in their eyes. A lot of the time, you can soften your dog’s eye boogers at home and then work to clean them safely.

Conclusion

You wake up ready to greet the day and go about your normal routine, but then you notice there’s something wrong with your precious Chihuahua’s eyes. They look very red when they’re usually not.

Has your Chihuahua had some sort of allergic reaction? Should be you concerned? Why does your Chihuahua have red eyes?

If your Chihuahua has red eyes, you shouldn’t write this off as something normal. It could be that the dog has tear gland inflammation, also known as cherry eye. With this, the tear ducts become large and swollen.

Dry eye, where natural tear production ceases and the eyes lose lubrication, can also cause reddened, painful eyes.

While lots of home remedies exist to treat a variety of canine eye conditions, sometimes these don’t quite do the trick.

Rather than let your Chihuahua suffer in agony, take them to a vet if the remedies don’t treat the red eye in a few days. Your vet can prescribe you drops and other medications that will have your Chihuahua’s eyes looking healthy and normal again in no time.

You might also like…

• How to stop your Chihuahua from snoring so much
• When you can expect your Chihuahua to calm down
• What your Chihuahua’s runny nose means

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/chihuahua-dog-pet-animal-453063/

The post Why Does My Chihuahua Have Red Eyes? (Or Bloodshot Eyes) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

The simplest way to stop your Chihuahua snoring is to move them. Everybody knows this, so I won’t go into too much detail on this one; in truth, it only stops the snoring for a short time anyway before they start again!

If you do want some peace and quiet with the best ways to stop your Chihuahua snoring without having to resort to invasive and painful surgery, read on!

How to stop my Chihuahua snoring at night

Before getting into the detail on the Chihuahua snoring problem, just a very quick primer: Chihuahuas can’t help snoring. As a brachycephalic breed and how they have been bred, they will snore more than most breeds.

And if you think it’s bad now, wait until your Chihuahua gets older. With old age comes even more snoring as the muscles in their airways weaken and they start putting the pounds on – all of which leads to more snores.

There is a surgical solution called stenotic nares surgery which will open up your Chihuahua’s nostrils wider. However, unless completely medical necessary, you might want to look as non-surgical snoring remedies first.

Speaking of which, the first few items here on how to stop your Chihuahua snoring could help.

19 Chihuahua snoring remedies

1. Prop them on a pillow when sleeping

When Chihuahuas sleep, they can restrict their airways due to the angle they lie at. You could prevent snoring by having them propped up against a pillow with their head raised up.

2. Give them a bed with raised up sides

If you want to give your Chihuahua an extra element of luxury, you can still use the head prop up method, but with a brand-new bed instead.

You can buy ones to fit Chihuahuas that come with raised sides or built-in pillows – here’s one on Amazon.

3. Give them a rounder bed

Another bed option would be a round and circular bed (see on Amazon).

According to my vet, if you can encourage your Chihuahua to curl up when asleep, it can take the pressure off their oesophagus, giving more room for air to come in and out when breathing.

4. Keep their air fresh and circulating

A Chihuahua that sleeps in a hot and stuffy room will be a Chihuahua that snores. It will block their nasal passages so make sure there’s fresh air circulating around, without of course making it too cold.

5. Don’t expose them to second-hand smoke

Dogs are affected by cigarette smoke, and smoky environments are one of the leading causes of Chihuahua snoring. Smoke increases phlegm in their throat, and further constricts their air passages… it can also lead to canine heart disease according to VetStreet.com.

6. Increase air moisture with a humidifier

Continuing on with the theme of air quality, if it’s too dry it will irritate your Chihuahua’s throat and nose – it’s a big issue in hotter climates for small dogs like this.

But you can help by using a humidifier (view on Amazon) that will put moisture into the air, thus reducing snoring.

7. Ask the vet to perform an allergy check

Your Chihuahuas snoring could be allergy related. Just like us, dogs can be allergic to pollen and dust, and it will make their snoring worse. I also recommend keeping them away from busy roads, as exhausts can cause similar issues – then ask your vet to test them for allergies.

8. Keep their bed linen clean

To help with this, keep their bed and linen clean. You don’t need to be constantly washing it, you could perhaps vacuum the bed every two days, and do a full machine wash every two weeks to remove any potential allergens.

9. Keep their weight in check

Excess weight leads to snoring as it puts additional flesh and pressure on the pharynx or soft palate. If your Chihuahua is overweight, it could be that just by getting their weight down to a respectable level with dieting you help resolve their snoring problem.

10. Keep them active

As well as making changes to your Chihuahua’s diet, make sure you keep them regularly exercised. They don’t need a lot, just a couple of short walks a day or 30 minutes of total activity should be enough.

11. Check if it’s a side effect of medication

If your Chihuahua is on a daily medicine routine, then the drugs might possibly be the root cause of the snoring problem. Some dog medicines such as antihistamines, muscle relaxants, pain killers, and sedatives are known to contain elements that relax throat muscles and create snore vibrations.

12. Check for blockages airway blockages

If your Chihuahua has suddenly started snoring, then check their throat and nasal passages for blockages. Something as simple as blades of grass in the throat or a small obstruction in a nostril can create snores – as well as more serious health conditions such as tumors!

13. Check for signs of infection in their mouth or nose

It could be something else altogether blocking how they breathe. Some Chihuahuas can develop allergies, colds, and infections in their airways – if the snoring is partnered with a runny nose and sneezes then get to the vet for a check-up.

14. Check their teeth for abscesses

A dental problem can also cause snoring, so regularly take a look at your Chihuahua’s teeth and gums. Decay and abscesses can block air flow leading to significant breathing issues.

15. Ask your vet to check for other possibilities

I’ve detailed some of the more common illnesses and ailments that can cause Chihuahua snoring problems, but it’s not an exhaustive list by any means – here are all of those again plus some more possibilities:

• Allergic reactions
• Blocked airways
• Brachycephalic syndrome
• Cold or flu
• Dental problems
• Fungal infections
• Obesity
• Tumors

If you believe your Chihuahua has a health problem that could be snoring related, don’t take any chances and book a vet appointment.

16. Don’t use snoring remedies for humans

Don’t ever give your Chihuahua a snoring remedy that has been designed for human consumption, and this includes popular homeopathic treatments. It can be dangerous, with the American Veterinary Medical Association saying this on the matter:

“Given that all medicine involves balancing risks against benefits, the case against homeopathy seems clear. There is a conspicuous absence of evidence of benefits despite centuries of use and investigation. And there are real risks, not to mention ethical concerns, associated with substituting an ineffective therapy for truly beneficial medical care. The balance seems unquestionably weighted against treating homeopathy as a legitimate veterinary therapy.”

17. Change the position they sleep in

At the beginning, I kind of promised I would not give the obvious option, but’s it still the most popular and quickest Chihuahua snoring solution you can try, albeit a temporary fix. All you do is move your Chihuahua, and definitely don’t let them lie on their back – this is when the snoring will be at its worst!

18. Stop them sleeping in your bedroom

This won’t stop your Chihuahua from snoring, but it will mean you can finally get a good night’s sleep away from the noise. If you can’t bear to have your Chihuahua sleep in a different room to you, the only other option I suggest is you wear earplugs.

19. Consider a surgical solution

As a last report you could consider Chihuahua snoring surgery. It’s often recommended when Chihuahua’s nostrils and airways are so constricted that it’s affecting their health and quality of life. Vets will suggest this surgery when your Chihuahua has episodes of breathing difficulty.

Whilst it will be painful in the short-term, it’s a great solution where your Chihuahua is struggling with day to day life due to restricted airways.

The success rate of the stenotic nares surgery is also said to be very good, with up tp 75% of dogs reporting a reduction in how severe their snoring was (see the report).

Chihuahua snoring surgery

I hope that the tips I gave on how to get a Chihuahua to stop snoring have helped. If you have tried them all and still have no luck, then vets might consider surgery.

However, surgery won’t be permitted just to stop snoring, but only when your Chihuahua has a bigger breathing issue that needs fixing.

Now you’ve read all the tips on how to get a Chihuahua to stop snoring, I wanted to explain the last one in a bit more detail; the surgical solution and remedy.

The surgical option is performed by correcting your Chihuahua’s stenotic nares. This is the medical terminology for narrowed nostrils. Chihuahuas with stenotic nares cannot get as much air through their nose, meaning lots of snoring, but more drastically, breathing issues.

The surgery involves enlarging your Chihuahua’s nostrils by cutting flesh and excess tissue out to create wider passages whilst reducing the size of their elongated palates.

Stenotic nares surgery has a high success rate and is very routine with your Chihuahua recovering within 7 days.

How much Chihuahua snoring surgery costs?

Chihuahua snoring surgery costs will depend on the severity of the breathing problems, the surgical method used, and even where in the country you are. In the USA, you might have to pay anywhere between $500 and $1,500.

The two types of snoring surgery that could be performed include:

• Soft palate resection: $500 to $1,500
• Stenotic nares resection: $250 to $1,000

Why do Chihuahuas snore so much?

But why do Chihuahuas snore so much in the first place?

It’s all due to their brachycephalic nature and the popularity of this breed to be bred with flatter and flatter faces.

I will leave the last word to a professional vet based in Los Angeles; here’s what Dr Jeff Werber has to say on the matter.

“As we breed dogs to have shorter snouts, the soft palette in the back of their throat doesn’t change, and that can be a problem. A lot of factors can go into your dog’s snoring, especially when they’re a breed with a smaller snout. How your dog’s body is positioned when sleeping, the shape of the dog’s neck, and the length of its nose are all factors that can influence a dog’s breathing. It can all contribute to the snoring”

Chihuahuas have all of these characteristics so will always have snoring problems. Whether we should be breeding them or not is a question that has an ethical angle, and one I will probably cover another day.

Conclusion

To be honest, you probably won’t be able to get your Chihuahua to completely stop snoring. Their breed has been designed in such a way that it is always bound to be a side effect of their genetics. Unfortunate, but true.

Whilst I have described the surgical solution as Chihuahua snoring surgery, it’s not really a name that it should be described as, as the surgery is more focussed on helping your Chihuahua breathe properly.

Unless your Chihuahua’s life is compromised, you should not opt for surgery, but instead help stop them snoring by just taking care of them better – and that’s often achieved by just giving them a more comfortable way of sleeping!

You might also like…

If you love Chihuahuas and want to give yours the best quality of life possible, then you might also be interested in these other Chihuahua-related blog posts:

• Keeping your Chihuahua warm in the winter
• Why Chihuahuas can be good with cats

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-nose-macro-snout-pores-4398803/

The post How to Stop a Chihuahua Snoring: 19 Ways to Remedy the Snore Problem appeared first on DoggySaurus.

However, this isn’t always the case. Yes, Chihuahuas can get congested with cold and suffer with sinus infections, but a runny nose doesn’t always mean something bad. Whilst it is true that the generations of breeding have made Chihuahuas’ nasal passages less than ideal, don’t be panicked by a runny nose… and here’s why:

Do Chihuahuas have runny noses?

Why does my Chihuahua have a runny nose? Chihuahuas do have runny noses, and it’s normal for a small amount of clear snot to be coming from their nose most of the time. Due to the nature of a Chihuahua nose, things like snot are a lot more visible compared to other dog breeds.

When it comes to your Chihuahua’s runny nose, it is important to establish what is normal for them, as every individual animal has a slightly different definition of normal. If your Chihuahua is producing a noticeably larger amount of snot than before, or it changes colour to yellow or green, you should take stock of those abnormalities and take them to see a vet.

Can Chihuahuas get sinus infections?

Chihuahuas can get sinus infections more than other breeds due to the way in which their nasal passages and skulls are formed.

The unique look of Chihuahuas has been bred extensively down the years but does mean they can suffer with breathing issues and nasal / sinus infections more than other breeds might.

The causes and treatments for Chihuahua runny noses

The medical term for runny noses in dogs is nasal discharge, and this refers not just to snot, but also blood, fluid and anything else that comes out of your Chihuahua’s nose.

There are many reasons why your Chihuahua may have a runny nose or your Chihuahua sounds congested, and whilst some can be treated at home yourself, others need urgent medical attention from your vet.

This makes it important that you distinguish between the different reasons why your Chihuahua may have a runny nose, with some of the most common reasons being listed below.

1. Allergies

Just like humans, Chihuahuas can suffer from allergies too. It is one of the most common reasons behind an abnormally runny nose.

Chihuahuas can be allergic to all kinds of things, with some examples including pollen, chemicals, food and even our shed human skin (called dander)! But this list is far from exhaustive.

Symptoms

If a Chihuahua is suffering from allergies, they may display some of the following symptoms:

• Lots of clear nasal discharge.
• Eye discharge (sometimes red in color)
• Itchiness.
• Nose bleeds.
• Coughing.
• Struggling to breathe.

Treatment

If your vet suspects your Chihuahua has an allergy, they will perform an allergy test in order to confirm it. Once the allergy is confirmed, you will be able to reduce allergic reactions by avoiding the allergy trigger altogether.

However, if this isn’t possible, your vet can prescribe antihistamines, steroids and immunosuppressants amongst other kinds of medication.

Handy Hint: Many Chihuahuas will have allergies to certain foods. There are some foods that will even be poisonous to them, here’s the list of bad foods.

2. Nasal blockages

If the nasal discharge is just coming from one nostril, this could mean that there is a foreign object (like a piece of grit or a blade of grass) partly blocking your Chihuahua’s nasal passage.

Symptoms

As well as this isolated nasal discharge, other common signs of a blockage in the nose include nosebleeds, sneezing and pawing at the nose.

Treatment

Here, you have a choice of either treating the blockage at home or at the vets. If you can see the cause of the blockage and have a steady hand, you can probably remove the blockage yourself with tweezers.

However, if your Chihuahua is fidgety or the cause of the blockage isn’t immediately visible, it is probably best to take them to the vets. The inside of the nose is incredibly sensitive, so even a small cut could lead to a lot of bleeding.

If you take your Chihuahua to the vets, they’ll be sedated, have the source of the blockage removed and be prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection.

3. Polyps and tumours

Some Chihuahuas have excessive nasal discharge as a result of growths in their nose. Nasal polyps are the medical term for overgrown mucus-producing glands, whilst nasal tumours, which present similar symptoms, can be benign or cancerous.

Symptoms

If you suspect your Chihuahua has growths in the nose, look out for the following symptoms:

• Blood, pus and mucus being discharged from the nose.
• A decreased appetite.
• A bulge on the side of the nose that wasn’t there before.
• Noisy breathing.

Treatment

Of course, if you see any kind of growth on your Chihuahua, it is paramount that you take them to the vets to be assessed.

Polyps and benign nasal tumours are often treated with surgery. Given the fact that polyps tend to reappear, your Chihuahua may need multiple bouts of surgery.

Unfortunately, whilst cancerous nasal tumours can be treated with radiation, they are inoperable and don’t have a great prognosis.

Handy Hint: I’ve written the complete guide to taking care of your Chihuahua in cold weather, as they can be very intolerant to cold winter days and nights.

4. Nasal and sinus infections

Chihuahuas can also catch infections. This may be from other animals or from coming into contact with something unsavoury outside. They can catch bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

Symptoms

Although symptoms may vary based on the type of infection, some of the most common symptoms of an infection in your Chihuahua include:

• Green or yellow mucus or pus being discharged from their nose, which is often followed by coughing and choking.
• Nose bleeds.
• A pungent and unusual odor.

Treatment

Depending on the type of infection, your vet’s treatment plan may vary.

If your Chihuahua is suffering from a fungal infection, your vet will prescribe you specialist anti-fungal drugs, whereas if your Chihuahua has a bacterial infection, your vet will put them on a course of antibiotics.

If your Chihuahua ends up having frequent infections (which is often the result of a poor immune system, a lack of vaccinations or an underlying illness), your vet may decide that the best course of action is an operation.

Conclusion

Although your Chihuahua may experience breathing complications due to their nose shape, their noses oftentimes work just as well as any other dog breed, so it’s important not to panic if you see them experiencing nasal discharge.

However, it is also important to trust your judgement if you think something is not right about the nasal discharge or runny nose.

It may be a different consistency, amount or colour than you’re used to or be one of many unusual symptoms your Chihuahua is experiencing at that time.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you aren’t fully confident about the cause of your Chihuahua’s runny nose it is important to take them to the vets. With their help, your Chihuahua will be back to their old selves in no time!

You might also like…

If you are a Chihuahua owner then here are a few other things to look out for in your pup:

• How to tell if your Chihuahua truly loves you!
• How to stop your Chihuahua from snoring so much

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-nose-sleep-covers-bed-pup-4592716/

The post Why Does My Chihuahua Have a Runny Nose? (Signs of Sinus Infections) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

In the following guide, I will explain all you need to know about Chihuahuas and cold weather. It includes tips on how you can keep your Chihuahua warm in the winter months, plus advice on safety to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Why Chihuahuas don’t tolerate cold weather

You might wonder; do Chihuahuas get cold? The answer would be yes, Chihuahuas do get cold in winter. This breed is brachycephalic which contributes towards them being more sensitive to lower temperatures. Their bodies lose heat quickly compared to other dogs, and they get breathing problems due to the elongated soft palate.

Their short coats don’t help either, as this means they feel the cold more with not as much winter protection as a longer-haired dog would have.

In simple terms, Chihuahuas have not been bred to be outdoor dogs. Being sensitive to cold, they can become dehydrated and suffer with hypothermia in dangerously low temperatures. They are breed that you really need to take special care of in cold winter temperatures.

Signs your Chihuahua is cold

There are some common symptoms that hint your dog is suffering in cold weather. If you see your Chihuahua suffering with any of these, you should make them warmer and in some cases seek professional advice.

• Your dog refuses to go outside.
• Your dog starts to make a nest, for example pulling at blankets or burrowing in bed.
• Your dog has the shivers.
• Your dog appears to be lethargic.
• Your dog lifts their paws off the ground when outside.
• Your dog is barking or whining.

During very cold weather, Chihuahuas can even get frostbite and hypothermia. The latter is a deadly condition that results in blood no longer circulating round the dog’s body, weakness, stiff muscles, and eventual slowed heartbeat and kidney failure.

Signs of hypothermia include:

• Shivering and trembling.
• Slowing down, lack of movement, and trouble walking.
• Cold skin and fur.
• Slowed down heart rate.
• Dilated pupils (not to be confused with red eye)
• Blue or pale gums and inner eyelids.
• Breathing problems.

That all sounds very serious, but providing you look after your Chihuahua properly in the cold winter months, you should have nothing to worry about.

However, even when you do take special care, your Chihuahua might develop some of the less serious symptoms. For example, your Chihuahua could actually catch a cold. I have described canine cold symptoms lower down the page, so you know what to look out for.

Handy Hint: Dogs love playing in snow, and there are some good reasons for why they like it so much. Read more about dogs loving snow here.

How cold is too cold for a Chihuahua?

There will be a point when the winter gets too cold for a Chihuahua. The temperature that is too cold for Chihuahuas is around 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). This can be too cold, and if combined with wet weather, or with older dogs or puppies, the danger is increased.

If your Chihuahua is lifting their paws off the ground, then it’s obviously way too cold for them. At this point, it’s too late, so check out the infographic below which shows what temperature your Chihuahua should be comfortable at.

Once the temperatures creep into the green and blue numbers, it’s too cold for your Chihuahua, and means their health could be in danger.

How to keep your Chihuahua warm in cold weather

Here’s what you need to do when temperatures start to drop, and how you can keep your Chihuahua warm in cold weather. It also includes suggestions for walking in the cold, snow, and ice, and what items you should buy to help keep your Chihuahua warm.

1. Winter health check

Older dogs are far more prone to suffering in the cold weather, as are young puppies. Low temperatures can bring on illnesses quicker and affect an existing medical condition.

When the temperatures start to drop before winter, make sure you take your Chihuahua to the vets to get a health check. They will be able to identify anything that could get worse as it gets colder.

2. Move their bed and supply more bedding

Temperatures drop lower during the night, and this is when your Chihuahua could be at their coldest. Think about where their bed is and whether it could be moved into a warmer position; for example, is it next to a door or near a draft?

You should also consider giving them some more bedding and blankets to keep them warmer. Your Chihuahua will be able to make a warm nest at night and get all cosy… but don’t let them get too warm as this can also have a negative effect.

3. Don’t overfeed your Chihuahua in winter

Most people tend to walk their dogs less during the winter. The combination of the lower temperatures and dampness are enough to put most people off.

Of course, that means your Chihuahua won’t be getting as much exercise as before, so you might want to consider how much you feed them to avoid weight issues.

Keep your Chihuahua’s weight at a sensible weight. Whilst “feeding a cold” does have some validity to it, with more food keeping their energy levels up, it’s a fine balance.

4. Make sure their drinking water isn’t too cold

Keep an eye on how cold your dog’s water is. Water that is too cold can make dogs ill, including exacerbating exiting cold symptoms and giving them a sore throat.

Make sure their drinking water isn’t freezing over if left outside and leave their bowl near a warmer place inside of the house. If you do leave water outdoors for them, here’ s how to stop it freezing over in winter.

Also think about the water coming through your tap. If the pipes are near frozen, cold water will be too cold, so run tepid water instead into their bowl.

5. Don’t go for walks when it’s too cold

Your Chihuahua might be begging to go outside, but exercise a commonsense approach. If it’s too cold outside, use up some of their energy indoors.

With our dog, we play with him using a laser pen which he chases up and down the kitchen until he’s puffed out. It keeps his fitness levels and weight in check, and means we don’t have to go outside when it’s too cold for him.

6. Use potty training pads indoors

When it’s too cold for your Chihuahua to even go outdoors and pee, you need a solution. I’d recommend puppy pad – you might have used this when potty training your Chihuahua puppy. They work just as well with adult dogs.

You can buy a large packet of them on Amazon. Your dog is bound to remember how to use them, so should be ideal in cold winter weather.

7. Always use a collar and chip

Wintertime is one of the riskier times of year for dogs to get lost. With those dark evenings, possible snow, and their reaction to the unusual environments, dogs will often wander.

If you are taking your Chihuahua for a walk, and it’s not too cold, make sure they have a collar and chip on so they can be easily identified.

8. Buy a winter jacket for your Chihuahua

In recent years there has been an explosion of Chihuahua accessories and clothing lines. Most are a bit gimmicky, but in cold weather, they are essential for winter walking and paw protection. Here are a couple I recommend.

Canada Pooch dog parka jacket (on Amazon)

This one has luxurious Sherpa lining to keep your Chihuahua warm this winter. It even has cargo pockets in it, although not sure what your dog will want to carry? Perhaps some small treats?

Gooby padded winter coat

This won’t win any style awards, but that’s not really the point. It’s extremely warm and is rated very highly by Chihuahua owners the world over. You can attach a leash or lead to it easily, it’s water resistant, has a simply to use zipper, and offers a snug fit.

Before you buy, make sure you measure your pup up properly. There is information and prices on the Amazon page (click the photo below).

Didog reflective winter coat

My third recommendation is the Didog winter jacket. What I like most about it is the reflective material. This should help you see your dog on a dark winter’s night and also ensure cars see them before it’s too late.

It’s just as warm as the Gooby, it’s all down to personal preference on what you buy. Keep your Chihuahua warm this winter just like others have done.

9. Don’t forget winter paw protection

You should be looking at your Chihuahua’s paw during the winter months to check for cracks and wounds. Paws are very susceptible to cold weather and ice, and can deteriorate very quickly, becoming painful – with even the possibility of frostbite!

You can buy winter boots for Chihuahuas on Amazon. Here’s a quick Amazon recommendation to check out.

10. Trim nails to stop skidding and injury

If you don’t think it’s cold enough to buy winter boots, you should still maintain your Chihuahua’s paws in winter, and in particular their nails.

Longer nails and claws won’t have the right traction on ice and compacted snow, and if not trimmed down could lead to slipping and injuries.

11. Avoid street salt and chemicals such as anti-freeze

During icy weather, humans tend to put salt and chemicals on the roads and pavements to stop vehicles and people slipping. Whilst this is ok for us, on doggy paws that are not protective, it can be painful – the same goes for chemicals like anti-freeze which could be split.

This is a risk with Chihuahuas that are not wearing adequate have paw protection in the winter.

12. Don’t let them eat snow

Your Chihuahua is almost guaranteed to love seeing snow for the first time. It’s an unusual feeling for them, so they will probably want to roll about in it.

Dogs being dogs, they will often want to eat snow too. It might seem cute, but it could make them ill if it has urine, poop, or chemical traces in it. Don’t let your Chihuahua eat snow, it could make them ill in the cold weather season.

13. Don’t let them get wet

The biggest risk to your Chihuahua’s health in cold weather is when the cold combines with damp. It can cause hypothermia or in less serious cases, cold symptoms.

After a walk or play in the snow, make sure you towel them down properly, even using a hair dryer if they will let you.

Check for snow stuck into their fur and paws as this will quickly turn to cold water once you get back indoors, making their bedding damp too.

14. Don’t leave them in your car

Everyone knows how fatal cars can be when it’s hot, but it’s equally true in winter too. A cold car can be a killer so don’t leave your beloved Chihuahua in your car or truck.

15. How to keep a Chihuahua warm at night

I’ve already touched on a few ideas on how to keep your Chihuahua warm in winter, some of which can be used at night too. I wanted to offer a few more tips here as well, as once night falls, the temperature will drop.

• Place their bed away from doors, drafts and out of cold rooms.
• Use a (not too) hot water bottle.
• Use a bed that is raised off the floor to avoid the cold floor.
• Perhaps let them sleep with you in your bed.
• Put more blankets than usual in their bed
• Position their bedding in doughnut shaped ring for them to get warmer in.
• Don’t let them sleep too close to a radiator or heat source.

Chihuahua cold symptoms

As you will now know, Chihuahuas can get colds. If you think your Chihuahua is ill during cold winter weather and low temperatures, it could be a slight cold.

Like humans, the first sign might be a little sniffle and sneeze here and there.

But, just like us again, the symptoms can soon develop into a more serious illness if not treated appropriately.

Chihuahuas don’t cope well with cold weather and winter. As a brachycephalic breed, the cavities in their skull are smaller than other dogs, meaning mucus can block the cavity.

Once that happens, your Chihuahua could get a more serious winter illness such as dehydration, hypothermia, or even pneumonia. With that in mind, it’s important to recognise the cold and flu symptoms in your Chihuahua before it gets too serious.

Here’s what you should always be on the lookout for:

• Runny nose and nasal discharge.
• Runny or watery eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Wheezing or wet-sounding cough.
• Lack of appetite.
• Shivering.
• Warm ears.
• Trouble breathing normally.
• General lethargy.

Handy Hint: Here are some tips you can use to keep your dog warm at night when sleeping inside or outside the house.

Should you worry about slight sniffles?

Almost every Chihuahua will have a cold symptom once in their lifetime, with the winter being the prime season for it. In the main, some sniffles here and there, or wetter nose than usual isn’t something to worry too much about.

When you should be concerned would be if your Chihuahua starts to cough in winter. This will need immediate vet support, as it could lead to a chest infection in the cold weather.

You can do your own check; put your ear to your Chihuahua’s chest. It should sound clear but rattling and gurgling is a sign of possible cold and mucus on the chest area.

Some dog owners try to treat their Chihuahua’s cold without the help of a vet. I don’t recommend it, but the ones who do use a canine nebulizer. More on that in a moment.

Handy Hint: It’s almost unheard of for dogs to catch a cold from humans so don’t worry if you have the sniffles about being close to your dog.

How to treat a Chihuahua with a cold

Here’s how to treat a Chihuahua cold. Please note though, this should not replace professional vet’s advice and is purely tips I have found after researching online, plus reading vet comments on trusted web forums.

1. Encourage fluid intake

Dehydration is a risk I winter cold weather, so your Chihuahua needs to be taking on enough fluids to stave off any risk. But of course, when dogs are sick, sometimes it’s hard to get them to drink, so you could try adding chicken broth to the water bowl.

2. Add extra nutrition to their food

Your Chihuahua might also have lost their appetite due to the cold and can quickly start to lose their strength. Try changing them into something like boiled chicken with brown rice for added nutrition.

3. Feed extra dietary supplements

You can also try adding some supplements into the food to help cure the cold symptoms. These can include items such as coconut oil, cinnamon, and honey. The experts say that these supplements can help Chihuahuas recover from colds as they will help to improve the immune system and can also act as a natural cough medicine.

4. Limit outdoors time and maximise rest

Limit their physical activity and don’t let them outdoors into the colder temperatures. The only reason they should go outside is for toilet breaks – but if you can, switch to puppy pads indoors.

5. Love and affection

What’s the one thing that made you feel better when you had a cold as a kid? It was cuddles and affection from your parents… and some Chihuahuas can be the same. See if they want close up love or need their space – they will all react differently.

Handy Hint: Chihuahuas show love and affection in many different ways. Here’s how to know if your Chihuahua loves you and is happy with life.

6. Hot water bottle

If they don’t want you getting close to them, you could heat up a water bottle and put it in their bed. Not too warm of course, but enough to raise their temperatures to a comfortable level.

7. Dog nebulizer

Before writing this article on Chihuahuas and cold weather, I didn’t realize you could use nebulizers on dogs. However, a vet told me that some owners will manage their dog’s cold themselves using one of these.

8. Steam vaporizer

Just like us, steam vaporizers can help to clear your Chihuahua’s bronchial tubes and help relieve many Chihuahua cold symptoms, making them breathe so much easier. Put it close to their bed, but not so they can knock it over.

9. Apply Chihuahua nose balm

Chihuahuas can get cracked and dry noses in winter cold weather, or it can go the other way, with their nose starting to run. For cracked and dry skin, you should try dog nose butter or balm on Amazon. It is organic and will soothe and repair any cracks.

When you should call the vet

There are certain things to look out for which really demand a call into your vet. Your Chihuahua’s cold could get worse, with the following signs:

• Your Chihuahua has started to cough.
• Your Chihuahua stops taking on fluids.
• Your Chihuahua appears to be in constant pain.
• Your Chihuahua has a rattling chest sound.

If it’s an older Chihuahua or puppy, I wouldn’t even wait this long. With the slightest sign of a cold, I would call a vet for advice. They are more susceptible in these ages to develop colds in winter temperatures.

Here’s how one vet said they would treat a Chihuahua with a cold:

“We often have owners bring their dogs in during wintertime. It’s peak time for sure. We treat Chihuahuas with colds just like we do any other dog; with a small course of antibiotics. This works by killing bacteria and helping them build up their immune system until their cold has subsided.”

Conclusion

Chihuahuas in cold weather don’t really work out too well. These little guys need warmth in the winter, so please be careful at this time of year when snow, ice, and colder temperatures become the norm.

As a breed, they are one of the most at risk when it comes to cold weather intolerance.

Whilst Chihuahuas can tolerate cold weather to a degree, there is a tipping point at which you should pay more attention – you can see those temperature ranges in the graphic higher up in this guide.

You might also like…

I’ve written other guides to help you look after your Chihuahua, here’s a selection of the most recent.

• Here is a list of the 25 most dangerous foods that Chihuahuas can eat 
• How Chihuahuas and cats can live in harmony together
• Why your Chihuahua is crying and how to help it

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-chihuahua-cute-pet-puppy-1428166/

The post Chihuahua Cold Weather Guide: How to Keep a Chihuahua Warm in Winter appeared first on DoggySaurus.

I recommend you print this list off and stick it your refrigerator… some of the foods I list that your dog should avoid, aren’t just bad for your Chihuahua, they could even be fatal. Some will poison your dog and are foods that are toxic to Chihuahuas.

Because of this, I’ve put the most poisonous foods to Chihuahuas first on the list. It explains why they are toxic and even how much they might eat before you call a vet.

Bottom line though; if your Chihuahua eats anything they shouldn’t, don’t wait to read notes like this on the Internet – call your vet!

So, if you want to find out what food Chihuahuas can’t eat, plus some plants that are poisonous to them too – read on.

Poisonous foods for Chihuahuas

Like most dogs, Chihuahuas will eat whatever you put in front of them. If you happen to drop something on the floor and they gobble it up, in most cases, they should be fine with eating things in moderation.

However, there are some foods that are extremely toxic and not safe for Chihuahuas to eat, even in small amounts. Knowing what Chihuahuas cannot eat is really important in keeping your dog safe.

Here’s the most dangerous foods for Chihuahuas, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.

1. Chocolate

This is most commonly misunderstood food that Chihuahuas cannot eat, and the one that leads to most people having to call a vet.

It’s all due to the toxic theobromine substance in chocolate. Just small amounts can make your Chihuahua sick, so if chocolate drops on the floor, pick it up immediately. In large quanties your dog will vomit, and in more serious cases develop an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, seizure, and even death.

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and poisonous to Chihuahuas as it contains more of the theobromine.

2. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

All of these foods are in the Allium family. Anything in this bracket is a poisonous food for Chihuahuas, whether it’s been boiled, cooked, or whatever – it’s not something your Chihuahua should eat ever.

These foods are said to makes dogs feel poorly and in larger amounts can lead to red blood cell damage. You won’t always see symptoms of poisoning straight away as it can take a few days for the toxic effects to take effect.

3. Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints

Xylitol is one of the most toxic things a Chihuahua can eat, and is commonly found in some mints and sugar-free gums.

According to research (see research published on MSU.edu), xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate is for dogs. If they just eat one stick of gum with xylitol, a small dog could see their blood sugar levels dip considerably.

If the small dog went onto to eat a whole pack of gum with 10 sticks containing toxic xylitol, it could damage their liver irreparably and possibly even kill them.

Other foods and household items that can contain xylitol include:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Peanut butter
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar free breath mints
• Fruit drinks
• Jellies and jams
• Cereals
• Baked goods
• Sugar-free puddings and Jello
• Over the counter vitamin supplements

4. Candy and sweets

It’s not just the foods above that come with toxic xylitol. Some candy brands do too, so always check the labelling.

To be frank, you shouldn’t be letting your dog eat candy anyway, even if it’s free of poisonous xylitol. Why? It’s due to the sugar levels plus there’s also the risk of choking or blockages in your Chihuahua’s digestive tract or tooth fractures.

5. Certain peanut butter brands

Our Chihuahua loves peanut butter. It’s one of his favorite treats, especially when we put it in a Kong Toy.

However, some peanut butter brands include xylitol. This substance is toxic to dogs and needs to be avoided at all costs due to poisoning.

6. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is not among the poisonous foods for Chihuahuas, but it is dangerous due to the cob part. These can lodge in the throat of your dog and intestines, so should be avoided at all costs.

Sweetcorn is fine, as this will be easily digestible though.

7. Cooked bones

Dogs love to eat bones. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but they are dangers with this food type.

When bones are cooked, they become brittle and can break apart. This means that when Chihuahuas eat cooked bones, small slithers can perforate their internal organs, leading to big risks to their health… with possible fatal consequences.

8. Avocado

Fruit is a great food for Chihuahuas, but not all fruit! Avocado is one such, as it can be bad for Chihuahuas but only when prepared in a particular way.

Avocados contain a poisonous toxin called persin which when eaten in large quantities can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, persin is mostly concentrated in the avocado skin and pit, rather than the fleshy part.

So, should your Chihuahua eat an avocado, chances are you won’t have any problems. But, it’s still worth avoiding, especially the toxic parts – the skin and stone.

9. Grapes and raisins

Another group of fruits that can be poisonous to your Chihuahua are grapes and raisins. They are a toxic food for Chihuahuas and can lead to kidney failure when eaten in large quantities.

10. Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All nuts should really be avoided in a Chihuahua’s diet, as they are just the right size and texture that lead to choking. However, these two nuts which are potentially toxic to dogs.

When eaten at volume, both can result in diarrhea, sickness, and the possibility of canine pancreatitis.

The side effects of Macadamia nuts are very nasty and rank high on the list of poisonous foods for Chihuahuas… the poisoning can result in hyperthermia, tremors, vomiting, and lethargy.

11. Cherry, peach, and plum pits

Due to the size of pips and seeds like this, they can become lodged in the intestines of smaller dogs like Chihuahuas. Blockages are a very real risk, so don’t let things like this anywhere near your dog’s mouth.

There are also trace elements of cyanide in the pits of some fruits like peach and plum. It would take a heck of a lot to poison your Chihuahua, but it’s a bad food either way.

12. Mustard seeds

Mustard is so vomit-inducing to Chihuahuas that vets sometimes use it to make dogs sick up for medical purposes. The seeds in particular are very toxic as they contain poisonous elements to dogs.

13. Coconuts and coconut oil

A little bit of coconut is unlikely to harm your Chihuahua, but the milk and white flesh of a coconut is known to cause stomach upsets in dogs.

The reasons coconut water should be avoided is due to the potassium in it, at high levels too.

14. Yeast dough

When ingested, yeast dough will heat up and then start to rise and create gas. This is very problematic in a Chihuahua’s digestive system, leading to extreme pain, bloating, and possibly the twisting of their gut.

It’s potentially fatal, so if your Chihuahua eats yeast dough, visit a vet immediately… the yeast can also change into ethanol, a highly potent alcohol.

15. Alcohol

This is good time to talk about alcohol dangers and how dangerous this drink can be for dogs.

Alcohol consumption can make your Chihuahua have diarrhea, vomit, difficulty in breathing, tremors, a lack of coordination, abnormal blood acidity, central nervous system depression, and even a possible coma or death.

Giving your dog alcohol isn’t funny and can kill them.

16. Hops

On a similar topic, the hops that are used in home brewing kits are also a dangerous ingredient for Chihuahuas to eat. There are compounds in the hops that lead to malignant hyperthermia.

That means your Chihuahua’s temperature can rise rapidly, possibly causing permanent damage to the organs and brain or even death.

17. Coffee, caffeine, and tea

Drinks with in are bad for Chihuahuas. It’s all down to the methylxanthines in the caffeine which causes similar bad reactions in dogs to chocolate.

If your Chihuahua has licked up a couple of coffee granules, chances are he will be fine. But in large amounts such as loose tea and coffee beans, it could be very harmful and require vet’s help.

18. Nutmeg

Myristicin us a toxic substance with trace amounts found in nutmeg. When dogs eat it in large amounts it can lead to various problems including abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, and even the possibility of hallucinations.

19. Moldy food

If your dog has access to trash, be very careful. Moldy food is bad for Chihuahuas as it can contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins grow on moldy food and make it poisonous when ingested.

Bad food for Chihuahuas

In addition to the foods that are bad for Chihuahuas, there are others. Whilst they are not strictly considered poisonous and toxic, you should avoid them due to the potential negative side effects. For example, weight gain.

20. Milk and dairy products

Many Chihuahuas will be lactose intolerant, meaning dairy products can make them sick. Dogs don’t have the same digestive system as us and can find it hard to break down lactose in milk, meaning runny diarrhea issues!

21. Blue cheese

Given that you know dairy is bad option for dogs, it should come as no surprise that some cheeses can be dangerous. Avoid the blue cheeses, Roquefort, and Stilton. They have roquefortine C which is known to cause very bad reactions in dogs.

This can include symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In more extreme cases your Chihuahua could develop seizures and tremors if they eat a lot of blue cheese.

22. Meat and eggs that have not been cooked properly

Many owners now feed their Chihuahua a raw diet, and there’s nothing wrong with that providing they get all the nutrients and goodness required.

However, there is some research to suggest that bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli can be contracted by dogs eating raw meat.

23. Food and drinks with high sugar content

Sugary food and snacks aren’t good for us, so they certainly aren’t for your dog. In fact, this is one of the worst foods for Chihuahuas, and can result in a range of health problems.

Dogs that have too many snacks with sugar content are at risk of developing diabetes, weight gain, and even decayed teeth and gums. Sugar can also upset delicate Chihuahua tummies too, so something to avoid at all costs.

24. Food high in salt and sodium content

Just like lots of sugar, the same applies to salt content. Food that is high in sodium can potentially poison your Chihuahua… but is most likely to lead to them getting extreme thirst and increased urination in the volume it would be in dropped food.

If your Chihuahua does eat lots of salt, the warning signs are very severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, and seizures.

25. Fatty foods

Fatty foods such sausage, bacon, burgers, and fried food can result in upset stomachs. If your Chihuahua gets to eat these tasty snacks over a prolonged period of time, it could even result in pancreatitis.

Yes, it’s hard to say no to those pleading eyes when they beg for your food, but often the tastiest food is the worst for Chihuahuas.

What plants are poisonous to Chihuahuas?

There are also things your Chihuahua should not eat outdoors including the following toxic plants.

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Citrus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hibiscus
• Hostas
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Mushroom plants
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tomato leaves and stems
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

This list contains just the most common plants that are poisonous to Chihuahuas. For a more comprehensive list, please download this print out from the Dogs Trust.

Conclusion

The reality is, most of the time if your Chihuahua has just eaten a very small amount of any of the bad foods listed here, they “should” be ok.

But, please never leave anything to chance and also consult with a professional veterinarian for advice.

I am not a vet, just a dog owner so all I have written here today is what I have personally learned and research myself. It should not replace veterinarian advice.

You might also like…

In addition to this list of foods toxic to Chihuahuas, I also write individual guides about other things they can eat, and the health implications. Here’s a small sample of recent content.

• The top reasons for Chihuahuas having runny noses
• Can dogs eat horseradish mustard safely?
• Can dogs eat sunflower seeds safely?

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/chihuahua-dog-cute-842134/

The post What Foods Are Bad, Poisonous, & Toxic to Chihuahuas? 25 Bad Foods! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve had first-hand experience of introducing a dog into our home when we already had a cat, and it worked out brilliantly.

I wanted to share everything I learned with you today including my tips on how to introduce the two and whether Chihuahuas and cats can live together. But let’s start off with the key question:

Are Chihuahuas good with cats? Chihuahuas are good with cats and can live together. However, how they get along will depend on multiple factors such as how they are introduced and the temperament of both animals. There is no reason why you can’t get your cat and Chihuahua to get along and live together, especially if the introduction occurs during the puppy months.

As a generalization, Chihuahuas are considered to be one of the most cat-friendly dog breeds you can get. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have problems introducing them; every single dog and cat have their own individual personality… just like we do!

Do Chihuahuas get along with cats? (and why…)

In my experience, yes, they do get along. Other people might think differently, so why do I think this is?

Well, I think it’s down the Chihuahua’s character. An essential part of this breed’s nature involves being needy and small. They love to be part of a pack, and your cat or kitten could help with that. Many dog owners assume that this is the reason why they seem to get along so well with cats and live together with them. It’s as though the Chihuahua is more than happy to accept a cat as part of its pack.

Another aspect that contributes to how good they are with cats is their happy-go-lucky nature. Many Chihuahuas will be quite laid back and are incredibly playful. Others can be aggressive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Chihuahuas and cats can’t live together in harmony.

Although you may find a Chihuahua is more than happy to chase a cat around the back garden, it tends to be out of a sense of play. Once your Chihuahua is back inside, he’ll be just as likely to cuddle up next to your cat.

That said, you must never allow your cat to meet a new dog unsupervised.

Even if Chihuahuas are more likely to get along with cats, each dog will have its own temperament. Their personality, genetics, training, and upbringing will all make a massive difference in how they interact with cats or any other members of the household.

The temperament of Chihuahua puppies vs Chihuahua adults

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to adopting either a puppy or an adult. It all depends on what you’re looking for, and what would best suit your lifestyle – and this will play heavily into how you introduce your Chihuahua and cat to each other.

Whether you choose a puppy or an adult could be key to them getting along with your cat, and how easy the integration to your home will be.

Chihuahua puppies and cats

Chihuahua puppies can be good with cats. In fact, this is the best age to do an introduction and bring a dog into your cat’s existing home. The reason being? Puppies have the advantage of being extremely moldable. With training and care, you can help form them from day one so that they fit in perfectly with your lifestyle and family.

By adopting a Chihuahua puppy, it also means that you will be giving your cat this crucial stage in your puppy’s development to establish a strong sense of hierarchy and dominance.

If your puppy tries to mess with the cat at this point, he’ll find out soon enough that it will earn him a sharp swatting.

Although one well-aimed swipe will be more than enough for most puppies, even the dimmest Chihuahua will start to get the picture with time.

Eventually, the hierarchy will become cemented in the young Chihuahua’s mind, and you’ll find that as he gets older, he’ll be less likely to challenge the status quo. This is exactly how things turned out in our house… the cat firmly believes she is the boss, and our dog follows suit.

However, if you don’t have the time or confidence to train your Chihuahua, a puppy may not be the best option. Even the sweetest, most friendly Chihuahua can be ruined in a matter of weeks with bad training.

Another factor to take into consideration would be any differences in energy levels between a Chihuahua puppy and your cat. If you have a senior cat with low energy levels, then a bouncy Chihuahua puppy might be a bit much for your elderly cat to handle.

If you’re determined to get a Chihuahua puppy regardless, it will help family relations if you offer your senior cat a place in the house which is off-limits to your dog.

Even if your cat finds this new bundle of energy utterly unbearable, knowing that she has a place to run off to when it all gets too much can make all the difference in the long run.

A dog-free zone might be a garden or a room. It’s also a good idea to offer plenty of furniture throughout the house that allows your cat to escape when things get to be too much. Good options for this include sturdy cat trees and bookshelves.

Adult Chihuahuas and cats

One of the key advantages to adopting an adult Chihuahua is that their temperament and habits are already well-formed. What you see is what you’ll get with these dogs, and as long as you make sure to ask plenty of questions, there shouldn’t be any unwelcome surprises.

If you choose to adopt a Chihuahua from a rescue, you should be given plenty of opportunities to observe the dog and to get a feel for his personality.

You will also be able to ask the handlers plenty of questions about the Chihuahua’s temperament and history. Most importantly, however, they should be able to tell you how the Chihuahua is around cats. You will often see this on dog rescue ads – it will say something like: this Chihuahua is good with cats and young children – Bingo!

By taking this route, you can be confident that you are adopting an adult Chihuahua dog that will get on well with your cat. There are plenty of very well-trained dogs waiting for their chance to be adopted, and for those who don’t have the time or experience to train a puppy, rescuing an adult can be an excellent option.

However, it is important to note that in the rare instances where Chihuahuas become aggressive with cats, the dog was usually a rescue who came from an abusive and neglectful background. This can happen without warning (click here to find out how to cope with your dog suddenly attacking your cat).

In light of this, it’s essential to ask as many questions as you can, so that you can be sure that you know as much as possible about the Chihuahua’s background before bringing him into a home where a cat is already established.

Even then, a new Chihuahua must never have its first interaction with a cat unsupervised. There is always a chance that something about this particular interaction may trigger something in the dog that couldn’t have been foreseen.

After a successful introduction, it will still be necessary to supervise for any subsequent interactions. Moving slowly in this way will give you the chance to catch any behavioral issues early on, and it will provide you with the opportunity to nip it in the bud before it can form into a real problem.

Given the right introduction period, and barring any severe behavioral issues, you should soon find that even if your Chihuahua and cat aren’t best friends, that they can at least co-exist peacefully.

How to introduce a Chihuahua to a cat

Chihuahuas can live with cats, but the key to success is how you introduce them… it needs to be taken very slowly. By allowing your animals to have a gentle introduction, you will significantly improve the chances of your Chihuahua and cat getting along in the future.

While in this introduction phase, the cat and Chihuahua should never be left alone together. Doing this will be especially important if you have rescued an older dog.

Step 1: Prepare the house

Once you have decided to bring a Chihuahua home, the first thing you will need to do is prepare a safe space for your cat. Ideally, this needs to be one room that the dog cannot access or part of a large room that has been sectioned off. You can achieve this with a baby gate, a cat gate, or a foldable dog pen.

Some cat gates even come with a little cat flap, which will be ideal for cats who are a bit older or less mobile. However, this will only be a viable option if you are bringing home an older Chihuahua, as a puppy will have no trouble slipping in.

Once you have sectioned out an area for your cat, you will need to move all of your cat’s essentials there. This should include their bed, food, and water, as well as their litter tray, and scratching post.

Aside from giving your cat a place to escape, it will also keep your dog from getting to the cat’s litter and food, which can both be very tempting. In our house, we placed our cat’s food up high to reduce the chances of any flashpoints at feeding time.

Although doing this will be important for your dog, who will find little benefit in consuming cat litter or food, it’s also important for your cat. It won’t help your cat’s opinion of the situation if she keeps getting pestered every time she tries to eat or go to the toilet.

Additionally, it will be necessary to create a safe space for your cat in every other room in the house. This escape could be a sturdy cat tree or even a bookshelf. Whatever you choose, it should always give your cat a place to escape that will be well out of reach of your Chihuahua.

If you have an especially nervous cat, it may also help to use a cat pheromone diffuser. This will reduce the chance of your cat peeing in the house due to the nerves associated with a dog coming into her territory.

There are some excellent options available on Amazon, here’s the one we used. If you install this a few days before introducing your Chihuahua, it will help immensely with keeping your cat calm.

Step 2: Initial introduction

Once your new Chihuahua is home, it will be essential to keep the two separated for the time being. If you can, restrict your dog to one room initially. As your Chihuahua starts to settle in, you can start the process for the initial introduction: by exposing both animals to the other’s scent.

To do this, you can first swap bedding. If you can do this before bringing your Chihuahua home, all the better.

Another way to get each of them used to the other’s scent is to pet them both without washing your hands. First, pet your cat for a little bit, then go to pet your dog, and then back to your cat again.

The aim here is to mix their scents, allowing them to become more comfortable with the idea of the other’s presence.

Once you have done this for a few days, you can start on the final stage.

Close your cat into one room, and then allow your Chihuahua to explore the house. Aside from giving him a chance to become accustomed to his new home, it will also allow him to become comfortable with your cat’s scent.

Allow him to roam for a few hours until he’s more comfortable with his surroundings, and then take him for a walk. As you head out for your walk, allow your cat out of her room to explore while you’re gone.

Continue this process for a few days, until your Chihuahua is comfortable with his surroundings. You need to make sure your dog is calm before introducing them face-to-face, so make sure your Chihuahua has had plenty of time to get accustomed to his surroundings before moving him onto the next step.

Step 3: First interactions

Once your Chihuahua has had a chance to settle in, and you’ve had a few days to get your cat and dog used to each other’s scents, you can move onto the first interaction.

This exercise aims to give your cat time to get used to the presence of your dog. It also trains your Chihuahua dog to stay calm around the cat.

To do this, your cat will ideally need to be in her safe space, behind a cat gate. Using this, you can approach this initial interaction with a physical barrier between the two animals, and it will allow you to maintain much more control over the situation.

Additionally, it will give your cat plenty of time just to observe and to consider this new addition to your family.

For the most part, you will want to leave your cat alone during this process. Resist the urge to pick your cat up and bring her closer, as this may frighten her further. Allow her to assess the situation at her own pace.

With you Chihuahua, you need to put him on a leash for an extra level of control and take him out for a walk to wear him out. You will also need to bring a few tasty treats or some of his food to reward good behavior.

Initially, you just need to sit with him on the other side of the gate. Allow him to sniff and explore, but if he becomes too excited or tries to bark, you will need to distract him. If he persists, take him away. Once he calms down, you can try again.

Aside from discouraging high energy, you also need to keep a close eye out for any signs of aggression. If you notice him freezing, his hair standing on end, or him staring at the cat, correct him immediately. You need to do this calmly, but firmly to avoid escalating the situation further.

If he persists with this behavior, take him away, and put in another room for a ten-minute time out. Ideally, this room needs to be dull, without any rewards or distractions. Once he’s calmed down, try again.

When your Chihuahua does display calm behavior, make sure to give him a treat and plenty of attention.

These initial interactions should be short but relatively frequent. Five minutes should be more than enough time, and as many times during the day as you can manage.

As you notice your cat’s confidence growing, and your Chihuahua puppy becoming less excited, you can extend these interactions.

Step 4: Closer contact

Once the novelty has worn off for your dog, and your cat is showing enough confidence, you can start thinking about moving to the next step.

Bring your cat and Chihuahua to a neutral space and allow them to interact without the gate to separate them. Even as you move onto this next step, however, you will still need to keep your Chihuahua on a leash just in case.

Keep this first interaction quite short, and make sure to watch them both carefully. If either your cat or dog shows signs of being frightened, separate them and go back to the last step for a bit longer before trying again.

Allow your cat to continue exploring at her own pace and keep a close eye on your dog. You will need to stay consistent with the training you’ve done up until now; distracting him when he gets excited and separating him if he persists with this behavior.

You will need to be especially watchful for any signs of aggression in your dog at this stage. If you notice any hint of aggression, correct him immediately. If he persists, put him in time out, and try again later once he’s calmed down.

During this stage, you need to show him that the cat is higher in the hierarchy than he is and that any hint of aggression will not be tolerated. Even so, it’s essential to stay calm. The last thing you want is for your new dog to feel threatened by you during this crucial period, as this may only escalate the situation further.

Eventually, with patience and persistence in your training, you should hopefully start to see them becoming more comfortable around each other.

Even if they don’t become best friends, they should at least be able to co-exist peacefully, without your Chihuahua chasing or barking, and without your cat becoming frightened or aggressive without provocation.

As you continue to see positive signs, you can slowly increase the times of their interactions and give them more and more freedom together.

Even as their relationship continues to improve, it will be essential to supervise them until you are entirely confident that they can get along together. It’s important to take it slow, as rushing could ruin all of the hard work you’ve put in up to this point.

Stage 5: Peaceful co-existence

Only once you are entirely confident that your cat and Chihuahua are on good terms, can you start to leave them alone together.

However, it will still be necessary to make sure your cat has her own space, which your Chihuahua cannot access. Even if your cat and dog are getting along nicely, that could soon change if your Chihuahua is harassing your cat every time she tries to eat or uses the toilet.

Additionally, make sure your cat continues to have places she can escape to if she needs it. Maintaining a peaceful co-existence is likely to go a lot smoother if she has a place to escape to in the event your Chihuahua decides to chase or gets a little too energetic.

However, if at any stage during this process you notice your Chihuahua showing persistent signs of aggression, and you begin to worry for your cat’s safety, do not hesitate to bring in a dog behaviorist. Most disputes like this can be fixed relatively quickly with the help of a professional.

Whatever the case may be, Chihuahuas are still one of the friendliest breeds you could choose as a housemate for your cat. The worst behavior they tend to exhibit is chasing, but this is typically their way of trying to play.

With consistent training and plenty of patience, you should be able to nip any potential issues in the bud, and before long, the two should be able to co-exist peacefully.

Conclusion

To conclude, there’s no reason why your cat and Chihuahua can’t get along and can live together… but the bottom line is; all animals are different. But with the intro guide above, you should stand a good chance of success in having them both living in your home harmoniously.

You might also like…

Here are some more guides to help you with your new Chihuahua puppy.

• The Chihuahua cold weather guide
• How to deal with Chihuahua crying in the crate and through the night
• How many people are killed by Chihuahua bites each year

Chihuahua image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/chihuahua-dog-animal-brown-male-3961096/

The post Are Chihuahuas Good With Cats? + 5 Step Intro Guide to Getting Along appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Now, please don’t worry. You should eventually be able to stop your Chihuahua puppy crying in his crate.

But you will need a degree of patience and large amount of determination. You will need to leave them at times… this might seem cruel, but it’s an essential part of your Chihuahua puppy growing up to be a well-adjusted adult dog.

The reason it’s happening is due to the Chihuahua puppy being taken away from the mother and other puppy siblings. It’s harsh, but it’s true. Your puppy will no longer have that security and familiarity, so will cry in the crate for prolonged periods of time.

It’s kind of like having a baby; you will need to accept that you might miss out on some sleep for a while and keep going until you get night-time training mastered!

In this easy to follow guide, I will explain the steps you can take to cope with your Chihuahua crying and whining at night. It will help you get them settled and used to sleeping in crate without having to be constantly by your side.

Before those crate trainings steps, here’s a little background to why your Chihuahua’s crying.

Why do Chihuahuas cry?

Chihuahuas will and do cry, and Chihuahua puppies are particularly known as big criers. Whimpering and crying will happen when they want your attention, to be fed, or to be let out for a pee or poop.

Chihuahua puppies also cry due to separation anxiety when they are left alone; much of this plays into their night crying habits – it’s need to be cracked otherwise problems will develop.

Chihuahuas puppies can also cry due to health reasons

• Blocked tear ducts: Whilst this might sound odd, blocked tear ducts mean your Chihuahua’s eyes will water more, with obvious tear staining down their face. It can sometimes look like a red or brown color, seeping from their eyes.
• Eye allergies: An allergic reaction can also lead to watery discharge from their eyes, which can look like tears and crying.

Chihuahua puppies will always cry, and in the first month you have them home with you, it’s to be expected, and possibly won’t let up until they get a bit older.

But the main reason that Chihuahua puppies will cry, will be when you have them starting to sleep in their crate at night. If you skip crate training, it can lead to bigger issues in later life, so it’s important that you do this.

Do Chihuahuas cry tears?

All dogs, including Chihuahuas, have tear ducts. Chihuahua tear ducts don’t work the same as ours do though.

Instead of their tears running down from their eyes, they will instead drain back into the dog’s nasal cavity… which is why blocked tear ducts result in what look like Chihuahua tears.

Chihuahua crying in crate

If your Chihuahua puppy won’t stop crying when in a crate, here’s what you need to do in order to fix things… for you, and the puppy’s sake.

The reason why your Chihuahua puppy is crying in the crate are relatively simple…

• Loneliness: The Chihuahua puppy won’t be used to being without siblings and not by your side at night.
• Bored: If the Chihuahua puppy hasn’t been stimulated during the day, it could be bored at night and want to come out of the crate.
• Fear: Older or rescue dogs can have negative connotations connected to the crate.
• Toilet: It might just be that the Chihuahua needs a pee or poop.

How to stop Chihuahua crate crying behavior

If your adult or Chihuahua puppy won’t stop crying when in their crate, here are some steps you can take.

Please Note: Chihuahua puppies will cry in their crate for at least the first few days you have them. You won’t be able to stop this, as it’s their natural reaction to being in a new home. The steps below are best applied when the crying is problematic and longer term.

1. Make the crate apositive experience and comfortable

One of the simplest ways to stop your Chihuahua puppy crying at night is to make them as comfortable and happy as possible. That’s obvious of course, but it simply boils down to making them want to be in the crate.

You can encourage this by putting toys in there, warm blankets, and some hidden treats. If the crate is cosy and welcoming, it will have more positive connotations rather than negative ones.

To help with that positive association, place an item of clothing of yours in the crate. This will help the Chihuahua puppy’s separation anxiety at night due to the familiar scent.

2. Position the crate strategically

Where you place your Chihuahua’s crate will have a large influence on their behavior, and possibly even the crying. For example, with a really young puppy, having them in a crate in a faraway room from you might help your sleep, but it won’t help them.

You should be taking baby steps here to help their insecurity and loneliness, so in the first few weeks at least have it and them withing sight of your room – so you can see them and vice versa.

Having them closer to you like this, will also mean you can help their potty training, getting them out when they need to pee.

Handy Hint: You might find my guide to potty training a Chihuahua helpful in cases like this.

Over time you can start to move the crate gradually, until they are in the crate, in a room, and with no whining and crying.

3. Use the right-sized crate

Part of the comfort mentioned earlier, will be making sure your Chihuahua has the right crate for their stature. They need enough to room to walk from side to side, move about, stand up, and turn fully without feeling caged.

Crates don’t need to be expensive, with Amazon selling a perfectly good one.

4. Make sure your Chihuahua goes for a pee and poop first

Your Chihuahua is crying in the crate possibly because their bladder is full. They should be allowed outdoors or onto a puppy pad before bedtime.

However, with puppies, they will need the toilet constantly. You might have to take them out of the crate every hour…  but there is an alternative; puppy training pads.

You can still expect some accidents, which is why puppy pads are so essential for lining the crate at night. Again, you can buy puppy pads on Amazon – they are cheap when bought in bulk.

5. Tire your Chihuahua puppy out before crate time

The more tired your Chihuahua puppy is, the more he or she will sleep, meaning the less crying in the crate. That’s the theory anyway.

Try to make sure that your Chihuahua has no energy still left to burn at night. They need exercise, even for a small breed, and that’s whether they are adults or puppies.

With a Chihuahua puppy, just a walk and run about for 20 minutes could be enough to make them tired before bed and crate time.

6. Ignore your Chihuahua’s crying and whining

It might sound cruel, but sometimes you just have to ignore your Chihuahua crying, unless they need to go outdoors and pee. It’s a simple reason too; if you go to the crate and get them out each time they cry, they will learn to use crying to get what they want.

By taking them out of the crate at night when the Chihuahua cries, you have reinforced the behavior… and will then find it hard to stop as the weeks and months progress.

To get this part of the training working, don’t take the Chihuahua puppy out of the crate unless the crying has stopped for a few minutes.

7. Understanding the difference between a cry for a pee and a cry for attention

But how do you know which cry is which?

To be honest, you don’t… so what I recommend is that you take your Chihuahua out of the crate the first few times he cries and immediately take him to the potty area.

You might end up taking your puppy out of the crate during their early months… it’s too tempting not too!

If he doesn’t pee or poop, put him straight back in the crate without any attention or play. Over a week or so, your puppy should learn that crying gives him the toilet and nothing else.

8. Never punish or scold your crying Chihuahua

Chihuahuas (or any dog for that matter) do not respond well to loud shouting and hitting. Whilst it might be extremely frustrating when your Chihuahua cries at night from the crate, if you tell them it will often make it worse.

If your Chihuahua is crying due to being scared, shouting more will not help. Yes, he might stop crying in the short-term, but only because he is in fear of you.

Handy Hint: You should never punish a Chihuahua with physical action. Instead use some of these ideas I’ve listed to help with puppy discipline.

Conclusion

When training to stop your Chihuahua crying at night, you should always remain consistent. That way, mixed messages won’t be sent.

If you can’t quite figure out why your Chihuahua cries and have eliminated the topics I’ve discussed then please do seek professional help.

You might also like…

Here are some related guides to help you and your Chihuahua puppy, with crying, night-time sleep, and other issues.

• This is why your Chihuahua might have a runny nose
• Keeping an anxious puppy calm at night
• How to stop your Chihuahua from biting you and other people

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/background-eye-iris-pupil-close-up-4513734/

The post Chihuahua Crying: How to Stop Chihuahua Puppy Crate & Night Tears appeared first on DoggySaurus.

However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take a disciplined approach at times. Chihuahuas can be very stubborn and have a character that can naturally lead them into trouble!

Good training and discipline should never be confused with physical punishment and loud shouting. No dog reacts well to aggressive behavior, and in fact can mirror back anger with barking and possibly even biting.

But don’t think you can’t punish your Chihuahua puppy. You can punish a Chihuahua, but not in the way you think. Instead you use disciplinary methods without doing anything that will hurt or scare them.

And this is exactly what I will explain today, with a guide that shows you how to discipline a Chihuahua, leading to a well behaved and happy dog. There is no physical punishment involved, as it never should be with dogs.

How do you discipline a Chihuahua puppy without punishment?

As you know, Chihuahuas are stubborn little characters meaning it can be a struggle to get them to behave well at the right moments. But, with patience, perseverance, and a consistent approach to discipline it is possible to reduce unwanted behavior,

You will need to:

• Only ever discipline your Chihuahua at the point the problem occurred to help them relate the two actions; anything else will confuse them.
• Always use positive reinforcement after they have done something good in the right way you wanted them to.
• Be consistent with the way you discipline your Chihuahua including the correct body language and a firm tone of voice.
• Never resort to shouting and hitting your puppy as this will get the opposite response to the one you want.

Chihuahua discipline tips

Use the following tips with your Chihuahua and you should never need to physically punish them. Not that you should ever hit a dog anyway!

1. Discipline them at the time of the offence

Chihuahuas don’t like being left alone and can become destructive due separation anxiety. You might come home to find paperwork shredded, furniture torn, and shoes chewed up.

Whilst the temptation to shout might be you first response, your Chihuahua won’t understand that and correlate the angry owner with the shoe he destroyed earlier that day.

Chihuahuas do have good memories, but no dog will be able to reconcile you punishing them for something that they did earlier that day. Their brains aren’t wired to work that way.

The bottom line is, unless you catch your Chihuahua being naughty in the act, there’s no point meting out punishment once that bad behavior has already happened. Instead you need to act in the moment and discipline your Chihuahua at the time with firm words and body language which are described in tip 2.

2. Use firm body language and tone of voice

Dogs will pick up on the most subtle of changes in your body language and voice. My recommended Chihuahua punishment method is to use a combination of the two; a firm “no” command with your finger raised and changing your face to frown from a smile.

This is an effective way of disciplining a Chihuahua as they will hear the change in your voice and see the change in your face. And what’s key here is that you haven’t had to hurt them and lose your temper.

Disciplining your Chihuahua in this way will help to cement your position in the household as the alpha dog and pack leader. If you end up shouting and hitting all you are doing is becoming a threat to the dog, making them more anxious. This can only exacerbate the behavioral problems you wanted to eliminate.

Handy Hint: Your dog should respect you as the leader in the house. Here are the signs you can look for to make sure your dog considers you the alpha.

3. Stay consistent with the discipline and training

It’s easy for dogs to get confused so keep the way you act consistent and simple when disciplining your Chihuahua.

To give you a real-world example, let’s say you slap your thighs to get them to jump up to you on Friday to give them love. Then on Saturday your Chihuahua jumps up to a stranger and puts dirty paws all over them… and you then tell the puppy off.

Your Chihuahua is getting mixed messages here.

This mixed approach to training is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with your Chihuahua. When our dog was a puppy I would gently play fight with him in our lounge, encouraging him to nip at my hands. It was a fun game and didn’t hurt as he was so young. I should never have started this game though…

When my puppy got to 5 months old, the teeth were sharper and his jaw a lot stronger. But he still wanted to play the same game, but it was now a problem as you can imagine. I was telling him to stop, and he couldn’t understand why as it’s something I’d previously encouraged him to do.

You need to be very consistent with any Chihuahua discipline. If you stick to the same approach each time, results will come a lot quicker.

4. Use positive reinforcement

After you have disciplined your Chihuahua and are heading towards the behavior you desire, always reward them with positive reinforcement when they do well.

Dogs can be trained to respond to a treat or the promise of a treat. Dogs also respond well to just words of encouragement and praise each time they get something right.

If you’re training your dog to come back to you when off the leash, treats can work wonders. Withholding treats is a way of punishing a Chihuahua by showing them they didn’t quite hit the high standards you demand of them!

5. Take breaks and give them a timeout

You can also teach your Chihuahua good behavior by using verbal hints and time outs.

Let’s say you are playing with your Chihuahua and he nips at your hands. You can respond with a firm “ouch” sound, turn around with your back to your Chihuahua, then walk out of the room.

What you’ve done here is stop the very thing your Chihuahua wanted to do which was to have fun and play with you. The loud “ouch” also tells your Chihuahua they hurt you; dogs will yelp when hurt, so we assume they correlate the sound to meaning pain.

After doing this a few times, you can teach your Chihuahua that if they bite you or do something naught during play, then the fun stops. Time outs are brilliant ways to punish Chihuahuas; 5 minutes probably feels like 5 hours!

Handy Hint: I’ve written an easy to understand guide which shows you how to stop a Chihuahua puppy from biting you and other people.

6. Try using a squirt bottle or water pistol

Some Chihuahua owners use a water pistol to discourage bad behavior. It’s not something I’ve ever tried with my own dog, but many people say it’s a punishment and disciplining method.

All you do is give your Chihuahua a little squirt of water when he or she misbehaves, and use that firm “no” command and body language at the same time.

7. Use distraction methods

As a last resort, you can use distraction to stop a Chihuahua doing something bad. For example, my dog loves sticks. If I say the word “stick” he will drop everything he’s doing and run straight towards me.

When we’re out this can be really helpful. I used it last week when we were at our local park and my dog went to steal a sandwich from a young couple having a picnic. Before he get himself into too much trouble, I used the “stick” distraction and he bounded back to me.

It’s a classic distraction method and any type of distraction can work very well, if the discipline isn’t working or you don’t have time.

How you should NOT discipline your Chihuahua

To brings things full circle I wanted to reiterate all the ways you should not punish a Chihuahua.

• Never shout at your Chihuahua.
• Never hit or hurt your Chihuahua.
• Never drag or jerk your Chihuahua on their leash.
• Never chase after your Chihuahua.
• Never rub your Chihuahua’s nose in their urine or poop.
• Never use electric shock collars with your Chihuahua (legal in the US still).

Conclusion

Many Chihuahua owners will know how hard this breed can be to train. But if you stick with at it, it will be worth in the long run and save you a lot of problems in the future.

Just remember that Chihuahuas don’t connect the punishment you mete out, with the thing they have just done. That can make it harder to get them to rectify any bad behavior, instead making them scared when shouting and hitting is used.

Instead use timely discipline and positive reinforcement. This is the best way to discipline a Chihuahua puppy and will result in a very happy dog… and owner!

You might also like…

Here are some additional guides about raising a well-adjusted Chihuahua puppy.

• How many people have died from Chihuahua bites
• How to deal with a clingy Chihuahua
• Why your Chihuahua likes to bite your feet and ankles

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/chihuahua-christmas-lights-dog-4730005/

The post How to Discipline a Chihuahua Puppy: 7 Alternative Punishments appeared first on DoggySaurus.