What to feed baby chihuahua

Food Chart, Healthy Diet Plan and Behaviour

SIZE | Small
COAT LENGTH | Short
ENERGY | High

Description

Chihuahuas are a toy sized dog breed that come in two main coat varieties, smooth-coated and long-haired. They are charming, loyal and intelligent companion dogs who often seem to be unaware of their tiny size. They are highly alert and make great companions for individuals in small homes, but care must be taken to socialise them early or they may become fearful and aggressive towards strangers.

Neonatal

During the first 4 weeks of your Chihuahua's life, they should spend most of their time with their mother and litter-mates. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop.

Nutrition
During the neonatal stage, your Chihuahua puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Chihuahuas have small mouths so use caution when considering solids food as they may struggle to chew or swallow them.

Health
During this time it is important to monitor your Chihuahua for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance.

Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach.

Behaviour
During most of this time your Chihuahua will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After 3-4 weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch.

Weaning

When you take your Chihuahua puppy home (usually at around 8 weeks) you should shower them with love and attention. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. Make the most of this time and introduce your puppy to the world around them by inviting over friends, acquainting them with other pets and showing them around the house..

Nutrition
During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Chihuahua's toy size and young age. Chihuahuas require only a small amount of food split between two meals. This breed is prone to tartar buildup, but they enjoy crunching on dry dog food which can help alleviate this. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid as your Chihuahua puppy will most likely spend most of their time inside. During this time, the puppy’s immunity is not completely developed and hence he/she will be prone to digestible upsets. Hence is it important to support your puppy’s developing immune system with PURINA®️ PROPLAN®️ PUPPY, a formula enriched with colostrum, which is proven to support their immune defenses. PURINA®️ PROPLAN®️ Small & Mini Puppy has

PURINA®️ PROPLAN®️ Small & Mini Puppy has

1. Colostrum, rich in natural antibodies, proven to enhance immune response
2. DHA from omega-rich fish oil helps nourish brain and vision development
3. Colostrum proven to balance intestinal micro flora, helps protect your puppy from common intestinal upsets
4. Easily digestible and supports the fast growth of Small and Mini puppies with nutrient dense formula
5. Easy rehydration of kibble for weaning
6. Scientifically proven antioxidants to boost immune defence
7. No added artificial colours, flavours and preservatives

Health
During this time you should provide your puppy with a small, shallow bowl of clean water and refresh the contents frequently. As Chihuahuas are usually inside dogs, so it is important that your puppy is properly toilet trained during this time. Your Chihuahua will soon be a loyal friend and keen protector of the house, but in the meantime you will have to watch them closely and establish clear boundaries during toilet training.

Behaviour
Due to all the changes in their environment, your Chihuahua will likely be under a significant amount of stress. Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone and prefer to be part of a pack, but are just as likely to enjoy spending time with their chosen person. Be affectionate and supportive during this time, but make sure they spend time with many different people to avoid excessive protectiveness. Introducing them to children, objects and other animals early is often effective in reducing aggression later in life.

Puppy

By the time your Chihuahua reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed. While very tiny, your Chihuahua puppy will be a big personality with an abundance of sass, but an affectionate and needy alter ego. Continue to socialise them with strangers in new places and reward good behaviour with treats and pats.

Nutrition
Your Chihuahua puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Do not feed your Chihuahua human food from your plate, especially while they are on your lap or lounge as they will come to expect this at every meal and become fussy eaters. It is important to choose puppy food, which is made for Chihuahua’s small size & has the essential nutrients and minerals for his/her growth & development.

PURINA®️ PROPLAN®️ Small & Mini Puppy has:

1. DHA from omega-rich fish oil helps nourish brain and vision development
2. Colostrum proven to balance intestinal micro flora, helps protect your puppy from common intestinal upsets
3. Easily digestible and supports the fast growth of Small and Mini puppies with nutrient dense formula
4. Scientifically proven antioxidants to boost immune defence
5. No added artificial colours, flavours and preservatives
6. Real Chicken as the No 1 ingredient which provides Crude Protein for their muscle growth

Health
Chihuahuas have bursts of energy and love to rub around with toys but they do not require a large amount of exercise — a short walk around your backyard or up the street should be enough. You should discourage your Chihuahua from jumping from furniture as this breed often develop joint problems from repeated strains. Weekly grooming should be sufficient for short-haired Chihuahuas and biweekly for long-haired varieties. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that.

PURINA®️ PROPLAN®️ Puppy contains natural bovine colostrum, which is proven to boost the immune system.

a) Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet.

b) Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks

c) A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age.

Behaviour
Chihuahua puppies are very loyal and affectionate with those that they know, but a poorly socialised dog will often be aggressive towards strangers to the point of barking and biting. Familiarise them with friends and children early, but any interaction with small children should be closely monitored. Pomeranians are very intelligent and take well to training as this is an opportunity to receive both treats and pats. Look for resources on stopping biting, minimising barking at doorbells, and reducing destructive behaviours.

Best Food For Chihuahua Puppy

The best food for Chihuahua puppy — Every puppy owner wants to make sure their puppy has the nutrition it needs! Even a tiny pup like the Chihuahua has special nutritional needs during puppyhood to support her growth! There are many kinds of Chihuahua puppy food to consider for food choice as well as feeding patterns. We will look at many of these options so you can make informed choices on feeding your young companion. In any case, for the youngest pups, clean food with plenty of fat and protein will support healthy growth and development.

The Top 3 Puppy Foods for Chihuahua

In a hurry? Check out our top three picks here:

Wellness Complete Puppy Food
Castor & Pollux Grain-free Organic Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Food

Want to learn more about one of these top picks? You can click on the items above to learn more.

Best Puppy Food for Chihuahua Contents

How Much Should A Chihuahua Puppy Eat?
Chihuahua Puppy Dietary Requirements
Best Wet Chihuahua Puppy Food
The Best Dry Food for Chihuahua Puppies
The Best Grain Free Chihuahua Puppy Food
Best Food For Chihuahua Puppies with Sensitive Stomachs
Raw Feeding Chihuahua Puppies
References and Resources

How Much Should A Chihuahua Puppy Eat?

As anyone who’s ever owned a puppy knows, they rarely sit still. All that running, jumping and playing requires serious energy and serious fuel.

Puppies eat a lot. They have to! They’re growing their muscles, developing their immune systems and strengthening their bones. But you don’t want your puppy getting overweight, as it’s bad for them.

Puppies do best with multiple small meals a day. Feed at regular times, in regular amounts.

Don’t worry if your puppy picks at his food, he could just be telling you that you’re giving him too much!

Portion sizes vary according to each dog. Let your puppy guide you and keep an eye on his weight.

Overweight puppies are more at risk of orthopedic problems.

Chihuahua puppy feeding progression

So, what’s the best food for Chihuahua puppies at different stages?

If you’ve purchased your Chihuahua puppy from a breeder they can also advise on the amount and type of food the puppy is used to eating. It’s best to continue with the same food and frequency your puppy has been eating at the breeder’s. If you want to make changes, wait at least 2 weeks, and then gradually taper onto the new food while tapering off the old food.

Up until 12 or 13 weeks, the American Kennel Club recommends feeding moist food. At around 12 or 13 weeks, you can start gradually introducing dry, unmoistened food.

Chihuahuas should be fed puppy-specific food until 9 months of age. At 9 months, or possibly 10 for males since they grow more slowly, they can gradually transition from puppy food to adult food.

Chihuahua puppy feeding schedule

Chihuahua puppies, due to their tiny size do best on more frequent feedings than their larger cousins. This is for several reasons.

We already talked about the importance of food frequency on preventing hypoglycemia. Smaller, more frequent meals also helps to prevent bloat.

The recommendation for feeding frequency for a Chihuahua puppy is 4-6 times a day.

Chihuahua Puppy Dietary Requirements

While they are generally a healthy breed, the Chihuahua has a few health vulnerabilities that can be addressed with diet. Let’s take a look!

Hypoglycemia

Small breed puppies, such as Chihuahuas, are at risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. In fact, this is one of the most common health concerns for the Chihuahua. While the solution is simple, ignoring a hypoglycemic attack can lead to the pup dying.

The best thing is prevention. Feeding your young Chihuahua 4-6 times a day will keep her with a steady supply of food energy to keep enough sugar in her blood.

Signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, confusion, disorientation, and muscle tremors or seizures. If you see these signs in your young Chihuahua, it’s best to either offer food if she’s up for it, or take her to the vet immediately if not.

On a long term basis, speak to a vet if you are concerned your puppy isn’t eating enough.

Tracheal Collapse and Joint Problems

The trachea, or windpipe, is supported by rings of cartilage. In the Chihuahua, these are susceptible to weakness and collapse. If they collapse, it causes inflammation and pain in the windpipe lining.

One thing that can help maintain the strength of your pup’s cartilage is glucosamine and chondroitin. These also support the cartilage in the joints, which is great because the Chihuahua can also experience a few kinds of joint problems.

Dental problems

While one study comparing different commercial foods has shown no difference in dental issues between different commercial foods (raw diets were not included). It is probably a good idea to avoid giving your pup sugary treats.

It is also essential to invest in a Chihuahua toothbrush and get her used to the routine early.

Best Dog Food For Chihuahua Puppy

So what’s the best dog food to feed your Chihuahua puppy? There are a lot of choices out there!

What is the best food for Chihuahua puppy? It depends on the puppy. Dog food for Chihuahua puppies can come in many forms. Some owners choose to feed their dogs dry food, some wet food, and others a combination of both.

Only you can decide what’s best for your dog. Read on to find out your options and get the information that will help you make an informed decision.

From wheat-free to all-natural, the many choices can be overwhelming.

There are cocerns that canned meat may not provide all the nutrition a puppy needs.

Kibble, or dry food, is the most economical and most popular choice. There are many brands out there, with various flavors and numerous specialized options.

Speak with your breeder and your vet if you have questions about what’s right for your pup. They can help you decide what is the best Chihuahua puppy food for your pup.

There is no one best dog food for Chihuahua puppies, but there are a few that are better than others.

Toy dogs like the Chihuahua need smaller morsels of kibble to reduce the risk of choking. So be sure to choose a puppy formula suitable for small breeds.

Best Wet Chihuahua Puppy Food

Many puppy caretakers like to give their puppy a little or a lot of their food as a wet food.

In some cases, this can really help with a puppy who is having decreased appetite or difficulty managing dry kibble.

It can also provide some additional variety and appeal to give your pup a more enjoyable experience of food.

Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Puppy Chicken & Salmon

This food made by Wellness Complete* contains a variety of real-food ingredients and supplemental nutrients to make for a complete and balanced diet. We love the absence of fillers and the fact that it is made in North America.

Canidae Grain Free Pure Dog and Puppy Wet Food

With protein covered by high omega 3 fish, including salmon and mackerel, we love this natural wet food* that is good for puppies as well as dogs. Based on a handful of real food ingredients, it also contains nutrient supplements to make it a complete and balanced food for your pup!

Nutro Grain Free Wet Dog Food Adult & Puppy

Based on either beef or chickenNutro has made a balanced wet puppy food* for those who want to feed their best friend wholesome safe food. It is produced in the USA and manages to avoid GMOs in addition to fillers and artificial colors/flavors/preservatives.

Best Dry Food for Chihuahua Puppies

Dry food may be the most classic option and possibly a great baseline for your puppy’s diet. It is convenient to store, can be left in a dish all day, and easy to take with you on the road or trail. These choices are also considered complete and balanced diets, so you don’t have to worry too much if your pup is getting the nutrients she needs.

Wellness Complete Small Breed Puppy Food

A popular natural food choice is Wellness Complete dry puppy food*. This one is based on chicken and rice, but also contains omega 3s from flax and guaranteed amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. You can also rest a bit more securely knowing it is made in the USA of carefully sourced ingredients.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Dog Food

A reliable brand for wholesome dog food, Blue Buffalo makes a great

puppy food for small breeds*. It contains meat as the first ingredient and wholesome grains and veggies. It has added DHA for brain health as well as added antioxidants to support the developing immune system. We appreciate the lack of fillers and artificial additives.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food

This natural dry puppy food* is based on chicken, brown rice and sweet potatoes.
We especially appreciate the care to assure ingredients are from non-GMO sources.

Best Grain Free Chihuahua Puppy Food

Allergies are one of the top three most common health problems in purebred dogs. Often these allergies are caused or worsened by foods, especially grains.

If you think your puppy may have an allergy, it is best to consult with your vet.

Fortunately, there are many options available of wholesome commercial foods that cater to grain free or limited ingredient diet needs.

Here are a few of our favorites.

Blue Freedom Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Food

Blue Freedom Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Food* has a strict policy when it comes to ingredients.

No by-product meals, no corn, wheat or soy. In fact, nothing artificial at all.

This formula is designed to support healthy growth and development while avoiding grains. The main ingredient is delicious deboned chicken as the main ingredient.

Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed & Toy Breed Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

Grain free and freeze dried rather than heated

this puppy food especially for tiny pups* is a great choice for a naturally nutrient dense food. It contains all the nutrients your pup needs to grow well and no artificial junk.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food

This high protein grain-free puppy food* is a well-thought-out blend of real meat and antioxidants that covers all your little puppy nutritional needs. Ingredients are carefully sourced.

Best Food For Chihuahua Puppies with Sensitive Stomachs

Some puppies tend to have a more sensitive stomach. For these ones, it may help to try a food that is a less complex (and all natural) formula. This simply leaves fewer things to potentially aggravate their stomach. Of course, if your pup is having ongoing digestive issues, we definitely recommend checking in with the vet as well to be sure there is nothing that needs attention.

Here are a few foods we recommend for the more sensitive Chihuahua puppy.

Castor & Pollux grain-free organic food

For some pups, pesticide residue in the food might be contributing to GI upset. For an organic option, this food* covers the bases. It is based around organic, free-range chicken and contains flax for omega 3s and blueberries for phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Nutro Ultra Puppy Food

Nutro Ultra puppy food* is a relatively simple recipe that includes salmon and chicken and many highly nutrient-dense foods including chia, kale, and blueberries! We like that it is free of common irritating factors like artificial preservatives or colors. It is a small kibble designed specifically for ease of eating by younger dogs.

Find out more on Amazon here.*

Raw Feeding Chihuahua Puppies

A growing number of owners are now feeding their pets a raw food diet. These types of diets typically include bones and organ meats with supplemental veggies.

The benefits of this diet have not been scientifically assessed but many dog-lovers say their pets thrive on it.

You can check out the pros and cons of raw feeding for dogs in our guide.

Best Puppy Food for Chihuahua

So what is the best food for a Chihuahua puppy?

We have looked at dry and wet foods and foods for those with sensitive stomachs and allergies as well as raw diets.

In summary, the best food for Chihuahua puppy dogs is one that contains all the nutrients they need, in small enough morsels to easily fit in their tiny mouths.

Don’t forget, if what you try first does not seem to be best for your pup for any reason, you can always try something else!

Since your Chihuahua puppy is still young and his digestive system is developing, introduce new foods gradually.

Oh, and puppyhood is so short! Once your Chihuahua puppy outgrows her puppy stage, check out our guide to the best dog foods for the Chihuahua!

Which Puppy Food Do You Use?

Have you found a food on which your Chihuahua puppy thrives? Let us know in the comments below!

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

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References and Resources

How To Feed Your Puppy Kibble
5 Simple Rules For Feeding Your Puppy
Wiles, B.M, et al, “Large-scale survey to estimate the prevalence of disorders for 192 Kennel Club registered breeds.”, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2017
Hawthorne, AJ et al. 2004. Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds. The Journal of Nutrition.
American Veterinary Medical Association
Borreau, J et al 2004 Gastric Emptying Rate is Inversely Proportional to Body Weight In Dog Breeds of Different Sizes
Raghavan, M et al 2004 Diet Related Risk Factors For Gastric Dilatation- Volvulus in Dogs of High Risk Breeds. Journal Of The American Animal Hospital Assocation.
Capik, I. 2010 Periodontal health vs Various preventative means in toy dog breeds. Acta Veterinaria Brno.
Lonsdale, T 1995 Periodontal disease and leukopenia. Journal of Small Animal Practice.

Chihuahua food, what food to choose for a chihuahua

Chihuahua

01/01/1970

You can choose to feed your Chihuahua dog dry food or canned food for small breeds. The best option is to combine dry and wet food (but not in one meal). Dry diets are good for dogs' teeth because they help to remove plaque and tartar.

What is better to feed, homemade food or feed?

One of the issues of keeping a Chihuahua is the choice of food. You can feed your dog with natural products, choosing a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, or you can give preference to ready-made feeds. For dwarf dogs, dry or canned food is being developed that contains the optimal percentage of animal proteins, carbohydrates, a complex of vitamins and minerals.

Benefits of feeding prepared foods:

Balanced composition. Rations are made taking into account the conditions of keeping the Chihuahua breed, the constitution of these dwarf dog breeds, and the daily needs for nutrients. There are veterinary foods that are developed for pets with various health problems. nine0016
Ease of use. Dry or wet food is ready to eat, packaged in convenient packaging (pouches, tins). It is convenient not only to give them at home, but you can also take them with you on trips, to visit.
Large selection of different flavors. Manufacturers offer canned or dry food with different types of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, so you can choose any diet for your pet (within the same brand line).

Adult dogs are fed with natural products or ready-made dry food, canned food for small breeds. Ready-made rations have a number of advantages, because. contain all the useful substances necessary for the development and growth of a pet - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral elements. nine0003

Show all item

Chihuahua puppy nutrition

Nutrition is a very important factor for the normal development and growth of puppies, as well as for the healthy life and reproduction of adults. Therefore, you need to select food for Chihuahua puppies, taking into account the age, weight, and individual health characteristics of a small pet.

How many times a day should a Chihuahua puppy be fed? In ready-made diets, the amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates is strictly selected, therefore, with such nutrition, the puppy is saturated and receives all the nutrients he needs.

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Nutritional considerations for puppies:

Chihuahuas under 12 months of age should have a high-calorie diet that includes proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals;
the number of meals: at 2-3 months of age - 6 times a day, at 3-4 months of age - 5 times, 4-6 months - 4 times, 6-12 months - 3 times, after a year - 2 times a day;
it is desirable to adhere to the feeding regimen and give food to a small pet by the hour;
over the age of 4-5 months, it is better not to give the puppy food at night, the last meal should be appointed no later than 7-8 pm. nine0016

The daily intake depends on the weight of the puppy, the type of food. Dry or wet prepared foods are specified by the manufacturer (as a rule, premium, super-premium and holistic canned foods consume less than economy class rations).

Chihuahua Puppy Nutrition - Recommended Products

For puppies under 2 months of age, breast milk is the optimal food. If the bitch does not have milk or the puppy has already been taken from its mother, you need to feed it with cow or goat milk every 4 hours. After reaching the age of one month, you can try to introduce natural products - scraped raw meat (a small amount of the product is scraped off a frozen piece of beef and given to the pet). You can also give a small amount of cottage cheese, boiled meat, vegetables, cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal). Once a week, you can give a boiled egg, liver. Fish can be given only sea, no more than 1 time per week. Be sure to ensure that the animal does not come across bones! nine0003

Ready-made food for Chihuahua puppies can be started from 3 months, choosing canned food for dwarf dogs.

It is recommended to give food from one manufacturer, it is possible with different recipes (with different tastes of meat, fish, seafood). Dry food begins to be introduced into the dog's diet at the age of 6-7 months (they are useful for chewing muscles and cleaning teeth from plaque, they have a balanced composition).

What not to feed a chihuahua puppy

It is forbidden to feed puppies from your table and give him fried, sweet, salty food. Dangerous for the animal, sausages and confectionery. In no case do not give bird and fish bones to a Chihuahua puppy - the animal may choke on them. nine0003

What to choose: dry food or natural food for Chihuahua puppies?

The type of diet you choose should take into account the time you can spend caring for your dog. If there is no time to cook meat, cereals and vegetables for the animal, it is better to opt for ready-made feeds. In addition, in most cases, even premium balanced feeds are cheaper than natural feeds.

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Chihuahua - care and upbringing of a puppy

Tips from a Chihuahua breeder with 20 years of experience, the nursery "Tsvetana"

  Article content: 
  1. Puppy health 
 2. Puppy feeding0094 3. Vitamin and mineral supplements 
 4. Vaccinations 
 5. First steps together 
 6. How to toilet train a puppy 
 7. How to care for a puppy 
 8. To walk or not to walk 
 9. Taking care of your baby

1. Health of the puppy

When buying a puppy, you must make sure that he is healthy. Outwardly, this is as follows: the puppy runs smartly (except for super-tiny options), he has an excellent appetite, clean eyes and ears, and a smooth and shiny coat. The puppy should not cough or sneeze. When examining the puppy's teeth, pay attention to the bite: it should be scissor-shaped or with very little undershot bite. As for the number of teeth, the following should be taken into account: there should be all canines, and incisors - preferably 12 (the absence of any of the incisors is possible). nine0003

One and a half to two month old Chihuahua puppies are very small, but very active and funny. When purchasing a puppy, consult with the breeder how to care for the puppy and STRICTLY follow his recommendations.

2. Feeding the puppy

The first time, after the puppy was taken away from home, you need to feed him with his usual food. It is easier to feed a puppy dry food than natural food. Dry food is completely balanced, it contains the optimal amount of vitamins and minerals that a puppy needs for full development and growth. The following brands are well suited for feeding a puppy: Brit (Brit), Pro Plan (Pro Plan), Acana (Akana), Orijen (Orijen), Bosch (Bosch), Magnusson (Magnusson), Monge (Monge), Xills (Hills), Royal Canin (Royal Kanin), Josera (Yosera). nine0003

Veterinarians recommend soaking dry food for puppies in a small amount of slightly warm water to avoid gastritis and overeating. Soaking the food swells and the dog eats less of it than dry food. Once a day, the puppy is given cottage cheese with milk (or kefir).

It is believed that by restricting the puppy's nutrition during growth, it is possible to achieve a lower weight in an adult dog. However, experts say that this will bring nothing but harm. Poor feeding will lead to the formation of bad muscles and affect health. nine0003

Once your puppy has adjusted to his new environment, you can gradually transition him to a different diet. You can feed your puppy with natural products. The main diet is lean meat (beef, turkey (without skin), rabbit) boiled and finely chopped. As a side dish - well-boiled rice, buckwheat, hercules. Once a week - half a boiled yolk. From time to time, include fish in the puppy's diet, but only ocean fish, with the exception of pollock and fish with a high fat content (capelin, etc.). From fermented milk products - kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, cheese (finely chopped). nine0003

Small dogs love fruits (everything is good, especially apples and bananas). Vegetables are best digested stewed or boiled. Raw, they will be better absorbed if they are grated and add ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil. Carrots are useful, the carotene contained in it makes the coat color brighter, restores pigmentation.

Food should always be fresh and slightly warm. And, of course, it is necessary to give beef bones and cartilage to gnaw. There should always be clean water near the puppy's house. A 1.5-2 month old puppy needs to be fed 5 times a day. nine0003

What should not be categorically given to a puppy to eat: pork or fatty meat, river fish, sweets and sugar, pasta, legumes, spices, nuts, sweet bell peppers, onions, fresh cabbage (the exception is healthy sauerkraut). It is impossible to give sausages (sausages) or smoked meats, salinity instead of meat. In their composition, they are far from meat, and various additives are very toxic to dogs.

3. Vitamin and mineral supplements

For puppies, there are special vitamin complexes sold in veterinary pharmacies. The preparation you have chosen should contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, as well as all the main vitamins and a number of trace elements. Phytomins of the Russian manufacturer Veda have proven themselves well.

Phytomins are available: for teeth, for hair, anti-allergic, hematodog (for puppies, for debilitated adults and after surgery) and others. Many praise the 8 in 1 vitamin supplements.

4. Vaccination

Whether the puppy was vaccinated, and if vaccinated, then when and with what vaccine - if the puppy is not vaccinated, then a week after its purchase, deworming is carried out and a week later the first vaccination with the HOBIVAK vaccine is given. Before vaccination, you can drip Gamavit into the puppy's mouth (sold in a veterinary pharmacy). It is not necessary to reduce the dose of the vaccine, as many people think, because of the size of a small dog. After vaccination, you need to ask the veterinary clinic: when to do the next vaccination and strictly follow the schedule (if the puppy is healthy). nine0003

It is advisable to vaccinate puppies for the first time at the age of 9, and for super small ones at the age of 10-11 weeks. You can not start vaccination during the period of changing teeth (age from 3.5 to 6 months).

5. About the first steps together

On the first day, do not tire your pet with excessive attention. Let him sniff around and get to know his new home. After 1-2 days, he will get used to it, and will be fun to run around the house, accompanying you. The puppy's house should be in a warm corner without drafts. In the kitchen, you can additionally put a stove bench. nine0003

You have to be extremely careful when handling a puppy. Take care not to accidentally step on him, do not accidentally hit him with a door and do not catch a cold in a draft. Do not take it to the sofa or bed. He himself will learn to climb onto the sofa and jump off it. Super tiny puppies, when they grow up, put a pillow on the floor by the sofa or make steps.

You should be extremely careful when holding the puppy in your arms, as often the puppy will break out vigorously and may fall (the breeder must show how to hold the puppy - with a grip under the chest). nine0003

6. How to litter train a puppy

Small dogs learn to use the toilet rather quickly. In order to teach a puppy to write and poop in the place where you want, you need to lay several newspapers or a special disposable or reusable diaper on the floor near his house. Usually the puppy starts to walk on them by himself. When the baby is going to do his business, and most often it happens after sleeping and eating, he must be quickly picked up and taken to the newspapers or to the diaper. nine0003

Afterwards, when the puppy gets used to doing his business on a newspaper or a diaper, you can put it on the litter box and teach the puppy to the litter box.

7. How to care for your puppy

Caring for your puppy is easy and enjoyable. This applies to both long-haired and smooth-haired dogs. Comb your friend once every few days. Check your puppy's teeth regularly. During the change of teeth, milk incisors and canines most often do not fall out on their own and it is necessary to consult a doctor to remove them. Puppies should be taught to brush their teeth from an early age. It is good to use special toothbrushes for cleaning, which are worn on the finger (Trixie has two for teeth and for gums) and Cliny tooth gel or Trixie toothpaste. You should also regularly purchase special bones and treats for brushing your teeth at the pet store. For example, the company TitBit. nine0003

Keep your ears clean. It is not recommended to clean the ears with cotton swabs. A few drops of Veda's "Ear Lotion with Phytocomplex of 25 Healing Herbs" by Veda or Cliny's "Cleansing Ear Lotion" by Cliny are dripped into the ear and the base of the ear is massaged (instructions are on the package).

Take care of your eyes. Pet stores sell special lotions for the eyes "Calendula" or "Chamomile" by Veda, "Eye Care" - Eye Care Lotion by Trixie. Tear spots on the coat should follow the shape of the eye. nine0003

Sometimes only one eye can water, it seems that it is not strong, but a path appears under the eye. Then you can buy Bars eye drops in a veterinary pharmacy or consult a veterinarian. Purulent discharge from the eyes is an indicator of a serious illness.

Treat your under-eye hair. Use under-eye wipes such as Cliny. In case of need, for example, for white and light cream dogs, Trixie's Tearstain Remover can be recommended. nine0003

Trim your pet's overgrown nails once every two or three weeks with a special nail cutter (it looks like small scissors). If the Chihuahua puppy resists strongly, then it is better to swaddle him, leaving one paw outside. After trimming the claws, the puppy's paw should look elegant.

Bathe your puppy only when necessary. Do not bathe a puppy if he is not yet two months old. When he starts to grow up, play more naughty and, accordingly, get more dirty, do not rush to immediately drag the prankster to the bathroom. After a slushy walk, wash the puppy's paws or wipe them with wet paw wipes, such as Cliny, and comb out the coat. Detergents destroy and remove the protective fatty layer on the skin and coat. This layer protects the skin from moisture and pollution, protects against hypothermia and the penetration of microbes. nine0003

When bathing, preferably professional puppy shampoos, eg Trixie, Hartz, Gotlieb, Dr. Vic. For long-haired and smooth-haired puppies and different, there is also a shampoo for puppies with very delicate skin. (For example, oatmeal shampoos). The most gentle shampoo option is a dry shampoo, for example, from Trixie. It is similar to talc and can be used frequently.

It is better to bathe puppies after the last walk. You can not bathe immediately after eating. With warm water, make sure that water does not get into the ears, do not pour water directly on the head (dilute the shampoo in warm water), on thoroughly moistened wool, without pushing it apart so that the shampoo does not get on the skin. nine0003

Let the puppy shake off and lightly wring out the water with a towel on the ears, on the paws, on the body. When the puppy's coat dries a little, you need to let the puppy run around so that he is in motion. For puppies with delicate skin and fur, blow-drying is contraindicated.

After bathing and drying, praise your puppy and reward him with some treats.

In addition, do not wash your dog 2-3 days before vaccination and for two weeks after it. It is preferable to wash an adult dog 1-2 times a year.

Keep your pet free of fleas. From fleas and ticks, anti-flea collars or drops on the withers have proven themselves well. From spring to autumn, treat the dog house. nine0003

8. To walk or not to walk

Immediately after buying a puppy, it is not recommended to walk with him on the street until he gets used to all the vaccinations. The start of walking a puppy also depends on the time of year. It’s good to start walking in the summer, when the sun has dried the earth and warmed it up. By the time you start your outdoor walks, take care to buy a flea collar or drops.

If you walk your dog outside, it is advisable to wipe its paws after the walk with paw wipes. For the cold season, a puppy needs to purchase a horse-cloth or overalls, shoes. If the puppy does not want to walk in shoes, it is good to use wax for the paws, for example, the company "Let's go for a walk!". nine0003

Walking outside is very beneficial. But here it is necessary to take into account the bold character and temperament of your dog. Therefore, to keep your dog out of trouble, walk it on a LEASH. Natural curiosity can also play a cruel joke with a brave little creature. In my practice, there was a case when a baby was intimidated by crows.

In any case, the dog must be litter trained so that you have a choice.

Little puppy (but not a toy) does not require much space in the house,

Easy to care for and a lot of food,

You can walk with it when it is convenient,

Take it on trips.

And just love.

9. Taking care of your baby

Despite their size, Chihuahua dogs are very hardy, immune to diseases (including infectious diseases), easily adapt to any climate. Chihuahua dogs often become centenarians, the age of 15 - 18 years is not uncommon for them.

When buying a puppy, the breeder must give you a list of medicines that should always be in the house where the dog lives.