Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with big personalities who establish loyal and protective relationships with their owners. As puppies, they have a lot of energy and need to be exercised regularly, socialized with other dogs, and fed nutritious foods to keep them healthy. Chihuahua puppies do well with training, love to play, and enjoy exploring their new homes. With care and attention, your new Chihuahua puppy will be a cherished member of your family.
1- Feeding Your Chihuahua Puppy
Feed your puppy a healthy food. Like other puppies, Chihuahuas need nutritious diets to keep them healthy. They do not need to be fed a specific diet but you should ask your veterinarian for brand recommendations.
- Like other small dogs, Chihuahuas are at risk of developing heart and kidney problems if they are fed a diet high in salt. Look a dog food that is low in salt to help avoid this issue.
- Chihuahua puppies need more protein and calories than adults so look for a nutrient dense food.
- Canned puppy food may be easier for your puppy to eat at first since it is easier to chew but dry kibble typically provides better nutrition.
2- Feed on a schedule. Chihuahua puppies have very small stomachs but very fast metabolisms. They need to be fed multiple times a day to maintain their energy, maintain their blood sugar levels, and to help them grow. How many times they need to eat a day will usually depend on their age:
- For the first six months you should feed your Chihuahua four times a day.
- From six months to one year of age they should be fed three times a day.
- After one year they will reach maturity and can be fed twice a day.
- Feeding on a schedule is very important during housetraining since you can predict that your dog will need to relieve themselves about half an hour after eating.
Avoid foods that are toxic to puppies. There are a number of foods that are toxic for dogs to eat. Even very small amounts of these foods can be very dangerous for Chihuahua puppies because of their small size.[6]You should also avoid feeding them table scraps. Human food is often very calorically dense and can cause weight gain, which is very common in Chihuahuas and is dangerous for their health.
- Alcohol, caffeine, avocado, chocolate, grapes, dried fruits (like raisins), dairy, onions, garlic, and salt are all dangerous for your dog.
- Feeding your puppy table scraps also encourages negative behaviors like begging and can easily account for one-third of their daily food intake needs.
Exercising and Training Your Puppy
Let your puppy adjust to their new home. Arriving at a new home can be an overwhelming experience for your new Chihuahua. They need time to become comfortable with you as their new owner, other pets, and in their new homes. It is very important to love and be affectionate with them during their first few days so they can feel comfortable.If you have other pets at home, you will need to introduce them to your new puppy.[8]
- Supervise your puppy as they explore their new home, as this is the best way to keep them out of trouble.
- The length of the adjustment period will depend upon your pet’s personalities, but you should be prepared for the dogs to need some time to become fully comfortable around the other.
- An older dog that is used to being the only pet in the household may adjust more slowly to a new and energetic puppy, while other dogs are happy to have a new friend. Supervise these first interactions and be on the lookout for any aggressive behaviors from either pet.
Introduce your puppy to new situations. Your Chihuahua needs to be taught the appropriate ways to interact with new people, animals, and environments. Exposing your puppy to new situations and people early on helps to establish future habits.
- There is a critical socialization period for puppies (usually the first sixteen weeks) that is crucial in shaping your dog’s future temperament and behaviors.
- Ask friends and family members with friendly dogs to come to your home to meet your new puppy. This is a controlled environment where you will know that the other dogs are vaccinated and you can step in if any aggressive behaviors are shown.
- Bond with your puppy. Chihuahuas often form strong bonds with their owners and you want to encourage a strong and healthy relationship with your puppy early on.[10]
- Be physically affectionate with your puppy by rubbing their belly, patting their head, and petting them.
- Give them praise when they follow your commands and respond to their training. This is a good way to reinforce good behavior and helps your puppy associate you with pleasant feelings.
- Spend time with your puppy. Chihuahuas want to spend time with their owners and want their love and attention. Make sure you can spend some time every day, even if it is only in short increments, giving your puppy your undivided attention
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