Grooming a Chihuahua

Hair type: Chihuahuas come in short hair and long hair varieties. Long haired Chihuahuas should not appear bald but can have a thin or thick coat.

Daily coat care: The smooth, short haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month taking care not to get water in the ears.

Recommended groom frequency: The longhaired variety should be professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks. The shorthaired variety may only need professional grooming every 10-12 weeks.

At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your Chihuahua. If you get puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.

Diet

As a tiny dog breed, the Chihuahua won’t eat a lot and depending on its age and weight, you will need to feed it between 24g and 72g of high-quality dry food each day.

Because of their size, choosing a food specially formulated with a smaller kibble is recommended to ensure your Chihuahua has no difficulty eating. Some dog food brands have particular lines designed for smaller dogs, while others have breed-specific food available. To help you choose the right food for your dog, our pet care advisers are instore and are available to assist you.

Activity Level

Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about, these are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Interactive play can take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. They are good little dogs for apartment life. The Chihuahua likes warm weather and dislikes the cold. They need space just like any other dog. just because they are small does not mean they can be kept in a very small area.

Where to get an Chihuahua

There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.

However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.