Living with a Cantankerous Chihuahua

Small breed dogs are wonderful pets. They can also be a huge challenge to live with. Small dogs have special dietary needs. Their tiny bodies need extra protein. Chihuahuas can be picky eaters and you need to work with them to find out their preference. They need a diet that is at least 30 percent protein, at least four percent fiber, and 20 percent fat. Take my chihuahua, for instance. I had to keep experimenting with different dog foods until I found Super5Mix Adult Small Breed Dog Food. She laps it up. And why not? It has all the ingredients she loves. Chicken, turkey, salmon and fish flavor. It comes in small bite size which is perfect for her small mouth and tiny teeth. She also likes to munch on the Greenies. They're the teenie pack of 96. I like that she has to work at chewing these which satisfies her need for chewing. It also helps her maintain healthy teeth and freshens her breath, so I keep a stack handy.

Chihuahuas are lap dogs, a.k.a. toy dogs, but don't let this fool you into thinking they are serene and quiet little creatures. They are very agile and have tons of energy. My little chihuahua runs laps around the bedroom, the living room or any other room she happens to be in at the time. She sprints from one room to the other at an amazing speed and keeps it up until she finally tires out.

Sometimes, after such a brilliant display of strength and stamina I will offer her a small treat. Chihuahuas love to be rewarded, but make sure you don't overfeed them. Most small dogs have sensitive stomachs. Chihuahuas are no exception. I noticed if Zoe is fed meat that has too much fat, she gets an upset stomach and ends up throwing up. She will eat grass when let out in the back yard and refuses to eat until she feels better. Overfeeding also makes it hard for their little bodies to carry around too much weight. The added weight can limit their ability to run, climb and do other activities. A good guideline to follow is to feed them 3 small meals a day. They can have a treat between lunch and dinner, also. Try not to give them a treat every time they move. I know they look adorable (when begging)....But remember, a small treat goes a long way for these little dogs.