What should I do if my Chihuahua has a weight problem?

If you want your Chihuahua, or any other type of dog for that matter, to live a long and healthy life, you must keep an eye on their weight and make the necessary adjustments when required. First and foremost, you must identify IF your Chihuahua actually has a weight problem or if they are just big-boned.

How old do Chihuahuas usually live to be?

How old can Chihuahuas get? Actually, the Chihuahua is a long-lived breed, often living up to 16 years and beyond! They are generally healthy with relatively few health problems. However, like all dog breeds, Chihuahuas do have some common health issues. Let’s take a look. One common health issue with the Chihuahua is obesit.

What to do when your Chihuahua is wheezing and hacking?

When you see your Chihuahua gasping for air during an episode, get down on the floor and gently massage their neck with your hand. Just place your hand firmly on their neck and rub it in a clockwise motion. As long as you aren’t using too much force, a gentle massage should shorten the length of the spasm.

Is it possible for a Chihuahua to hack up a hair ball?

Thankfully, though, Chihuahuas are still able to breathe during this process, so it may appear more frightening than what it actually is. Some owners compare this to a cat trying to hack up a hair ball, only there’s nothing that physically comes up once your Chihuahua is done hacking.

Can a 8 year old Chihuahua get GME?

Yes, there is a neurological condition called GME which is becoming more and more common. It is believed to caused by over vaccination and targets mostly small breeds. For some reason, dogs over 8 years of age do not develop this disease. 4- What are common health problems in elderly chihuahuas?

How old is my teacup female Chihuahua?

I have a 21 1/2 year old teacup female chihuahua, for the last 3 days she started losing her balance and her eyesight, when she wants water she try to get up on her own, but she can’t, I help up but her legs start to wiggly so I won’t let her go. What can I do?

What to do for a 12 year old Chihuahua with heart failure?

Hello, I to have a 12 year old female that just a few months ago was diagnosed with enlarged heart. She is on same meds as your plus something called pimobendan. She has had no problem drinking and eating but does still have a little cough or hack once in awhile or breaths a little hard.

How old is Phoebe the 10 year old Chihuahua?

I have a chihuahua that we got when she was about 6 weeks old, she is now 10 years old. Her name is phoebe She likes to run around for a bit, but the only sign I see of her old age is that she’s grumpy and she has a heart murmur. Thanks for sharing about your little Phoebe.

What kind of disease does a Chihuahua have?

It is a hereditary disease that usually starts to present about four months after a puppy is born. A Chihuahua with a luxating patella may limp or avoid using the affected leg completely. If it affects your dog’s hind legs, you may notice him/her holding their hind legs in the air for several minutes at a time.

What do you call soft spot on Chihuahua’s head?

Have you ever pet your Chihuahua and noticed a small soft spot on their head? That spot is called a molera. All Chihuahuas, like human babies, are born with this, but they usually close up by the time they are a year old.

What does it mean when a chihuahua has a Molera?

That spot is called a molera. All Chihuahuas, like human babies, are born with this, but they usually close up by the time they are a year old. When a Chihuahua is born with too large of a molera, their skulls may fill with spinal fluid that eventually surrounds their whole brain. This is known as hydrocephalus.

When to see a vet for a sick Chihuahua?

Symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua: When to see a veterinarian! symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua: know when to see a veterinarian!

When to take your Chihuahua to the ER?

You should bring your Chihuahua for emergency veterinary care immediately if you note: • Seizures that last longer than ten minutes. • Seizures that happen more than once in a 24 hour period. • Seizures that begin before your pup has completely recovered from the last seizure.

What happens if you have a chihuahua that is obese?

It can lead to heart disease, diabetes (yes, Chihuahuas can become diabetic too), premature wearing of the joints, arthritis, and it lowers their overall life expectancy. If you believe your Chihuahua is obese or on the verge of becoming obese, you need to take the necessary action to get them back to a healthy weight.

How big did Papper the Chihuahua get to be?

Papper, my pet chihuahua used to weigh 11.6 lbs and she was a fatty. After walking down a 15ft hallway, she would be breathing very heavy, sometimes begin a congestive cough as well. She was extremely overweight and getting worse, so I decided to change her diet.

Why does my Chihuahua gain so much weight?

Like all dogs, Chihuahuas need plenty of time each day to run around and play. If you don’t give it to them, their muscles will shrink, bones will become weaker, and they will naturally gain more weight. Overheating and over-exhaustion is something that you need to be aware of when allowing an obese Chihuahua to exercise.

How can I take care of my senior Chihuahua?

Early intervention is essential when it comes to senior Chihuahuas and their health. There are specially formulated dog foods that are made for seniors. A healthy diet is essential and can help keep them healthier for much longer.

What’s the best way to keep my Chihuahua safe?

Yoga mats are also a good option for those more highly trafficked areas in the home to keep your senior pup safe. Potty pads are another item you may want to have on hand for your elderly and aging Chihuahua. It is a disposable potty solution for older dogs who might not be able to make it outside as easily as before.

Why does my Chihuahua keep hopping on her back leg?

If you’ve noticed your Chihuahua hopping while holding one of their back legs up, chances are they are suffering from a knee condition known as “patellar luxation.”. This is one of the breed’s most common health problems, as Chihuahua experts and health professionally estimate roughly 10% of the population suffers from it.

Symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua: When to see a veterinarian! symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua: know when to see a veterinarian!

What are the most common health problems in Chihuahuas?

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is one of the most common Chihuahua health problems. This problem can be dangerous (even fatal) if prompt action is not taken when a dog is having a hypoglycemic attack. Signs include weakness, confusion, disorientation, shaking, seizures.

How to know when your Chihuahua is in labor?

Watch for signs of imminent labor. 1 When your dog is close to giving birth, her teats will enlarge as her milk comes in. 2 The vulva will get larger and more relaxed a few days before labor. 3 Most dogs will stop eating as labor begins. Vomiting and/or becoming ‘picky’ is also common.

Can a Chihuahua get stuck in the birth canal?

Show less… Chihuahuas are small dogs, so their labor and delivery process can involve some complications. Chihuahua puppies have disproportionately large heads, which leads to an increased chance of them getting stuck in their mothers’ birth canal.

What happens when a chihuahua has too big of A molera?

All Chihuahuas, like human babies, are born with this, but they usually close up by the time they are a year old. When a Chihuahua is born with too large of a molera, their skulls may fill with spinal fluid that eventually surrounds their whole brain. This is known as hydrocephalus.

What to do if your Chihuahua has a collapsed trachea?

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment by your vet or local animal hospital. Collapsed tracheas are very common and have a good prognosis when treated proactively. Your vet may prescribe cough suppressants or a steroid to open your Chihuahua’s airway as much as possible.

When do Chihuahuas need to go to the vet?

This condition occurs when the kneecap or patella is dislocated or moved out of place. Tracheal Collapse: Chihuahuas have another common health condition known as tracheal collapse. Symptoms of this condition include coughing, wheezing, and gagging. This issue occurs while your dog is trying to breathe.

What kind of vision loss does a Chihuahua have?

Chihuahua dogs are susceptible to blindness due to progressive retinal atrophy. It is important that pet parents know the signs of vision loss so that they can provide their dogs the necessary medical attention.

Is it possible for a Chihuahua to be blind?

Vision loss can potentially occur in any canine, regardless of breed. However, many cases of blindness are thought to be genetic and breed or age-specific, for example, white dogs, such as white Boxers and Great Danes have a greater prevalence of blindness. Chihuahua dogs are susceptible to blindness due to progressive retinal atrophy.

Where can I get a Chihuahua for home?

See the links above to view available puppies. A Show Chihuahua breeder with 25 years experience! Puppies are raised in our home, pampered with plenty of love which shows in their personality. Explore around my website and enjoy looking at the photos of our chihuahua puppies.

How big should a Chihuahua be before eating people food?

Chihuahua Eating People Food First and foremost, you must identify IF your Chihuahua actually has a weight problem or if they are just big-boned. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, Chihuahuas should weigh less than 6 pounds.

What happens if a Chihuahua puts on too much weight?

Back and spinal problems are yet another issue that’s commonly associated with obese Chihuahuas. When they put on more weight than their body can handle, it weighs down the sensitive areas on their back. This may cause their spinal discs to slip, bones to fracture or ligaments to tear.

How can I Help my Chihuahua lose weight?

It should come as no surprise that exercise and increasing your Chihuahua’s overall activity levels can help them lose weight. Because of their small size, many owners overlook or simply underestimate the exercise needs of their Chihuahuas.

Why does my Chihuahua skip on his hind legs?

If your Chihuahua is suffering from a Luxating Patella, you may notice that he “skips” on one or both of his hind legs. Typically, the “skip” or “swing” in their step is caused when the kneecap dislocates and the dog’s movement will return to normal as soon as the kneecap moves back into place.

What should I do if my Chihuahua is limping?

However, luxation oftentimes becomes worse with use (or age) so the degree of the limp may worsen over time. Depending on the degree of luxation and the age of your dog, your veterinarian may recommend a consult with an orthopedic veterinarian for surgery to improve the groove in the femur to prevent further luxation.

How big do Chihuahuas get when fully grown?

Holding claim to the world’s smallest dog breed, Chihuahuas typically weigh between two and six pounds when fully grown. Of course, that’s a pretty wide range, leaving many owners pondering the following question: how big, or small, will by Chihuahua puppy get?

How big does a Chihuahua have to be to be considered overweight?

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, Chihuahuas should weigh less than 6 pounds. Of course this is just a general rule of thumb to follow and isn’t a 100% accurate way of determining if your Chihuahua is overweight.

When does a chihuahua puppy start to gain weight?

11 to 15 Weeks: Your Chihuahua puppy will likely experience a growth spurt during this period, adding considerable weight in just a couple weeks. 3 Months: By the end of three months, your Chihuahua puppy will reach about 30% of his adult weight.

Is there a way to predict a Chihuahua’s weight?

This growth chart can help you predict your Chihuahua’s future adult weight. However, neither it nor any other prediction method is 100% accurate. No breeder can guarantee a pup will weight a certain amount when fully grown. While this growth chart expresses weight in ounces and pounds, we’ve included a metric system conversion calculator below.

What kind of health issues do elderly Chihuahuas have?

Health issues that elderly Chihuahuas may develop: 1 Arthritis, and other joint issues such as Luxating Patella. 2 Fatique. 3 Dental disease. 4 Weight gain. 5 Weight loss (may be caused by dental or liver disease). 6 (more items)

Why is my 10 year old dog losing weight?

In a large dog, ten years is closer to 66 human years. Consider the changes humans face at that age, and you can understand why your dog might be slowing down. If your dog reaches their teens, you can expect to see more weight-loss related issues. Muscle atrophy in dogs can be as a result of their food.

What happens to Chihuahuas in their senior years?

It may change as they age. Of course, they won’t be as active as they were when they were younger. Some chihuahuas get a little crotchety as they enter their senior years and don’t handle stressful situations as well as they did when they were younger.