GROOMING TIPS AND TRICKS FOR
YOUR CHIHUAHUA
Grooming Profile — LOW
Full Grooming Interval -- 6 to 8 weeks
The chihuahua is an average shedder which can have either a short or long coat. The short coat or smooth coat requires less grooming than the long coat.
I have added grooming tips for both coat types.
Maintenance interval:
Blades and Tools:
Slicker Brush and Steel Comb (for Long Coat), Rubber Brush (for Smooth Coat), Natural Bristle Brush and Scissors
Coat and Groom Tips:
It is best to start brushing your pet when you first receive them as puppies.
If he or she is an older animal it is possible to train one to enjoy grooming. Proceed slowly, and be sure to use treats and plenty of praise. Make the experience fun!
Smooth Coat Chihuahuas
requires less grooming as an occasional brushing or wiping over with a damp cloth will suffice. Since the short coats are smooth, they require relatively little grooming; gentle weekly brushings with a rubber or soft bristle brush will keep the coat looking good.
The Smooth Coat
may need a light touch up with blending shears to remove any hairs along the back, thighs, back of legs and neck that obstruct the smoothness. This breed should never look scissored or clipped, simply neatened in their appearance.
Longcoat Chihuahuas
on the other hand, need daily grooming with a soft bristle brush and weekly with a steel pin brush to keep his or her hair in good condition. This will removing dirt, spreading the natural oils throughout their coat, preventing tangles from forming and keeping the skin clean and free from irritation. If a long-haired coat develops mats, a dematting rake is recommended.
The Longcoat Chihuahuas
should have a full neck, ears with long hair and a full tail. The long coat chihuahua will need a little more frequent maintenance brushing and combing between full groomings.
This breed should never look scissored or clipped, simply neatened in their appearance. A few people prefer to have their longhaired chihuahua clipped by a professional dog groomer to eliminate the need for so much brushing.
If you choose to take your chihuahua to a groomer, however, make sure you start doing it at a very young age to avoid causing undue stress to the dog.
Eyes:
Proper grooming also includes your chihuahua’s eyes. to keep them clean, try dripping a small amount of saline solution onto a cotton ball and then gently wiping the dog’s eyes. A warm rag or a Q-tip will also do the trick when grooming.
A chihuahua’s eyes tear regularly because the shape of their eyes does not allow the tear to drain into their tear ducts but to flow out the bottom of their round eyes. This draining can cause tear stains, which is especially noticeable on blonde colored dogs.
The saline will reduce or eliminate the stains and clean the eyes of your chihuahua. This type of grooming should be done once or twice a week, depending on the tearing near the eyes.
If you notice the tearing is associated with a bloodshot eye or a white discharge, the problem cannot be fixed by grooming techniques and is probably an infection. Take your chihuahua to a veterinarian for treatment.
Nails:
Trim your pet’s nails about once per month. Either the scissor type or guillotine-style clipper can be used. You should also purchase a small bottle of blood-clotting powder in case of an accident.
Ears:
Ear care is a regular part of grooming your dog should include cleaning dirt and waxy material out of the ears.
It is easy to get water in the ears of a chihuahua when bathing. Chihuahuas respond especially poorly to water allowed in the ear and it may cause a health issue. Use cotton balls and caution to prevent this from happening.
Ear infections can not only be painful, but lead to permanent hearing loss.
The signs of an ear infection with your pet’s ears include redness, constant scratching, head shaking and odour. If you notice any or all of these symptoms take your pet to your veterinarian immediately for treatment.
Teeth:
Companion animals can get cavities and develop periodontal disease, so their teeth should be cleaned with pet toothpaste at least twice per week. It is best to use a small toothbrush that has soft bristles. Cleanings performed by a veterinarian may also be required.
The veterinary will scale the dog’s teeth to prevent a build-up of tartar which causes unpleasant breath and can cause gum disease.
Preparing for Show
Check with the Kennel Club and the Chihuahua Club in your area. They will tell you about any area specific grooming that your chihuahua needs that can make your pet a winner. Each country and state has different requirments as to do with trimming your chihuahua.
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