Chihuahua

The Feisty Furball

Faithful, friendly, and feisty, the Chihuahua is a small conundrum. On the one hand, they are affable, affectionate little tufts of fur, ready to tag along on any adventure, big or small. On the other, they’re in charge—always. They can be fun-loving and carefree, while keeping their (your) home firmly under their paw-erful rules. Chihuahuas can be adventurous and confident, while also being wary of new situations, surroundings, and strangers. Though they may be small, Chihuahuas are spirited. They are a complex little puzzle.

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for Chihuahuas.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of the Chihuahua, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your feisty, fun-loving friend, the Chihuahua.

Quick Facts

Origin: Mexico

Size: Extra small

Breed Group: Toy

Lifespan: 14–16 years

Coat: Short to long hair—minimal grooming recommended

Temperament: Dependent, confident, talkative & affectionate

Exercise Needs: All dogs need some form of daily exercise, even the small ones. Chihuahuas enjoy short strolls, active playtime, and zooming around a fenced-in yard. Their exercise needs aren’t as extensive as larger, more active breeds, but one or two daily walks will help your Chihuahua stay trim.

Training: Chihuahuas may be small, but they have big-dog energy. So, training is essential in rearing a polite, hospitable little pupper. This training can teach them basic commands, like sit, stay, place, and wait, while also steering them toward appropriate behaviors. If you don’t guide your Chihuahua to acceptable behaviors, their little rambunctious energy may spill into less desirable quirks.

Dog Health: Like other dog breeds in the toy group, the Chihuahua has a few peculiar health issues that affect their teeth, skin, joints, and digestive health. Below, we’ll discuss how you can address each with healthy dog supplements.

Happy Paws for a Chihuahua

Enrich your Chihuahua’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

Type of Happy Paws Supplement	Best for …
No Scoot Dog Chews	Support digestive health & relieve anal gland issues.
Dental Dog Chews	Fighting tooth decay & smelly breath.
10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews	Giving your pupper a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals & other nutrients.
Hip & Joint Dog Chews	Soothing common symptoms of joint dysplasia & inflammation.
Immunity Booster Dog Chews	Fortifying their immune system with adaptogenic mushrooms.
Probiotic Dog Chews	Restoring the healthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive system.
Bladder Health Dog Chews	Support urinary tract health.

In-Depth Look at Our Popular Supplements

Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your little tiny Chi-Chi.

Scoot Stop Dog Chews: Whether from their diet or genetics, your Chihuahua may do the dreaded “scoot,” relieving their anal glands of pent-up pressure. Yuck, right? Well, you can help quell this issue naturally, thanks to our Scoot Stop Dog Chews. Made with digestive-supporting ingredients, this supplement helps relieve anal gland issues at the source, letting your Chihuahua retire “the scoot” and enjoy a natural digestive rhythm.

Dental Dog Chews: Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath.

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active.

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia and patella luxation with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Immunity Booster Dog Chews: Allergies are common for most dogs, and our Immunity Booster Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.

Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health.

Bladder Health Dog Chews: Disruptions in your dog’s “flow” can happen at any age. Help fortify their bladder health with these renal-supporting Bladder Health Dog Chews, made with a natural, vegan chicken flavor.

Common Health Concerns for Chihuahua

Compared to other toy-sized dog breeds, the Chihuahua is susceptible to unique health conditions like these:

Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. This can happen when a dog is consistently overweight, a problem that impacts smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can also help. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.

Digestive Issues: Digestive problems can develop in any dog at any age. Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, gas, low appetite, lethargy, and more. The issue can stem from the dog’s diet, lifestyle, or genetics.

Allergies: Allergies are a sign of an overactive immune system. This problem can snowball into several types of dermal dilemmas. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.

Dental Dilemmas: All dogs are prone to stinky breath, especially the little ones. Without the proper dental care, your Chihuahua can experience plaque build-up and odorous breath, which can lead to several issues down the road.

About the Chihuahua

Originating in Chihuahua, Mexico, this little dog breed can be traced back to 9th century Central America, all the way to the Aztecs’ Techichi breed. This preceding breed was slightly larger than the modern Chihuahua—and a lot less chatty. Techichis were quiet, observant dogs that slinked in and out of trouble, thanks to their diminutive size. But now, their descendants are known to bark their way into people’s business, while winning over hearts, of course.

Today, Chihuahuas are found all over the world, loved by families of all sizes. These pups are great for apartment living; they also don’t mind frolicking around acres of land. They are highly personable and typically carry a personality all their own. And once they’ve earned a spot in the family, they can’t be replaced. These forever lapdogs are loyal to those they know best; they’ll stand up to a foe of any size just to keep you safe—or to show off that impressive little roar.

Chihuahua Temperament

A well-trained Chihuahua is charming, lovable, and playful with dogs, cats, and children of all sizes. They love a good romp or friendly game, especially ones that challenge their stubborn, little minds. From puppyhood, Chihuahuas love cuddles and claim their spot on your lap; they fit so easily in most nooks and crannies. Ideally, these dogs squeeze well into families with older kids or single-pet-parent households.

The Chihuahua is loyal, often to the point of being needy, constantly vying to be the center of attention. Their slightly rambunctious nature may be too much for babies and young children, while their headstrong attitudes may deter other dogs. So, it’s important to socialize your Chihuahua when they’re young. That way, they know how to distinguish friend from foe and become a civilized canine.

In terms of barking, Chihuahuas get a bad rap. They’re commonly known to be quite the yappers, and don’t get us wrong, they can be quite the yappers. But they can learn when is (and isn’t) an appropriate time to bark. You just have to instill boundaries and rules when they’re young. If you don’t, your Chihuahua will quickly become the alpha. (Which may actually be kind of cute, come to think of it.)

How to Care for Chihuahuas

Here are a few tips to help keep your Chihuahua happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Early Training & Socialization

Like any dog breed, Chihuahuas need training and socialization early and often. As puppies, these small pups may be a little skittish, wary of their surroundings. By taking your Chihuahua puppy along to new experiences, you can help build their confidence around strangers, kids, and other pets. If you miss out on proper socialization and training, your Chihuahua may grow into an anxious dog who’s fearful of guests. They may grow territorial of your home and not play nice with other dogs. So, to raise a cordial Chihuahua, it’s best to introduce them to uncertainty early on in their lives.

Active Playtime

Like all dogs, Chihuahuas thrive with daily exercise. These dogs love any games that involve their favorite person (you!). So, be sure to spoil your Chihuahua with your undivided attention, while playing tug-of-war, fetch, or hide ’n’ seek.

Quality Time

Chihuahuas can survive being left home alone, but they won’t be happy. They’d much rather tag along on your daily excursions, whether that’s to the beach, the park, the mall, or any other dog-friendly locale.

Routine Teeth Brushing

Periodontal disease is a leading health concern for small dogs like Chihuahuas. This type of disease affects your dog’s teeth, gums, and overall oral health. If you don’t look after their teeth, your Chihuahua may be prone to bad breath, inflamed gums, and worse: tooth decay. Make it a habit to routinely brush your Chihuahua’s teeth with dog-friendly toothpaste. Plus, dental supplements, like our Dental Dog Chews, use all-natural ingredients to strip away plaque and promote fresh breath.

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements

Keeping your Chihuahua happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your Chihuahua easily with healthy, tasty dog treats.

FAQ

Is a Chihuahua a good house dog?

Chihuahuas can make excellent house pets, for the right pet parents. As a fairly confident pup, a Chihuahua can be pretty headstrong; they make their opinions known. So, Chihuahuas might not jive with other pets, especially if those pets are already the household alpha.

Are Chihuahuas hard to train?

It depends. Most Chihuahuas have a stubborn streak. They are smart, mischievous, and overly charming, so they know how to get their way. They may be hard to train for new dog owners.

Do Chihuahuas bark a lot?

Yes, Chihuahuas can be little barkers, mostly throughout their whole lives. They bark to alert you, talk back, or just let you know that they’re thinking about you.

Are Chihuahua dogs friendly?

A well-trained, properly socialized Chihuahua can be friendly. But just make sure strangers and new pets respect your Chihuahua’s boundaries. Even with expert training, your Chihuahua isn’t a pushover.

How do you give a Chihuahua health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.