Category: <span>skin allergies</span>

Apple cider vinegar for dogs. Is it really that…

August 15, 2019May 31, 2022
by Louise Kirby

Apple Cider Vinegar for dogs

Apple cider vinegar for dogs has become very trendy and it seems to be an all-round good guy with lots of health benefits for everyone, including our chihuahuas. I’ve had reason to investigate it a bit more because Minnie has started her seasonal itchy skin issues and if it is allowed to escalate, she will start to chew and pull out her fur. I was looking for alternatives to chemicals and long-term medication.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is just apples and water. I’ve read different accounts of its nutritional value. Some saying it is rich in vitamins & minerals with others saying there are only trace amounts to be found. Everyone agrees it is rich in potassium.

The apples and water have been allowed to ferment until it turns into acetic acid which is the main component of vinegar. It is this acetic acid that gives the ACV it’s health benefits.

Like everything there are different qualities of ACV and you need to look for raw, unpasteurised vinegar that contain the ‘mother culture’.

The ‘mother culture’ floats around giving it a cloudy appearance. It is this mother culture that contains good bacteria, enzymes, pectin, proteins and minerals. If the liquid is clear, then it has likely been pasteurised and won’t contain this important addition.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar for dogs really helpful?

There does seem to be some actual research suggesting that, yes, apple cider vinegar can help dogs with a variety of health issues.

It can help regulate insulin
Be used to alleviate joint pain
Help with digestive issues by encouraging good gut bacteria
Relieve itchy skin complaints by taking it internally and using topically in a 50/50 solution as a rinse or spray.
Alleviate gunky ears and stinky ‘corn chip’ paws by killing the yeast that causes this.
Help clean teeth by stopping plaque forming
Repels ticks and fleas by making blood more acidic and using it as a topical spray

There are some wild and outrageous claims online about how ACV can cure cancer. I would take this with a massive pinch of salt and in the interest of balance there are some who don’t agree that ACV should be given to dogs at all, suggesting it can throw out a dog’s PH levels so it’s always important to do some proper research.

How much AVC should you give a chihuahua?

Like anything it’s important not to overdose and get over excited using ACV. Overdose can lead to vomiting and long-term overuse can damage teeth and bones. A small dog dose is about one teaspoon daily, if your chihuahua is tiny then I would halve it. Watch for any adverse reactions and if your chihuahua vomits stop using it.

Has it worked for Minnie?

Minnie has flea allergy dermatitis, a flea only needs to wink at her, and it will send her into crisis. Then a vicious cycle of chewing begins until she has painful hotspots and bald patches.

I had applied a wash of neem oil to help sooth her skin and kill any fleas that might be present. We are huge neem oil fans, but it has downsides in that it stinks and makes her fur look awful. Plus having to keep applying it is a drag.

So, I put a teaspoon in her dinner not really expecting much but that night there was visibly less chewing, and scratching and we all got some sleep.

In the interest of a fair test, I didn’t put any more neem oil on her and continued with the ACV. I’ve got to say so far, I’m very impressed. At time of writing we are four days in, and she has stopped mauling herself.

I could be imagining it, but her tear staining seems less noticeable as well.

This does make me wonder if some of her skin issues could be yeast based. But hey she’s stopped eating herself and that is a real result.

Grooming

How often should you bath your chihuahua?

September 30, 2018June 1, 2022
by Louise Kirby

Does your chihuahua run around like a nutcase once he’s had a bath? This is unofficially called the ‘zoomies’ and can be comical to watch, but the reason they do it is to relieve the stress of being bathed. How often you need to bath your chihuahua is a question we often get asked and opinion is divided.

Most chihuahuas will tolerate a bath, but few really enjoy the process. Some will allow you to blow dry them as well, Mika loves the hairdryer and will happily sit while you dry him, but Minnie just has to see it and she’s gone.

There are a few things that will affect how often you need to bath your chihuahua, so there is no definitive right and wrong. The general rule of thumb seems to suggest once a month is about right and once every three months is the minimum.

A good reason for bathing your chihuahua is the opportunity to check for skin abrasions, lumps, fleas and bites. They are much easier to see when their fur is wet. Pest-Help.com has a good resource on the types of bugs you can often find on your pets, and how to tackle them.

Chihuahuas are not known for their off-roading and probably will require fewer baths than the average dog. But just because they are cute, doesn’t mean they don’t love to roll in fox poo and other disgusting substances so on occasions an emergency bath is inevitable.

Can you bathe your chihuahua every week?

Most people would suggest that every week is too often, unless there is a medical need for it. Over bathing will wash out the natural oils in your chihuahua’s coat and could make his skin dry.

Wash paws after a muddy walk

All our pups get a dip in the washing-up bowl after a muddy walk. I have a bowl of warm water with a hint of dog shampoo and just dunk their paws. You will be amazed at the amount of dirt that comes out. Mika is a paw licker and washing them seems to help with this. It’s also helpful as you can see any cuts or ticks that they may have collected out on the walk.

It’s also helpful to wash or wipe down paws after a walk even in the summer if your dog has hayfever or seasonal allergies.

When can you bath after flea treatment?

If you are using spot on flea treatments, then you need to avoid over washing your dog. Certainly, don’t wash your chihuahua within a week of applying or you could just be wasting your money. I keep use of these products down to a minimum, but Minnie has developed a severe flea allergy, so we have had to go with it over the summer and autumn flea seasons.

Bathing to kill fleas

If your chihuahua has picked up fleas, they will be cat fleas. (Even if you don’t have a cat they live in the grass.) Bathing is an effective way to get rid of them. Make sure the first thing you do is put a ring of soap around your chihuahua’s neck. This will prevent the fleas from running up your chihuahua to avoid the water.

We use neem oil shampoo if fleas are a problem; neem oil is a naturally occurring insecticide that comes from the Neem tree in India. Read more about neem oil. You need to leave it on for around 10 minutes for it to work. So, take some treats into the bathroom with you!

Go through your chihuahua’s fur with a nit comb to make sure you get rid of all the eggs as well. Remember that you need to clean all the dog bedding as well as carpets if you are going to rid your house of fleas.

What shampoo should you use to bathe your chihuahua?

A dog specific shampoo is best, but you can use baby shampoo at a push. We like Dermacton Itchy Dog Shampoo as Minnie and Mika are prone to dry skin. It is very mild, rinses out well and has a nice, slightly medical smell.

Should you use conditioner on your chihuahua’s fur?

Bathing your chihuahua can be a pain and it’s easy to forgo the conditioner just to get the process done. But, adding a conditioner after the wash will help seal the hair cuticle. If your chi has a long coat, it helps de-tangle. We like Wild Dog conditioner as it is suitable for dry skin.

When all the bathing is done, wrap your chihuahua up in a nice fluffy towel for a well-earned cuddle.

Is flea shampoo OK?

Once upon a time, when I wanted to run a completely au natural lifestyle (I blame Gwyneth) I would have been dead against anything like this. But with five chihuahuas in the house you have to jump on a flea sighting very quickly and you learn to be more realistic. If I don’t have neem oil soap, I figure the occasional bath in flea shampoo is better than regular use of spot on treatment which I only use reactively. That said of course, any shampoo will kill a flea, but I want to catch any eggs as well.

About the author

Louise Kirby

My name is Louise Kirby and I’m a freelance writer and certified Pro Dog Trainer. I adore and train all breeds but have a special interest in chihuahuas and their rehabilitation. Chihuahuas are awesome little dogs, spunky, full of joy, loyal and tenacious. But some present with behaviours that make them a challenge to manage. I’m on a mission to restore the relationship between owners and their dogs. To help you get back the dog you always dreamed of. That’s why dog training is a happiness project!

Get help with chihuahua behaviour

Join the happiness project now!

Your chihuahua transformation starts with a free discovery chat to see how I can best help you. Please get in touch I look forward to hearing from you. Together we can get back the dog you always wanted.

Allergies

Dealing with dog flea allergy dermatitis

September 9, 2018January 11, 2021
by Louise Kirby

Flea allergy dermatitis

Flea allergy dermatitis (also called prurtius) is one of the most common skin issues with dogs. It can occur at any age but usually develops when dogs are young, between one and five years of age. Most of the fleas that occur today are cat fleas, which is why some dogs can be hypersensitive to them.

This is how fleas work

To reproduce the flea must have a blood meal. It bites its host, your dog, and introduces saliva into the wound. The allergic reaction is to proteins in the saliva. Most dogs can tolerate one or two flea bites, but a dog with flea bite hypersensitivity can’t tolerate even one.

Because the flea bites and then jump off your dog, you may not even see a flea. The first you notice is your dog starting to bite and chew. Scabs, hot spots of sore skin and bald patches start to appear. The damage is typically around the rump, base of tail and back legs. But can also occur on the front legs and paws.

When Prurtius becomes Neurodermatitis

Pruritius in your dog can also lead to a condition called Neurodermatitis, this is more a behavioural issue and is the compulsive need to scratch or lick excessively. The constant licking will cause a raised hot spot of hard skin called a granuloma.

Another issue with excessive licking and biting is the sores becoming infected. If this is the case then the vet is likely to prescribe antibiotics as well.

It can be frustrating to say the least, when your dog starts to display these issues, and because you don’t always see the flea on your dog it can send you off in a completely wrong direction when you start to try and diagnose the issue.

How we dealt with flea allergy dermatitis

Minnie has flea allergy dermatitis, she will be three this Christmas and has never presented with a problem before. The first we noticed something was amiss is when she seemed to lose her long pants. We put this down to her blowing her coat and getting her new ‘big girl coat’ which tends to happen at age 2 as well.

But then hot spots and sore skin started to appear, followed by bald patches on her hind & front legs and her back end. Scratching and biting seemed increased beyond anything that could be called normal.

The vet was very quick to diagnose flea allergy dermatitis because she used the best dog allergy test she could get, and then prescribed a drug called Apoquel and advised that we would need to use chemical flea control.

Anyone who reads our blog regularly will know I am not a fan of spot on flea products and don’t tend to use them on my dogs. But, Minnie was such a state that we had to go with it. If you want to read more about spot on flea products read this post.

Apoquel

This drug is very effective very quickly, but it does have a ‘concerned press’ and is not recommended for long term use. Minnie had a two-week course and within a day she had stopped biting. We also used the spot-on flea control (Advocate) as well.

Controlling the condition

Once over the initial issues we need to look at controlling the condition. Flea allergy dermatitis goes beyond normal flea control as one bite can send her into a spiral of itching and biting.

We have continued with the Advocate for the time being at least, and now give her a regular small dose of antihistamine. You don’t need to buy this from the vets, you can use OTC human antihistamine. We give Minnie a quarter of one tablet every other day. Check the dose for the size of your dog.

We also had our large woolly cats clipped and bathed and made other environmental changes to help minimise the risk of flea infestation.

The change in Minnie has been dramatic. Her fur has grown back on her legs and bum. Her pants are not fully returned but are showing signs of making a comeback. (ATOW)

But the biggest change has been in her mental health. She is happy and running around like a pup again. Keen to get out and play ball.

Update. Minnie seems to be free of her flea allergy dermatitis a year later. I have stopped giving her medications including advocate flea treatment. Touch wood so far so good.

If your chihuahua is itching and it’s not fleas it may be dry skin.

Allergies

Help my chihuahua has dry itchy skin!

April 22, 2018June 1, 2022
by Louise Kirby

My chihuahua has dry itchy skin, what’s causing it?

If your chihuahua has dry itchy skin, it’s probably driving him crazy. Making him scratch and nibble at different areas and rubbing himself along the furniture to try and get some relief. (This can also be an indicator that a he has compacted anal glands so never ignore this type of behaviour.) He may find it hard to settle at night and possibly display some behaviour changes.

If the itching and scratching gets out of control your chihuahua may scratch so much he causes skin damage and hot spots. Hot spots are raised red patches of skin that ooze and are intensely irritating and if left untreated can get infected.

You can also see the dry skin by parting the fur. Like dandruff in people, you will see little flakes of skin sitting at the base of the hair. (If the flakes look like they are moving around, you’re not seeing things, you have a different problem. See below:

What causes dry itchy skin?

There are several reasons that your chihuahua has dry itchy skin.

#1 Grooming

It is essential to have a good grooming routine and to get your chihuahua used to being brushed as a puppy. Brushing helps distribute the oils over your chi’s skin and fur. Your chihuahua should enjoy being brushed (Minnie loves it and will roll over the second you get the brush out). As well as maintaining a good healthy coat, it is a lovely bonding exercise.

Shampoo, make sure you use dog appropriate shampoo. Human shampoo can be too acidic and contain too much fragrance. Use a shampoo that contains humectants or moisturizers. Natural humectants are aloe and honey. If your chihuahua is prone to dry skin avoid the blow dryer. Pat him dry after a bath and let him shake and run about to get dry. Be prepared for the zoomies after a bath, It’s how dogs deal with the stress of the situation. Don’t over bath your chi chi either as it can wash out the oils in his fur.

#2 Fleas, Mites & Mange

Fleas: When a flea bites your dog, he is going to bite at it to get some relief. Nibbling towards the tail area can be an indication of fleas. A bath in neem oil shampoo will kill all fleas and mites without dousing your chihuahua in harmful chemicals. But if the greater good is served by using a spot on product then I would use it. Itching will be driving your chi nuts and also contribute to reactive behaviour. It is possible that your chihuahua has flea allergy dermatitis, this is likely to need medication from the vet.

Mites: Mites can be misery for your dog. This is where you may see the ‘dandruff’ (Cheyletiella mites) walking around on its own, or tiny red patches of dots (harvest mites). Cheyletiella mites or ‘walking dandruff’ is highly contagious so jump on this PDQ.

Mange: This will present as scaly patches of dark skin and dandruff. This is also caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) they burrow into the skin and cause appalling itching. Your chihuahua will scratch frantically and could damage himself. It is also highly contagious.

Fleas, mites and mange can be treated with neem oil and neem oil shampoo. Read: neem oil and why you can’t live without it.

#3 Allergies

Dogs like people can have allergies to pollen, grass, and VOC’s from household cleaners. Read: Household products that can cause allergies in dogs. The symptoms will be irritable skin, runny nose, eyes and itchy paws. You need to eliminate the allergies from your chihuahua’s environment. For that, consider keeping your indoor areas clean to reduce the chance of allergies in your furry friend. For starters, get your carpets and rugs cleaned thoroughly. Contact a professional from Brown Family Chem-Dry and get the task done as soon as possible. Also, test your indoor air quality so that both you and your chihuahua do not develop respiratory allergies.

Keep in mind that if you still find the symptoms of allergies in your pet, after doing all this, then you need to consult a vet near you quickly. He can suggest you what to do about the problem. For instance, he an suggest you to administer a small dose of antihistamine to dampen down the symptoms. Read: Human medicines I can give my dog. I use a 1/4 a tablet twice a day. But check the does with your vet.

#4 Diet

Poor diet, loaded with carbohydrate and grains can play havoc with your chihuahuas skin. Dogs have no need of either of these ingredients in their diet, but low-quality kibble will be full of both. Owners have been inadvertently feeding this to their dogs for years because they trust the big brands to deliver the best nutrition. Even grain-free will be loaded with carbs because they are needed in the cooking process.

Yeast Infection: Carbohydrate will turn to sugars that your dog can’t process and as well as making your chihuahua fat, could cause a yeast infection. Read: Has your chihuahua got a yeast infection?

Leaky Gut: Grains and rice can cause an allergic reaction and contribute to ‘leaky gut syndrome’, leaky gut is a major contributor to food allergies. Read: Why you must stop feeding carbohydrates to your chihuahua.

The best bet is to switch your dog’s food to a good quality wet food or fresh home cooked. Like humans, dogs need a variety of good quality protein and fats to keep them healthy. Remember expensive doesn’t always mean quality. You are looking for a good quality protein food. Mix the proteins up, fish, meat, offal and eggs. Add a little bit of sardine to their nosh once or twice a week as it’s better to get the oils from source. You could also feed them a lightly fried egg twice a week. Keep the yolk runny so you don’t destroy the long-chain-fatty-acids. Add a probiotic to their food to address any gut flora imbalances, what’s going on in your dog’s gut has a massive impact on health and behaviour.

#4 Thyroid disease

Thyroid disease or hypothyroidism can cause a dry brittle coat, thick scaly scabs and dark patches of skin. You would need to discuss treatment with your vet.

How to help with dry itchy skin

Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

So if your poor chihuahua has dry itchy skin, you can make up this soothing bath. Colloidal oatmeal bath sounds complicated than it is. Colloidal means very small particles that are suspended evenly in a medium, in this case water. You can make this yourself if you can grind oats down to a fine powder.

Buy some organic oatmeal (not instant) and grind it down to a very fine powder.
Add 2-3 cups to lukewarm water and swish it around until it has dissolved.
Get your chihuahua to soak in the bath for about 10 minutes. Gently tip some over his back.
If your chihuahua is very sticky afterwards, then rinse him lightly with warm water.
Pat dry with a towel and let your chi air dry.

Be careful as the bath will be very slippery.

Do this 2-3 times a week until you see an improvement in his condition.

The oatmeal should be very soothing and draw out the irritation in his skin.

If you have any remedies for dealing with dry itchy skin we would love to hear from you. Please post in the comments below.

Louise Kirby

Grooming

Are spot on flea treatments bad for your chihuahua?

March 4, 2018July 30, 2019
by Louise Kirby

Dealing with fleas is an annoying problem, but are spot on flea treatments bad for your chihuahua?

Monthly plans

A lot of chihuahua parents believe they are doing the best for their chihuahua by using monthly ‘spot on flea treatments’. By spot on flea treatments I mean any chemical flea treatment that is applied topically to your dog’s skin.

It is so ingrained in us that this is the right thing to do that many of us are on monthly plans at the vets that include flea & worm treatments and ‘booster’ vaccinations.

Firstly, booster vaccinations are not required read ‘Are we Over Vaccinating Dogs?’ But this article is about chemical flea control, so I’ll move on.

How do spot on flea treatments work?

The insecticide in spot on flea products blocks the adult flea’s nervous system and the flea should die within 24 hours. This reduces its opportunity to lay eggs.

The insecticide is mixed with a carrier oil that spreads over the skin and is absorbed into your dog’s bloodstream, it also kills intestinal worms and lungworms. If this doesn’t work, it may be worth checking out 25 Incredibly Easy Home Remedies for Worms in Dogs. It’s best to treat the issue before it becomes life-threatening.

Given the job it does, it is easy to see why so many pet owners will reach for their monthly flea control without giving it another thought.

The downside

I stopped using these products some time ago when I noticed an adverse reaction in Mika after the application. He would be unwell, vomit and shake.

Research shows that this is a common reaction to the chemicals in these flea control products, along with redness of the skin where it is applied. Reactions vary in intensity, but it has caused fatal seizures in dogs.

There are three main chemicals Fipronil, Imidacloprid and Pyrethrins in spot on flea products. According to Dogs Naturally Magazine these chemicals have arrange of side affects on your dog, from liver and kidney toxicity, thyroid cancer, heart disease. It was a long list, so I have put a link to the article below.

According to experts, topical chemical flea control contributes to the rise in canine cancer. It also contributes to allergies in dogs.

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Why chihuahuas & small dogs are more at risk

The application of topical flea control products can cause an immediate adverse reaction in your dog, one of the main reasons being that the dosage parameters are so wide and vague. The under 5 kgs dose instruction can be way over the top for a dog that weighs half that.

Do short coats even get fleas?

I have noticed something strange since we had Arlo who is a short coat. He never seems to pick up fleas. The other two, Mika and Minnie do pick the occasional jumper. But Arlo, never. Looking at his coat it is so much denser that the long haired dogs it is so thick at the base. So is this just not hospitable for a flea. I would love to know your thoughts.

Healthy Pets Mercloa writes:

Most adverse reactions were seen in dogs weighing between 10 and 20 pounds. (4.53 -9.09 kg)
Reactions in mixed breed dogs were most commonly reported, however, the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire terrier and Bichon Frise seem particularly at risk.
Products containing cyphenothrin and permethrin were especially problematic for small breed dogs.
Most incidents occurred in dogs under three years old, likely at their first exposure to a spot-on product.
Adverse reactions for both dogs and cats were primarily skin, GI tract and nervous system related. Skin reactions included redness, itching, hair loss, sores and ulcers.
Gastrointestinal symptoms included vomiting, diarrhoea and salivation.
Reported nervous system symptoms included lethargy, nervousness, ataxia (movement problems), tremors and seizure.

Only dealing with mum

Fleas are a nuisance and need to be dealt with, but the other problem with many spot on flea treatments is they are only dealing with the adult.

The adult flea is the tip of the iceberg. Killing the eggs before they hatch must be the target. Because once they are in the carpet or dog bedding, as soon as the product wears off they will hop straight back on again.

But again, don’t reach for the chemicals and spray them all over your house, they can be bad for you and your family contributing to migraines, asthma and eczema.

Go natural

We have several articles on dealing with fleas in the home and natural ways to keep your dog flea free.

But essentially, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, a good steam cleaner, apple cider vinegar and a hot wash for bedding should get you started on the path natural to flea control.

Article from Dogs Naturally Magazine

Please be aware that putting canine flea products on a cat can kill your cat.

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Allergies

Tear stains in chihuahuas and how to deal with…

February 15, 2018March 10, 2021
by Louise Kirby

Tear stains in chihuahuas

Tear stains in chihuahua can be very upsetting to see . Especially if your chihuahua has light coloured fur. But the good news is tear stains can be dealt with.

What are tear stains?

Tear stains are the natural overflow from your chihuahua’s eyes. They go brown when the normally clear tears react with the natural bacteria on your dog’s fur. People often believe that giving filtered water will help cure tear stains in chihuahuas. It is a good idea to give your chihuahua filtered water, but it will have little impact on tear stains.

Why do they occur?

Tear stains occur when the tears overflow and are not drained away through the tear ducts or ‘puncta’. Your chihuahua has these openings in the upper and the lower eyelid.

Some dogs are born with a condition called ‘unperforated puncta’ which means nothing can drain into the tear duct. This can be corrected with surgery if the hole tear duct system is present.

The shape of your dog’s eye can also have an impact on how much tear staining will occur and in some cases surgery can help here as well.

Chihuahua’s do have naturally protruding eyes that can make them vulnerable to foreign objects irritating the eye and making them tear-up.

Some tear staining is inevitable, but if the tear stains are excessive then you might need to check with your vet that your chihuahua does not have a problem.

Do dogs with longer muzzles have fewer issues with tear staining? I have no research evidence to support this theory apart from my own dogs. Arlo and Prince always have clear eyes, but the others, with the more traditional ‘apple shaped head’ all get some some tear staining.

Can you prevent tear stains in chihuahuas?

Keeping your chihuahua’s eyes clean and free from eye irritations is key. Chihuahuas don’t have a lot of facial fur but if they did keep it trimmed and out of the eyes. There may also be other reasons your chihuahua is getting tear stains.

Allergies

There is some suggestion that excessive tearing up can be the result of allergies. This makes sense when you consider that people will get a runny nose and eyes when they have an allergic reaction to something.

If the tear staining is seasonal, then it could be hay fever. Dogs are prone to this like people. Chihuahuas are close to the ground and with their protruding eyes they are going to be collecting pollen and dust. Antihistamines can help here. Read ‘Can dogs get hay fever?’ for more information on how to deal with this.

Food intolerance

They could also be having a problem with food intolerance, if your chi is tearing up all year around and it is not a physical reason then look at his diet. Especially if you are feeding dry dog food. How you store dry dog food is really important as it can grow moulds that cause allergies.

Diets with excessive grains and starches can contribute to tear stains in chihuahuas. All kibble, dry dog food, contains starch, (even if they are grain free) can cause all sorts of issues with your dog’s digestive system. This can result in ‘leaky gut syndrome’, which can in turn be the trigger for food allergies and intolerance.

Household products

VOC’s or volatile organic compounds that are present in many household products from your scented candle, carpet freshener to floor cleaners can cause allergies. Read ‘ 5 Everyday products that cause allergies in dogs.‘

What’s the cure?

If the tearing is excessive then seek medical advice from your vet who will be able to advise if there is a physical medical cause. Once you have ruled out any physical reasons then look at the areas like diet or environment and see what changes you can make.

How to clean the staining

The staining that is brown or red-brown is the clear tears reacting with the normal bacteria on your chihuahua’s fur.

Chihuahuas with light fur are going to be prone to staining more than dogs with dark coats. You need a good tear stain remover. Products that contain colloidal silver are good as they have anti-bacterial properties.

Use a clean pad for each eye, so you don’t spread any infection.

Clean around the eye areas daily to maintain good eye hygiene. Make sure you don’t get products in your chihuahuas eyes or he may test his pearly whites on your fingers!

The brown staining should disappear after a week or so of treatment, however you will need to maintain your cleaning routine to keep them at bay.

But to some extent, it is something you are going to have to live with and should be regarded as the natural colouring of your chihuahua’s eye region.

About the author

Louise Kirby

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Behaviour

Dressing up Dogs. Is it OK to dress-up my…

January 29, 2018September 1, 2021
by Louise Kirby

There is a huge movement and industry around dressing up dogs, not just chihuahuas, you name the breed people have designed outfits for them.

There has always been a need for functional clothes, to keep dogs safe, warm or waterproofed but in recent years the market for non-functional outfits is booming.

So, why do people love to dress up their chihuahuas, is it just harmless fun or is it bad for the dogs?

Chihuahuas are small, and they do feel the cold, so there is a legitimate reason to have a couple of warm jumpers and a coat that keeps out the wind or rain. And there is no reason why these coats and jumpers shouldn’t have the awww factor.

Hot spots

But, problems start to occur when the dog gets overheated or the clothing is rubbing. Your chihuahua can’t tell you he is too hot, or the coat is chaffing under his legs. Clothing can also cause skin allergies, red sore hot spots that can ultimately lead to bald spots.

Scares them

In an interview with the Mail Online the RSPCA advise against dressing up dogs suggesting that it scares them:

Dr Samantha Gaines, a pet behaviour and welfare specialist at the RSPCA, said fancy dress costumes or even the odd novelty item can leave animals feeling scared or confused, and stop them being able to express themselves. For some dogs being in a costume can be particularly scary, or worrying, especially if there are bits on the costume that the dog isn’t used to that are flapping around.’Dogs use signals to tell us what they’re feeling, they use their ears, their tails, body positions and their eyes.

Breaking the law!

In fact, under current animal welfare laws if your dog is considered unable to ‘express normal behaviour’ because clothing is restricting his natural movement you could find yourself being prosecuted by the RSPCA.

Instagram

Psychology Today magazine suggests: that the majority of people dressing up dogs is young women who have delayed having children. That babying and dressing their dogs gives them the same sense of pleasure that caring for a child might.

This might be true, or it could just be the Instagram generation that people are immersed in. Spending money on outfits and showing them off on social media is an expression of how much their dog means to them.

Fur

Everyone has an opinion about dressing up dogs and it’s hard to walk a diplomatic path. But in general, dogs have fur that is designed to keep them warm. So, unless you live in a draughty castle, your chi is very thin skinned or fur-less, it is unlikely they need to wear clothing indoors.

Sticking my neck out, dressing them for a quick photo is probably not going to cause any long-term physiological harm. But all day, every day is a different matter.

If you are going to dress up your dogs, make sure that it fits properly, does not rub and does not restrict his movement and that your dog does not get too hot. A stressed chihuahua is a bitey chihuahua!

Take an honest look at your dog’s body language when he has an outfit on and if he looks stressed then stop. Read signs that your dog is stressed.

Health

Itchy Chihuahua? The Harvest Mites are in Town

October 13, 2017October 23, 2018
by Louise Kirby

Harvest mites misery for dogs

Autumn is no longer around the corner it’s definitely here. In the UK there is definitely that crisp fresh smell in the air. Autumn for us means lovely long walks in the woods with the dogs. Plus the beaches opening up to dogs again. Unfortunately Autumn also means the scourge of the harvest mite. Little red dots of misery for your dog that can make them itch and scratch like crazy.

Harvest mites larvae hang about in the long grass and latch on to your dog as he passes. Hook into the skin and produce digestive enzymes that will irritate you dog. They are most active during the day. They like areas with less fur, so check under arm pits and on the belly.

A nasty infestation of harvest mites. Photo: Lintbell.com

As well as being super itchy they can also cause hair loss and potential infection. Minnie, who loves a rummage in the long grass, picked some of these little blighters last year. It was a battle to get rid of them and caused itching for months.

They appeared in a couple of patches at the base of her tail and on her hind quarters. They are driving us all crazy as she spins around and around chewing to relieve the itching. (That is not her in the photo above.)

Treatment of harvest mites

To treat harvest mites you can use a good neem oil mixed with a carrier oil (never use it neat) such as coconut. Apply it freely and often. Neem oil is a natural pesticide, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti fungal. Mix this with coconut oil which contains many of the same miracle properties, you should get the better of the nasty little hitchhikers.

In addition to rubbing this into the affected area you can use a neem based shampoo. We use Ekoneem Organic Neem Oil shampoo bar. It is a good idea to leave the shampoo on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. You can buy this from a few good suppliers online, myitchydog.co.uk is one that springs to mind.

Leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Prevention better than cure!

Harvest mites are more active during the day. To try and prevent your dog getting infected you could alter your walking routine to early evening. Also, try spraying him with a neem oil solution before you go out on walks, also good for preventing ticks as it acts as a repellent. If you are noticing a neem oil theme here, it’s because we think neem oil is one of the most useful products around at the moment and can be used for a whole host of things around the house as well as medical! Read Neem Oil for Dogs and Why you Can’t Live Without It.

The upshot is I thoroughly recommend you put some in your medical box. You can buy it from Ekconeem.com. As well as my Itchy Dog mentioned above. These are not affiliate links, we use these products on our dogs.

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Allergies

Is a vegetarian diet for dogs harmful?

August 11, 2017May 5, 2021
by Louise Kirby

Ask different people the question ‘can dogs be vegetarian?’ and you will get different answers depending on their agenda.

The simple and short answer to ‘can dogs be vegetarian?’ is no.

Dogs are carnivores and need meat protein and fat to provide them with the full nutritional profile they need. But if you want to feed your dog a vegetarian diet you probably want more information.

Over the last decade there is an increasing movement towards vegetarian & vegan diets for dogs. It could be out of concern for farm animals, the environment or because people are vegetarian themselves and don’t want to handle meat products. Religious reasons could be another factor.

However, many of the vegetarian diets for dogs you see when you do a search are based on the assumption that a dog’s nutritional profile is the same as ours, and that if something is healthy for us then it will be healthy for our dog. But this is just not the case. Many of the foods we might eat as vegetarians like grains, soy and tofu are bad for dogs and won’t supply them with the vitamins and amino acids they need. Soy can cause issues with a dog’s endocrine system.

A dog’s digestive system is different from a human, they have a much shorter digestive tract. Their food spends more time in their stomach where the enzymes are designed for breaking down large chunks of meat and fat and kill bacteria. Once finished in the stomach, the digested matter transits very quickly through the intestine, there is no time for the fermentation of grains, plant material and starch.

Many plant-based oils like hemp and coconut oil may provide people with the omega 3 fatty acids they need, but dogs are not able to convert these into usable fatty acids.

Will a dog survive or thrive on a vegetarian diet?

In the wild a dog would eat partly digested veggies from the stomach of their kill, They may have scavenged plant based food in time of hardship but long term they would not thrive. Some vegetable matter can be helpful in their diet. Pumpkin, squash and papaya being beneficial in the fight against worms and fleas. But as a dog finds vegetables very difficult to digest, they must be cooked and pulverised. Only 10% of their food should be derived from vegetables and fruit.

Good reasons for a vegetarian diet for dogs?

There may be some health issues that make you think your dog might benefit from a vegetarian diet.

If you are trying to resolve allergies or stomach issues, then it could be a good idea to think about a raw or home cooked diet, commercial kibble (dry dog food) does have a reputation for being responsible for allergy-based illness. One of the main reasons for this is the amount of grain and carbohydrate they contain, along with the poor quality of the meat protein.

No go

Another consideration of a vegetarian diet for dogs is the amount of vegetables and fruit that are potentially poisonous for dogs, such as onion and grapes. Broccoli, while not poisonous can be difficult for your dog to digest and contains isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation.

Never feed a vegetarian diet to a breeding bitch. You need to make sure you plan to make sure she has all the nutrients she needs before and during the pregnancy.

Commercial and homemade vegetarian diets for dogs.

There are a range of commercially made vegetarian diets available that claim to have all the nutrients your dogs will need. Similarly, there are a lot of websites that have lots of homemade recipes available. Many of these recipes assume that what’s good for us must be good for your dog.

Don’t assume that someone who shares vegetarian recipes online understands your dog’s nutritional needs. They may feed it to their own dog, and their own dog will readily eat it but given the choice any dog would naturally choose to eat meat if it was available.

Take away

In answer to the question, ‘can dogs be vegetarian?’ you can see there are a lot of reasons why the answer is no. Dogs are carnivores and should be fed good quality meat protein with the correct ratio of fish and suitable vegetables.

If you take on the guardianship of a dog, then you are morally obliged to feed it a species appropriate diet which is based around meat protein and fat. Owning a dog is a big responsibility and we shouldn’t be disadvantaging it to make it fit in with our life choices.

Louise Kirby

Feeding

5 Foods that can help prevent canine cancer

March 25, 2017May 17, 2019
by Louise Kirby

Preventing canine cancer

Canine cancer is a major killer for dogs. 50% of dogs over 10 may develop a cancer at some point. But the good news is that over half of them are curable if they are caught early. So be vigilant. While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of getting canine cancer, there are measures you can take to help improve your chihuahua’s chances of not developing the disease. With a lot of focus now being on diet and lifestyle.

Now it’s 6 as I have updated this and added some information.

#1 Keep your chihuahua’s weight down.

Research suggests cancer cells feed off fat and glucose, so keep her diet free from excess carbohydrates and processed grain. Keeping a chihuahua’s weight down can be an issue as they are so small it doesn’t take much for them put on weight.

Find out from your vet how many calories you chi needs for her life stage as this will help you keep a better track of what she is eating. although the law does not make pet food manufactures put the calories per 100gms on the packet. Here is some advice on how to keep your chihuahua’s weight down.

#2 Exercise and fresh air

Chihuahuas need to run about in the fresh air the same as big dogs. This helps them keep their weight down and gives them mental stimulation.

Preventing canine cancer is always better than cure. Try incorporating some of the foods below into your chi’s diet on a regular basis. They may to help the fight to keep your chihuahua cancer free.

Five top canine cancer busting foods

Apples

‘An apple a day’ seems to work for dogs as well. Apples are a food that can help to starve tumour cells. Apples block angiogenesis, which is where new blood vessels are created from existing blood vessels. By starving tumour cells, they reduce their harm. But don’t allow your chihuahua to eat the pips as they contain arsenic. It is also a good idea to grate or pulverise the apple to start the digestive process for them. Dog’s lack the teeth and enzymes in their saliva to break down the cellulose in raw fruit and veg.

Blackberries

Blackberries offer a high level of vitamin C which is important for dogs’ immune systems. Blackberries also contain a number of antioxidants, such as quercetin, which helps to protect against cancer and releases with the vitamin C that is also in the fruit. Tip Put it in the food, if you give your chi a blackberry to chew it will look like a murder has taken place.

chihuahua power — Add some juicy blackberries, but mind your carpet!

BARF Diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods)

A raw diet can significantly improve the health of your dog in general. In a healthy dog, raw meat is not a problem as their stomach acid allows them to digest food and means they are not as susceptible to food bacteria as humans are. Changing over to a RAW diet may take time and it may be a good idea to introduce it with a dog appropriate probiotic to help the flora in your chis gut adjust. Try Natural Instinct I have always found their staff very helpful.

But If your dog already has aggressive cancer, their immune system may be weaker, and they may suffer sickness from bacteria and microbes on food such as raw meat. So, check this with your vet. You can read other articles on RAW food.

Home cook food

Diet is by far the best way to keep your chihuahua healthy. If you can’t feed raw (your chi doesn’t like it) or you don’t like it then maybe opt for home cooked food. There are now some compelling reasons for staying away from processed dog foods. Many dog nutritionist suggest that feeding kibble (dry food) to your dog is the same as giving them fast food takeaway day in day out. Read 5 Reasons Not To Feed your Dog Kibble.

A note on homecooking. It is important to ensure that your dog has a balanced diet. You will need to add some calcium or bone meal to food. But his is easily available in powder form from pet supplies. Read 9 Reasons to home cook.

Superfoods

Super-food for people also benefits chihuahuas too.

Broccoli, cabbage and brussel

sprouts all contain chemicals called glucosinolates and are known to eliminate possible carcinogens. Broccoli can also help to reduce the risk of normal cells mutating into cancerous cells than can contribute to canine cancer.

Broccoli is sometimes on the banned list of food for dogs, it is not toxic as such but the extra fibre may cause gas or loose stools. So, introduce gradually and don’t overdo it.

Cooking it first may be kinder for everyone. If you are home cooking it is easy to introduce a range of healthy veg into their diet. A varied diet is just as important for dogs as it is for your family.

Both Mika and Minnie seem to love Cavolo Nero, an Italian cabbage. It’s very popular and readily available, if a little pricey. Lightly cooked they just seem to love it.

Milk thistle & turmeric

A milk thistle supplement may work wonders for your chihuahua as it helps to protect the liver. Widely used by humans for its liver detoxifying properties, its anti canine cancer properties for dogs make it a great purchase.

Turmeric has powerful anti inflammatory properties. Cancer is an inflammatory disease, feed it to your dog regularly and take some yourself.

It is important to make changes to diet gradually, to make sure your pet gets used to the taste and doesn’t go hungry. If your chihuahua turns her nose up at fruit and vegetables, try covering it in yogurt or cottage cheese.

The additional protein from the cottage cheese is also good. But make sure you account for the extra calories and adjust their daily allowance.

None of the advice is meant as an alternative to visiting your vet if you are worried about your chihuahua.

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