Tag: <span>grooming</span>

How to Clean your chihuahua’s teeth without brushing

February 25, 2021January 25, 2022
by Louise Kirby

Chihuahuas are prone to tooth decay because they have small mouths and their teeth are very close together making them a food trap. Brushing your dog’s teeth every day is the best way to keep your chihuahua’s teeth clean but it’s not always possible.

Not cleaning your chihuahua’s teeth can lead to some surprising problems, apart from tooth decay and bad breath a statistical link has been shown between gum disease and heart problems.

If you clean your dog’s teeth every day then you have it cracked, but it’s notoriously difficult to clean a chihuahua’s teeth if they’re not feeling the love.

Dental chews & sticks

There are a huge variety of different dental chews and sticks on the market that suggest they will help clean your dog’s teeth. They may help a bit but what concerns me is the calorie content of these products. To a large dog, the calorie count is not much but for a chi, it can seriously add extra low-quality calories that they just don’t need. I generally give these a miss or I haven’t found one I like yet. Maybe, I need to look for chews with low-calorie, something like pig ears for dogs, which are made from all-natural pork that’s free from any added hormones, steroids, or antibiotics.

Raw bones

Raw bones are very good for teeth cleaning, all that chewing and nibbling meat gives the teeth the equivalent of a good flossing. Scraping away tartar and polishing the teeth as your chihuahua crunches and gnaws. Also, your chi will get extra calcium phosphorus & magnesium.

It is important to give your chi the right bones to avoid broken teeth. The research we have done suggests lamb or goat bones are best. Cow shanks might be too hard and too big for your chi to manage.

Never cook the bones as this makes them brittle and splinter.

If you are giving bone with marrow in then it’s a good idea to scrap the majority of the marrow out. Marrow is basically fat and while very tasty for your chihuahua, too much is likely to cause an unhappy bottom. I would scrape most of it out and just leave enough to keep it interesting.

If you have more than one chihuahua you are also likely to get ‘Game of Bones’, where one steals the others and then all sorts of shenanigans ensue. Leave the bones down for a while then remove them after about 20 minutes. If you chihuahua is reluctant to give it up, then exchange it for something else like a treat.

Kibble (avoid)

Some dog foods will suggest they have teeth cleaning properties. And when you look at it you can see why some owners believe this is true. They are abrasive and rub the teeth when eaten. But kibble is full of carbohydrate which turns to sugar. Like for humans, sugar is going to rot teeth. Dogs don’t need any carbohydrate and can’t process sugar. Avoid.

Raw veggies (avoid)

People love the idea of giving raw vegetables to their dog. Often based on the notion that if it’s good for people, then it must be good for a dog. But, dogs are not geared up for raw veggies. They don’t have the correct teeth to grind down the cellulose or the correct enzymes in their saliva to start the digestion processes. Cows and other herbivores eat with a grinding motion. Dogs are carnivores (not omnivores that dog food manufactures would like you to believe) they are geared up for gulping and digesting lumps of fat and protein in the gut. Lumps of raw veg can sit in the gut and cause belly ache or if you’re really unlucky a blockage. If you are going to feed veggies to your dog then cook or grate them first.

Frozen chicken wings

A lot of people give their dogs frozen chicken wings to gnaw on. It will have the same effect as giving raw bones. Chicken wings might be easier for a smaller chi to manage. My feeling is frozen might be less messy that fresh. Remember to take the calories of the meat into their daily allowance.

Always supervise your dog with any bones.

Antlers

It’s the abrasive action of chewing the antler that makes them work for teeth cleaning. Minnie absolutely loves them, Mika not so much. He only likes the political advantage of taking Minnie’s and holding it to ransom! I have read that some people soak the antler in chicken broth to make it more appealing and to soften it. An antler is expensive, a small one can be 7.00 – 9.00 but they do last a long time. The downside of antlers is the possibility of broken teeth. Some vets are dead against them for this reason. I run them through the band saw so Minnie can get at the inside.

Coconut oil & neem oil

Coconut oil and neem oil are super good for cleaning your dog’s teeth, they both contain natural anti-bacterial properties which kills the bacteria that causes tooth decay. If you can, rub it into your dog’s teeth and gums, or coat their favourite chew toys. I had a go at rubbing it into Mika’s teeth fully expecting to get bitten and surprise surprise it went OK. We now have a funny little spikey ball toy that you can put a couple of treats in and then coat the ball in coconut oil. Read more about neem oil here.
(Neem oil is a must have cupboard staple and not just used for teeth cleaning. It can be used for fleas, cuts, stings and skin issues. I always have some in the cupboard.)

Kelp seaweed

This is my favourite and easy to use. Kelp Seaweed seems to be another undervalued superfood that is rich in Iodine, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium. It is much more readily available and is available as a supplements. Just add some to their nosh. I have been adding seaweed to their food for a few years now and touchwood Mika had his teeth cleaned at the vets this year and had no extractions. He is 10 now.

Feeding it to your dog will help reduce tartar build-up on her teeth and provide a host of other health benefits. It is easily available as a powder which can be sprinkled over your dog’s food. Read 42 reasons to put seaweed in your dog’s diet

Get this for fresh breath and clean teeth!

A-OK9 Plaque-K9. This is my absolute favourite at the moment. So far I haven’t come across anything better and I thoroughly recommend it. It has added herbes and makes the breath smell sooo much sweeter. We’ve been using it for a few months now and all the chi chis breath is better and their teeth cleaner. At £37.00 it’s a feels expensive, but it lasts for ages and is still a lot cheaper than going in for a teeth clean. I love it so much we’ve become A-OK9 partners. Check it out here.

Teeth cleaning at the dentist

Getting your teeth cleaned at the vet is very expensive. My regular vet quoted me around 400 plus to clean Mikas teeth last year. But you can shop around. Your vet does not own you and you’re not tied to them. I came across an introductory offer at a local chain of vets that was a third of the price. I got them done there. Frankly if my regular vet wanted to be pissy about it I can take my business to any number of vets. You need to do the best you can for your dog. I have five chi chis and vet bills can take their toll.

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!

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.

anal glands

Why anal glands can be a pain in the…

January 3, 2021May 15, 2022
by Louise Kirby

What are anal glands?

When your chihuahua has anal gland problems it really is a pain in the arse, for both you and your chihuahua.

Anal glands are two little sacs of fluid that sit just inside your dog’s rectum. Their job is to produce his signature scent that he leaves on his poo as a marker for other dogs. When your chi stops to sniff another dog’s poo they are picking up the scent that identifies who the dog is. This is also one of the reasons that dogs will sniff each other’s bums when they first meet.

If you are lucky, your chihuahua will never have anal gland problems and this process will pass you by. His anal sacs will empty by themselves when you chihuahua does his business and happily, you will be none the wiser.

If you are unlucky, anal glands can cause recurring problems, mainly centred around not emptying and possibly getting infected. This is very uncomfortable for your chihuahua and often a visit to the vet is required. Treatment for full anal glands is a manual expression, and if infected, antibiotics.

How to treat inflamed anal glands

Our latest vet (long story) suggests that giving oral antibiotics can be ineffective as they find it difficult to reach the area of infection. Persistently infected glands need to be irrigated then filled directly with an antibiotic. This is done under sedation rather than full anaesthetic. This is something we might have to consider for Mika as he has recurring issues with his glands. (Update we did have this done in the end and it did seem to help).

Another option is to remove the sacs completely. Many experts warn against this unless there is absolutely no option. Removing the anal glands can cause their own health issues and cause permanent damage to the anal sphincter.

Another job of the anal glands is to help the body cleanse itself of toxins (like flea treatments, vaccines and worming tablets). If the anal glands are not there, then the body can find it harder to remove these toxins.

Why do they get anal gland problems?

There can be a variety of reasons why your chihuahua’s anal glands get inflamed and infected.

Allergies; If your chi has allergies to grass, pollen and other substances, sitting and getting them on his bum are going to cause itching. As your chi chews and scratches at the area he can cause trauma to the anal glands.
Existing GI or colon inflammation is likely to cause inflammation in the glands.
Medications, vaccines, flea and worm treatments. These toxins can cause inflammation and an imbalance. The usual liquid in the glands becomes thicker and can’t be discharged through the ducts.
The glands may be slightly in the wrong place and aren’t stimulated when a stool passes.
A chihuahua that does not get enough fibre in his food will probably pass soft stools. This will mean they don’t have enough bulk to stimulate the glands as they pass through. This can happen after a bout of diarrhoea or illness.

Should we DIY?

Once-upon-a-time it was usual for the groomer to automatically express your dog’s anal glands as part of the service they provided. The advice now is don’t express a healthy dog’s glands. Constant manual manipulation causes trauma to the gland and poor muscle tone. This can cause the very problem you are hoping to avoid. Once you have started to express manually you find yourself having to do it more often and the issue becomes cyclic.

Some owners also like to express their dog’s glands at home and have taught themselves how to do it. I can understand why at £20-30 a visit to the vet. But, caution is required here. If pressed too hard the gland can rupture. This would be very painful for your chihuahua, might require surgery and antibiotics.

You can try and stimulate the glands externally by gently massaging your dog’s back end just under his rectum and this has proved helpful during lockdown with our dogs with visits to the vet problematic. I don’t like to leave them alone while you stand in the carpark. (sigh) So even after the lockdown lifts, I will carry on with this option unless I am concerned that there is some kind of infection or the glands are blocked. There are occasions when an internal empty is best.

There is a useful video on Youtube of an American couple showing you have to do an external massage. Be warned you can never unsee it!!

Signs your chihuahua is having anal gland problems.

Scooting across the floor on his bum
Rubbing himself against the furniture or you
Sitting down while on walks
Chewing his back end or legs
Paw licking and displaying signs he is in pain. Read how to tell if my dog is in pain.
Sitting uncomfortably
Hot painful lumps just under his tail
Squatting to produce phantom stools

Prevention is always better than cure

Trying to avoid anal gland issues is better and a lot cheaper than trying to cure it. Make sure your chihuahua has a healthy species appropriate diet that produces firm stools. Raw is good for this. People who feed their dog’s raw food will delight in their dog’s small firm stools.

Add psyllium husk to their food. This will bulk up and firm the stool and make it more likely that it will express as the stool passes.

Keep your chihuahua at a healthy weight, as anal glands covered in fat are less likely to express naturally.

Make sure your chihuahua has regular exercise, chihuahuas may be small but they still need to get out for a good walk every day.

Avoid over vaccination and other toxins like chemical worming and flea treatments. There are plenty of natural alternatives. Yearly vaccination boosters are unnecessary and Leptospirosis is just a nonsense vaccine that can make your chihuahua ill.

Keep your dog’s teeth clean. Excessive bacteria in the mouth can cause all sorts of additional health issues.

Try to avoid manual manipulation of the anal glands unless it is necessary.

Update! Try this…

We have been using this with out chi chis to facilitate training and calm things down. It also has a beneficial effect on the gut. Poops are hard so the anul glands are expressed during evacuation. It’s not what we brought it for, but I’ve noticed a massive improvement and not had to do Mika’s glands for some time..

Get it here

Allergies

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.