Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the canine world and one of the most endearing. However, this friendly breed is divided into two varieties, the short-haired chihuahuas and the long-haired chihuahuas.
Although they are very similar, there is something evident that differentiates them, the fur. Long-haired Chihuahuas have a silky and smooth that requires specific care to keep it healthy and beautiful.
Today, from Soy un Perro we will give you advice on hygiene, brushing, maintenance and feeding, so if you are thinking of adopting a long-haired chihuahua, you shouldn’t miss a thing!
Index of contents
- 1 Care needed for a long-haired chihuahua
- 2 Bath care
- 3 The importance of drying
- 4 Brushed
- 5 Haircuts
- 6 Specific feeding
Care needed for a long-haired chihuahua
Although what stands out most about the long-haired chihuahua is its beautiful coat, the truth is that it does not require much special care or excessive grooming on our part. However, that does not mean that we should not follow simple, but specific guidelines.
The coat of these dogs is long, dense, straight and soft and appears in the form of fringes or “duster” in ears, tail, feet, neck and back of the legs. To keep our dog’s hair in these conditions and healthy, well-groomed and beautiful, we must follow these tips:
- Never cut their hair: except for small touches on the hooves, cutting the excess hair and leaving it in a rounded shape.
- Brush these dogs often to clean up their hair, get rid of excess fur, and avoid pesky knots behind their ears.
- Since they are not often soiled, it is not necessary to bathe them too often.
Next, we will elaborate a little more on the development of your care.
Bath care
On average, one bath a month would be recommended for long-haired Chihuahuas, although everything will depend on the frequency with which they get dirty. You must use specific shampoos for dogs that do not harm their pH. ¡Never human shampoos!
During the move, it is advisable to bathe the dogs more regularly, such as once a month or fortnight. This will help the hair to come loose and prepare the skin for the arrival of the new coat. This process speeds up the move-in period and will help keep the house clean..
As with short-haired chihuahuas, bathing should be done with lukewarm water and preventing water from getting into your ears, as it can cause infections and other diseases. The same should be done with the eyes, since they are very sensitive and will cause discomfort.
If you notice that your tiny dog has dull, coarse, dirty or stinky hair, it’s time to offer him a good bath. This breed has dry hair and fur, so A good hydration treatment will be ideal to clean and strengthen your coat and skin..
Moisturizing treatments: Show Spirit Celestial Glow Moisturizing Shampoo, Love Me Long Botaniga Shampoo, Kw Tea Root Oil Shampoo, Aloe Vera KW Conditioner, Optimum Care Anju Beaute Conditioner, Show Spirit Detangling / Repairing Mask.
The importance of drying
It is important that after the bath we make sure to dry our small and cold chihuahua well. You can use a microfiber towel to remove most of the moisture before using the dryer. This way you will avoid damaging your hair by excessive use of hot air.
It is important to note that the dryer must be used with medium heat, do not hug your puppy! In addition, you must move the hair with your hand to make sure of the temperature and accelerate drying
Brushed
Brushing for long-haired chihuahuas should be done frequently, about once a week. This will allow removing dead hair, keeping the house free of hairs, helping the dog in the molting process, preventing dandruff, avoid knots and keep your cloak pretty.
We can use a rubber brush, such as a rubber or latex mitt, or a spiked butter brush, which take care and brush without tearing the Chihuahua’s fine hair. Avoid barbed brushes, at least in sensitive areas like chest, ears and tail.
Haircuts
Generally speaking, long-haired chihuahuas do not require haircuts, much less shave them. Its soft, fluffy and fine coat can take up to 2 years to grow. If you maintain your usual hygiene and brushing, you shouldn’t have to visit the hairdresser.
However, the hair on the pads of his feet does need to be touched up with scissors to provide greater comfort to our friend and prevent dirt from getting into his paws.
Specific feeding
As with humans, dog food is also reflected in their appearance. If the dog has a good diet rich in nutrients and vitamins essential for its well-being, its skin and coat will look healthy and precious.
This also helps us detect dietary declines in our dog. If you notice that your chihuahua has dull, dry and dull hair, control the diet you are offering. Not all feed is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
Similarly, you must control and ration the amount of feed what you offer and the times your little friend should eat. This will depend on the age and weight of the chihuahua. It is extremely important that you keep a check, since Chihuahuas tend to be overweight.
As for the health-friendly foods for dog hair, those containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These fats promote your health in general and the quality of your skin and hair in particular.
Some of the foods that have these fats are fish, such as salmon or fish oil, vegetable oils, such as flax, sunflower, pumpkin or coconut oil. These foods, a source of vitamins and antioxidants, will bring shine and softness to your dog’s hair.
You can also include in your diet vegetables that promote hair health, such as carrots, broccoli and peas. Alternate these foods with their feed and your dog will love them. But remember, they are complementary foods, they should not replace your usual diet.