Chihuahuas are amongst the oldest and smallest dog breeds in the world. Their small size, engaging temperament and affectionate nature make them popular companion pets especially for urban or apartment life. Teacup Chihuahua puppies are those are born in litters with regular-size Chihuahuas but are smaller than the other puppies in the litter. Their tiny size tends to make them fragile during the puppy stage of life; special care and attention may be needed to ensure your teacup Chihuahua puppies live a long healthy life.
Step 1
Eliminate dangers in your home that may hurt your puppies. Get on your hands and knees and look around for things in your puppies' reach that they may want to play with, like cords or outlets. Secure cords with twist-ties to keep them out of your puppies' reach. Cover outlets with plastic outlet guards to ensure that your puppies do not lick them and get shocked.
Step 2
House-train your teacups to go potty in the correct place. Chihuahua puppies need to use the bathroom frequently; they usually do so with little to no warning. Sniffing the ground and circling are common signs that a puppy may need to go potty. Take your pup to potty outside after meals, play periods and napping. Praise and reward your pups after they have eliminated in the correct spot.
Step 3
Teach your teacup Chihuahua to obey and understand basic commands. Chihuhua are very smart and most responsive to training between 7 weeks and 12 months of age. It is important to start training your puppies as soon as possible for best results. Use treats and positive reinforcement to teach your puppies to obey, and avoid potential behavioral problems.
Step 4
Choose a puppy food specifically designed for small-breed puppies that meets your puppy's unique nutritional requirements. Feed your puppies small amounts of food several times a day. Teacup Chihuahua puppies often suffer from hypoglycemia, so it is important to make sure your puppy has access to small frequent meals several times a day to make sure his blood sugar level stays consistent. Once your puppies reach 1 year old, you may feed two times a day. Always make sure your puppies have access to clean drinking water. Make sure the water bowl is not so deep that your puppies can accidentally fall into it.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to give your teacup Chihuahua puppies a checkup. Your vet will give your puppies vaccinations against diseases and will prescribe flea and heartworm medications. Take your puppies to the vet at least once a year to stay up to date on vaccinations and booster shots to maintain your puppies immunity to diseases.
Step 6
Give your teacup Chihuahuas plenty of exercise opportunities daily to keep them healthy and happy. Play can provide most of your puppies' exercise, but it is still a good idea to take your puppies for a walk at least once a day. Use a body harness instead of a collar when walking your puppies since Chihuahuas have fragile necks. Dress your puppies in warm sweaters when going outside in cold temperatures since Chihuahuas are sensitive to cold weather.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Resources
Tips
- Take your teacup Chihuahua puppy to a professional groomer once a month for a bath and nail trimming. Chihuahua puppies have a vein running through their nails that will bleed if cut; it is best to leave the nail trimming to professionals. Brush your pup's hair with a soft-bristle brush daily to keep it tangle-free.
Writer Bio
Based in Statesboro, Ga., Emily Jones has been writing professionally since 2009. Her articles appear on various websites, specializing in the diverse topics of cleaning and insects. Jones is a graduate student studying education at Georgia Southern University.