As a Chihuahua owner, you must ensure that your home is Chi-proof both inside and out. Because the Chi is the smallest of the toy breeds, a single lick, taste, or bite of some foods, plants, or chemicals can cause significant illness in your Chi. Because of its small stature, the Chi is more prone to injury. If that isn’t enough, the Chi can be extremely sassy with larger, more assertive dogs and has been known to seek out trouble.
Dangers in Your Home
If you’ve ever had a crawling infant or a toddler in your home, you know how dangerous a standard home or flat can be for a child. It is fairly similar for a fresh Chihuahua puppy and a rescued adult dog. Everything is new. Corners must be investigated. All unknown stuff must be tasted.
If you haven’t had to perform any childproofing, or if you haven’t had a puppy in a long time, your home and yard are unlikely to provide a safe refuge for your new Chihuahua. Do not worry. It only takes a little planning and forethought to be prepared. If you are unsure about an item’s safety, move it or limit access to it until you can confirm it. The floor is the most prevalent source of risk for Chihuahuas. This can include items that have been dropped or left on the floor, as well as orthoses that are naturally present in this area. Most of the danger arises from the Chihuahua attempting to sample or taste a dangerous item. A dog may test an item by sniffing, chewing, or licking it.
In addition to the objects that the Chi can eat, there are other physical hazards in the home. Your home may have several spaces where the Chihuahua can get imprisoned or places where the dog can try to jump off, risking a broken limb. Though not exhaustive, the following topic areas include some of the most prevalent household hazards to remember.
Foods that can kill.
Many different meals have been known to make dogs ill, and some can be dangerous in small amounts. The chance of falling ill from consuming a drug is significantly higher in Chihuahuathan dogs with larger body weights. A modest amount of food that would make a mid-to-large-sized dog sick might easily kill a Chi. Of course, the smaller the Chi, the greater the chance of being ill, with young puppies being particularly vulnerable.
Before an emergency occurs, understand how to contact your veterinarian after hours or how to get to the emergency clinic if your veterinarian is unavailable. Also, keep the ASPCA’s poison hotline number (888) 426-4435, which is open 24/7.
Owners frequently believe that just because they find something disgusting to eat (such as rubbish, expired dairy goods, or rotten cold cuts), their Chihuahuas will find the same items offensive and will shun them entirely. Wrong. There’s no accounting for a Chihuahua’s sense of taste. Some dogs don’t seem to care and will eat anything. Your best strategy is to keep any food, fresh or not, away from your Chihuahua.
In addition to meals that are more plainly likely to make a Chi sick, there are items that owners are unaware are toxic to dogs. These are items that owners enjoy eating and are more inclined to give as a special treat to their Chi. These foods include chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, and others.
Chocolate
Less than one ounce of chocolate can cause seizures, comas, and even Death in Chihuahua. Chocolate has a high quantity of methylxanthine alkaloids, which include theobromine and caffeine. Both of these are harmful to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the toxin concentration. As a result, baker’s chocolate is more hazardous than dark chocolate, whereas dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate.
A Chi puppy weighing only eleven ounces could develop serious disease after consuming just a few candy-coated pieces of chocolate or a bite-sized piece of candy. If you leave candy dishes out in your home, empty them. Don’t assume that just because the chocolate is on a counter or on a table, it is secure from your Chi. These dogs are incredibly athletic as well as intelligent. If they really, really want something, odds are they’ll figure out how to acquire it. Keep chocolate in closed cabinets.
Grapes
Grapes, while sometimes considered the fruit of the gods, are not the fruit of dogs. What a shame, too, because dogs appear to enjoy popping seedless grapes and raisins as much as we do. Unfortunately, it has come to light that this fruit is toxic to dogs. In recent years, there have been numerous clinical situations in which dogs became ill or died after consuming grapes or raisins.
My friend thinks it’s humorous to let his dog drink beer; is this safe?
Definitely not! Allowing a dog to consume even modest amounts of beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, or death.
To date, no one understands exactly what molecule in grapes and raisins is poisonous to dogs, but whatever it is, it affects their kidneys. After eating. The fruit causes diarrhoea, drowsiness, and abdominal pain that lasts several days or even weeks. If a deadly amount of the fruit is consumed, death results from kidney failure. For a three-pound Chihuahua, these effects could begin with just a few grapes or raisins. As with chocolate, store grapes and raisins in an inaccessible spot.
Uncooked Meats and Fish
A dog may find nothing more appealing than a great bit of raw chicken thawing on the counter, a box of ground beef, or some newly cleaned fish. There are diets that incorporate raw foods to generate a balanced meal. Many dogs thrive on raw meat, vegetable, and grain-based diets. However, be mindful that germs, such as E. Raw meats are notoriously contaminated with E. coli and salmonella. Raw fish may potentially include undesirable bacteria and parasites.
Other Unsafe Foods.
Other typical meals that can wreak havoc on your Chihuahua’s gastrointestinal tract are uncooked rice, foods heavy in salt, and meats with small, hollow bones, such as cooked chicken. Other foods that should be avoided include these:
AvocadoCoffee
High-fat foods: Macadamia nuts.
Onions, onion powder, and salt
Yeast doughGarlic
Any product containing xylitol (a sweetener present in many sugar-free gums and candies) Even if a food is not generally considered harmful to dogs, consuming too much of anything can be dangerous for a Chi. Though Chihuahuas tend to forget to eat because they are too busy playing, some Chis may feast themselves on forbidden delicacies, such as a hoard of cookies or a cooling roast. If your Chi gets into anything she shouldn’t, contact your veterinarian and describe the issue. A trip to the vet may or may not be necessary, but it’s always a good idea to be careful.
Kitchen & Breakfast Areas
What do you keep under the kitchen sink? Chances are you have a number of highly dangerous chemicals stored in this lower cabinet, including dishwashing liquid or detergent, wood polishers, floor cleaners or waxes, caustic cleaners for the counter and others for the oven and stoves, and so on.
Installing door and drawer locks is a simple solution to keep your puppy or dog out of trouble. These can be obtained inexpensively at any baby-supply store and are a good solution for people who have curious, problem-solving children.
All of these products are extremely toxic; few, if any, are not poisonous. The containers they are stored in, which are mainly plastic bottles, are also not dog-proof. If a dog is determined to sample something, she will.
Lock It Up.
Fortunately, most people keep these items behind a cabinet door or in a bottom drawer. Keep these areas closed and out of reach of your Chi. Alternatively, consider moving these cleaning supplies to a high shelf in a room where your Chihuahua cannot access them, or storing them in a large, plastic container with a tight lid or a container that locks shut (such as a large craft box). Another item maintained in the kitchen is garbage and trash. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because your dog weighs a few pounds, she won’t be able to get into the garbage. Depending on the height, weight, and location of the can in the kitchen, your Chi may or may not be able to reach it. To be safe, store the waste can behind closed doors. If necessary, utilise a cabinet lock.
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs, so ensure sure there are no tight spots in or around your home where they could become stuck!
Physical dangers.
Look for physical risks in the kitchen and breakfast room.
Frequently, refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves are not completely flush with kitchen cabinets.
This could create small open areas just big enough for a curious Chi to wedge herself into.
This is especially common if food has dropped between the crevices or the Chi is chasing a lizard. It is probable that your Chi will creep below your kitchen appliances.
Make sure there are no spaces in your kitchen or breakfast room where your Chi could get stuck. If you have a Chi-sized crevice that you cannot block off, do not leave your dog alone in this place unless she is crated or playing safely in a playpen.
Bathrooms and laundry.
Bathrooms and laundries, like kitchens, are notoriously dangerous to Chihuahuas. Many of these hazards are caused by Chihuahuas swallowing objects they should not, while others are caused by potentially dangerous physical circumstances. The bathroom—a space that many owners use to keep their Chihuahua safe and contained while they are away—has both types of threats.
Bathroom dangers Cleansers and cleaning materials are two common sources of toxicity in the bathroom. Almost anything used to clean a restroom is highly harmful to a Chihuahua, even in small amounts. Even if your Chi does not consume these chemicals, an inadvertent spill might result in serious burns and even blindness if splashed into the eyes. Store all cleaners behind sealed doors.
A second source of poisons in the restroom is what your Chi may discover on the floor. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are easily spilt, forgotten, or just not found on the restroom floor. These drugs are highly concentrated and are almost usually deadly in a small dog like the Chi.
They may not be harmful, but for some reason, some dogs are extremely drawn to discarded paper drinking cups, used tissues, and feminine hygiene products. Avoid giving your Chihuahua access to toilets where these materials can be discovered and dragged into other areas of the house to be shredded or buried for later. Dispose of theseitems in trashcans located behind closed doors.
Other less visible sources of harm to the Chi include objects dumped in the bathroom trash. Toothpaste made for humans
is highly toxic to dogs, and there’s definitely enough in that old tube to get your Chihuahua sick. Additionally, if your Chi ingests a lengthy strand of dental floss, it may become entangled in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract and cause significant wounds.
Finally, while drinking from a toilet isn’t particularly harmful (the water isn’t unclean), being near an open toilet is quite dangerous. The Chihuahua is so small that if she manages to get up to the toilet seat (remember, Chis can leap), she could easily fall in and drown. Keep the toilet lid or bathroom door closed at all times. It probably goes without saying, but never leave a bathtub full of water unattended. It is also highly deadly if a Chihuahua jumps or falls into the water with no method of getting out.
In the laundry room.
Toxic chemicals (such as bleach, laundry detergent, and spot removers), crawl spaces and crevices where the Chi can become lodged, and various clothing items that may provide choking dangers, such as socks or knits that have a tendency to unravel. The easiest solution is to keep the door closed. An equally smart option is to keep objects off the floor and out of the Chi’s reach, as well as to block off any potential Chi-sized crawl spots.
Other Living-Space Hazards
In addition to the above stated domestic dangers, your home most likely contains extra concerns, such as electrical wires; power cords to computers; squeeze-in places; fallen paper clips and push pins; rat and roach poisons; kitty litter ‘prizes’; and teetering things that could collapse. You must remain cautious at all times to avoid them and other tempting hazards, such as coffee tables. If your Chi gets up on one, don’t shock her or make her jump; she may destroy something.
Electrical cords
The electrical cord is a fairly common and frequently fatal household hazard. For some reason, puppies find the feel of an electrical cord appealing. If the lamp was turned on (with power flowing through the cord), and your Chihuahua chewed through the protective coating and came into contact with live wires, the shock would be fatal to a puppy or dog. If there is no current flowing through the electrical cord and the Chi partly chews through it, your small dog has created a fire hazard for the next time the light is turned on.
To prevent cord problems, cover the cords with a rug or heavy plastic protective strips commonly used for computer cords. Applying a bitter-apple-flavored gel or another chewing repellent to the cords can also help—unless your Chi enjoys this flavour, in which case you’ll have to try to cover the cords again. You can even unplug the cords when not in the room and coil them around a chair leg or the lamp itself. You can also keep your Chi out of this area or allow her to rest safely in her box when you are unable to monitor her every step.
Pest Control
Rodent, roach, and ant poisons are examples of ingestible hazards in your home’s living spaces. These poisons, in particular, are left in situations where a Chihuahua could obtain them—at the base of windows, behind furniture or against the walls. Rodent poisons produce lethal haemorrhaging, while insecticides can cause neurological death. They’re nasty no matter how you look at them.
Many common houseplants can cause disease, especially in tiny dogs. Most of these plants irritate the dog’s mouth, but some are poisonous. For a comprehensive list of dangerous houseplants and their toxicity, go to the ASPCA’s National Animal Poison ControlCenter website (www.aspca.org). In an emergency, you can contact the centre at 1-888-426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
If you’ve been utilising these tactics to keep pests out of your home, you’ll need to reconsider your approach. If you have a puppy or dog at home, you must keep these poisons away. It is not a question of whether your Chi will investigate and perhaps consume a lethal dose of these poisons; it is a question of when. Don’t assume you can substitute amousetrap; it might also kill a curious Chihuahua.
Garage
If you’re like most homeowners, your garage is used for more than just automobile storage. Much of what is stored in the garage is used for lawn and home care. For the Chihuahua, the garage might be a fascinating location to romp around and investigate; nevertheless, it is also full with potential hazards.
One risk is that of falling things. Paint cans stored on lower shelves, motorcycles resting perilously against the wall, and equipment like shovels, trimmers and trowels can all damage a Chihuahua, even if they only fall a few inches. If you let your Chihuahua accompany you as you dig in your garage for a lawnmower or a touch-up paint can, keep an eye on her at all times.
Chemicals are another typical hazard seen in garages. Fertilisers, swimming pool or spa treatment supplies, ice-melting products, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are just a few of the items that might make your Chi very sick or even kill her in trace amounts. Keep these items safely stored in tightly sealed containers, or prohibit your Chi from accessing your garage.
Is antifreeze poisonous?
Absolutely. And it’s toxic in very small levels. To make matters worse, dogs enjoy the taste of antifreeze, which is incredibly delicious to them. If you spill antifreeze in your garage, clean it up quickly. Consider getting nontoxic antifreeze for your car.
Yard or patio
Be aware that whether you bring home a Chi puppy or an adult, the Chihuahua is a low-to-the-ground kind of dog. For this reason, the breed is especially vulnerable to touch with chemicals, plants, insects, and animals found in your yard.
Small animals.
As the king of lizard chasers, the lion-hearted Chihuahua can’t resist the impulse to chase and destroy small, moving prey. Normally, this prey drive results in a few insect body pieces or a lizard tail on your kitchen floor every now and then. However, depending on where you live, your Chihuahua may come into touch with certain toads, insects, spiders, snakes, and scorpions, which could be fatal.
Landscape Supplies
Citronella candles, fly baits containing methomyl, and slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde are examples of regularly used yard or patio items that are toxic to dogs. Have you have a tiny pond in your garden? The blue-green algae seen in smaller bodies of water is hazardous. What about a compost pile waiting to be worked into your vegetable garden, or cocoa mulch laid in your well maintained flowerbeds? These are also harmful.
Many plants, shrubs, and trees are extremely harmful to dogs. (For example, all portions of the cherry tree are deadly.) If you have a Chihuahua who enjoys exploring and chewing, either remove these plants from your garden or create a method to prevent your Chihuahua from accessing them. If you have any questions about a specific plant you are considering adding to your yard or one that is already there, you can visit the ASPCA Web site (www.aspca.org), which has an alphabetical list of poisonous plants.
Fencing
Fencing for your backyard or patio serves two purposes: it keeps your Chihuahua in your yard and keeps other dogs, huge predatory wildlife and even a would-be Chihuahua burglar out. As you might expect, the Chihuahua may be a difficult dog breed to keep penned in.
Why would anyone want to steal my dog?
The answer is straightforward: money. Unaltered Chihuahuas, especially females of breeding age, are popular targets because they can be utilised as brood bitches. Because the Chihuahua is little, she is also more easily stolen.
Choosing the Right Fence
Six-foot privacy fences will enough (in wood or plastic). If the slats are spaced to allow air to circulate through them, ensure sure there isn’t a large opening for your Chi to wiggle through. Looking at your dog’s head is a good way to determine whether a fence is escapable. If your Chihuahua can fit his head through the space, the rest of his body will probably be able to follow.
The same logic applies to chain link fences and wrought iron. If the Chi can get his head through any piece of the fence, whether it is the fence itself or a hinged gate, it is unlikely to hold your Chi.
Any form of current fencing can be converted into a secondary fence if you are ready to invest in one. For example, you might consider putting up three-to four-foot high chicken-wire fencing against an existing chainlink or wrought iron fence to give a safe area of containment for your Chi. For a wooden fence with staggered holes that could become an escape hatches, perhaps a wooden lattice attached to the lower part of the fence might help.
In addition to ensuring that there are no breaches in your fence that could allow your Chi to escape, inspect its condition. Protruding nails must be removed or hammered back in. Sharp, exposed wires on a chainlink fence should be twisted in the opposite way or removed.
Other Options:
Of course, if your yard is too large to fence, a fence is out of your budget, or you are unable to fence your yard due to subdivision or condominium laws, you may consider creating an enclosed space specifically for your Chihuahua. If you have a deck outside your back door, you may set up a low fence with a gate for your dog. You can also build up a puppy playpen in a shady area of your yard for fun, as long as you can keep an eye on your Chi.
There is a solution to almost every fencing problem. You only have to remember that Chihuahuas can be quite adept at squeezing into narrow spaces, crawling under items, and jumping over low hurdles. With some preparation and creativity, you can make your backyard a safe place for your new dog.