Menu

  • Why Chihuahuas Shake: Common Causes and Solutions

    Have you noticed your Chihuahua shaking? Maybe he does it before going on car rides, or perhaps he shakes during the winter. While all dogs shake occasionally, this behavior is particularly common in Chihuahuas. They shake more frequently than larger dogs. Here are some of the most common reasons Chihuahuas shake and what, if anything,…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • Submit a Photo of Your Chihuahua – Chihuahua Wardrobe

    Are you proud of your Chihuahua and want to show them off here on our site? If so, send us a picture or two and we’ll be more than happy to show them off at our photo gallery. After we receive the pictures, we’ll upload them to our photo gallery where they will be on…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • History of the Chihuahua Breed – Chihuahua Wardrobe

    Like many modern-day dog breeds, much of the Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery. Where did the Chihuahua originate from? Were they brought over from Europe? Are they descendants of a different breed? Were they bred for a specific purpose like hunting rodents or herding livestock? While there’s no definitive answer to these questions, historians…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • Chihuahua Lifespan: Average Life Expectancy of The Chihuahua

    As with any breed, a Chihuahua’s lifespan varies depending on a number of different factors (see below for a complete list). Some of these factors are controllable, whereas others are outside of owners’ control. Owners should familiarize themselves with these factors so they give their Chihuahua the longest, fullest life possible. There’s no fool-proof method for predicting…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • ,

    How To Teach a Chihuahua Not To Bite

    Biting is an instinctual characteristic shared by all dogs, and Chihuahuas are no exception. Long before we domesticated them, dogs have used their teeth to kill prey, improve jaw strength, fend off predators, establish dominance in their pack’s social hierarchy, and play with other canines. Modern-day dogs have inherited this behavior from their ancestors, biting…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • How To Remove a Tick From a Chihuahua

    How To Remove a Tick From a Chihuahua

    It’s not uncommon for Chihuahuas to pick up ticks when they are running and playing outside. Once a tick falls into their fur, it will bite down and begin feasting on the Chihuahua’s blood. Ticks will fall off in 2-4 days when they are full of blood, but most veterinarians advise owners to remove ticks…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • ,

    Chihuahua Harnesses For Sale | No-Pull, Slip-On and More – Chihuahua Wardrobe

    Here you’ll find a wide variety of Chihuahua harnesses for sale. Some of the most popular types are no-pull, slip-on, vests and even shirt harnesses.  *As an Amazon Associate, Chihuahua Wardrobe earns from qualifying purchases. If you’re Chihuahua is constantly pulling and tugging when you try to walk them on a leash and collar, then…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • ,

    Chihuahua Vaccine and Booster Shot Schedule

    Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of many common and potentially fatal infectious diseases in Chihuahuas. Whether it’s a dog park, pet store, veterinary office, grooming salon, or even your own backyard, disease-causing germs are lurking everywhere. If your Chihuahua hasn’t been vaccinated or kept up to date on his vaccines, he could catch rabies, canine…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • ,

    5 Reasons Why Chihuahuas Run Away and How To Stop It – Chihuahua Wardrobe

    Does your Chihuahua run away when you let them outside to play and use the bathroom? Some Chihuahuas instinctively sprint towards the neighbor’s home once the front door is opened, leaving owners to question the effectiveness of their training. If this sounds familiar, check out the 5 most common reasons why Chihuahuas run away —…

    0Comments

    Read More

  • What is a Molera or ‘Soft Spot’ in Chihuahuas?

    If you rub your Chihuahua’s head and feel an opening in his skull, try not to panic. Known as a molera or “soft spot,” it’s a common anatomical feature with the breed. Research shows that approximately 80% to 90% of all Chihuahuas are born with a molera. It was once even considered a mark of…

    0Comments

    Read More

A lot of owners seem to overlook the importance of having their Chihuahuas spayed or neutered. When you are busy looking at puppies trying to find the one that's right for your family, it's easy to forget about future issues like spaying and neutering. Unfortunately, this results in a large number of Chihuahuas growing up without getting fixed. The fact is that there are countless reasons why you should spay or neuter your Chihuahua.

Fixed Chihuahua

Some owners are still stuck in the mentality that spaying and neutering is bad because it causes pain and unneeded stress on Chihuahuas. While there have been incidents of infections taking setting in after the surgery, they are few and far between. The American Humane Society states that fixing your dog is one of the best decisions you can make regarding their health and well-being. Most professional veterinarians will also agree that spaying and neutering is a safe, healthy procedure that owners should have performed on their canines.

Is Spaying and Neutering Really Necessary?

The benefits of having your Chihuahua spayed or neutered far outweigh the disadvantages. With that said, there are a few special circumstances when you may want to avoid having the procedure done. If you plan on breeding your Chihuahua at a later date, then you obviously wouldn't want to have them fixed. Of course, this is a big decision that shouldn't be made lightly. Breeding a Chihuahua will require a great deal of time and money, both of which are difficult to come by in today's fast-paced world.

Another instance where you might want to avoid spaying or neutering your Chihuahua is if your veterinarian advises against it. If your Chihuahua has a compromised immune system, is too young or old, or if they have some other underlying health condition, a veterinarian may advise against spaying or neutering. However, contrary to what some people may believe, there's no such thing as a dog that's too small to fix. Always follow the advice of your veterinarian to ensure the safety and well-being of your Chihuahua.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and Neutering Saves Lives

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 5-7 million animals enter animal shelters each year, and a staggering 60% of these animals are euthanized (3-4 million annually). It's a grim statistic that's only made worse when owners neglect to fix their pets. As a Chihuahua owner, you can do your part to lower these numbers by having your Chihuahua spayed or neutered.

Having your Chihuahua spayed or neutered will prevent them from breeding, which in turn will help deal with overpopulation. Even if you don't plan on breeding your Chihuahua, the hormones set off by a female in heat is a powerful attractant to unfixed males. It's all too common for family Chihuahuas to away from home in search of a mate, which is why you need have yours spayed or neutered.

Neutering Helps To Prevent Males From Running Away

If you've owned unfixed male Chihuahuas or other dogs in the past, you are probably well aware of how eager they are to run off, especially if there's a female in heat nearby. I guess you could call it mother nature's dating service, as it brings the male and female together to propagate the species. Unfortunately, though, shelters and rescues throughout the country are overrun with far more puppies than they can handle. Neutering your male Chihuahua will eliminate their instinctual desire to roam the neighborhood in search of a mate.

With the desire to roam now gone from your male Chihuahua, there's less chance of them becoming injured from other cars, dogs, people or getting into poisonous chemicals. This alone should be reason enough for you to get them neutered.

Neutering Reduces The Chance of Prostate Cancer

As lesser-known benefits of having a neutered Chihuahua is the reduced risk of developing prostate cancers. Each year, thousands of male dogs die from this horrible disease. While having them fixed doesn't completely eliminate their risk of developing prostate cancer is does significantly lower it.

Studies have shown that prostate growth is directly linked to the amount of testosterone a Chihuahua produces; therefore, the more testosterone a Chihuahua has, the higher the risk of developing prostate cancer. Having them neutered removes the testosterone-producing testicles, which lowers their chance of developing this cancer.

Chihuahua Run Away

No More "Territory Marking" On Your Furniture

One of the biggest complaints owners have about male Chihuahuas is their instinctual behavior that results in them lifting their back leg and and peeing on the sides of furniture. Even if they are potty-trained, they may still have the desire to mark their territory on your furniture. Behavior such as this simply can't be tolerated in the house, especially if you want a clean home without the dreaded smell of pee.

You must understand that male Chihuahuas, or all male dogs for that matter, have the instinctual desire to mark their territory because of the testosterone hormone. By neutering them, their testosterone levels decrease significantly, which should curb their desire to pee on the sides of your furniture, walls and other areas inside the house.

Spaying Eliminates Heat Cycles

Female Chihuahuas go into their heat cycle about once or twice a year. During this time, they will be more sensitive, territorial, and they will bleed. Caring for a Chihuahua in heat requires extra care and attention. By spaying your female Chihuahua, however, you will eliminate their heat cycles altogether.

The truth is that these are just a few of the many benefits of having your Chihuahua spayed or neutered. If there's one reason that draws you to fix your Chihuahua, it should be to help control the population of Chihuahuas that end up in shelters.

*In the words of the famous Price is Right host Bob Barker "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."

References:

https://www.avma.org/Pages/home.aspx

http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/spaying-neutering.html

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/why_spay_neuter.html

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Pinterest

E-mail