Chihuahua Mingle

Please do NOT change your puppy’s food – we have tried them all and have found our puppies do best on this food. Chihuahua are fussy eaters with sensitive tummies and this food is formulated to entice them to eat and is easily digestible. It also supports their immune systems, promotes good dental health and beautiful coats.

Just before you bring your puppy home I will email detailed feeding instructions for your puppy but in general I recommend that you leave food out 24 hours a day when your puppy first comes home. Toy breed puppies like Chihuahua don’t eat much at one time because they are so tiny but they do eat frequently. Please remember it is NOT enough to just have food available, you MUST make sure your puppy is eating to prevent Hypoglycemia!

If you take care of your Chihuahua baby properly now, you will be rewarded with many years of unconditional love from a healthy, happy dog.

Hypoglycemia

As a new Chihuahua puppy parent it is important for you to be able to recognize the symptoms of Hypoglycemia and to know how to treat it. Hypoglycemia is easily treatable in the early stages, but can be fatal if allowed to progress. It is in your best interest and the best interest of your puppy for you to read this information and become educated about how to properly care for your new fur-baby BEFORE you bring him/her home.

What is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar level drops extremely low usually due to lack of food, or by using up all stored energy without it being replenished. Smaller sized puppies like Chihuahua are prone to this because they have such tiny bodies and can only store a little bit of food/energy at a time.

It is important to understand that just because a puppy has an episode of hypoglycemia, does not mean that the puppy is truly ‘hypoglycemic’. True hypoglycemia is a chronic condition caused by overproduction of insulin by the pancreas. Hypoglycemic incidents in Chihuahua puppies are always preceded by a stress of some kind, such as: weaning, teething, vaccinations, a change in environment, shipping, over-handling, cold temperatures, intestinal parasites, infections, etc. Many Chihuahua puppies simply play too hard and stress their system or just forget to eat.

Signs / Symptoms

Drowsiness or Collapse
If your Chihuahua is seems to pass out or stumble around as if it’s drunk, the problem may be drowsiness from hypoglycemia.

Shivering
When a small dog’s blood sugar wavers, its body has trouble maintaining a constant temperature. A hypoglycemic Yorkie may shiver, which can be a warning sign that something is awry. Provide a protein-rich food and make sure the dog has a warm bed to snuggle after eating. It may take a little while for the nutrients to hit its bloodstream, but the dog should stop shivering within 30 minutes or so.

Listlessness or Depression
A Chihuahua that isn’t interested in its favorite toys, isn’t eating, stares off into space, avoids eye contact or generally seems ‘down in the dumps’ may be suffering from hypoglycemia. Bring food to the dog and offer small bites until it has the energy to feed itself. Usually, after a few bites, the dog will perk up and finish the meal.

Muscle Weakness
A Chihuahua with weak muscles will sit or lie down more often and will not jump around or climb stairs. For Chihuahua owners who are used to seeing their little dogs fly around the house, muscle weakness can be perceived as a personality change. If you suspect that your Chihuahua is suffering from weak muscles, offer high protein foods more often and speak with your veterinarian.

Seizures or Tremors
With careful monitoring of a Chihuahua blood sugar seizures and tremors are unlikely. However, tremors or even full blown seizures can happen if other symptoms are overlooked. If this happens get your dog to a veterinarian immediately!