If you have a Chihuahua, then you know how these tiny dogs can take up such a big part of your time and life. Take back some time with these unique life hacks for Chihuahua owners!
1. Sandwich Baggies for Poo Bags
Ever feel like you’re wasting those big doggie poo bags on your walks with your Chihuahua? This is an affordable solution! Order these sandwich baggies from Amazon for the amazing price of only ONE CENT per bag and you have a more size-appropriate baggie for your next walk!
2. Keeping Your Chihuahua from Escaping Your Backyard
If you have a small Chihuahua and large spaces in your fence, use an inflatable Elizabethan collar to keep him from squeezing through the fencing in your backyard.
3. Use Rubber Gloves to Pick up Shed Hair
Does your Chihuahua hair get everywhere, or is it just ours? Our favorite method for picking up all that loose hair is using a pair of rubber gloves. Simply put them on and run you hands over your cloth furniture. You’ll be surprised by how well your Chihuahua’s hair clings to rubber gloves!
4. Stuff a Kong with Treats to Keep Them Busy
Headed to work? Need to run some errands? Stuff a Kong with some yummy treats to keep your Chihuahua occupied while you’re gone. For a tougher challenge (or a faster eater), you can freeze softer options into the Kong (canned dog food, canned sweet potato, and so on).
5. Make Your Own DIY Pill Pockets with Peanut Butter, Milk, and Flour
If you’re having a hard time getting your Chihuahua to swallow pills you can make your own DIY Pill Pockets. If you’re worried your Chi will get suspicious (because we all know how clever our Chihuahuas are), we recommend you use them as regular treats sometimes, too. NOTE: We will be adding a full DIY article for you next month on how to make your own Pill Pockets – don’t worry, the link will be added here as soon as we do!
6. Need Your Dogs Urine Sample for their Vet? Use a Small Paper Plate or Ladle
If you have a male Chihuahua, this task is oftentimes not too difficult…a simple container will do. But for those of you with female Chihuahuas, collecting a urine sample for your veterinarian can be quite tricky! We recommend a simple solution like this ladle (we keep ours by the “dog” thermometer) or a small paper plate. Simply slide the ladle or plate under your female Chihuahua, collect, then tip the sample into a container for your vet. Done!
7. Use Flour, Baking Soda, or Cornstarch to Stop Your Dogs Nail From Bleeding
We prefer to trim our Chihuahuas’ nails with a Dremel (to avoid accidents with their quick), but if your Chihuahua is sensitive to the Dremel, and you use clippers, every now and then you might cut them a little too short. So, if you find yourself in one of those situations, to help stop the bleeding faster, we recommend an easy home-made mixture! Simply mix flour, baking soda, or cornstarch with water until it’s a thick paste then apply it to your Chihuahua’s nail with moderate pressure for a few minutes. Another option is to keep some styptic powder on hand for nail-trim days!
8. Use Fruits & Veggies for Training Treats
Don’t have any healthy treats on hand? Use some leftover fruits & veggies that are healthy for your Chihuahua as your training treats. We have an entire article on which fruits are safe for your Chihuahua to eat!
9. Get Your Chihuahua Microchipped for a Permanent Identifier
Should your Chihuahua ever get lost (or stolen) a scan of their microchip will give all of your personal information to help with a speedy reunion. Just remember to update your information with the microchip company if you move. If you are concerned about microchipping your Chihuahua due to their tiny size, you may want to discuss alternative options such as GPS trackers with your veterinarian.
10. On the Go? Bring a Portable Water Dish!
We love collapsible water dishes for air travel, car travel, and even just walks! You can get them with carabiner clips, attach them to your purse or backpack, and never have the struggle of trying to pour water into your hands for your Chihuahua!
11. Make a DIY Chihuahua Car Seat!
To keep your Chihuahua safe and in one spot when you are in the car, wrap a blanket around a pillow, place the pillow in a laundry basket, and use the excess fabric to drape around the basket to make sure the edges of the basket are cushioned. You can even loop a leash through the laundry basket’s holes to secure your Chihuahua (make sure the leash is attached to a harness, not a collar, for safety). NOTE: We will be adding a full DIY article for you next month on how to make your own DIY Chihuahua Car Seat – don’t worry, the link will be added here as soon as we do!
12. Maximize on Bedroom Space by Creating a DIY Nightstand-Crate!
Simply remove the bottom drawer to your nightstand. Pop in a crate (or make your own ventilated door – if the space isn’t the correct size for a crate). Then, add a small tension rod and sheer fabric to make it disappear when you have guests over. NOTE: We will be adding a full DIY article for you next month on how to make your own DIY Nightstand-Crate – don’t worry, the link will be added here as soon as we do!
13. Use a Rubber Squeegee to Remove Chihuahua Hair from Your Fabric Car Seats
Simply use the rubber squeegee on your seats the same as you would if you were using it to clean your windows. If you don’t have a squeegee, put on rubber dishwashing gloves and brush the seat with your gloved hands. Make sure to go in one direction to best collect the shed hair.
14. Use Human or Doll Clothing to Create Your Own Chihuahua Clothes!
Depending on the size of your Chihuahua, using socks, baby clothes, or even doll clothes can be a great alternative to doggie clothing. Plus, it gives you extra, affordable options in the winter to keep your Chihuahuas warm while it’s laundry day.
15. Hanging Organizer for Chihuahua Things
Hanging organizers aren’t just for the closet. Sure, hang one in your closet, but you can also hang one in your garage, or even your car to store extra Chihuahua treats, care products, clothes, potty bags, and more in the shelves! Plus, you can hang leashes, harnesses, and rain gear on the pegs. Depending on where you put it, you may need to be creative with installation, but try this hanging organizer from Amazon complete with pockets and hooks!
Have other Life Hacks for Chihuahua Owners we should know about??? Let us know in the comments!
Number 7/ nails the quickest way to stop a nail from bleeding, is Soap
Drag the nail that you have cut a little short and starts to bleed, Drag the nail down the soap, Instent blockage and stops the bleeding. My niece was a qualified dog groomer and they taught her this
Great tip! Thank you for sharing!