Halloween Costumes at PetSmart

Pet Smart have some great Halloween costumes this year and we all know Chihuahua's look the cutest when they dress up!

Check out the online catalogue here. 

There is also a photo contest you can enter your dog in which can net you a cool $ 10 000 in prize money!

Check out the Monster Cute Photo Contest here.

Patella Luxation - What is it?

Patella luxation is probably the most common defect in the Chihuahua breed. OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) lists the Chihuahua as having a 10% affected rate, however, this may very well be quite underestimated as people who have a dog with Patella luxation might not even submit the paperwork to OFA. 

Although patella luxation is fairly easy to diagnose, some owners are unaware that they do have a problem (they think that if their dogs are walking around fine, they don't have any problems), or are not checking their dogs properly. A skilled veterinarian can easily determine if a Chihuahua has any looseness in the patella joint, or if the patella itself  luxates. 

Owners can also become skilled, if properly taught, to determine if a dog has patella luxation or not. Patella luxation can either have genetic causes, or environmental causes (i.e. injury). If patella luxation shows up at an early age (under 7 months or so), it is probably due to genetic causes; however, injury might also cause patella luxation to show up in the first seven months. Sources of injury could include being overweight, too much jumping (i.e. jumping off furniture), or too much stress on the patella and surrounding ligaments (ie. a dog dancing on its rear legs). 

These causes are especially dangerous when a Chihuahua is in the developmental stages...from a young puppy to 1 or 2 years of age. Chihuahuas might also damage their kneecap by hitting it, and even an unskilled veterinarian might cause permanent looseness if he is forcibly trying to see if the patella is loose. As a Chihuahua ages, slight looseness might be seen, especially in dogs that are very overweight and have continued pressure on the ligaments/patella.

Visual signs of grade 2 (and higher) patella luxation includes skipping, holding the rear leg up for a short time as the dog walks/runs or rear-leg weakness. Grade 1 patella luxation does not usually have any visual signs (which is why some owners might be unaware they have a problem) except the patella can manually be pushed out of place quite easily by hand. Patella luxation can cause permanent lameness later on, as well as arthritis, especially in the more serious cases (grade 2 and higher).

If your dog does have this painful problem, your veterinarian might be able to give you some options to help alleviate the symptoms, depending on the seriousness of the problem. This might include keeping the dog lean (ie. not letting the dog get fat), the use of joint supplements such as glucosamine/choroditin, pain killers, or surgery.

The best Chihuahua food out there...

Because they are sensitive or simply fussy, some Chihuahuas are picky or will refuse to eat their adult dry dog food. The Chihuahua is especially demanding because its sense of smell is less well developed than that of a large dog (the small area of the olfactory mucous membranes mean that it has fewer receptor cells). 

Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult Dog Food stimulates the Chihuahua's delicate appetite by means of an exclusive formula composed of the high quality selected ingredients, natural flavorings, and controlled atmosphere packaging to preserve its flavor. 

Chihuahuas often live in apartments and may use a litter box. Although they only produce a small amount of feces, it is important to limit the unpleasant smells caused by this type of lifestyle. Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult Dog Food adult dry dog food reduces the quantities and the odors of the stools by means of fructo-oligo-saccharides that help maintain a balanced intestinal flora, rice, as the most digestible source of starch, insoluble minerals to protect the intestinal mucosae, and very high quality proteins. 

Chihuahua's have small, delicate jaws, resulting in increased mouth and tooth sensitivity related to dental plaque deposits and tartar formation. This results in an inflammation of the gums, or even loosening of the teeth. Moreover, because Chihuahuas are long-lived, dental plaque deposition accentuates with age. Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult Dog Food kibbles have been specially designed to produce a brushing effect, reducing dental plaque formation.

Pet Booster Seat

Make your pet king of the road with this cute booster seat

With the Pet Booster Seat, you can elevate your pet so it can enjoy the scenery while you drive! Perfect for small breeds like our chihuahuas. Installs quickly and securely in the front or back seat using 3 attachment straps. Adjustable restraint leash attaches to your pet’s collar. Includes zippered front storage compartment. Designed with soft, authentic faux sheepskin lining and firm bottom to ensure maximum support. For pets up to 18lbs. 13" x 10 ¼" x 8" H

Price: $19.99 from ClearPoint Direct

Click here to purchase online now.

Off-Leash Dog Parks for Small Breeds

Does your Dog Need a Place to Run?

Small dog owners in London have access to three off-leash parks to exercise and socialize with their animals. Off-leash areas are clearly delineated by fencing or boundary signs. They are open year round, from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. (or dusk). Every user is responsible to clean up after their pet.

Pottersburg-FIDO Off-leash Area London’s first off-leash area, and also the largest, is located within Pottersburg Park. It can be accessed from Hamilton Road at Gore Road. This off-leash area has a completely fenced section and an open section delineated by boundary signs. Both sections offer trails through naturalized areas. There is also a separate area for small dogs. Site amenities include parking, double-gated entrances, garbage container, picnic tables and benches, rule sign, bulletin board, and portable toilet. Please be considerate of other park users and leash your dog if you are using the paved Thames Valley Parkway outside of the designated area.
Stoney Creek Off-leash Area London’s second largest off-leash park is located within Stoney Creek Meadows, on Adelaide Street North at Windermere Road. Surrounded by trees and meadows, this off-leash area is completely fenced and offers an open area and trails through a naturalized area. There is also an area for small dogs, with a separate entrance from the parking lot. Site amenities include parking, double-gated entrances, garbage containers, benches, rule sign, bulletin board, and a portable toilet. Please be considerate of wildlife and other park users and leash your dog when outside of the fenced area. This area is located in the floodplain and is subject to flooding.
Greenway Off-leash Area London’s newest off-leash park is located within Greenway Park. The off-leash area can be accessed from Greenside Avenue off of Springbank Drive. Greenside Avenue makes a bend to the left, towards the Greenway Pollution Control Plant (PCP). Make a right before the PCP, carefully follow the driveway along the river, and the off-leash area will  be on your left just after the PCP. This off-leash area is completely fenced and offers an open area and trails through a naturalized area. There is also an area for small dogs, with a separate entrance and parking lot. Site amenities include parking, double-gated entrances, garbage containers, benches, rule sign, bulleting board, and a portable toilet. Other activities in Greenway Park include soccer fields, a Saturn Playground, a picnic area with a viewing platform onto the Thames River, and a butterfly garden. Please be considerate of other park users and leash your dog when outside of the fenced area.