We adopted a chihuahua several weeks ago and when we got him his skin was dry
(not too bad, but he really had an itch at the base of his tail) and his
previous owner did keep him in sweaters. Being "new" we thought he needed
sweaters.
I read don't take the dog out below 44 degrees or in warmer weather with a
wind chill factor that makes it a lot colder - without some protection from the
cold. The vet explained we could let him outside without sweaters - "he has a
coat" and we also got some omega fatty acid tablets for him at that time.
It has been a couple weeks now and we have noticed without a sweater and with
the tablets, his coat is really getting thicker and his skin is less dry. Now
my friend who has a Chi says her vet recommended she just add some Saffola (sp)
oil to her dog's food for the fatty acid and her dog (Atari) has a beautiful
coat.
Since it is snowing here and it is really cold, I will put something on him.
I have found he doesn't like the clothes or tolerate them so passively as he
does now that he hasn't worn them so much.
I just finished crocheting a sweater for him. One big problem with boy
clothes is that they are too close to the "faucet" and tend to get tinkled on!
So on this sweater I made the belly band closer to his front legs and then made
it really long and it comes up on top of the sweater from under the opposite
side and fastens with a buckle. This will suit my hubby very well who is
scared to have to manipulate "Chico's" feet and legs to get into his other
sweater.
I'm going to make boots too, any one have any easy patterns? I'm thinking of
just making the rectangle kind and sewing a piece of vinyl on the outside
bottom to waterproof a bit.
While I'm asking, my male, who is not fixed, tends to smell doggy-like within
several days after a bath. I heard it wasn't good to bathe Chi's too often.
Any ideas? I love to cuddle with him but I don't relish the odor sometimes.
It's not too bad, but I do notice it.
Thanks - oh, and I have posted some pictures in an album labeled "Chico",
check it out - he is just the most handsome, sweet, darling, love mush bug!
Deborah
