Regular bathing removes dander, loose hair, skin oils, and debris that can accumulate in pores. It can also help to minimize human allergic reactions to pets. A bath every two or three months is sufficient for most Chihuahuas, but don’t hesitate to do it more often if needed. Little dogs can become quite dirty if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Frequent bathing will not do him any harm as long as you use a mild pH-balanced dog shampoo and dry him carefully to prevent chilling.
A shampoo with the correct pH will prevent tangles and coat breakage by encouraging the cuticle layer of each hair shaft to lie flat. The cuticle covers each hair shaft like an overlapping layer of shingles on a roof. Alkaline formula shampoos made for human hair are too harsh and will cause the cuticle layer to lift away from the hair shaft. This causes the hairs to stick together, tangle, and break. This also causes the coat to look dull and dry rather than shiny.
A shampoo with a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5 will gently remove dirt from the coat without stripping natural oils from the skin. You may also want to avoid shampoo formulas containing chemically derived fragrances or coloring or very sudsy formulas that can leave a soapy residue on the coat.
A kitchen sink or laundry tub is the perfect size for bathing a Chihuahua, but it can be dangerous. Assemble all of your supplies before you start and never leave him unattended in the sink. Use a leash restraint to prevent him from falling or jumping out, and place a nonskid mat in the bottom to prevent him from slipping.
A spray attachment is the easiest way to wet and rinse his coat, but a large plastic pitcher can also be used. After wetting his coat, pour the shampoo onto a bath sponge and gently work it into his coat following the direction of the hair growth. Scrubbing it or working it deeply into the skin may clog the hair follicles and strip all the oils from his skin.
When bathing a Long Coat Chihuahua, use your fingers to work the soap gently through the longer areas of coat from roots to tip. Rinse well until his coat feels squeaky clean. Soap residue is not always obvious, but it will cause itching and irritation.
Let him shake in the sink and wrap him in a towel to blot as much moisture as possible from his coat. Small dogs lose body heat quickly, so you should train him to tolerate a hair dryer. Set it to low/warm and always test it on your hand to make sure it is not uncomfortably hot. To ensure that longer coats lie flat, use a comb or slicker brush to smooth the hair as you dry it.
Trimming your Chihuahua
Unless you intend to show your Chihuahua in conformation, trimming is optional. It will neaten up his appearance, but it requires some practice. Use a good quality pair of thinning shears and stop frequently to evaluate your work. It’s easy to get carried away and cut off much more than you realize. The results should look natural rather than obviously trimmed or sculpted. Some Smooth Coats have thicker coats with frills along the sides of the neck, backs of the thighs, base of the ears, and belly. These can be trimmed flat to create a neater outline.
Long Coats should have the hair trimmed around the base of the tail for cleanliness. Carefully trim any long hair on the bottom of his feet but do not trim between the pads. Long hairs on the toes extending past the nails should be scissored to a neat, slightly oval shape. If you don’t feel confident trying this at home, you can take your Chihuahua for periodic visits to a professional groomer to have his coat trimmed and tidied.