How to Groom a Long Haired Chihuahua

A long haired Chihuahua is an adorable little furry companion, but as with every dog, you have to regularly groom it to make sure it stays clean and healthy. Unlike many other breeds, though, the long haired Chihuahua isn’t very difficult to take care of due to its small size. However, their long hair still requires attention as it can become tangled if not brushed regularly.

In this article, we will go through 4 tips on how to groom a long haired Chihuahua so your furry best friend remains healthy, happy, and looking its best.

Brush Regularly

While short-haired Chihuahuas can get by with just a weekly brushing, their long-haired counterparts need more attention, so you have to brush them 3-4 times a week.

According to Dog Academy, to brush your long-haired Chihuahua, you’ll need three things: a deshedding tool, a slicker brush, and a metal comb. Make sure you do it in a place where your dog feels comfortable. Use the de-shedding tool to gently remove loose fur and minimize shedding.

Then, use the brush to remove mats and loose hair. Finally, use the metal comb to thoroughly groom through the coat, ensuring all knots are smoothed out and the fur is sleek and shiny.

Don’t Overdo Bath Time

Long haired Chihuahuas don’t require frequent bathing as too much of it can strip their coat of natural oils, leading to dryness and skin irritation. Once a month should be okay, but if your pup gets particularly dirty or smelly, it’s best to bathe them as needed to maintain their hygiene and comfort.

While bathing the dog, don’t let any water get in their ears or eyes. Once their coat is wet, use a dog-shampoo and use your fingers to massage it into their fur. Rinse your Chihuahua thoroughly with lukewarm water, making sure to remove all traces of shampoo from their coat to prevent any potential skin irritation.

After bathing, dry your Chihuahua with a towel. You can also use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to speed up this process. However, make sure you don’t hold the hair dryer too close to your Chihuahua’s skin and be careful not to blow air directly into your Chihuahua’s eyes or ears.

Trim the Hair Around Eyes, Ears, Legs, and Paws

When grooming your long haired Chihuahua, it’s important to trim its fur in areas where it has a tendency to overgrow to keep them comfortable and tidy. You should start by removing any hair that blocks their vision around the eyes.

Trim any excess hair that pokes out of the outer edge of your dog’s ears. This will help prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating in the ear canal, reducing the risk of ear infections and keeping your dog’s ears clean and healthy.

For the legs and paws, gently comb through the fur to remove any tangles or mats. Then, using grooming scissors or shears, carefully trim any excess hair.

You should try to trim your dog’s hair every 4-6 weeks, but if you notice their hair growing quickly, then you may have to do it more often.

 Don’t Forget to Trim the Nails

Long nails can make it uncomfortable for your Chihuahua to walk on hard surfaces and it can also hurt itself while playing or jumping. You should aim to trim your dog’s nails every 3 months. We recommend seeing a professional groomer for nail trims as trimming a small dog’s nails can be tricky and risky if you’re not experienced.

However, if you have a professional dog nail trimmer and you’re confident in trimming your Chihuahua’s nails yourself, then just remember to trim a small amount of the nails at a time to avoid cutting into the quick.

Take Good Care of Your Long Haired Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are small dogs so it’s not very hard to take care of them. However, you need to be mindful of their grooming needs before you get one to make sure they always remain healthy and happy.

Brush their hair on a regular basis, at least 3 times a week, to prevent tangles and matting. Avoid bathing them too frequently as it can remove the natural oils from their coat. Always remember to trim the hair around their eyes, ears, legs, and paws, and when trimming their nails, be very gentle and slow so you don’t end up cutting into the quick.