While some aspects of caring for dogs are the same regardless of their size, there are some facets of pet care that are specific for small dogs. If you have a small dog or are considering adding a small dog to your family these pet care tips for small dogs are for you! Hopefully there are some that you already know and some that you can use in the future.
Pet Care Tips for Small Dogs
Exercise
While small dogs do not require as much exercise as larger breeds they do still require some exercise. Keeping your dog active will help them live a happy and healthy life. Exercise not only aids in their physical health, it also keeps them mentally active. Walking or running with your small dog is a great way to make sure that they have some time every day to exercise their mind! Dogs love to smell, it is how they take in the world around them so make sure you allow them plenty of time to sniff while out for their daily walk! Check out these dog walking tips to make it easier on the both of you!
Diet / Weight Management
Because small dogs are sometimes less active than larger breeds they can quickly pack on weight. Make sure that your small dog has a healthy diet and that their weight is within the veterinarian recommended range. If your small dog does have weight issues that are prolonged they can experience problems with organ failure, joint pain, and other health problems just like humans! Keep your pet active and on a balanced diet to keep them from becoming overweight and unhealthy.
Travel
When you travel in the car with your small dog make sure they are properly restrained. If you can use a seat belt specific for small dogs which can attach to a harness. You can also keep them in their crate or use a divider to keep them safely in a small region of the vehicle. Having your small dog bouncing around while you are driving is dangerous for you as a driver and also for them. Small dogs can easily get their legs caught in crevices within your vehicle and should you take a turn they are not prepared for they can end up with broken legs or worse. It is best to make sure that your pet is restrained while travelling in a vehicle!
Training / Behavioral Management
Small dogs are often overlooked when it comes to training and behavioral management programs. Large breeds are typically focused on because they can be brutes who inflict pain when jumping or playing rough. Even though your small dog may not bite or hurt people, it is important that they be properly trained and all behavioral issues be address promptly! Training can help keep your pets mind active and it can help deter unwanted behaviors later in life as well. If you are not confident training your small dog on your own, look into a class that you can both benefit from!
Love and Affection
Last but not least, give your small dog lots of love and affection. It is easy to forget that they are around if they are small and well mannered. This does not mean that they do not crave love and affection. Your bond with your small dog will only be as strong as you make it; work hard to make them a priority in your life and they will do the same for you!
Such great info ! Thank you !
Good tips friends cause we are little
Lily & Edward
Wonderful and very informative article thanks for all the tips.
Great article.
My friend’s dog can chase a ball you throw for a very long time. Good exercise.
Pets are so sweet.
My parents’ inherited a small dog and it was a big of a transition, since they had only ever had medium or large dogs. She definitely needed less food!
Weight is so important to small dogs because of their knees. My little one is overweight so we will be walking more as soon as the ice is gone.
I adore the small breeds. It’s funny to watch just how brave they are even though they’re small in stature.
i do have 2 small dog they are a pom and then chiawaii what i ssy to them is she or he is your brother or siter form another mother t hey are my service dog adn then they all so now i ma deth and i am using sign for them
Great tips thanks for sharing.
I checked this out for my dad,he has two mini dogs
Great tips! It’s a work in progress with my small dogs and Diet / Weight Management. I have to remember how small their meal and treat portions should be because of their size no matter how much more they’d like 🙂
I love the tips and pointers. I also love the recommendation for love and affection, because without it, there can be no loyalty.
Thanks so much for the tips. Very useful.
WE have a pomeranian chihuahua who has a napoleon complex. He acts like he is boss. We adopted hm when he was 3, but he seems to know his commands. He just choses not to obey unless there is a treat waiting. He’s way more difficult than our bigger dog, but we love him anyway.
I didn’t realize how different having a small dog would be! I worry all the time that someone will step on him…I am super over-protective!
great tips for small breed dogs. I have a yorkie that definitely needs all of those things