Pet Gear

For the Special Needs of Pets!

And yeah -- you got me... this page is, you guessed it ... still under construction.
My intention is to take photographs of all my stuff, but it's way difficult to handle the camera with my paws, so Deb is just going to have to help me out with that part.
Until then she's stuck the word "Photo" in here... and we're working on it in our "spare" time.

Individual food and water dishes
Purpose	Stainless Steel Double Diner Stand comes with rubber feet to prevent skidding	Recommendations
I should be fed nutritious meals of dog food on a schedule, available for a specific length of time. I don't need to free-feed any more than you do! My water dish should be full of fresh clean water at all times. (waking hours)		Stainless Steel is recommended because sometimes dogs develop allergies to plastics. Hey -- don't get snippy and go off about "purebred" dogs being weak -- people develop allergies too. Stainless steel can be sterilized, and some plastics might melt if they are heated.
Kennel/crate
For transportation to and from the vet, events, and a safe, secure place for me to be when you are not at home. You won't leave me for an unreasonable amount of time, and I will not get into any trouble or get hurt while you're gone, if I'm in my crate/kennel.	Photo	An airline approved dog crate is handy to use for my at home kennel, and as a car-carrier. If your home is extremely warm (and I mean TROPICAL I might be happier in a wire kennel at home.
Bedding/pads
Kennels and crates are plastic or metal mesh. Do you want to spend a couple of hours sitting on either without any padding? I thought not. Besides, sometimes dogs develop allergies to plastics, so please, line my crate! And unless you want me on the furniture as a fixture... a little bed for my special place in the home is what I need.		Gently used baby receiving blankets are marvelous to line my bed or crate with. So are fleece pads you can buy or make. Deb found both these items available on eBay.
Collar and leash (also called "lead")
Even if I'm a "home dog", when we go to the vet, kennel or other excursion, I need a collar with my tags (including nametag) and a leash. I may need to get out and stretch if it's a long trip, or I might have to go potty. If you stop for a break, don't I deserve one too? And if I'm frightened by traffic or the wide outdoors, my collar and leash will keep me securely with you. If we take frequent walks a harness may be better than a collar, because I have such a delicate little neck, an inadvertent jerk (of the lead, not you as a person...) might crush my tiny trachea.		I'm so special, I have TWO collars and two leads. One collar and lead are my nylon mesh training outfit. My second collar (when I get it) will be my "going to town collar" with my tags on it. The other lead is my show lead. When I'm not wearing them, they're stored in my own special basket. Nothing is more frustrating than hearing "Let's go!" then have to wait for a human to hunt up the proper collar and leash! (Well, almost nothing!) I don't wear a collar in the house.
Toys, including Chew toys
Well, you've got a computer to amuse you! I need toys too! I love toys, but keep in mind there can be too much of a good thing! I only need about three toys at one time available.	Photo	My kill toy! I have a squeaky mouse that I pounce on and shake. I also have a padded flannel circle with a squeaker in it that I love. Keep an eye on fiber toys and replace when they get frayed and start to come apart. My tug toy! This is a fleece bone. It squeaks too so I like to pounce on it, but I also play tug of war with my girls. They're very gentle though, because they know I'm fragile. My CHEW TOY! By far my favorite is a white rawhide chew. Deb watches these SUPER closely, because if they get too small, I could choke on them. She also checks every time she sees one to make sure no small bits are hanging off. If they are, she trims them.
Shampoo and grooming products
To keep me clean, healthy and pest free, and so I'll be gorgeous! I am bathed once a week.		Protective eye ointment. BioGroom Natural Oatmeal Shampoo Moisturizing Spray (if needed for dry skin) Nail Cream (if needed for dry, splitting nails)
Grooming Equipment (brush, nail clippers, etc.)
To keep my fur neat, my nails short and healthy and trim me up so I'm pretty!		Hair Brush - Mine is small and the bristles are tipped with plastic so my skin isn't scratched. Nail Clippers - I hate these things, and Deb prefers to use a cordless manicure file made for people. I'm not crazy about it, but it's better than those darned nippers! Blunt Tipped Scissors - Deb keeps my whiskers, paws and trousers trimmed with my own special scissors.
Eye, Dental and Ear Wipes (Optional, but ever so wonderful!)
These things are specifically made for these body parts. Next to the person who invented small sized kibble, I like the person who invented these best! (aside from my family!) The best source Deb has found for these is Drs. Foster & Smith Three-pack, one 90 pad package of each, Show Eyes®, Dental Clens, and Ear Clens® Pads		My eyes tear up sometimes because chihuahuas have itty bitty tear ducts. Tear ducts are what drain tears out of the eye, and if they are too small, the tears fall out of my eyes. Don't worry, I'm not sad! Twice a week, my teeth are wiped clean. Bigger dogs may like a toothbrush and doggie toothpaste but that's just overwhelming for me. The wipes work just great! (Never use people toothpaste on pets, it's too strong!) When I have my weekly bath, it's easy as can be to wipe my ears out with these wipes. You might also place a cotton ball in each of my ears before my bath, because I don't want water in my ears!
Nametag
I know who I am. You know who I am. But if something happened to us... earthquake, car accident, whatever... who will know who I am? I have a tattoo, and tiny subcutaneous microchips are available. (That means I've got ME under MY skin?)	Photo	There are so many different kinds of nametags available, it makes me dizzy! Deb prefers the woven name and phone number right on my collar, because in Alaska it gets so cold in winter that metal is burning cold! Not that I'd be out in it, but sometimes it gets so cold that ladies don't even wear their earrings! Imagine that! And for doggies in the hot climates, metal could get burning HOT... although it has such a pleasant little jingling sound... There are also slide-on metal tags that won't jingle, or plastic tags. Your vet probably has a display from a reputable dealer, or you can search for dog tags online!
Reference Book(s)
Do you know all you want to know about me and my species and my breed? Ok, YOU write a reference book.	Photo	Chihuahuas for Dummies
My very own notebook or file folder.
To keep all the important stuff about me in one place. Ever have to go looking for one of the kid's shot records or your passport or even just your car keys? I'm a kid too! Deb is so crazy about me, she often takes my notebook places with her. She is studying because she wants to help chihuahuas be happy and safe in any way she can. Sometimes people look at her book, and that helps educate them about our breed, dispel misconceptions about chis, and create an interest in competition, agility and dog rescue.	Photo She also carries her business cards so if anybody wants to see my website they've got the address (URL) and Deb's e-mail. This is not only good for sharing dog information, it advertises for Deb, because in addition to loving me to bits, she makes web pages at:	Some of the sections in my notebook include: Photographs Breed Information Agility Information Club Information Canine Good Citizen Info Therapy Dog Information Catalogs Personal Information/Vet Records
Potty Pen & Newspapers/Liners
If I am a small dog, and the climate is snowy -- a potty pen is the only way for me to go. Cold environments can be harmful to to exposed critters in a matter of seconds, and deadly in a matter of minutes.	Photo	Check with your local newsprinter, often they sell bundles of old newspapers real cheap. Remember, if you don't potty pen me, you'll be doing "Poop Patrol" so you'll need a pooper scooper and containment for waste.