Ok well i'm getting a male chihuahua (in along time but I just want to prepare) and since in the day I have school, I'm going to put him in the crate and I will supply water and food. When he's thirsty, he will drink the water, of course, but I'm worried, because if water gets in a chi's ear, it's going to be a health issue, so how do I avoid my chi getting water in it's ear?
2007-01-06 10:50:53 · 12 answers · asked by fire.kisser 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If you are going to be out for more than 6hrs a day then you should not get a dog. Further I hope you know how much work a puppy is and that for the first 6 months they advise you should not leave them alone at all!
I hate to be harsh about this...but getting a dog is a huge long-term responsibilty. What will you do when you leave school and find a 9-5 job the dog can't be left alone all this time. And a crate is not for these purposes is is to train a puppy and to be used at night etc.
I strongly recomment you think long and hard about having a dog and do loads of research about the breed and in particular puppies.
Its great that you want a dog you just to need to shuffle around the hours you are out of the house(maybe get a doggy sitter/relative). You need to get pet insurance at around £10 a month too and learn about the vaccinations he will need and when and how much they will cost. A puppy is a bigger task than getting an adult dog...dont forget dog training classes too!
Best of luck, don't worry about the water in a dog's ear thing, its unlikely to happen and unlikely to be a health issue even if it does. You now need to focus on reading up about the breed, dog care, puppy training and owner responsibilities.
Best of luck
2007-01-06 12:15:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate training is the best thing for a dog! Good for you for planning to use a crate. If only all dogs were crate trained there would be far fewer surrendered to the shelters... but that's not your question.
If some water gets into your dog's ear, it generally isn't a huge problem, but it could lead to an ear infection if it happens a lot (picture labs who swim daily... big problem). You should ask your vet at his first visit about an ear care program... there are several good ear drying solutions out there that would be very useful in situations like this. Use them once or twice a week to keep your dog's ears healthy and he will likely NEVER have an ear infection... cool, huh?
I also agree with the water bottle idea. I had one called a Lixit for my first dog when she was crated and I was at work... that way she couldn't spill her bowl and have to sit in a wet environment. It worked great!
2007-01-06 19:11:50 · answer #2 · answered by dogandcatluvr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't put water in the crate at all. The only food I put in the crate is for a distraction in a toy like a kong or similar. They need to use the bathroom after they eat...so I wouldn't add any food during the day in a larger amount.
He won't jam a water bottle spout into his ear, and he won't want to dunk his head underwater in a bowl......do not worry about water in his ear. What about when they play in the snow, puddles, lakes, baths, rain, sprinklers...he'll be fine.
Maybe you can have someone come by to let him out? Maybe a doggie daycare?
2007-01-06 19:58:28 · answer #3 · answered by Jupiter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a crate that you can attach the food and water bowl to. That way the bowls won't be on the floor of crate. They can't get knocked over and you can fasten them at a height that the dog can eat and drink from.
They have these type of bowls at the pet store. Some crates comes with attachable bowls. They're usually cheap and not too secure. Upgrade to the stainless steel bowls with the ring that attaches by wing nuts to the wire mesh of the crate.
2007-01-06 19:08:03 · answer #4 · answered by briardan 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ok, I have a Rat Terrier, and It's about the size of a chi' and what we do is we feed her, and give her food and stuff in the morning. Let her go out, then put her in the cage like right when we let her inside, so she doesn't drink anymore so she'll have to pee. And then we have blankets and stuff in the cage so she can sleep till we all get home. Then we let her out right when we get back. You shouldn't have to put food and water in the cage with the chi' that will just make them have to go to the bathroom.
HOPE THIS HELPS
2007-01-06 19:13:14 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah F 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Do not worry about it. There is no way to prevent water from getting into any dogs ear. This is somthing that does not happen every day
2007-01-06 18:54:18 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Use a large water bottle for ferrets and things should be fine. Have a great year.
2007-01-06 18:55:16 · answer #7 · answered by firestarter 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you're asking such a stupid question now you shouldnt be getting a dog ...
Water in a dogs ears??? you could always dress him up in a bathing cap idiot...
2007-01-06 18:58:16 · answer #8 · answered by sazzy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
why crate the dog? i think the dog may be smart enough not to dunk his head in the water bowl. if the dog is potty trained why not keep him in the kitchen.
2007-01-06 18:57:51 · answer #9 · answered by punkbun03 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
make sure to change his water ....dont' worry about water getting into his ear...worry about taking him out of his cage and keeping his cage clean....make sure you keep him clean....take good care of him...
2007-01-06 18:59:05 · answer #10 · answered by hatchetmistress 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋