Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the miniature shar pei, is nothing new for people across the globe. Some zoologists postulate that dogs were first domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from the wolf. Since then, people have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of tallest pooch. But the most widespread pooches are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The miniature shar pei is another favorite pick with canine owners. Some owners are unaware, however, of many of the most critical miniature shar pei care tips.
Typical cost of care for the miniature shar pei
The annual cost of rearing your miniature shar pei—which includes nutrition, to vet bills, toys and license—can range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital expenses for sterilization surgery, a collar and leash, a dog carrier and dog crate. Note: Be sure you have all the required supplies before you get your miniature shar pei home.
General miniature shar pei Care
miniature shar pei Feeding Schedule
- miniature shar pei puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need four meals in a day.
- miniature shar pei puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals a day.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to 1 year old 2 bowls of food in a 24 hour period.
- When the miniature shar pei hits his or her 1st birthday, one bowl a day is usually all that’s necessary.
- Sometimes adult miniature shar peis, however, prefer 2 smaller bowls. It’s your responsibility to learn your miniature shar pei’s eating habits.
High-quality dry dogfood ensures a balanced diet to adult miniature shar peis and can mix with water, canned food, or broth. Your miniature shar pei may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these foods should be less than ten percent of his daily allowance. miniature shar pei pups must be given excellent-quality, brand-name puppy food. Try to limit “people food”, however, since it can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bone and teeth issues, and might cause extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, fresh water exclusively, and make sure to wash food and water bowls frequently.
miniature shar pei Care Tips: Your miniature shar pei needs exercise daily
miniature shar peis need some physical activity to stay healthy, recharge their brains, and maintain their health. Physical activity also really helps miniature shar peis fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. Going outside would quench most of your miniature shar pei’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Activity needs will depend on your miniature shar pei’s level of health and her age—but 10 minutes in the backyard and just a walk around the block every day probably won’t cut it. If your miniature shar pei is a six to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be relatively more.
miniature shar pei Grooming Tips
You can help reduce shedding and keep your miniature shar pei clean with regular brushing. Check for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Many miniature shar peis don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Prior to the bath, cut out or comb all mats from the miniature shar pei’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
miniature shar pei Handling
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to handle. To carry the miniature shar pei puppy, put one of your hands beneath the dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting the back legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy by his or her forelegs, tail or nape. If you need to lift a bigger, adult miniature shar pei, lift from the underside, holding his or her chest with 1 arm and rear end with your other.
miniature shar pei housing
miniature shar peis need a warm quiet place to relax away from all breezes and off the floor or ground. You might want to think about buying a dog bed, or make one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, comforter, or pillow inside the bed. Wash your miniature shar pei’s bed covering frequently. If your miniature shar pei will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a covered, dry, warm area in the cold.
miniature shar pei Licensing
There are licensing rules to heed in your area. You should attach the license to the miniature shar pei’s collar. The license, along with an ID tattoo or tag, could help secure your miniature shar pei’s return should she go missing.
Info on miniature shar pei Behavior
Thoughts on miniature shar pei Training
Well-mannered, companion miniature shar peis are truly a joy to raise. But when left untrained, your dog could be a pain. Teaching your miniature shar pei the fundamentals—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—will bolster your relationship both with your pooch as well as your relatives. If you’re the owner of a pup, start teaching her the appropriate responses as soon as humanly possible! Doggie treats should be used as a lure and a reward. Puppies should begin obedience classes when they are sufficiently immunized. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for details on obedience course recommendations. Always walk your miniature shar pei leashed while in public, even as a pup. Just be certain your miniature shar pei will come to you whenever you say the word. An aggressive or disobedient miniature shar pei can’t play with other people.
miniature shar pei Health
Your miniature shar pei should visit the vet for a full exam, shots and heartworm examination each and every year, and immediately if she is hurt or sick.
Knowing Your miniature shar pei’s Dental Health
Although we may object to our miniature shar pei’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may represent. Halitosis is most commonly a symptom which means that your miniature shar pei requires a dental screening. Dental plaque caused by unhealthy bacteria creates a terrible odor that can only be eliminated by professional treatment. Once you have given your miniature shar pei a professional oral cleaning, her mouth can be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. Your veterinarian can supply you with other data on minimizing periodontal problems as well as halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your miniature shar pei’s teeth. You can clean them with a nylon pantyhose stretched across the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects miniature shar peis. Sometimes, tooth loss happens due to gum disease. Infections can sometimes also spread to the rest of your miniature shar pei’s body. Veterinarians will clean the teeth at a routine checkup.
miniature shar pei Bad Breath
Even though bad breath caused by dental disease might not be serious if detected early enough, some halitosis may also be indicative of serious, persistent issues. A pleasant, even sweet smell can be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible cause if your miniature shar pei’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your miniature shar pei has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Fleas and Ticks in miniature shar peis
Daily, regular checks of your miniature shar pei for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are vital. You can remove and find fleas using a flea comb. There are numerous new procedures of flea elimination. Consult your vet about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in miniature shar peis
The heartworm is a parasite that resides in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your miniature shar pei by way of mosquitoes. Several miniature shar peis die each year due to heartworm infestations. Your miniature shar pei should have a heartworm screen every spring—this is required for detecting infestations from the prior year. It is recommended that you give your miniature shar pei a once-a-month tablet throughout the warm, wet time of the year to help you protect him from heartworms. Should you ever vacation south with your miniature shar pei in the winter, he ought to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some areas, usually the regions with more moderate climates, where veterinarians advise heartworm pills be given continually.
Medicines and Toxins
Please don’t give your miniature shar pei medication that has not been prescribed by his veterinarian. For example, did you know that 1 ibuprofen tablet causes stomach ulcers in miniature shar peis? Make sure your miniature shar pei is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure you call your miniature shar pei’s vet if you have reason to suspect your miniature shar pei has eaten poison. You should also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hr. help.
miniature shar pei Sterilization Operations
Male miniature shar peis should be neutered – the extraction of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the ovaries and uterus – by six months of age. You will usually greatly reduce your female miniature shar pei’s chance of breast cancer by spaying before maturity. The risk of a sick uterus, which is also a serious affliction that affects older females, can be removed by spaying before 6 months. Neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
miniature shar pei Vaccinations
- The combo vaccine (also known as the “5-in-1 shot”) ought to be given to your miniature shar pei at two, three, and 4 months old and again once every year. This innoculation protects your puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your miniature shar pei puppy’s immunization program cannot be finished prior to four months old.
- If your miniature shar pei has not been immunized and is older than 4 months, she will need 2 innoculations asap, two to 3 weeks apart. After that you must innoculate annualy.
- Your miniature shar pei puppy’s vaccinations should coincide with his socialization program. You may bring your miniature shar pei pup to socialization courses as early as 8 or 9 weeks of age, according to most doctors. At this point, they should have received at least their first vaccinations.
Statutes are so different between different areas, that it’s best to contact your local vet for rabies immunization information. For instance, NYC regulations declare that pets older than three months must be immunized for rabies. After the initial immunization, you must have a second innoculation the next year, and then every three years. There are many innoculations that may or may not be appropriate for your miniature shar pei. Ask your miniature shar pei’s vet for her opinion. Take note, if your miniature shar pei happens to get ill because he is not innoculated, the vaccination needs to be taken after your pet is better.
Intestinal Parasites in miniature shar peis
miniature shar peis are commonly exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms are transmitted through a dog’s feces. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry intestinal worms. The key to effective treatment is correct diagnosis. This will maximize the possibility that the treatment is successful against the parasite your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best figure out the culprit—and assign the right medicine.
miniature shar pei: Miscellaneous Care Tips
Checklist of miniature shar pei Supplies
- Top-quality dog food and treats designed for miniature shar peis and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with blanket or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Do not feed your miniature shar pei the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, chives or garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured place, keep your miniature shar pei on a leash at all times. And please, when your miniature shar pei defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about miniature shar peis
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