Powderpuff & Hairless Chinese Crested Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Chinese Crested Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Chinese Crested puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Powderpuff or Hairless Chinese Crested lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Chinese Crested are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Chinese Crested will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Chinese Crested puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Chinese Crested be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Chinese Crested? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Crested suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Chinese Crested health problems
The two Big Issues in Chinese Cresteds are epilepsy, and eye diseases that cause blindness: progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and a disease called dry eye.
Then there is luxating patella (loose knee joints), which can require expensive surgery, and another crippling joint disease called Legg-Calve-Perthes.
Skin is a focal point for health problems in Chinese Cresteds, especially in the hairless variety. Allergies cause itchy skin and often lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma). Even without allergies, the hairless skin must be kept clean and dry, else the hair follicles can plug up, leading to blackheads. Use only warm water and a gentle herbal cleanser with no chemicals. Dry thoroughly.
Sunburn is an obvious problem in a hairless dog, so don't expose hairless Chinese Cresteds to excessive sun. Sunscreen contains chemicals that should not be used on canine skin, and if it's licked off, it's even worse in your dog's digestive system.
Hairless Chinese Cresteds also have a lot of trouble with their teeth. The four big pointy teeth in the front of their mouth (their "fangs") are sometimes abnormally curved, like tusks, and many of their other teeth are weak or missing.Even the Powderpuffs can have dental disease.
Other issues in Chinese Cresteds include heart disease, hypothyroidism, and inherited deafness.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Chinese Crested in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website