Remember your little dog differs from big canines

Good things come in small packages.

We have heard that before, but this has special meaning for the millions of Americans who enjoy the company of little dogs.

From Pomeranians to pugs to toy poodles, these tiny breeds manage to squeeze a lot of personality, intelligence and affection into their small statures.

These lovable little dogs used to get “short shrift” from the folks who make pet food and supplies.

“In the past, manufacturers geared almost all of their products toward medium- and large-sized dogs, which sometimes made it difficult to find things that worked for the smaller breeds,” said Joe Fucini, a spokesperson for the Pet Supplies “Plus” chain of stores. “For example, little dogs had trouble sinking their teeth into bones and chew toys, because they were designed for larger animals.”

“Fortunately,” said Fucini, “all that has changed in recent years. Now major food manufacturers like Science Diet and Iams have small bite formulas for little dogs.

“The Kong Company has come out with a scaled-down version of its familiar red toy just for small breeds. In addition, there are other small toys to choose from like the Mini Buster Cube and Mini Molecuball from The OurPet’s Company and the Mini Tug Toss and Tumble from Crazy Pet.”

Getting your little fluff ball off her favorite pillow to chase an interactive toy will do wonders for her health. We may call them “lap dogs,” but just like every other member of the canine species, small dogs need exercise to stay in shape physically and mentally.

When you do play with your little pet, you should remember that small dogs are not just scaled-down versions of the big fellows. Small breeds are more delicately built than their larger brethren, and some are more prone to knee and eye injuries, so extra caution should be taken when playing.

This is especially true if children are involved in your games. Kids love small dogs, but we need to remind children that even though that cute little pet may look like a stuffed animal, it can get hurt if we play too roughly.

The same rules of caution also apply when you take your small dog to play with other pets at a friend’s house or your local dog park.

Sometimes a bigger dog can inadvertently hurt his little playmate, and some big dogs are aggressive to small dogs, so close supervision is a must in these situations.

Given their diminutive stature, small breeds can feel threatened by other dogs or when out in crowds.

This is understandable, when you consider that a Chihuahua standing next to a great Dane is the equivalent to a 6-foot person standing beside a 30-foot giant! Most of us would probably be cautious if we lived in a world populated by such giants.

However, trainers say that small dogs are much more likely to behave aggressively in these situations when they’re being held by their human companion.

The best way to socialize a small dog is to take her to places where she’s exposed to other leashed dogs that are known to be safe with little dogs.

There are few other extra precautions to consider.

Small dogs are more vulnerable to predators like coyotes, so they should never be left outside alone, even in a fenced yard, if these opportunistic predators are in your area.

Small dogs also tend to have less stamina than bigger breeds, so when your little pet goes swimming in the lake this summer, he’s going to tire and become chilled faster.

When the temperature drops this winter, your small dog is more likely to get cold, so it’s a good idea to buy him a canine sweater.

Since maintaining body temperature is so important, you should make sure your small dog’s hair coat is in top condition. A clean hair coat has loft, and the air that’s trapped in the hair provides important insulation from heat and cold.

Barbara Denzer, vice president of Cardinal Laboratories, makers of Gold Medal and Pet Botanics shampoos, says small dogs can be overlooked at bath time because they don’t appear to be as “dirty” as bigger breeds.

A healthy coat and skin are important to all dogs, regardless of size.

Dental care is also an important part of your small dog’s grooming ritual.

Little dogs are more prone to develop dental problems because their teeth are packed more closely together. Veterinarians recommend products designed specifically for dogs such as tasty beef- or poultry-flavored pet toothpastes that contain no fluoride, don’t foam and are made for the dog to swallow.

There is even a new electric dog-toothbrush from Hartz that retails for less than $3.

“Despite the low cost, this is a high quality, innovative electric toothbrush that will help owners keep their pets’ teeth and gums healthy and clean,” said Dr. Albert Ahn, corporate vice president and chief scientific officer for Hartz.

“In addition to regular visits to the veterinarian, a home care program featuring daily tooth brushing is an excellent way to promote good oral health,” Ahn said.

After all, one of the best things about small dog breeds is their long lifespan; they are generally more long lived than large dogs.

So take care of your little pet, and you’re likely to enjoy big-time love and companionship for many years to come.