If you’re introducing a Chihuahua to the household, you need to make your new furry friend feel welcome by purchasing items to meet a small canine’s needs. The following shopping list offers the essentials and some not-so essentials:
| Two dishes — one for water and one for food | Nail clippers | Dog bed (optional) |
| Puppy (or dog) food | Toothbrush and doggie toothpaste | Warm sweater (if it’s chilly outdoors) |
| Collar | Shampoo (Long-coated Chihuahuas also need coat conditioner) | Pooper-scooper |
| Leash | Three or four toys | Identification tag |
| Natural-bristle brush (Plus a hard rubber comb and a mat splitter if you have a long-coated Chi) | Dog crate | An excellent veterinarian |