Chihuahuas hate cold weather and can become uncomfortable during the winter months. They are a breed that is prone to the cold, and can become sick if an unexpected drop in temperature occurs.
Therefore, keeping your chihuahua warm and cozy in cold weather, especially during the winter seasons, is essential.
Here are a few tips to keep your Chihuahua warm this winter.
Blankets Made of Fleece Are Perfect for Keeping Him Warm
It is a great way to keep your Chihuahua warm with these soft and warm blankets! Their size makes them ideal for folding or crumpling as well as for laying on.
Besides providing extra warmth, fleece blankets are the ideal size for chihuahuas to snuggle and burrow into!
This blanket can be used anywhere: on the sofas, in your dog’s preferred sleeping place, or layered inside a dog bed.
It can also be used to wrap your Chihuahua when he is watching a TV show with you as the weather turns cold.
He can also curl up under a blanket to play with his toys.
Fleece blankets come in many styles and designs. If you are looking for something specific, then look for fleece blankets that have your favorite dog breed printed on them.
The blankets can also be made of other materials, such as flannel, cotton, and even silk. Silk fleece blankets are often the softest of all blankets, but they do not last long because of the delicate nature of silk.
You can even make your very own quilt by sewing fleece into a blanket.
The Use of Dog Sweaters
Dog clothes are available in all kinds of designs, colors and fabrics. You can get sweaters made of everything from cotton to fleece to wool for your Chihuahua.
Considering Chihuahua’s fur coats are not dense, they require clothes as an additional layer of protection. Material selection is key to determining how warm the sweater will be for your dog.
When it’s cold outside you’ll want something thicker such as one that is made of fleece. For use inside the house, cotton is preferred.
Wool sweaters are a great way to keep your Chihuahua warm if you live in a cooler climate. Wool is a natural fiber, which means that it can absorb heat from the body and retain it.
Unlike most dogs, Chihuahuas are smaller, so they won’t be able to take in cold air like larger dogs can.
Thus, it is advisable to keep your Chihuahua indoors during the winter months.
The Warmth Of Soft Pillows
You can’t beat pillows as an excellent substitute for fleece blankets. They come in all shapes, textures, and sizes, and are so comfortable for a Chihuahua to burrow in to keep himself warm (Chihuahuas love to snuggle! )
Pillows come in all sorts of materials such as cotton, synthetic fibers like polyester or microfiber.
Regardless of the material used, pillows are perfect for keeping your dog warm. They just need to be cleaned regularly and cared for as normal.
Like fleece blankets, you can put them in places like your dog’s bedding or inside a crate where he rests.
Furthermore, they’re easy to lay on while giving your dog’s paws extra warmth! You can also use the pillows with blankets to make a warm haven for your freezing dog.
Keep Your House Warm With A Heating System
It is imperative that you want to keep the temperature in your house constant if you wish to keep your Chihuahua warm.
There is no denying that will be a challenge since everyone has different preferences when it comes to house temperatures, but it’s vital for the health of your dog.
Keep the furnace or heating system set to the right temperature, as you would not want your Chihuahua to feel too hot or cold.
At what temperature can a Chihuahua get too hot?
Typically, a dog’s discomfort threshold is about 82 °F, and burns happen at 90 °F.
Pavement, brick, and concrete can heat up to these temperatures in the hottest months, especially on really hot days with high air temperatures of 80 °F.
How cold is too cold for dogs?
Dogs are fine as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 °F.
When that happens, they may start to feel uncomfortable (and start looking for a cozy spot). When it’s 32 °F, small dogs such as Chihuahuas, older dogs that are more than 10 years old, and dogs with health problems are probably best kept indoors.
Is there a ‘good’ temperature for Chihuahuas?
The ideal temperature for Chihuahuas is 70 °F, but even a slightly higher temperature is okay.
The temperature should be just warm enough to keep them at ease.
Introducing the Self-Warming Pet Beds
Dog beds are usually seen as something dog owners would buy, and their dogs hardly use them!
Though that’s true in the past, the trend has now reversed, thanks to the evolution of the new design and comfort level for these beds.
With its self-warming feature, it has gained popularity again in recent years.
Stylish self-warming dog beds are a big trend, and a good way to keep your chihuahua warm!
They’re made from insulating materials, fleece layers, and cotton fabrics.
Dogs are kept warm on this bed thanks to the combination of materials. And the best part is that they don’t need electricity!
Heating Pads for Dogs
Heating pads can provide chihuahuas with a warm spot to sleep. These pads are designed and heated at a temperature that is comfortable for dogs, even for those dogs who have long and dense coats.
The pads had a built-in mechanism to ensure that it doesn’t get too hot for the dogs and are able to maintain at a consistent temperature that dogs will feel at ease with.
One of the disadvantages is that they rely on electricity, and thus you would need to periodically check on them for safety reasons, even though they are typically powered at a very low voltage.
Making A Warm and Comfortable Haven
When it comes to dogs, especially chihuahuas, a haven place is just a place to retreat to when he is feeling cold or when he needs to be protected from threats. It is also a place where he can rest peacefully.
Ideally, this will be a crate that you have prepared for him which is packed with something that can keep him warm, such as a fleece blanket, pillows, and not to mention his favorite toys.
The inclusion of his favorite toys in the crate adds another layer of comfort for him.
The crate should be placed in an area away from the crowd. This will enable him to have a sense of privacy and protection.
If you are looking for a dog crate, then you should know that there are a number of types available on the market today. Some of these include wooden, metal and plastic crates.
Wire crates usually work better for big dogs as they’re bigger and more durable than plastic crates.
Having said that, wire crates can also be used to house small dogs such as Chihuahuas as the wire crates come with a mesh side which makes it easier for your dog to see out.
If you are introducing him to a crate for the first time, then be sure to do it slowly and gradually with the crate training. This will help him to get used to it.
Make sure that he is comfortable with his crate before moving on to the next step.
Paw Wax Is an Option to Consider
Coconut oil and beeswax are commonly used in paw wax. This natural wax helps to form a barrier between your dog’s paw pad and the ground when it is used.
In addition to protecting the paws from severe freezing temperatures, this barrier also prevents your dog’s paw from cracks and dryness by keeping the paws hydrated.
Applying the wax to his paws before heading out for a potty break works great in the winter.
Besides keeping the paw warm, this wax coating also provides softness for the paws. It is recommended to use the wax with dog socks or booties to achieve the best protection.
(6) Signs That Your Chihuahua Is Feeling Cold
Your dog might be suffering when he is feeling cold. Here’s what to look for.
A shaking or shuddering behavior – this is the most surefire way to tell and that should be the first thing that you should look out for!
Whimpering – Pay attention to any whimpering or whining during the night. There is often shaking associated with it.
Getting restless – Chihuahuas who are too cold might start acting up and pacing back and forth in search of warmth.
A hunched over posture – Your Chihuahua may hunch over in the cold, trying to keep as much body heat as possible. If he’s outside, he might raise his paws off the ground or simply refuse to go out of the house.
Barking to get attention – Dogs bark to get attention for many reasons. When your Chihuahua barks at night, he is probably trying to tell you “It’s chilly out there!”
Making a “nest” – Your Chihuahua will climb into your bed, pull at the blankets, or sleep under covers to find warmth.