Looking at the tiny size and thin coating of your pet, you may be wondering if your chihuahua should wear clothes to keep himself warm and protected?
Let’s find out more from this post.
It Depends on the Weather Conditions
To Protect Him From The Sun
If your chihuahua enjoys spending time under the sun, you should keep him protected from the sun’s rays by making him wear sun – protection clothing.
This clothing will help to protect your dog from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.
You can also go for a cooling vest if your dog is going to be out in the sun (playing on a beach) for a long period of time, as the vest is going to keep him cool in the hot weather.
To Keep Him Warm During The Cold Weather
It is also important to dress your chihuahua during the wintertime to keep him warm.
He needs to stay at a comfortable body temperature.
Dogs typically have a body temperature between 101° and 102.5° Fahrenheit, which is higher than the body temperature of humans, which falls between 97.6° and 99.6° Fahrenheit.
In general, dog fever is defined as a temperature exceeding 103 °F.
At what temperature is it necessary for a dog to wear a winter sweater?
Dogs with thin fur, puppies, and older dogs will require a coat when the temperature outside drops to or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature falls below 20 °F, keep an eye on your dog to see if he is uncomfortable.
The cold may be very uncomfortable for small dogs, such as Chihuahuas.
How to determine if your dog is feeling chilly
Here’s what to look for:
- Is he barking or whining persistently?
- Is he exhibiting signs of lethargy?
- Is he shivering?
- Does he lift his paws off the ground when outside?
- Does he prefer to sleep under the blankets rather than on top of them?
- Is he always in a hunched posture with his tail tucked in?
So, keep a lookout for any of the above symptoms during the winter seasons to prevent your dog from falling sick, especially if you find him burrowing in his blanket persistently.
Protecting Him from Sharp Objects, Insects and Pests
Your dog may be rolling his body on the ground during his play and there is a risk that he may get himself cut by the sharp leaves, stones or gravel that is found on the ground.
He could also be at risk of being infested with insects and pests such as ticks and fleas that can sting your pet and cause his skin’s irritation.
If this happens, he may be at risk of getting infected if the injury is not treated immediately.
As a precaution, you can make your dog wear a protective vest when he is outside playing.
Generally, dog protective vests are made from cotton, nylon, or polyester. Cotton vests are lightweight and comfortable, while nylon vests are durable and strong.
Polyester vests combine both softness and strength in one garment.
By making your dog wear a protective vest, it will protect his skin against any hot or sharp objects and insects attack while he is playing outdoors.
It is advisable that you wash the vest before you use it for the first time. You should then wash it again after every use.
Make sure that you wash it well to remove any dirt that may have found its way into the fabric of the vest. Remember that the vest should not be washed in hot water.
To Prevent Contact Dermatitis
There is no doubt that Chihuahuas are naturally hypoallergenic and are susceptible to pollen, grass, and even plants in their environment.
Allergies to these substances can cause them to experience contact dermatitis, which is characterized by a red, itchy rash that occurs when an allergic reaction occurs.
And when your dog is suffering from contact dermatitis, he will be repeatedly scratching and licking himself.
As a precaution, you can help to reduce this risk by making him wear hypoallergenic clothing to reduce his exposure to allergens.
To “Control” His Shedding
In the same way that humans shed hair every now and then, it is inevitable that dogs will shed their fur from time to time.
Even short-haired dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, shed fur every day despite the fact that they are considered to be fairly low-shedding.
It is likely that your Chihuahua sheds more in the spring and summer as the weather becomes hotter. This is because he doesn’t need as much fur during the hot months.
And if you are someone who is obsessed with cleanliness, you would be busy cleaning up your dog’s fur in the house every day!
You may be able to circumvent this issue by restricting your dog’s activity area to a specific area of the house, and you will have an easier time cleaning up the mess.
In addition, you can have your dog wear a vest, which will minimize the amount of hair that falls onto the floor.
For His Safety Around the Pool
If your dog is habitually playing near the pool when you aren’t at home, you should have him wear a life jacket then, if crating him isn’t an option.
You should do the same if you are taking him to the beach for a play. By doing so, he will remain safe while near the water.
Dogs love to play all the time. However, they cannot swim (unless you have trained them), so you should be sure that all safety measures are well taken care of.
Chihuahuas May Find Clothes Annoying
In the same way, some dogs dislike wearing boots since they feel uncomfortable while walking, your dog can also feel uncomfortable wearing clothing.
Although your dog may look adorable in his clothing, you should keep in mind that this is not his natural clothing.
Wearing clothes that are too tight and small for him can be quite irritating for him, as they impede his movement.
Furthermore, the sounds generated by the clothing while he is walking can further bother him.
Therefore, you should avoid making your dog wear clothing solely for aesthetic purposes.
How Do I Determine the Size of My Dog’s Clothing?
Since Chihuahuas are known for being the smallest dog breed in the world, people tend to wonder, “How big can Chihuahuas grow?”
Generally, fully grown Chihuahuas can weigh up to 6 pounds, and stand at 9 inches tall with a body length of 15 inches.
So, remember to carry out the measurement on your dog if you intend to get a vest for him.
Clothing for dogs is measured according to their body length. The measurement is taken along the dog’s back, starting at the base of the neck and ending at the base of the tail.