Cold Weather Can Be Dangerous For Your Dog

Image by Schweerchichi via Flickr

We have been having some pretty cold weather lately.  And the Chi-ildren are not to happy about it.  Chihuahuas don’t do well in cold weather, their little bodies just do not have the necessary insulation, especially if their a short hair.  So it’s very important for us to take the time to protect them from the cold. 

 

There are all kinds of clothing available for Chihuahuas, and other dogs.  You can get shirts, dresses, coats, booties, and just about anything else you could imagine.  The sources are plentiful on the internet, but you really need to know what size to get.  Most pet clothing is sized by the weight of animal it will fit.  For instance, a shirt that fits Peanut who is 3 pounds, would never fit Babe who is 11 pounds.   We have found the best clothing has no straps, snaps or other items to secure.  Mainly because they dogs are less likely to try and chew them up. 

 

You should also pay attention to the attitude of your dog.  Many of them do not like clothing, and it takes time to get them used to it.  Don’t force them, just keep trying them on slowly, and be patient, eventually they’ll get used to it.  Persistence is the key.  Sooner or later they will realize it’s for their own good.  We have two Chi’s that are very susceptible to the cold weather, Callie and Peanut.  Both have shorter hair than any of the others, and being as small as they are its often harder to find clothes to fit them.  

 

Another thing they like on a cold day, heck any day, is to have a blanket to curl up under.  Chihuahuas seem to love to crawl under the blankets, and bundle themselves up.  Even on a warm day You will find Callie under the blanket on the couch.  We keep a blanket on each couch for this reason.  It gives them some warmth, and evidently a feeling of security.  Believe it or not Teco, who’s feet you see above is sound asleep right then.  He loves to sleep on his back and under the blanket.  Babe is another one that has to be under a blanket as much as possible.

 

There is one last thing we do for the Chihuahuas that helps us on cold days.  Peanut, Callie, Teco, and Meeka are all litter box trained.  They don’t have to go outside when it’s cold.  It was pretty easy training them but the others we’re still working on.  Teco and Callie were litter box trained when we got them.  Peanut learned from Callie, and Meeka learned from Peanut.  It is handy being able to put them in their rooms, (kennels) where they each have a litter box when it’s cold.  Then you just wait until they use the litter box, and let them back out.  We even started litter box training Annie’s last litter before they left for their new homes.

 

So as the weather continues with it’s cold snaps, think of your dogs, and be sure they are safe from the cold.