Chihuahua Summer Care

Staying hydrated is really important in the summertime since it can help prevent a dog from suffering from heat stress or heat stroke. In general, puppies and dogs need about an ounce of water per day, but this can double during hot weather. 

Ways to ensure that your Chi drinks enough include keeping their water bowl clean and filled with cool water, offering water-packed fruit such as blueberries and raspberries, and taking breaks during walks or other outside activity to offer water which can be done easily using a travel container like the MaoCG Dog Water Bottle . 

All pet parents should know about this since it can happen with little warning and it can be fatal in severe or untreated cases. Heat stress is the first phase in which a dog’s body temp rises to 103 F (39.4 C) and if it’s not treated the next step is heat stroke in which body temp rises to a very dangerous 106 F (41.1 C) or higher.



Early signs include rapid panting, bright red tongue, red or pale-colored gums, thick saliva, and/or weakness. If your Chihuahua appears to be suffering from one or more of these signs immediately carry them into an air-conditioned house. If you cannot easily reach the indoors, carry them to a shady area. 



It is recommended to call the vet right away. Instructions may be to stabilize your Chi’s body temperature before they are transported to the office. Typically, rags soaked in cool water are placed over a dog’s core body. Running a fan nearby to increase air circulation can also help. Water is given, but a dog should not gulp it down too quickly.

Summer Tip #3: Give your Chihuahua a cooling mat.

Cooling mats are an indispensable item to have for dogs in the summertime and help keep a Chi cool simply by resting on them. We recommend self-activating mats like the TheGreenPetShop Dog Cooling Mat which are comfortable and super-easy to use. These can be used indoors or out and are easy to take along if you’re heading to the beach, lake, or other spot. 

Summer Tip #4: Let your Chi cool off in a pool.

Kiddie pools are easy to set up, are budget-friendly, can be used in small spaces, and are a fun way for a small dog to stay cool outside on a hot summer day. And, if you’re thinking of having your Chihuahua cool off in a swimming pool, there are just a few safety tips to keep in mind: Never throw your dog in, supervise at all times, consider having your Chi wear a life vest, and be sure to rinse off the coat afterward if the water is chlorinated. If not, both skin and fur can become very dry and the coat can become discolored.

Summer Tip #5: Watch out for hot walking surfaces. 

It’s very easy for outside walking surfaces to get hot enough to burn a dog’s paws. A dog’s pain tolerance is about 120 F and burns can occur at about 135 to 140 F. Cement, pavement, and brick can all reach those temps in the summer, especially on sunny days with air temp 80 F or higher. 



A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t keep your hand pressed to the ground for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. 



Since daily exercise is important, there are some work-arounds. Go for walks early in the morning and later in the evening when it’s not so hot. If necessary, change the route to a more shaded and/or grassy area. Instead of walks, have cardio sessions in a grassy area; playing fetch is one of the best options for this and if your Chi needs something fun to chase after, Zanies Mini Tennis Balls for Dogs are always a blast. 

Summer tip #6: Protect your Chihuahua’s paws.

Walking on warm surfaces all summer can take its toll on paws, causing paw pads to become overly dry. With some Chihuahuas, this will lead to peeling and cracking. This can be prevented and treated with a quality paw wax. Other bonuses with using paw wax are that it can help repel allergens and irritants, keeps paw skin properly moisturized, and it helps give a dog better traction. 

Summer tip #7: Use safe insect repellent

There are lots of pesky bugs to contend with in the summer including fleas, mosquitoes (which are the sole source of heartworms) and ticks (which can spread a number of diseases). If you are trying to avoid the chemicals found in topical pesticides and flea collars, which can cause lots of bad reactions, you may want to opt for a no-chemical, all-natural option. 



One to consider is Natural Insect Repellent for Dogs by Nantucket Spider. This uses a plant-based blend of thyme oil, geranium, cedar wood and peppermint oil to naturally repel flies, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. 



As prevention and safety measures, always check your Chihuahua for ticks after being in areas of tall grass or woods (though ticks can sometimes be found even in well-groomed yards) and address any areas of standing water in the yard which can attract mosquitoes. 

Summer tip #8: Be on guard for bees and other stinging insects.

Insect bites can be dangerous for toy breed dogs like the Chihuahua, so always be wary of bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and other stinging insects that tend to be out in full force in the summer. Some of these insects have ground nests, so it’s best to not let a Chi sniff around the base of bushes and shrubbery. If a stinging insect is swarming your Chihuahua, pick them up and leave the area.



If your Chi is stung, keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction which includes swelling around the face, breathing difficulty and/or signs of weakness. Stingers in the skin should be scraped out using a credit card. A mixture of water and baking powder made into a paste can be applied to help with swelling and pain.



If a Chihuahua is stung by a bee or other stinging insect 3 or more times, they should be taken to the vet regardless of any immediate reactions since toy sized dogs can have severe reactions to multiple stings and it can take up to 45 minutes for these to develop.

Summer tip #9: Some Chi require sunscreen protection.

UV rays can reflect up from water, so if your Chi is in or around a lake, pond, beach, or other such area, sunscreen may be needed on the belly. And for Chihuahua that spend a good amount of time outside, those with light-colored coats may also require some sunscreen. 



Note that you do not want to use sunscreen for humans since many contain zinc and this is toxic to dogs. A safe and effective product to use on Chihuahua is Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets. This is a great product that's non-greasy, is good for the skin, and has a pleasant fragrance.

For Chihuahuas that really don’t like cars, going for a drive can be challenging enough in any season and summer can make things even trickier. And for all Chi, there are a few guidelines in regard to cars and summer heat. 



Be sure to cool the car off first and check your Chi’s car seat to ensure no spots are hot. For dogs that tend to get car sick, using the AC and having windows down at the same time bit can help. Car shades (usually used for babies and toddlers) can also work great for small dogs to prevent irritating and hot sun glare.

To help ensure that your Chihuahua enjoys the summer season, here is a summary of our tips:



1. Keep your Chihuahua hydrated.
2. Know about heat stress and heat stroke.
3. Give your Chihuahua a cooling mat.
4. Let your Chi cool off in a pool.
5. Watch out for hot walking surfaces.
6. Protect your Chihuahua’s paws.
7. Use safe insect repellant.
8. Be on guard for bees and other stinging insects. 
9. Some Chi require sunscreen protection. 
10. Use care when your Chi is in the car.



For many of us, summer is a short season, so enjoy it while it lasts! Before you know it, winter will be on its way, and of course that brings about its own set of challenges.

Related:

Chihuahua Winter Care Tips - Helpful guidelines for keeping a Chi active and happy during a long, cold winter. Includes exercise tips, coat care, keeping a Chihuahua warm, and more.

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