It’s Summer! Are you taking these 10 precautions to keep your Chihuahua safe this summer? While some people hate the heat and some people say “the hotter the better”, summer is here, like it or not summer & hot weather is inevitable, sometime during the year, no matter what part of the world you live in. That is when it’s time to consider chihuahua summer safety tips.

Regardless of how you feel about summer’s heat, you are probably looking forward to some fun in the sun with your Chihuahua and you may be concerned about chihuahua summer safety.

Chihuahuas are little sun worshipers. They love the heat — maybe a little too much But, there are dangers lurking everywhere for our little Chihuahuas. There may even be some that you are not yet aware of.

The following are summer safety tips from the AKC and the ASPCA for all dogs, but I have added precautions specifically for Chihuahuas.

Take your Chihuahua to the vet for their annual check-up in early spring, before summer arrives. Make sure that they are tested for heartworms and if they are currently on heartworm medication talk to the vet about what is best specifically for a Chihuahua and what medication is safest for them. Chihuahuas often have adverse reactions to flea, tick, and heartworm medications.

If you are concerned about these medications and their safety, there are natural products for the protection of all these. Most of them are not very effective, but I use Only Natural Pet products for my three. They work very well and are non-toxic, so there are no worries about adverse reactions.

Know the symptoms of overheating. These include:

• excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• increased heart and respiratory rate
• drooling
• mild weakness
• stupor or even collapse
• seizures
• bloody diarrhea
• vomit
• an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Exercise is good, even necessary for Chihuahuas, however, if you walk your Chi for exercise, never do it in the heat of the day. Try early, cooler mornings or evenings. Also, avoid chemically treated or fertilized lawns and away from potentially toxic plants or flowers. For more on toxic plant and flowers:

Let’s talk about paw pads and Chihuahua summer safety. Did you know that a dog’s paw pads can be burned by hot pavement? As most of you know, I work at a veterinarian hospital and it definitely happens! It can be very painful for a dog.

There is an actual physical burn when the paw pads are burned when the concrete is too hot. These may produce blisters that rupture over a course of a few days after the burn. There might not be visible signs except when they express pain, however, if the burn is severe enough to cause blisters, those can be seen and are very painful. If your Chihuahua is continually licking his feet, check his paws for possible burns

So, if you walk your Chihuahua in summer, please be aware that this can happen. Walk on grass (untreated), a shady park, or keep them very short. Test the temperature of the concrete with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your Chihuahua to walk on.

Many Chihuahuas like swimming, but not all. Some just don’t like water and some can’t swim. Part of Chihuahua summer safety is to be conscious of your dog’s preferences and abilities. If your Chihuahua enjoys and knows how to swim, always closely supervise.

Chlorine from pools and bacteria from streams, lakes, and ponds can be toxic to dogs. Always rinse your dog with clean water after swimming. Beware of the wildlife that may pose a danger in the area, such as predatory birds and some catfish are known for attacking small dogs.

One of the biggest chihuahua summer safety worries is at barbeques. Food and drink found at barbeques are toxic to dogs. Don’t give your dog meat from the grill. Drippings can contain carcinogenic toxins. Don’t let your Chihuahua get near any alcoholic beverages. Don’t let friends or visitors give your Chihuahua human snacks. Any change in diet even for one meal can cause digestive problems. Make sure that all grapes, onions, chocolate and anything with the sweetener xylitol are not within your dog’s reach or can be dropped on the ground for him to pick up and eat.

When Traveling

It should go without saying never leave your dog in the car, even for a minute. But sadly every summer we hear of cases where pet parents have done it and dogs still suffer and even die.

Avoid dog rest areas as much as you can. Did you know that parvovirus is a very hardy virus? It can remain in the soil and grass for more than a year after an affected dog has urinated or defecated on it? Although it mostly affects puppies, adult dogs can get it too. A vaccinated dog — puppy or adult — can still get the virus under certain circumstances. So, please be careful and safe!