r/Chihuahua • u/JellyfishPossible539 • 11h ago
How hot is too hot to walk a chihuahua?
Hello!
When I look it up it says anything over 75 is too hot, but that’s prime temp for Chis, so I’m not sure.
I know about testing the ground to make sure it’s not too hot, but I’m asking about general temps if we stay on the grass and in mostly shaded areas.
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u/Zealousideal_Tie4580 11h ago
My Texas born chiweenie does not like it hot. She likes to stay inside in the ac. She also doesn’t like the cold, snow or rain. Her optimum comfort is 70F inside on the couch. Millie,
your wish is my command.
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u/TheRealTRexUK 11h ago
I carry a bottle of water and a little collapsed water bowl. avoid hot paving and keep resting with them.
when I stop at a shop or coffee shop and grab a drink, I get iced water (yes we have it in the uk, just ask) to replace the water in the bottle if it gets too warm.
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u/kamatayun 11h ago
Easy. Do what you intend to do and if the pup is panting and seems to be too hot (not wanting to play/explore, stuff like that) then it is too hot. In short, go out and play with them and take them back inside if they are overheating.
I have had my fat little sausage (or loaf of bread, whichever you prefer lol) outside up in the 80's and 90's and hes been fine. Other times, he was too hot at 70. Depends on the day with this little nut lol
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u/Crotean 11h ago edited 11h ago
The only time to be concerned is if the cement gets so hot it could burn their paws. If they start to get overheated in other ways they will let you know. Just watch for the signs and know your summer walks will be much shorter and stay closer to home. And 75 is nothing, a husky might be too hot at 75 but chis love that temp.
Edit: This is assuming you have AC. If it's 95 and you walk the dog and come back into an 90 degree house they aren't gonna be able to cool off and that could be an issue
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u/MilaVaneela Jimmy (Ratchi) 11h ago
It seems like Chis and Chi mixes love the warm weather, doesn’t it? I’d watch for panting, drooling, their tongue getting a little pinker and also feel their chest (unscientific observation but I’ve noticed when my guy needs to go inside his chest feels warmer) Also I’d take water if you can. That helps a lot in keeping them from overheating
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u/Accomplished_Cell768 10h ago
It’s because they’re desert dogs! They love the heat and sunshine like a husky loves snow.
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock 9h ago edited 3h ago
My chihuahua demands the fireplace be lit if mornings are below 68°F. Unfortunately in SE TX I wish this occurred more often.
Hes black and will lay in the sunny grass to steam himself.
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u/Treehorn8 11h ago
Never too hot for a chi. /s
Seriously, I touch the sidewalk with my hand or foot for 30 seconds. If it's too hot for me, then it's a no. I wait until it's cooler in the day.
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u/katybear16 11h ago
I live in Florida and I used to walk my Chihuahua early in the morning and after dark in the summers. We both wore reflective vests and he was perfectly fine.
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u/Positiveaz 11h ago
Lived in AZ. There's at least 2 months straight over °110. I would walk if there is shade. If not, carry the lil dude to a shady or grassy spot.
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u/LibertyCash 11h ago
My pup gives up the ghost at 75. I’ll walk through low 70s, but once it hits 75, she stays home. She just starts showing too much distress at that point (intense panting, needing to repeatedly stop, etc). We play in the yard instead until she decides she’s ready for a nap.
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u/Whosaidthatthing 10h ago
In the Arizona desert here, walk early in the morning or at night. Over 85 degrees and I worry the pavement is too warm when sunny out. Everyone’s advice about testing the pavement is really good too. My guy loves the night walks and I’m glad to avoid the sun.
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u/JellyfishPossible539 6h ago
I’ve been taking him at night and in the morning, but he’s used to a lot of walks totaling about 8 miles a day. It’s his favorite thing and he begs to go out all day. I feel bad for the little guy .
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u/Whosaidthatthing 1h ago
Eight miles is awesome, I bet your pup is ripped! It’s so hard but it’s the best for them. It’s kinda like when they want more food but already ate. We have to be the parent and make the hard calls, no matter how cute those eyes are. Your little guys eyes are too cute too!
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u/Yabbydabby88 10h ago
I spray them wet if it’s hot and bring water with me and let them drink regularly. They are enjoying it very much when sprayed and run and play. If not sprayed wet they look and behave slow and want to go home.
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u/Jules_Lynn 10h ago
My chi has a specific preferred temperature range of 50-75 degrees for outdoor activities. She is long haired though, so that's probably why she doesn't like heat as much as a lot of other chihuahuas. If it's in the 40s she will still go on shorter walks wearing a jacket, but 30s and below she just gets quick potty breaks no walks. If it's 75-85, it depends on humidity (she hates high humidity) and UV level (she has a liver-colored nose so I don't want her to burn and she doesn't like the sun being so strong anyway). We'll do walks early in morning and evening when it is cooler. Or walk where there is a lot of shade and pour some water over her to keep her cool, plus lots of breaks for her to drink. If it's over 85, then no walks. We usually bring her with us if we are going somewhere dogs are allowed, but if it's 85+ and outdoors for a prolonged period of time then we have to leave her home because it's just too hot for her even with shade and water.
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u/animepuppyluvr 10h ago
My dog has shoes for when its hot or raining. As long as there's shade sometimes and yiu have water, then I'd say anything that's tok hot for you is too hot for the dog. They'll tell you when its too hot pretty readily by panting or searching for shade or whining.
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u/calipithecus 9h ago
I walked my little one when it was 100 degrees in Palm Springs. However, it was midnight so no crazy sun and the pavement was pretty ok (I tested with my bare feet). He was 15 at the time and I think it made his arthritis feel good because he was jogging and running like he hadn't for a while. I would love to try this again, two years later, because he is even more arthritic.
On the flip-side, we live at 7,000 feet so I don't walk him at home when it hits 70/75ish because it's way too hot with the sun. I push him around in his stroller and let him wander a bit in shaded areas.
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u/evilcandybag 9h ago
Depends on location. 30°C (~90f) would be fine where I live where the nearest asphalt paved road is 2km away but id never take them out on a long walk in the city if it was hat hot.
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u/sohcordohc 9h ago
They’re dessert dogs..follow all usual rules for normal dogs and keep in mind theyre 1/10th if not smaller fhe size of normal dogs and 1/3 size of a small dog. Ours loves the pool!
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u/hanscons 9h ago
on hot days (80F+) we will only do morning and late afternoon/evening walks. maybe a quick 5-minute shade/grass walk during the day. my dog is pretty good about stopping the walk if shes too hot or tired.
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u/SeaTerrible9429 7h ago
You really want to aim for early morning walks or evening walks once the sun is down. Chihuahuas love the heat but naturally they relax in the middle of the day and rest in shaded areas and limit exercise. So aiming walks before the hottest part of the day is ideal. You wanna keep it under 77 generally to be safe. Anything over you need to check the pavement temperature as well as bring water and try to limit the activity time because all dogs are prone to heat exhaustion
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u/JellyfishPossible539 6h ago
Unfortunately for a few months during summer it doesn’t fall below 77 even at night.
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u/LowBalance4404 4h ago
I do the pavement test with my own feet. If it's too hot for me, it's too hot for her.
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u/Yungdab420 2h ago
From one chihuahua owner to another, that is one hot chihuahua!
Oh, you meant temperature? Sorry.
You need to ask your chihuahua if they are uncomfortable in Spanish so that they understand.
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u/Infinite-Dinner1725 11h ago
Usually I try not to go on walks if it’s above 90.
Put the back of your hand to the pavement for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot to hold your hand there, it’s too hot for their paw pads.