Chihuahuas are small dogs that originated in warm dry climates. Due to their origin, these dogs have a thin coat which makes them vulnerable to cold weather during winter. The cool thing is that you can protect them from the cold by dressing them.

How to Dress a Chihuahua

One of the best outfits that will protect your dog from cold is a sweater. For ideal results you should ensure that the sweater is soft. If it's too cold you should consider covering the dog's sweater with a doggie jacket.

When buying the jacket, ensure that the jacket doesn't have embellishments that would annoy the dog. For example, you should avoid a jacket that has a poorly fitted hood or faux-fur neckline. Instead of going for an outfit with Velcro patches, you should go for one with snaps and clips.

If you are planning of walking with your Chihuahua outdoors, it's wise that you put on winter booties on your dog. The boots not only protect your dog from cold, they also prevent chemicals from accessing the paws of the dog.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Outfit

You should consider two important factors when buying winter clothes for your Chihuahua: size and comfort. As rule of thumb you should ensure that the outfit you buy fits your dog perfectly. This calls for you to carefully measure the dog before you head to the stores to make a purchase.

The best way of measuring the dog is measuring from the top of the spine up to the base of the tail. You should also measure the chest of the dog. Here you need to measure the area around the largest part of the ribcage which is usually the area behind the front legs. Finally, you should measure the neck of the dog. Here you need to measure the area where the collar rests.

When it comes to comfort, you should avoid clothes that tend to pull over the head as this can alarm your Chihuahua. The best way of going about it is going for outfits that snap around the neck and under the chest.

Conclusion

These are tips on how to dress your Chihuahua during winter. When buying the outfits ensure that they are non-toxic and latex-free. This is to avoid irritating your dog that might be allergic to latex. You should also avoid putting on decorative items such as pom-poms, beads and feathers on the dog as they pose a great choking risk.