If you’ve owned Chihuahuas for any length of time, you’ve probably identified with the stereotype that they spend half their lives burrowed under blankets. Most of them seem to do so.
But then there’s my Lucy. She’s the oddball of the family—the Chihuahua who seems to be hot most of the time. She pants at night, has trouble getting comfortable, and made me realize that sometimes the opposite problem deserves just as much attention.
Lucy is a long-haired, double-coated Chihuahua, and I believe that is why she tends to run hot. She loves to sit in my lap but can’t handle it for more than a few minutes because it makes her too hot.
I feel so bad for her and felt like our only option was to shave her down, but I really didn’t want to do that. So when a lady from the Paw Noodle company emailed me and asked if I would like to try a cooling mat for Lucy, I agreed.
I think I was expecting something more like an electric heating pad, but it was more like a fabric potty pad, but the fabric felt different. And weirdly, it did feel cool.
The first night, I put the pad down on my bed and sat Lucy on it, and she immediately jumped off of it. So I thought it was a no-go for the pad. But later when I woke up in the middle of the night, I realized she wasn’t panting like she usually would be. And then I saw her sleeping peacefully on the pad. And in the morning, she was still on it when I woke up.
Since then, she has slept soundly on it every night with no panting. This morning, Ziggy was sleeping on it with her. I’m thinking of getting another one to keep downstairs to keep her (and my other dogs) comfy during the day.
Even if your Chihuahua is usually the type who burrows under blankets and steals your spot on the heating pad, there may still be times when a cooling pad comes in handy. During heat waves, after a long walk, or on days when the air conditioning just can’t keep up, even cold-natured dogs can become uncomfortable. A cooling pad gives them a place to cool off if they need it, while still allowing them to move to a warmer spot whenever they choose.
Cooling pads can also be helpful for senior Chihuahuas or dogs with certain health conditions. Arthritis, heart disease, respiratory problems, obesity, or a thick coat can make it harder for a dog to regulate their body temperature.
If your Chihuahua seems restless, pants more than usual, or continually searches for cool tile floors during warm weather, a cooling pad may help them stay more comfortable. Of course, if your dog is panting excessively or seems overheated without an obvious reason, it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian to rule out an underlying medical issue.
If you are curious about a cooling pad, you can check it out here.
NOTE: I wasn’t paid to write this post. The PawNoodle company just asked me to try it. However, I did get the mat for free, and I do get a small commission if you decide to buy through my link.
Cathy Bendzunas
Pet Blogger