Leaving Chihuahuas out in the cold HELP!?

Question

Please help. My neighbor thinks it OK to leave her miniture Chihuahuas outside all day (10-12 hrs). I live outside DC and the avg temp is in the high 30s to mid-low 40s. These poor dogs are suffering and she does not think there is anything wrong with leaving them out all day.

What is the coldest temp that you think 5lbs and 7lbs Chihuahuas should stay out in for extended periods of time?

I am waiting to hear back from animal control to see if they will talk to her.

Answer 1

This neighbor needs to realize, if she wants to keep her Chihuahuas alive, that Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather, and will die eventually if left out there, much longer! They have very little body weight, to help them retain their temperature. Even if she puts a sweater on them, it is still way too cold for them.These poor Chihuahuas are helpless out there in this cold, and cannot retain the proper temperature, no matter how many sweaters or coats you pile on them! Chihuahuas should be kept indoors,especially in such cold weather. This women is abusing these dogs. She should not even have these poor dogs to begin with, because she obviously does not care anything about them, or what happens to them. How sad is that!!! I would call Animal Control again, and tell them again, that you are really worried that these Chihuahuas will die soon, and that the owner does not seem to care, and ask them again if someone would please come out ASAP and check and make sure they are ok, and talk to the owner! They will make sure that either she brings them indoors and keeps them indoors, or face the consequences if she doesn't, or turns them over to Animal Control, so that they can take the dogs, and adopt them out to someone who will provide proper shelter for them and take proper care of them and love them, the way they deserve to be, loved and taken care of. If she's just sticking them outside in the cold like this, thinking they are fine, when they are most certainly not fine, imagine how she treats them when they are indoors with her. Scary!!! By the way, I just want to say to you, Thanks for caring enough about these dogs welfare, to do something about it!!! I wish more people gave a ----!

Answer 2

Chihuahuas are very short-furred dogs that come from a very warm climate. My friend's Chi shivers if it's 65 degrees indoors - he doesn't even want to go out when it's in the 30s or 40s. It is way too cold for these dogs to be out for more than five or ten minutes without some kind of protection.

Most municipalities require that dogs who spend any time outside longer than is required for eliminaiton and excercise to have access to shelter, regardless of the weather. If your neighbor does not have a dog house for them, Animal Control should do something.

Answer 3

That is definitely unacceptable. Thank God you are trying to help them.

Chihuahuas have such little body fat, they have to be approaching hypothermia when left outside all day - unless they have a really good dog house with heat lamps.

Calling animal control is about the only thing I would know to do. The only thing I could think of is maybe going to the American Chihuahua Club webpage to see if they have temperature recommendations (you might also be able to email somebody from the club to find out) - then you could show these to Animal Control or have the club contact Animal Control.

Answer 4

Wow. That is so ridiculous. Chihuahuas arent meant to stand cold temperatures, they are indoor dogs. I am so happy that you have been in contact with animal control, something does need to be done you're right. I know that where I live, conditions need to be extremely bad in order for the animal to be taken away (sickening I know) so perhaps you should snoop and see if the neighbour is leaving them with food and water, that will help with your case! Thank you for helping those little guys! We need more people like you.

Answer 5

The unfavourable little canines. you could no longer pass away any canines for that length of time. that isn't any longer the comparable as leaving it at evening, because of the fact canines are not stupid and he/she would be ready to probable have rigidity issues later on in existence from being left on my own. do no longer be egocentric and wait until once you have finished college, then get a canines once you could look after it appropriate.

Answer 6

WOW! Call the humane society if animal control doesn't do anything, those poor babies are probably frozen to death! my 18 pound dog gets cold, in 30 degree weather!! I always put a coat on him just to take him out to potty! They need to be taken away from her.

Answer 7

Have you talked to your neighbor? Maybe tell her that it gets pretty cold and you think maybe her dogs would be happier waiting for such a long time in the house, try putting a potty box in the house so they can do their busniess inside? Some times you have to talk stupid to people who act stupid:) I hope for the dogs sake that it all gets worked out, good luck.

Answer 8

Thats horrible and good for you to call animal control.

First of all, its bad enough when people leave them in semi-outdoor kennels or porches that have blankets and houses for them to curl up in. But if they are straight out side, with nothing warm to hide int hey could die.
Especially being the breed they are.

Really at any point in time, if they have no way to retain their warmth, they could die- especially if it is below 40

Answer 9

First a chihuahua is suppose to be only upto 6 pounds so these dogs are one on the larger side of standard and the other is over teh size for standard . Even if there was such things as miniture these are not.
I live near Roanoke ,Va and my chihuahuas stay out all year round.

Answer 10

All I can say to this is that I have a 60 pound dog, and she shivers when we're just out on walks. These dogs should definitely not be outside.