Chihuahuas are a warm-blooded breed with a natural body temperature higher than other canines. They will chill easily and really like to stay very warm at all times. The breed has a natural instinct to "burrow" or "nest" under blankets, throws, comforters, or anything which will keep them warm. Gypsy displayed this trait even when she was a young puppy and we have always kept a generous supply of soft fleece baby blankets for her to "nest" in. She is an expert at getting under a baby blanket very swiftly, taking a few quick turns and plopping herself down so the blankets are all tucked underneath her in a tight knot. She looks like she is wrapped tightly in a package!

About two years ago our winter became so cold and frigid Gypsy seemed unable to stay warm no matter how many blankets we provided so I decided to get out a heating pad and turn it on low. I placed the heating pad on a standard sized bed pillow, placed a soft baby blanket over the pad as extra protection against it being too hot next to her skin and turned it on low. Gypsy loved this arrangement so much she uses a heating pad nearly year round now! I was concerned at first about the safety of this and specifically asked my veterinarian if it was OK for my baby to sleep on a heating pad nearly twenty-three hours a day. (which is the amount of time she seems to sleep) Heaven knows Chihuahuas love to nap!

My veterinarian assured me this was perfectly safe so long as the heating pad was kept on low at all times. Well, the rest is history! I have a happy, warm Chihuahua who loves being on her heating pad almost as much as she likes to eat. The photos on this page clearly show how much she loves to be hot, hot, hot. Sometimes I lift up her blanket and it feels like a steam bath under there!

If you have a Chihuahua I recommend trying the heating pad. It is helpful not only for keeping your babies warm, but they seem so content and well-rested when they are kept especially warm.