Can Chihuahuas Swim? There are many benefits to owning a Chihuahua.
They have a small stature, which makes them easy to transport in the car and on public transportation.
Their size also makes it easier for owners to handle them with one hand.
However, one question a lot of owners ask is Can Chihuahuas Swim?
As we know, Chihuahuas have a lot of fame for being small, but not as famous for their swimming abilities.
The truth is that Chihuahuas can swim! “But” they do have some limitations.
Unfortunately, They cannot stay afloat on water like other dog breeds because they are light and lacks body shape.
Luckily, there is still plenty of fun you can have in the water with your chihuahua! “supervised of course”
How Can I Tell If My Chihuahua Likes To Swim?
This is a difficult question to answer because, like dogs in general, Chihuahuas have different personalities.
Some will enjoy swimming while others will avoid it considering the exposure of the specific dog while growing up!
It’s worth noting that many of them are small enough that even if they didn’t want to take a dip, water usually doesn’t reach their head which means you don’t need to worry about your pup breathing it or otherwise being scared by an experience with too much water.
So as before, this really depends on the dog some chihuahuas will like to swim and some will not.
However, those that do like swimming can’t swim for very long mainly because these small dogs tire quickly.
Now, there are a few ways to tell if your chihuahua likes swimming or not, the first is when you take it into the water and see how he reacts.
Some will swim around, some will paddle in circles while others won’t go near it at all!
Another way of telling is by looking at their facial expressions, and if the dog’s tail goes straight up from excitement then it’s safe to say he’s definitely loving the water!
Are Chihuahuas Good At swimming?
Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dogs in the world, and because of this their swimming abilities are limited.
If your chihuahua falls into the water accidentally, don’t worry! Your pet will not drown as long as he or she has a way out of the pool or river.
Although Chihuahuas are not the best swimmers that’s not to say they will sink to the bottom when they jump in the water. Naturally, they will swim to safety “but” if you see your dog struggling you should go in after them.
Saying that chihuahuas are good swimmers really depends on the dog. Not every chihuahua will be happy to be in the water!
Some may get scared and panic especially if they’re slightly older and have never been in the water before.
One of the best things you can do to encourage your pet to enjoy swimming is by making it feel comfortable and safe when they get into the water.
One way to make them less apprehensive about getting wet is by introducing him or her gradually, letting them sniff and explore for a while before dipping their paws into the pool.
If he’s really unsure then try throwing treats into the water which will stop any fear of submerging!
If that doesn’t work, just remember there are plenty of fun games and activities you can do on land so don’t worry!.
Dangers
The size of a small dog can make them less able to swim than other, larger breeds. Plus it’s important for you to be aware of the dangers they may face when near water!
- Small Dogs Will Get Tired Quickly: Smaller dogs will get more exhausted by using their legs for swimming because it requires a lot of energy and concentration for small pets with little body mass, meaning they need to paddle harder.
- Loss Of Body Heat: Chihuahuas are smaller than their northern counterparts with greater surface area. This means that they lose heat faster and cannot maintain a cold body temperature like Newfoundlands, Huskies, etc.
- Unable To Stay Warm: Because small dogs have a harder time staying warm in cold water than larger breeds. If you live in areas that experience freezing temperatures, then don’t let your chihuahua swim in the river.
Safety Precautions
- Keep a Lookout: When going near deep waters this poses a potential danger as some dogs are not very good swimmers. To prevent them from drowning always keep a close eye on your pet and avoid any water that is too deep.
- Shallow Water: If you have a swimming pool then simply keep them near shallow waters with no obstructions like a watersport net or anything else which could potentially entangle them.
- Avoid Water Games: Chihuahuas may not take kindly to being submerged into the water meaning some games are best avoided until he’s or she is more confident about swimming.
- Swimming jacket: If your really want to teach your dog how to swim you should use a life jacket will be very helpful during the process as it’ll allow them to relax more and not have to worry about sinking.
Some dogs might not want to swim at all. So it’s worth bearing in mind that your Chihuahua might not like to swim, which means they will naturally dislike being submerged into water meaning deep swimming should be avoided.
When trying to teach your chihuahua to swim you should get some help from friends or family members if there are other dogs around who could join in together or even better, introduce a toy! and don’t forget the life jacket!
This will keep both parties entertained which makes things easier when one of them might be tired out after completing a lap of the pool.
Benefits
Most dogs love playing around and getting wet so it only makes sense that they also get some exercise while doing it!
Swimming is an awesome way for them to strengthen their legs and other parts of the body.
- Overcome Their Fears: Teaching them how to overcome their fears can help your dog grow more confident in the water this will make your dog healthy and happier.
- Stronger And Happier: The more you help your chihuahua to overcome their fears, the stronger and happier they will be. This means that whenever possible, try to get them over any of these natural worries or phobias.
- Boosts Their Metabolism: Water is like a natural gym for your dog! It boosts their metabolism and burns calories. This means they’ll naturally be more fit and will live longer!
Swimming is also great for aging Chihuahuas which has a lower impact on arthritic joints than running or even walking, so your pup can keep going strong long into their golden years!
What to do if your Chihuahua falls into the River?
You might not think of river safety as a topic for your Chihuahua, but it could happen.
In fact, water accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death for dogs in the United States.
If you have a dog that loves to play near or in rivers, lakes, and streams you should keep an eye on them at all times.
However, if your Chihuahua was to fall into a river by mistake then they will usually swim through the water and find their way to shore.
“But” if your chihuahua is struggling then naturally you will come to their aid.
If you can’t swim then it is important that you get help from someone else that’s nearby who can jump in after them with a life jacket or floatation device for dogs.
Teaching Your Chihuahua To Swim
Teaching your dog to swim is not an easy task. It takes time and effort from both the owner and the animal, so don’t expect it to happen overnight, but if you’re consistent, you’ll soon have a water-loving chihuahua!
As an owner of a Chihuahua, it’s important to teach him or her how to swim as soon as possible and start with the basics such as wading into the shallow end of a pool.
There your dog can get familiar with being in chest-deep water before graduating onto deeper water.
Doing this will likely ensure that your pup is more confident when in water which means they’ll be less liable to panic.
Your dog will learn a lot faster if you use a life jacket this way you won’t have to hold your dog as much and they can learn to swim while you watch from a distance.
Can Chihuahuas Swim In Chlorinated Pools?
As we know chlorine is effective in killing germs and bacteria but is it safe for your dog to swim in?
The answer is yes it’s completely safe just as long as they don’t drink the water which could be fatal if they do!
Swimming can be very tiring for your dog and naturally when they are panting they seek out water.
So make so you have a bowl nearby so the dog doesn’t drink the pool water.
Also, after swimming it’s a good idea to rinse your dog off with fresh water to remove any chemicals from their coat.
It’s important to keep any chemicals or tables that you use for the pool out of sight just in case your dog sees them!
Ingesting just one tablet by your dog has a very high chance it will be fatal.
Conclusion
So, Can Chihuahuas Swim? The answer to this question is yes. However, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your furry friend’s safety.
For example, if they’re not wearing a life jacket and they fall into the water with an undertow or strong current, there could be deadly consequences for them.
Another thing to consider is how well-trained their swimming skills are before throwing them right into the deep end of a pool without any prior instruction on what to do when in deep water.
Get them swimming lessons first so they know what’s to expect while underwater (i.e., don’t panic). There are also ways to keep them safe
So we hope these tips have helped! just remember it’s important to know how they feel about water.
While some dogs may enjoy swimming and play in the pool or ocean, others might not be so keen on getting wet!
You can tell if your dog likes being around water by observing their movements if they are moving away from the body of water then chances are that they don’t like it.
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