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A Shiba Inu is a bold and good-natured dog that requires consistent training.
However, if you’re curious to learn more about this breed because you’re considering adopting one you might want to know: Can Shiba Inus live in hot weather?
In this article, I explore the needs of Shiba Inus, including whether they can live in hot weather or handle cold weather to give you a better idea of whether you want to adopt this breed.
Keep reading to find out more.
Contents
Can Shiba Inus live in hot weather?
Shiba Inus are built for working outside, so they typically stand up well to any climate.
Due to the thick and heavy nature of their undercoats, however, Shiba Inus tend to get on much better in extreme colder temperatures compared with extreme heat.
In extremely hot weather, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog, so you need to take precautions to ensure their comfort and safety outdoors.
Bearing this in mind, it is absolutely crucial that you monitor your dog’s hydration levels and temperament throughout the day.
This means that you need to be extra mindful of factors such as how long you have been out walking with your Shiba, whether they are excessively panting, and whether they have access to shady spots to cool down.
A guide on how to take care of your Shiba Inu in the heat
Provide fresh water
Having fresh, cold water for your Shiba to drink at home and on the go is fundamental to making sure that they remain cooler in the warmer months.
If you know that you’ll be out on a long walk on a hot summer’s day, it’s important to make sure that you pack a portable water bowl so your Shiba will always have access to clean drinking water when you’re out.
Provide a cool place
Dogs like to lounge in the sun, but you need to monitor how long your Shiba is outside and provide them with a place to cool down before they overheat.
Inside, make sure that you keep the drapes drawn in the room that they tend to sleep in.
Keeping the air conditioning is a must, but having a small paddling pool in the garden for them to cool off in is another great way of ensuring that your Shiba Inu remains cool.
The implications of your Shiba Inu getting too much sun can result in a variety of health complications. These include:
Dehydration – A sign that your dog is dehydrated includes your dog appearing more lethargic than usual, alongside their nose and mouth appearing dry.
Heatstroke – A common cause of heatstroke in dogs is due to being left in cars on hot days. Car temperatures can skyrocket from 75 to 110 degrees F within 15 minutes on summer days depending on where you live.
This can be fatal for thick-coated dogs like a Shiba Inu, so you need to be careful.
Heat exhaustion – In extreme weather, your Shiba could develop heat exhaustion, which will typically occur if their body temperature rises to or above 105 degrees.
Although Shibas can live in hot weather, you need to be mindful of the risks and make sure that you are taking the proper precautions to keep them cool throughout the warmer months.
Can a Shiba Inu handle cold weather?
Yes, a Shiba Inu’s double-layered coat provides them with plenty of insulation in winter.
That being said, just because they can handle the odd snowy night doesn’t mean that you should leave them outside and you still need to take precautions to ensure that your dog is safe during the colder months.
Protect their paws
While the Shiba Inu is a double-coated dog that fares well in cold weather, they take time to build up a tolerance to cold – much like they build up a tolerance to hot sand.
That being said, you will need to put extra protection on their paws by covering them with thick socks.
Rinse their paws
You should also rinse your Shiba’s paws after a walk in warm water to increase blood circulation and protect them against frostbite.
Additionally, it is important to note that when the weather gets colder, lots of chemicals and salts are used to treat sidewalks before snow falls.
These chemicals are highly toxic to your dog, and because Shiba Inus are prone to regularly grooming themselves, you will need to rinse their paws as soon as they come in from a walk.
If you live in a very cold climate, it’s never a bad idea to invest in some outerwear for your Shiba Inu to ensure that they remain as warm as possible on their walks.
Make sure that you opt for a waterproof coat as these types are much more durable and will wick the water away ensuring that your dog remains as warm as possible in the winter months.
A few signs that a Shiba Inu is too cold include:
Whining – If your dog is whining or is reluctant to walk on when they’re usually very eager to walk, then it’s a sure sign that your Shiba is too cold and needs to be taken back inside.
Shivering – Another sign that your dog is too cold is shivering. Your dog’s fur will shake and tremble the same way our body shivers in the cold.
Once the temperature dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature starts to get too cold. At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you shouldn’t be outside for long periods of time.
If your dog doesn’t tell you with the signs I discussed above, it is your responsibility to bring them inside to keep them warm.
In summary
Shiba Inus can survive in a variety of weather conditions.
That being said, you need to keep a close eye on them during extreme weather conditions during summer and winter and take the proper precautions to ensure that they are as happy and as healthy through the changing seasons.
