Why Do Chihuahuas Sleep So Much? A Look to their Sleeping Nature!

The bond between humans and their pets is an ancient one. Humans have been keeping them for many generations, and there are several reasons why we choose to treat our animals as family members.

Some pets are bred to deal with pests like rats while others serve an important function such as guard dogs or assistance animals that help their human companions live life more comfortably.

Regardless though, most people today keep pets simply so they can enjoy life’s simpler pleasures like cuddling up on the sofa together at night.

Chihuahuas are a favorite dog species to be kept as pets; having them can bring lots of fun and beautiful experiences. They have unique characteristics, but one thing that makes this breed so intriguing is their tendency to sleep a lot!

As you read further in this article, most of your questions about chihuahua sleeping habits will be answered here-to make it easier for all readers out there who want more knowledge on the matter at hand or just really love dogs like me.

So, why do chihuahuas sleep so much?

Chihuahuas are known for being the most lively of all dog breeds, yet this can be taxing on their bodies. As a result, they require a lot of rest and sleep in order to be healthy and keep up with whatever activity you throw at them. The amount of time these little canine creatures spend resting is also influenced by their lifestyle and general health.

How Many Hours per Day does a Chihuahua Sleep?

As with most animals, chihuahuas require adequate amounts of sleep to function well. In general, you can expect your pups to spend around 12-18 hours per day sleeping.

However, the amount of sleep they require also varies from time to time and is influenced by their age, breed type, and general lifestyle.

For example, an older dog will sleep less than a puppy because after all, they’ve lived longer and thus need less rest than puppies do. Similarly, chihuahuas that are more active will generally spend less time sleeping because they might be too busy to sleep as much as a chihuahua that doesn’t exercise very much.

If your pup seems to be taking up most of that 12-18 hour window, don’t worry because it’s perfectly normal and healthy behavior!

Why Do Chihuahuas Sleep So Much?

There are several reasons why chihuahuas make use of so much sleep and we will talk about them one by one.

A Natural Behavior

One of the most important and obvious reasons for your chihuahua to sleep so much is because it’s a natural behavior.

As we mentioned above, chihuahuas require adequate amounts of sleep to function well and there’s nothing you can do about it; this is just their normal state.

They don’t know that they’re doing anything wrong and therefore it’s up to us as their human caretakers to accommodate them by providing a safe and comfortable place for them to take their long naps.

Tired from Playing

Just like humans, dogs must always be well-rested in order to avoid health problems.

In general, when a dog is active during the day, they will tend to need more sleep at night.

This is because being active causes them to expend a lot of energy and tire out their muscles which in turn leads them to want to rest. In fact, this can be seen in all animals-even humans!

If you plan on keeping your chihuahuas active and healthy, they need to rest after their daily exercise sessions. If you want them to keep up with your schedule then it’s best that they take naps throughout the day so that energy doesn’t run out too fast.

Lack Attention

For pups that are abandoned or neglected, you might see them sleeping so much because they feel lonely.

This is why it’s particularly important for owners to be aware of how many hours their pets sleep — especially if they have to leave them alone for long periods of time during the day. If this is your case then it would do well for you to get a playmate for your chihuahua so that they don’t have to sleep alone.

Generally, chihuahuas are social creatures and they will feel lonely after some time if they don’t have anyone to play with or interact with.

Unhealthy Dogs

If your chihuahua is sleeping so much most of the time and beyond the window of sleeping hours, then it might be a sign that something is wrong with them or they are suffering from a health issue!

Keep in mind that, unlike humans, dogs cannot tell you that they’re feeling sick or in pain. This means that a lot of the time, they will mask their symptoms and try to keep going even though they have a problem with their health.

In these cases, it’s extremely important for owners to be aware of what causes might affect their pets so that they can properly take care of them.

For example, if your chihuahua is sleeping a lot then you should take him to the vet for a checkup just to be safe. It might be something minor but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Boredom and Anxiety

If you’ve recently moved to a new place, got a new job, or have been away from your chihuahua for too long, they might be sleeping so much because they’re bored.

This is especially the case with pups that are not used to being left alone all day without their owners around them. In fact, this can also happen to pups that are used to being around their owners all the time. If you haven’t been around them for a while then they might start feeling lonely and sad which will lead them to sleep more than usual.

Moving would surely affect your chihuahua’s sleeping pattern because it’s never fun when someone or something suddenly disrupts your daily routine. Just remember that it would take them some time to get used to the new environment so they might sleep more than usual until they adjust.

If you’re worried about how your chihuahua is adjusting to their new surroundings, then make sure that you provide them with security and comfort by giving them a soft and comfortable bed to sleep in.

Old Age

Just like humans, dogs also start to slow down in their golden years.

This means that they’re less active and will need even more rest to recover from all of the energy that they used up during their younger years.

As your chihuahua gets older, you might see them sleeping more than usual when they get home after a long day. This is because their body has a lot of trouble keeping up with them and they eventually get tired out.

Even though this might happen, it doesn’t mean that you can neglect your older chihuahua’s needs. Just make sure that you provide them with comfort by giving them a soft bed to sleep in and don’t forget to give them lots of love and attention to reward their loyalty!

Wrong Diet

If you’ve changed your chihuahua’s diet and started feeding them different kinds of food, then they might be sleeping more than usual because their body is adjusting.

As chihuahuas, they are used to having a balanced and nutritious diet that provides them with just enough energy to keep up with their daily activities.

If you decide to change the kind of food that your chihuahua eats then it can affect their metabolism which will cause them to sleep more than usual until their body adjusts.

You may also unknowingly give them foods that can harm them. Some of the treats that you should not offer your chihuahua are:

• avocado
• chocolate
• caffeine
• gums and candies with xylitol
• alcohol
• yeast

The wrong food can lead to health issues. Not only will the Chihuahua feel tired and depressed, but he or she may also have a reduced appetite as well which leads to him/her not eating enough over time resulting in weight loss.

Overweight Chihuahuas

On the flip side, if your chihuahua is already overweight then it could be why they’re sleeping so much. This happens because obesity puts a lot of strain on their body and makes them sleepy all the time. Some thyroid issues may also influence the weight of your furry friend.

When you give your chihuahua treats or food that’s high in calories and fats every day, they’ll sleep for a longer amount of time because their body needs it.

In order to avoid this from happening, just take out half or a quarter of their food and put that into the fridge so that they can’t get it. This will ensure that your Chihuahua only gets the right amount of nutrients in their diet which can help them stay healthy and cut down on the amount of sleep that they need.

If your chihuahua seems to be too sleepy for a prolonged period of time then you should visit the vet as soon as possible to find out if there’s something wrong with his/her health.

Viral and Bacterial Infection

Just like humans, dogs are also susceptible to catching viral infections. These types of diseases can severely affect their immune system which results in your chihuahua feeling tired and sleepy more often than usual.

Your chihuahua might be suffering from parvovirus. This is a viral infection that commonly occurs in puppies which can lead to a lot of health issues. You may notice that your Chihuahua is suddenly not as active as it used to be, this could be because your dog is sick and is slowly recovering from a viral infection.

If you notice that your Chihuahua has lost his/her appetite or if they’re acting sluggish then the best thing to do would be to take them straight over to a vet. This way, you can ensure that they receive proper treatment and get back on their feet in no time.

Blood Condition

Your Chihuahua might also have some kind of a blood condition. If this is the case, your little dog could get tired easily from trying to keep up with its high energy levels!

Sometimes their reduced blood condition could be the result of parasites — once these pests enter your dog’s body and attach themselves to one part or another on its system.

Examples of such parasites are:

• tapeworms
• roundworms
• hookworms
• whipworms

You can check for these parasites by taking your Chihuahua to the vet and asking them to do a fecal examination on your dog. Once they’ve checked the samples, they’ll see if there are any parasites living in your dog’s digestive tract.

Why Does My Chihuahua Sleep Under the Covers?

While your chihuahua is sleeping so much, you might always find them burrowing themselves in a cozy blanket. They might even prefer sleeping under the covers to going out and experiencing life!

Your Chihuahua might be doing this because he or she feels safe and protected when they’re in their den. The blanket gives them a sense of security as if it’s a cave that will shelter them from any danger that might come their way.

If you’re looking for ways to get your Chihuahua to sleep less, then you might want to experiment with different sheets and blankets that have different textures. See if your dog responds well with one or the other which can help them feel secure in their den when they’re sleeping.

Final Words

Chihuahuas are super cute and also very unique. The thing that separates them from other breeds is their ability to sleep for long periods of time.

This is perfectly normal for any Chihuahua and shouldn’t be a cause of concern. However, if your dog is sleeping too much and this seems to be lasting for weeks at a time then you should take them to the vet for a professional opinion.

Sometimes all it takes to make them feel better again is by changing up their routine and getting rid of any problem such as parasites that might be hurting them!