Owning a Chi is an amazing experience and a lot of fun, but there are certain traits about Chihuahuas that you should be aware of before you adopt a cute little one.
One trait you might not know about a chi is their ability to sleep quite a bit. I’ll tell you the most important things you need to know about their sleeping habits.
Chihuahuas are a very energetic breed. They always want to play, whenever you give them attention. Especially as puppies, it’s natural for them to want to sleep more often than some other breeds once they are worn out from playing. Getting enough exercise and attention each day is important for Chihuahuas. The older your Chihuahua gets, the more easily they will tire after some moderate exercise, and then they will begin to sleep more.
- It’s Normal for Chi Puppies to sleep a lot
Puppies in general are going to sleep way more than a mature adult Chihuahua so don’t worry if your puppy is sleeping nearly the entire day. Energetic and full-of-life is often how we describe puppies of nearly all breeds, but it’s especially true for the Chi puppy. Normal sleeping behavior for a Chi puppy is to sleep about 18 to 20 hours a day.
- Your Chihuahua is Bored
Every once in a while your Chi might be sleeping because of boredom, although it’s not often times the reason for sleep. A Chi will often sleep when it feels safe. You know your doggies schedule better than anyone, so you would know whether boredom is the cause of sleep. Usually, boredom in a dog will result in a more anxious behavior, such as chewing on items around your house.
- Your Chihuahua is Suffering from Illness
A dog sleeping an unusual amount of time could be the result of an illness, so keep an eye out for dramatic changes in sleeping patterns or habits. If you have noticed your dog is sleeping way more than it usually does, it might be time to call the veterinarian to ensure nothing more serious is going on. Your Chihuahua could be sleeping more often due to many different health issues.
The good news is that a change in sleeping habits is not always the result of a serious illness. Sometimes just changing their diet around can be beneficial for sleep.
How Many Hours a Day Does a Chihuahua Sleep?
You may be thinking that your Chihuahua is sleeping more than it should, but in reality a Chihuahua is known for being a big sleeper. A Chihuahua will sleep for 12 or 14 hours a day, although 18 hours is also not uncommon. Your Chihuahua will sleep and wake up more often than a human does. If your Chihuahua is sleeping within that 12 to 18 hour window, you have nothing to worry about because it’s perfectly normal and healthy behavior.
Why Does My Chihuahua Like To Sleep Under the Covers?
A Chihuahua in particular is known to be a burrower, which is why it’s more likely to sleep under the covers. A chihuahua loves to hide and searching for comfort. Even if it’s not cold in your house your Chihuahua is likely to sleep under the covers because that is where it feels safe. Your dog looks at you like the pack leader so snuggling next to you makes your Chihuahua feel less vulnerable.
Speaking of the cold, Chihuahuas get cold sooner than other breeds and that’s why it’s even more important to provide your little friend with a safe warm dog bed.
Chihuahuas are original from Mexico and that’s one of the reasons why they are better off living in warm countries. Of course you can have a chihuahua in a cold environment but it’s important to keep them warm. When they are cold they will start too shiver and looking for a warm place to ‘hide’.
How Chi’s Like To Sleep
Chihuahuas are the perfect ‘jug’ to keep you warm during the cold days. They love to sleep in your warm bed! But if you don’t want to sleep with your dog you can find a lot of warm beds special for chihuahuas! Even if you live in a warm environment they like a ‘warm’ place to sleep! During the day you will see that they often ‘chill’ in the sun. They really enjoy that!
