Have you ever woken up with a tiny, warm, and furry bundle snuggled up against you? If you’re a proud parent of a Chihuahua, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. These pint-sized pups have big personalities and an even bigger love for their human companions. But why do Chihuahuas love sleeping with their owners so much? In this blog, we’ll dive into the reasons behind this adorable habit and why sharing your bed with your Chihuahua can bring joy and comfort to both you and your furry friend.
Does Ages Factor Affect Chihuahua’s Sleeping Habits?
When it comes to napping, a chihuahua’s age is a major factor. Chihuahua puppies are more active than puppies of other breeds, which is why they sleep for as long as 18 to 20 hours straight. However, unlike younger dogs, elderly chihuahuas have a propensity for napping for longer stretches of time. On average, a Chihuahua will sleep for 14 hours every day, but an elderly Chihuahua may sleep for more than 16 hours.
Chihuahuas typically have a refined sense of when to be active and when to rest as they age. They are more aware of the value of sleep and take more frequent naps during the day. They are also experiencing deeper sleep than they were previously. A senior chihuahua will likely continue to sleep soundly even if you walk up to it and call its name. Because chihuahuas’ hearing declines with age, they may not wake up if you call them when they’re sound asleep.
It’s important to note that chihuahuas sleep far less deeply than people do. When you come into the room, your chihuahua may jump out of bed and start playing enthusiastically, whereas some of us may need a loud sound or a strong enough nudge to rouse ourselves up. This is because, for thousands of years, chihuahuas’ brains have evolved to always be on high alert. Chihuahuas, likewise, may be roused from slumber whenever the mood strikes them, always ready to take in every moment.
Why Do Chihuahuas Like To Sleep With Their Owners?
When your Chihuahua curls up next to you, it is showing that it considers you to be a member of the group that it belongs to. Your Chihuahua is indicating that it feels secure when it is around you by displaying this behavior, which is a sign of affection, proximity, and connection. The process of bonding between you and your chihuahua started when the two of you first interacted with one another, and this step continues that process. Your Chihuahua requires consistent reassurance that you will always be there for him since he finds comfort in your presence and relies on you for support.
Allow your chihuahua to remain close to you for at least a few minutes in order to provide this reassurance and confirmation. Pushing them away might cause your chihuahua to wonder about your role in its life, especially if it occurs repeatedly. This can be avoided by allowing your chihuahua to remain close to you for at least a few minutes. They experience happiness, a sense of security, and comfort as a direct result of their proximity to you. Never forget that your Chihuahua sees you not as a human, but rather as an odd, two-legged member of his pack, and this is something you should never lose sight of!
Common Sleeping Disorders In Chihuahuas
The same sleep issues that plague humans can also affect your dog. Although Chihuahuas tend to sleep a lot, they should be able to sleep all night soundly with a little adjustment. It’s important to get to the bottom of your chihuahua’s sleep problems as soon as if they’re waking up frequently and whining at night, showing signs of extreme fatigue during the day, or seemingly falling asleep out of nowhere.
🟦 Insomnia
Insomnia refers to a lack of or difficulty falling asleep, either at the beginning of the night or after waking up in the middle of the night. Insomnia can be a symptom of a more serious issue, such as pain, stress, or sickness; however, it can also be a natural part of the aging process in chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas are more prone to experience discomfort as they age, especially from conditions like arthritis and gastrointestinal issues. This makes it more challenging for them to settle into a restful night’s sleep. Even if your senior chihuahua is housebroken, bladder issues can cause them to wake up in the middle of the night and force them to go outside.
🟦 Sleep apnea
Your chihuahua may merely have a snoring problem on occasion, but persistent, severe snoring could indicate sleep apnea. Obese Chihuahuas are disproportionately affected by sleep apnea, which results in interrupted breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea can cause chihuahuas to stop breathing briefly, jolting them awake. The chihuahua won’t be able to get any good REM sleep if this keeps happening all night long. Despite appearing to sleep soundly all night, this could make your chihuahua drowsy during the day.
🟦 Narcolepsy
Chihuahuas are prone to developing a sleep disorder known as narcolepsy, which is an extremely uncommon but noteworthy condition. It is possible for it to induce a disruption in the sleeping and REM cycle of the chihuahua, which may cause the dog to be extremely sleepy during the day.
Some dogs who have narcolepsy experience sleep attacks or “cataplexy,” which is characterized by sudden muscle weakness and paralysis even while they are awake. These episodes, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, can be triggered by intense emotions, most frequently occurring around feeding time or while the animal is playing. If your Chihuahua has exposure to pools or rivers or any other place that could be a hazardous environment in which a sleep attack could occur, then your Chihuahua is in an unsafe location.
Sleeping Positions And Their Meaning
Chihuahuas sleep in various positions and it’s important to know the meaning of these poses so that you’ll have an idea of what is going on with your pet.
🟨 Lion pose
Your chihuahua is probably only resting when you find him lying with his head on his paws instead of in a deep slumber.
🟨 Interval posture to the side
This posture conveys a chihuahua’s confidence in his environment and his ease in it. As soon as the chihuahua begins to dream, he will relax his muscles and return to a more conventional resting position, rolling out of the lion pose.
🟨 Position of a donut
Chihuahuas do this to reduce their profile and maintain a comfortable internal temperature. Provide a comfortable bed for your chihuahua if she likes to sleep curled up like this.
🟨 A Superman stance
Some chihuahuas may be found with their legs spread out in front of their faces and their bums kicked back. Temperature is also a consideration from this vantage point. It is also a reaction to a warm environment that the chihuahua’s underfur is not as thick and insulating as the fur on the rest of his body, although this is more common when the dog is sleeping on a surface that is colder than the air around him.
Sleeping Habits Of A Chihuahua
Chihuahuas’ sleep patterns can be indicative of their sleep health. Similar to humans, animals also need sleep to repair and restore damaged tissues. If your chihuahua isn’t getting enough rest, neither are you. In order to make sure your chihuahua is receiving the greatest amount of sleep possible, keep an eye out for these symptoms and routines.
🟩 Digging
Before drifting off to sleep, Chihuahuas will sometimes walk in circles or dig a little hole. They stay comfortable in both the cold of winter and the heat of summer by digging a hole. Although it is common for chihuahuas to circle the bed a few times before settling in, excessive circling or difficulty settling in could indicate arthritis or a neurological problem. Thus, be on the lookout for these indicators, and if you observe excessive circling, contact your veterinarian.
🟩 Daytime snoozing
If a Chihuahua has nothing interesting to do or needs a nap, it is likely to nod off. No amount of light snoozing, however, can replace real sleep. If your chihuahua’s ears perk up at the first hint of motion or noise, you may want to investigate further. Your chihuahua is on high alert and ready to pounce at the first sign of something exciting if they do. You can wear him out by engaging in vigorous activity, such as taking him for a walk in the park or playing fetch. You may also get your chihuahua a high-quality pet door so it can easily exit the house and dash out to the yard whenever it pleases.
🟩 Wagging the tail
During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, it is usual for animals to wag their tails, kick their legs, and make faint barks or grunts. If your chihuahua is acting this way, it’s because it’s had a restful night’s sleep. Particularly active sleepers include puppies and senior chihuahuas. However, if your chihuahua is twitching, it could be because it’s cold. If he seems cold, you could get him a blanket or relocate him somewhere warmer.
🟩 Whimpering
Your chihuahua may be experiencing a nightmare if he exhibits abnormal behavior during sleep, such as increased movement, whining, or barking. To soothe him, gently call his name while stroking his back. After receiving comfort, he can wake up or settle back down for a long nap.
🟩 Muscle twitching occurs too frequently
Extreme twitching could be an indication of a seizure and needs to be checked out right away. Calling your chihuahua’s name may help if you see any strange behavior. If he wakes up and acts normally, it was only a bad dream; but, if he continues to tremble or feel rigid, it is an emergency.
Pay attention to how and where your chihuahua usually sleeps so you can notice if anything is out of the ordinary. You can use these indicators to guarantee that your chihuahua gets a good night’s rest and wakes up feeling revitalized.
Helping Chihuahua To Sleep Peacefully
🟪 Have a proper sleeping area.
You may have visions of your Chihuahua curling up with you in bed, but you shouldn’t give in to those fantasies until your dog is fully housebroken.
It will be essential to ensure that the puppy is protected in an enclosed space, but that it does not feel alone or overly constrained there. Never use a box that is too small. This can cause a Chihuahua to become highly anxious, which frequently results in increased midnight barking as well as other problems.
The ideal solution would be a confined space with a secure gate that featured a cushy bed for the Chihuahua. It needs to be situated in a calm and secluded part of the home. It is strongly advised that you do not keep it in your personal bedroom. If this is the case, it is possible that the puppy will not sleep because he perceives that because you are so close to him, you ought to be interacting with him and playing with him regardless of what hour it is.
You should be able to hear any whines, cries, or barks coming from the area if there is actually a need to use the bathroom. The region should be close enough to you.
🟪 Give a few toys.
There will be moments during the night when the puppy wakes up, and if you train him to fall back asleep, he may choose to quietly play by himself in his area until he is ready to settle back in. Because of this, you should make sure your chihuahua has a few toys to play with so that it does not wake you up throughout the night.
🟪 Indicate the onset of nighttime with a signal.
You should take your Chihuahua outside for one ‘last’ walk about an hour before you want it to start winding down for the night. After that, you should refrain from engaging in any form of physical activity. Turn down the lights, then turn the sound down on the television. Even if you don’t need to hush each other, keeping your voices low and quiet might assist in creating the impression of a more peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
🟪 Learn to ignore or attend to its bark.
If a Chihuahua puppy isn’t sleeping, check for bathroom needs. Keep lights low (use a flashlight if possible) and converse a little.
After finishing, return him to his bed, pat him, and leave. It’s challenging, but you’ll assist him in the end.
Showing a Chihuahua puppy that nothing exciting happens at night is a good approach to getting him to sleep. No snacks, play or talking. No lullabies or soothing! He might as well lie down and sleep till morning when there is communication, fun, treats, and attention.
Other Ways To Help Your Chihuahua Sleep Properly
A sound state of mind and body is essential to having normal sleeping habits. On the other hand, persistent sleeplessness is an indication of a more serious problem. It is up to you, as a caring owner of a furry buddy, to decipher the cause and restore your furry companion’s ability to have pleasant evenings. Embrace the power to calm with these straightforward practices that are quite powerful.
🟧 Exercise
Chihuahuas need exercise too. Every chihuahua needs physical and mental stimulation to sleep properly and stay healthy. He may need more than a walk. After enough exercise, your chihuahua will fall asleep automatically. So practice your chihuahua to have plenty of exercises so that he will feel tired at the night.
🟧 Food
This typically occurs with puppies since they are served meals that are of a lesser quantity than adults. If you feed your puppy its last meal at night, it won’t be able to eat again until the following morning since it has to fast through the night.
Since a puppy is a relatively new addition to your family, you might not fully comprehend its dietary requirements and behaviors just yet. As a result, it is essential to ensure that your puppy has access to the food it needs and that you do not allow your puppy to go hungry while it is up throughout the night.
🟧 Environment
Chihuahuas sleep with a high degree of alertness. Your dog’s sleep may be readily disrupted by noises from the outside, such as other dogs barking, construction, the doorbell, or other upsetting sounds. Therefore, it is crucial that you give your chihuahua a place to sleep where it will not be disturbed by outside noises.
Anxious chihuahuas, in particular, need this since they become overly startled by the slightest nighttime noise. Distracting noises that don’t vary in pitch can be used. A ceiling fan can be used to mask unwanted sounds from the outside world.
🟧 Music
Play soothing music for your worried chihuahua. Aromatherapy, like valerian herbs and passion flowers, can also relax your chihuahua. Herbs and aromatherapy can help dogs sleep so these will probably help your chihuahua fall asleep easily. If your chihuahua’s condition doesn’t improve, take him to the vet and he may prescribe sleeping medicine for your dog.
Is It Bad To Sleep With A Chihuahua?
When done with care and cleanliness, sharing a bed with your chihuahua need not be a negative thing. If your chihuahua is particularly slobbery, for instance, it will undoubtedly track in a variety of germs and debris onto your nice, clean bed. The best way to prevent your chihuahua from shedding hair all over your bed is to brush its hair regularly.
You should also not ignore preventive care. Just keep in mind that chihuahuas can spread fleas and ticks to people. As a result, follow the timetable your vet sets for deworming and vaccinations for your chihuahua.
It’s important to think about whether you and your chihuahua can get enough rest if you actually sleep together, regardless of cleanliness. You may discover that you get less shut-eye if your chihuahua shares your bed, so if this is the case, move their bed closer to yours. This way, you can be close together without invading each other’s personal space.
It’s not a good idea to sleep with your chihuahua if it has separation anxiety. We advise you to seek the help of an ethologist or a canine educator if your chihuahua is displaying any sort of behavioral issue.
Benefits Of Sleeping With A Chihuahua
Sleeping with a warm, fuzzy friend is the best. Chihuahua owners enjoy this pet and sleeping with a Chihuahua has several benefits beyond comfort and companionship. This section discusses the benefits of snuggling with your Chihuahua at night.
🟫 Stress reduction
Petting an animal lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Your Chihuahua can help you relax and sleep better.
🟫 Healthier heart
Pets in the bedroom have been demonstrated to lower blood pressure and pulse rate, improving cardiovascular health.
🟫 Increased security
Chihuahuas guard their owners and warn them of danger. Having a pet nearby can help you sleep better.
🟫 Happier mood
Chihuahuas can brighten your day with their unconditional love. Your Chihuahua can make you feel loved and comforted at night, improving your general well-being.
Final Words
In conclusion, the bond between a Chihuahua and its owner is truly special and unique. Sleeping together not only provides physical comfort and warmth but also reinforces the emotional connection between the two of you. So, the next time your Chihuahua jumps into bed with you, embrace the moment and cherish the love and affection they have to offer. After all, there’s nothing like the feeling of being loved unconditionally by a furry friend. Goodnight, and sweet dreams to you and your Chihuahua.
To know more about Chihuahua’s health issues, just click here!
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
