People often ask: “Why do Chihuahuas sleep so much.” The truth is – most dogs sleep a lot. Some animals are just known for sleeping all the time. Some may come to mind, including opossums who get about 18 hours of shut-eye a day or the Koala, which sleeps for anywhere between 19 to 20 hours a day. Cats also are known for frequently sleeping during the day. While they may come off as lazy, animals like these need sleep to stay healthy and well throughout their lives. Dogs, too, are animals for which getting an adequate amount of sleep is very important.
Without the right amount of sleep, their entire health can suffer. Not to mention that they will also have lower energy and less enjoyment of things in life. For Chihuahuas, sleep is crucial. Although their size may be tiny, they have a lot of energy and enjoy staying active throughout the day. They also have pretty bold personalities that can make them both entertaining and frustrating all at the same time. Whether it’s a walk outside or chasing around in the living room, a Chihuahua needs regular exercise to stay healthy. And after all that exercise, they’re bound to be a bit tired.
Compared to other dogs, Chihuahuas may require more sleep. While each dog breed is different, these tiny dogs need quite a bit of shut-eye to recoup their energy and get back to playing. Yet while exercise and activity may be the main reason for their need for sleep, there may be many other reasons for why your Chihuahua needs to nap so often. To help you provide the best care for a tired Chihuahua, here we share some reasons why a Chihuahua may sleep so much throughout the day. We’ll also explore just how much sleep a Chihuahua needs and how you can help ensure they get the sleep they need.
Before scrolling down this article “Why Do Chihuahuas Sleep So Much,” check out other common Chihuahua guides that could help you: How To Care For a Chihuahua Puppy and Ways To Make Your Chihuahua Happy.
How Much Sleep Does a Chihuahua Need?
As a small dog breed, a Chihuahua needs a surprising amount of sleep. Typically, they tend to sleep anywhere from 12 to 15 hours a day. This may depend on their activity, age, and physical capability. However, for some Chihuahuas, they may need to sleep even more during the day, up to 18 hours total. Chihuahua puppies may need even more sleep as they are continuing to grow and develop. In their first weeks of life, they may need to wake up every two hours to be fed. Then, as time goes on, they may develop a more consistent sleep schedule of a lot of sleep every day. For a puppy, they may need more like 18 to 20 hours of sleep. With their high energy, while they are awake, they need more time to recover from that burst of energy once they have time to rest. This need for around 18 hours slowly decreases over time, as adult dogs typically only sleep between 12 to 15 hours per day.
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Reasons Why Chihuahuas Sleep So Much
While we often associate sleep with just being tired, there may be other reasons why your Chihuahua sleeps a lot. Our team at WeLoveDoodles will share some of those common reasons.
1. Tiredness
Not surprisingly, the most common reason a Chihuahua would sleep a lot is being tired. Chihuahuas are very high energy while they are awake; they tend to require more time to recover and recoup the energy they spent. They also have a fast metabolism, making them burn through energy quickly and require adequate nutrition to keep them healthy and strong. With such high energy, they need time to recover. While they may sleep more on days when they engage in more physical activity, a generally active dog will still sleep a lot to recover that spent energy.
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2. Boredom
Another reason why your Chihuahua might sleep all too often is out of boredom. Chihuahuas enjoy staying active and in motion; they also can lose attention and interest in things quite quickly. If they are not continually and routinely engaged during activity for at least some segment of the day, they can become easily bored. Especially when they don’t have you or another companion to find entertainment with, they may quickly find sleep as an activity that makes them feel good and takes up the time until you can get home to play with them.
Keep in mind that their boredom may also come from a lack of affection and attention from you. Especially if you are away from home for most of the day, your Chihuahua misses you greatly. As they are social creatures and enjoy being around people and receiving attention from them, a lack of awareness can make them quite upset for various reasons. Out of their hurt feelings and boredom, they may choose to sleep instead.
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3. Sickness
While unfortunate, Chihuahuas may often sleep if they are not feeling well. Whether it’s just a cold or a more serious underlying medical condition, it’s vital to have them evaluated as soon as possible if they are sleeping excessively. Just as people feel extra fatigued or tired when they are sick, a dog may also want some spare time to sleep as its body recovers. In addition to physical illness, mental health issues can also cause a dog to sleep for extended amounts.
If they are depressed or excessively anxious, they may have disrupted sleeping patterns and sleep a lot during the day. Both anxiety and depression can be linked and also triggered by multiple things. If you notice this behavior in your dog, be sure to connect with a veterinarian who can help you discover the right next steps for helping your Chihuahua.
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4. Age
Older Chihuahuas tend to require more sleep than younger adult Chihuahuas. This is because, at this age, they get tired much more quickly, even with the same amount of physical activity. Their muscles and bones age may take more time to complete specific tasks and move as they once did. This is simply a biological change in sleep that can be expected and is usually nothing to worry about.
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Is My Chihuahua Sleeping Too Much?
Usually, the elevated amount of sleep that your Chihuahua requires is not a reason to be alarmed. These small dogs need a lot of sleep. However, there may be some situations in which the excess amount of sleep could indicate a physical or mental health condition worth checking into. If you notice any significant changes in their overall sleep schedule, it may be worth looking into their health. See if you can identify any other significant behavioral changes that may be correlated to their change in sleeping habits.
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How To Help Your Chihuahua Sleep Better
Since sleep is such a vital component to the overall health and wellbeing of a Chihuahua, you must do what you can to support their overall sleep cycles. Things like providing a comfortable pillow and blanket area for them to sleep can help them sleep better. As Chihuahuas have short, thin fur, they may quickly become cold during the day or night. Therefore, monitor their overall temperature to ensure they are not freezing.
Chihuahuas also enjoy being cozy and warm, which is why they tend to burrow into blankets or pillows that keep them warm. Ensure that they have access to a warm spot to sleep in. You can even snuggle up with them as you both sleep. Allowing them the time and flexibility to sleep helps them maintain a healthy sleep cycle, including the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage, also known as deep sleep. Moving through the sleep cycle without being interrupted can help them get the most from their snooze time.
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Conclusion For “Why Do Chihuahuas Sleep So Much”
It’s not only like Chihuahuas, but numerous dog breeds will sleep a lot. Your Chihuahua should be fine. The reason for your Chihuahua sleeping so much is because it could either be bored, tired, sick or growing from old age. If you suspect anything off about your Chihuahua companion, it’s best to meet up with a veterinarian to ensure the safety of your dog.
For more related dog articles, you can check out:
- Why is My Dog Breathing Heavily While Sleeping?
- Why is My Chihuahua Howling?
- Why Do Chihuahuas Lick So Much?
To learn more about your Chihuahua’s sleeping behavior, you can watch “Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?” from Oodle Life down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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