Chihuahuas are a unique breed. It can be difficult with their small stature and busy lifestyle, but keeping them healthy and happy is worth the effort. They all have different personalities and sleeping habits, so your pup may sleep anywhere from 12 hours to only 6 hours every night. If you are a proud owner of a Chihuahua, then there is no doubt that you want to make sure they get enough sleep. However, there are some things you can do to make sure they get enough rest! But do you know various ways that you can make sure your Chihuahua will get good sleep all night?
Tips To Ensure That Your Chihuahua Gets Good Sleep:
You can do many things as an owner to ensure your pup gets good quality sleep. Moreover, here are some tips:
Pay Attention To Temperature
Many Chihuahuas prefer a cool environment to sleep in. Thus, make sure their sleeping area is comfortable for them. However, you don’t want it to be too cold, or they might catch a cold! For this reason, you can keep 70 degrees Fahrenheit as the average temperature of your room.
Go Out Regularly
Chihuahuas need plenty of exercises, and one way to help them get it is by taking them for walks regularly. This will also help tire them out, making them more likely to sleep through the night.
Give Them A Crate
If your Chihuahua is having trouble sleeping in their bed, try putting them in a crate instead. The enclosed space will make them feel secure and cozy, encouraging better slumber.
Have Them Checked Regularly
It’s always a good idea to take your pup to the vet for checkups and physicals, as this will help you identify any health problems causing them to sleep longer than usual. Finally, your veterinarian may also recommend different medications if they think they would benefit their wellbeing.
De-Stress With Your Dog Frequently
Chihuahuas get stressed out just like we do, making it difficult for them to fall asleep. If you notice your dog is having trouble relaxing at bedtime, try giving him/her a massage or playing some soothing music in the background. Furthermore, you could also dim the lights and turn on some white noise (or a fan) to create a more calming environment.
Let Them Stay Inside
If the weather is bad or it’s just too hot outside, let your Chihuahua sleep inside where it’s comfortable. In this way, they won’t have to deal with uncomfortable temperatures. Also, they can get all the rest they need.
Keep Their Space Wide
Chihuahuas are pretty active after they wake up, so it’s best to give them enough space to play. Likewise, make sure their “bedroom” is big enough for when they’re awake too!
Have Extra Security At Home
If your Chihuahua tends to be anxious or skittish around strangers, you may want to consider installing a security system in your home. This will give them a sense of safety and make it easier for them to relax and sleep through the night.
Keep Certain Places Off-Limits
Certain areas of the house, like the kitchen or bathroom, may be off-limits to your Chihuahua if you don’t want them getting into trouble. This way, they will know which areas are off-limits and be less likely to wander around during nap time.
Use Medication As Instructed
If your veterinarian has prescribed medication to help your Chihuahua sleep, ensure you administer it as directed. This will ensure that they get the most benefit from the treatment and that their slumber is as restful and beneficial as possible.
Synchronize Your Sleeping Times
Make sure you and your Chihuahua are on a similar schedule when it comes to bedtime so they can get enough sleep in between playtime and work time! This is also important if you have more than one dog – try having them go to bed simultaneously.
Approach Your Neighbors
If your Chihuahua is barking while you’re trying to sleep, talk with your neighbors about it and see if they can help solve the problem. It’s not fair that everyone in the neighborhood has to put up with all of that noise!
Keep Your Scent Close To Your Chihuahua
Reassure your Chihuahua that you’re still around (even when you can’t be) by keeping a piece of clothing with your scent on it close to where they sleep. This will help them feel secure and comfortable until they see you again!
Sleep Apnea
If your Chihuahuas snores, gasps for air, or wakes up repeatedly during the night, this could indicate that they have some form of obstructive sleep apnea, so check him out immediately. The sooner this is treated, the better chance your pup will have at living a healthier life!
Signs And Symptoms
Mild symptoms include heavy breathing while sleeping and frequent naps throughout the day. More severe cases can cause your Chihuahua to stop breathing for short periods, which can be life-threatening.
Treatment
There are a few different ways to treat sleep apnea in dogs, including surgery and a CPAP machine. Your veterinarian will help you choose the best treatment plan for your pup.
How Long Do Chihuahuas Sleep?
Chihuahuas’ sleep depends on their age and activities. For example, newborns sleep more as they are growing and tired because they are active.
Newborn Chihuahuas
A puppy is considered a newborn from birth to seven weeks. Therefore, all a Chi puppy does for the first several weeks is sleep and sip the dam’s milk. Even bowel movements get relatively little attention because the dam encourages the newborn dog to evacuate.
Similarly, a Chihuahua puppy will sleep anywhere from 20 to 23 hours per day. After that, they will generally wake up to the nurse every 2 hours.
Around three weeks, the Chihuahua puppy’s lengthy sleeping habits will shift noticeably. At this point, the puppy is learning to walk (which takes approximately a week to perfect), his eyes are fully open, and his hearing ability is functional.
Puppies
Chihuahua puppies sleep a lot and are often quite active and even hyper when awake. It’s like having two sides of a coin.
Not only will the puppy nap so long that owners question whether he’s sleeping too much, but when he wakes up, he’s full of activity.
A Chihuahua puppy can sleep for up to 18 hours between the ages of 2 and 6. Similarly, from 6 months to a year, deducting an hour or two at a time is possible.
A Chihuahua puppy’s sleeping patterns will be all over the place. For example, he may fall asleep in the middle of a game while he fights to stay up and appreciate what he’s doing until his body gives out and he sleeps off.
Adult
Adult Chihuahuas sleep 12-14 hours per night, although some breeds can have sleeping habits that last up to 18 or 19 hours every single day. The older they get, the more time you will see them spend catnapping throughout your home!
Senior
When it comes to senior dogs, this number is lessened even further due to their age and lack of energy levels. However, most people also report seeing about 14/15 hours per day in senior chis.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog has sleep apnea?
Some common signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in dogs include heavy breathing while sleeping, frequent naps throughout the day, snoring, gasping for air, and waking up frequently during the night. If you notice any of these behaviors in your pup, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have them checked out.
Can sleep apnea be fatal?
Yes, in severe cases, sleep apnea can be life-threatening for dogs. If your Chihuahua is showing any of the signs and symptoms listed above, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.
How do I get my dog to use a CPAP machine?
If your veterinarian decides that a CPAP machine is the best course of treatment for your pup’s sleep apnea, they will give you instructions on how to use it. Most machines are designed to fit comfortably over your dog’s nose and mouth and help keep their airways open while sleeping.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chihuahuas are one of the sleepiest dog breeds. Newborns typically sleep for 16-18 hours a day, puppies for 12-14 hours, and adult dogs for about 11 hours. Additionally, senior dogs generally require less sleep, averaging around nine hours daily. So why does my Chihuahua seem to be sleeping all the time?
Chihuahuas are prone to narcolepsy (a condition that causes them to fall asleep suddenly), and excessive daytime sleepiness is often one of the first signs of the disorder. Other reasons your Chihuahua may be sleeping more than usual include age, health problems, anxiety, stress, and too much activity.
