Last Updated on August 13, 2021 by Marco
Wondering how much do Chihuahuas sleep? Read our article to discover how much sleep is normal for your pet and when you should be concerned.
Chihuahua owners can find themselves stressing over the tiniest detail related to their pets. After all, Chis are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world and have a delicate built. However, if you’re curious about Chihuahua sleeping habits – you’ve come to the right place.
The truth is your pet’s sleeping habits will change during its life. Like humans, canines also experience age-related physiological changes that directly affect their lifestyles – including sleep. That’s precisely why this article will focus on how long do chihuahuas sleep at different points in their life and when you should be concerned about your dog’s sleeping routine.
How Much Do Chihuahuas Sleep And What Are Normal Sleeping Habits
Let’s kick off the article by tackling how much sleep does a Chihuahua need. As we stated initially, the amount of sleep considered normal for your pet will depend on age. That’s why we’ve divided this section into three categories: puppyhood, adulthood, and senior years so you can scroll down to the section relevant to you.
1. How Much Sleep Do Chihuahuas Need As Newborns & Puppies
Canines are classified as newborns from birth until they’re almost two months old. During this time, you can expect Chihuahua newborns to just sleep and drink their mother’s milk. Newborn Chis can sleep up to 21 to 23 hours per day. While that may seem excessive by human standards – puppies need their sleep to ensure adequate growth.
Read more about: Why Do Chihuahuas Cry: Ways To Calm Your Chi
At around three weeks of age, Chihuahua puppies will have fully opened eyes and ears and typically learn to walk. With their sense working in full force, puppies of almost one month of age will become more adventurous and want to explore their surroundings. It’s possible for your pup’s sleeping time to reduce gradually from the fourth week onward.
Once the puppies are two months of age, they will typically spend anywhere from 16 to 18 hours sleeping until six months old. During this time, you can expect your puppy to be highly active when it’s awake as it’s eager to explore. It’s also quite normal for your pup to catch a few naps during the middle of the day when it’s tired from all the activity.
When you bring your Chihuahua home at (or after) two months of age, you should try and ensure that your pup spends most of the night sleeping. You can do this by keeping the puppy active throughout the day so that its energy levels are stable during sleepy time.
2. How Much Sleep Do Chihuahuas Need As Adults
At the one-year mark, your Chi puppy will officially reach adulthood. At this point, your pet will generally sleep around 13 to 15 hours per day – including naps taken throughout the day.
However, if you’ve been asking yourself how many hours should my Chihuahua sleep daily as an adult – there’s no clear-cut answer. That’s primarily because canines are pretty diverse personality-wise.
Some dogs are more active than others, which means they’ll tend to sleep more. If your pet sleeps more than 15 hours but doesn’t have any other worrying symptoms like inappetence or lethargy – there’s probably nothing to worry about.
Additionally, by this point in time, your pet has likely developed a routine. It’s probably used to a schedule as far as eating, walking, or grooming is concerned. However, you should note that Chihuahuas are high-energy dogs. If they’re left to their own devices for too long, they’ll give in to boredom and likely sleep more. It’s also possible for your pet’s boredom to lead to depression and anxiety – so try not to leave your pet alone for too long.
3. How Much Sleep Do Chihuahuas Need As Seniors
Once your Chihuahua is ten years of age, it is ready to enter its golden years. During this point in your pet’s life, you’ll begin to notice specific biological changes. For instance, your pet may not be as active as it once was, or its appetite will diminish somewhat. Generally, this isn’t something to be concerned about because it’s natural for canines to experience such changes with age.
Senior Chihuahuas can sleep around 15 to 17 hours per day or more in some instances. However, your pet may sleep less than fifteen hours due to health-related discomfort. If you see your pet cannot get comfortable or is unwilling to move, you may want to book a trip to the vet. Older canines are susceptible to developing orthopedic disorders, which can cause them discomfort and affect their quality of life.
When To Worry About Your Chihuahua Sleeping Too Much
More often than not, sleeping around 14 to 15 hours per day is considered normal for all canines. However, if your pet is sleeping more than 15 hours with specific symptoms, it’s best to have it checked out by the veterinarian to rule out health concerns. Here are some of the warning signs to look out for Chihuahuas sleeping more than 15 hours a day –
- Excessive Thirst
- Excessive Urination
- Lack of Appetite
- Unwillingness to Move
- Stiff Movements or Gait
- Snoring More than Usual
- Delayed or No Response To Audible Measure
If your Chihuahua is displaying one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, along with sleeping too much, it’s best to consult your vet asap. More often than not, senior canines are susceptible to developing conditions like arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory problems, etc., and need vigilant monitoring.
However, these symptoms aren’t just limited to old dogs. No matter your pet’s age, if it’s sleeping more than 15 hours per day, along with one or some of the symptoms listed here, don’t delay your visit to the veterinarian’s office.
Conclusion
Answering how much do Chihuahuas sleep and how much sleep is normal for your pet depends on various factors. For example, you have to factor in your pet’s age, activity level, underlying health concerns, etc. Plus, canine sleeping patterns tend to change over time. If you think your pet is sleeping too much but has no other worrying symptoms – there’s likely nothing to worry about. What’s more, you can always visit the vet to put your worries about your Chi’s health to rest.
