Chihuahuas are known to be a very protective and possessive breed. Thus, Chihuahuas and Chihuahua puppies tend to cry on occasion. Chihuahua crying is typically not a cause for alarm, Chihuahuas will cry as puppies from fear of not having their mother nearby or because of things like allergies or needing to go to the bathroom.
Many new dog parents become worried or concerned when their baby Chihuahua is crying. Nothing puts a damper on the joy of adding a new member to your family like hearing them whimper or cry from their crate.
Sometimes, crying is accompanied by shaking. In this article, we’ll go over exactly why your Chihuahua puppies are crying, identify what’s causing them to cry, and what to do about it. Your baby Chihuahua may simply just need some attention to feel all better, but just to be sure keep reading as there are other reasons why your new adorable Chihuahua may be crying.
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Why Do Chihuahuas Cry?
Like most dogs, Chihuahuas cry for a number of reasons, some of which are more serious than others. Chihuahuas, in particular, are known to be an anxious breed making them more prone to emotional reactions.
Chihuahua puppies like most baby dogs need the love of their mother — being separated from their mother and put in a crate can be very traumatic for a puppy. Separation anxiety is common, and typically not a cause for alarm, just shower them with your love and things will work out.
Even though anxiety is a common cause of crying in Chihuahuas, other issues may be causing your little pup to put on the waterworks.
Why Does My Chihuahua Cry So Much?
Being so anxious, the crying and whining most Chihuahuas do is a direct precursor to further aggression in some cases. Your Chihuahuas are likely crying or whining because they are uncomfortable and this is their way of letting you know.
Tread carefully and try to calm your Chihuahuas down as they can be viscous then they snap.
Why Is My Chihuahua Crying in Crate?
When I first heard my teacup Chihuahua crying, I was taken aback. She was my first dog and I had never heard any dog, especially not a little teacup Chihuahua, crying before. I was able to calm her down by simply holding her and giving her all my love.
In my case, the solution was simple. Providing love and affection stopped by teacup Chihuahua’s crying, but your situation may be different.
The best way to stop a Chihuahua from crying is to get to the cause of the problem. Below are some common things that can cause your Chihuahua to cry.
Lacking Affection
Chihuahuas are very protective dogs and they get attached to their owners just like every other dog. Teacup Chihuahua puppies, in particular, need extra attention. They are small and vulnerable and require extra attention to ease their anxiety.
If you notice your teacup Chihuahua crying often when she is in a crate, here’s what you can do:
Try adding more crates around the house in strategic locations so that your baby Chihuahua is always nearby and can see you.
When my teacup Chihuahua was a newborn, I placed a crate in every room of my house and moved my teacup Chihuahua with me as I did my daily routine.
For instance, in the kitchen, I would place the crate right by my refrigerator so my Chihuahua could see me and know I was there. This approach basically solved all my Chihuahua crying issues. Just being present and attentive to my Chihuahua’s needs was enough to calm her down and make her feel like she was safe.
If you commute to work, leaving your puppy home is unavoidable. In this case, what I used to do is use a camera with a speaker to soothe my Chihuahua during my lunch breaks. I recommend using a ring camera, it can be really effective just check out the super cute video below.
Can Chihuahuas Be Left Alone?
Chihuahuas are resilient dogs and can be left alone at home in most cases. I set up a wee-wee pad for my Chihuahua when I leave the house for work and am always greeted by her happy wagging tail when I get home.
In my case, my Chihuahua sits in her doggy bed and waits for me. Sometimes I think she may be psychic because she seems to know I’m on my way home before I even pull up to my house! She would jump up onto the couch when I get home to greet me.
Lack of Entertainment
Just like children, puppies can get bored very easily and will act out in surprising ways. Chihuahuas like other dog breeds are very energetic when they are young. They may act out to release some of that pent-up energy. Chihuahua puppies crying, barking, or whimpering are some ways they can release some of that energy.
Typically, Chihuahuas will show signs of wanting to play by jumping around or wagging their tails rapidly. If you notice these behaviors, take your Chihuahua outside to play. Be sure to install a wireless dog fence or a wooden dog fence to avoid your Chihuahua puppies from escaping and getting lost.
Alternatively, you can also give them a little extra attention indoors. Once they are tired out, their behavior should improve.
Illness
Crying can indicate something is wrong with your Chihuahua beyond just the standard anxiety. Crying Chihuahua could mean that he or she may be sick. If your Chihuahua has eaten something that does not agree with her or had an injury of some kind, she may resort to crying. In this way, you may be able to spot the telltale signs that something is wrong from a crying Chihuahua.
In the case of having eaten something or caught some type of bug, your Chihuahua may show clear signs of sickness. Some signs and symptoms to look out for include lethargy, diarrhea, difficulty standing straight, and generally bad coordination.
Eye allergies can also cause your dog to get teary-eyed without necessarily being in any sort of pain, either mental or physical. If there is a lot of pollen in the air, consider keeping your windows closed and installing an air purifier. I use the one below for my Chihuahua since I live in an area with high levels of pollen.
Your Chihuahua may also have a nasty case of fleas or caught a parasite outdoors or through food. Another possibility is that your Chihuahua may be allergic to their dog food. Check for signs of allergy or infestation by looking for biting and licking behaviors that seem frequent and unusual. Dogs will often bite and lick areas of their body that are affected.
If you suspect fleas, consider an all natural flea remedy. I’ve personally had luck with the product below for my Chihuahua.
If your Chihuahua is particularly adventurous, she may have jumped and hurt her leg. Keep an eye out for limping or any other signs that your Chihuahua may have had an injury. If your dog runs away from you when they are typically very affectionate, this could be a sign they have some sort of injury.
If you notice anything similar to what I’ve listed above or feel something is not right, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian and get a professional opinion!
Fear and Anxiety
Everything in our world is new to a Chihuahua puppy, which could lead to some unexpected behaviors from our furry companions. Even as they grow older, some of those primal fears and behaviors will stick with your Chihuahua.
We have all been there, our dog barking non-stop at the mailman or at a bird outside. Dogs are protective of their territory and any intrusion could spark an emotional response on their part.
Fear of weather phenomena, strangers appearing at the front step of your home, or even being afraid of the dark can all cause your little Chihuahua to cry.
Have you ever noticed how scared your dog is when it is thundering or raining outside? The loud noises caused by thunderstorms can trigger an instinctive fear in your Chihuahua’s mind. This stress can cause them to become alarmed and begin crying or whaling. Give your Chihuahuas extra attention during thunderstorms to help calm them down and put them at ease.
Why do Chihuahuas Cry at Night?
Another common phobia in dogs is fear of the dark. Just like children, puppy Chihuahuas fear the dark. This instinctive fear can cause them to cry from anxiety. Since Chihuahuas are already a naturally anxious breed, this will cause additional anxiety. A quick and easy solution to this is having a night light or leaving the lights on around your baby Chihuahua’s crate at night.
I used this night light below when my Chihuahua was a puppy to keep her feeling safe. I simply plugged it into the outlet right next to her crate and it lit up the whole space for her.
Typically puppy Chihuahuas will grow out of most of their phobias, but some like the ones mentioned above will remain as they are. This is common across all breeds. A little training when your puppy is young and avoiding bad habits goes a long way to making sure your baby Chihuahua develops into a healthy happy adult Chihuahua.
By around 2 years of age, most of their random fear periods should have resolved on their own. If your Chihuahua shows aggression or frequent fear episodes for no apparent reason, you should contact your veterinarian.
Your Chihuahua Is Hungry
Does your Chihuahua cry right before feeding time? This could be a sign of hunger and you may need to adjust your feeding schedule.
If you work full time and are unable to be home for extended periods of time, products like this automated dog feeder can help feed your pooch at a timed interval. This will ensure your Chihuahua is not starving when you’re not home. I’ve linked the one I use at home below.
If your Chihuahua is still a puppy, then they could potentially need more food. After all, they are young and are still growing and developing quickly. Keep a close eye on your Chihuahuas’ food intake, as their requirements may vary drastically.
If you notice the crying frequently during feeding, it’s best to contact your veterinarian as there may be other issues at play. Take care not to overfeed or underfeed your Chihuahua. Remember these are small dogs with small stomachs. The amount of food that seems small to us may be a huge feast to them and may fall under overfeeding.
Don’t forget most dog food is intended for adult dogs unless otherwise stated. Make sure the dog food is portioned appropriately for puppies before following any feeding instructions that are on the various dog food bags.
Side note: Avoid feeding your Chihuahua food that is not intended for dogs, such as dairy products like Sour Cream. This can upset their stomachs and lead to more crying!
Your Chihuahua Needs To Go To The Bathroom
Sometimes the issue is your Chihuahua needs to use the bathroom and is trying to let you know. If this is the case, be ready for potential cleanup if you are unable to take them outside to do their business.
What I use at home are Wee Wee pads. I’ve trained my Chihuahua to use them if I’m not home and she needs to go to the bathroom. Prior to having wee-wee pads for my Chihuahua, I’d often come home from a long day of work to an accident on my floor or worse, on one of my rugs.
I’ve tried all the brands out there, and I keep coming back to Wee Wee pads. They just seem to be the most absorbent and do an amazing job at removing the odor. The one I use is shown below:
Blocked Tear Ducts
In some cases, your Chihuahua may have blocked tear ducts. Contrary to what you would think when there is a blockage, they actually tear up more than usual. This increased watering of the eyes will likely stain their fur and you will notice brownish-colored eye boogers seeping down around their eyes.
How Do I Get My Chihuahua to Stop Crying?
Fact: If you just got your puppy recently, it’s normal for them to cry in their crate. Put yourself in their shoes: they are in a new scary environment and their anxiety is at an all-time high. Do your best to comfort them but don’t panic when they cry. Crying during the first few days of being in a new home is totally normal and expected!
The most important thing to do is to eliminate anything that may be triggering your Chihuahuas’ anxiety. Your Chihuahua may be uncomfortable in their crate or need to use the bathroom. Do some investigative work to figure out what may be causing their discomfort.
You may also need to move the crate to a better location. Your Chihuahuas may be feeling lonely and moving the crate to where you are so they can see you could make them feel better.
Your chosen crate may not be the right size or shape for your new furry family member, consider trying out a different crate especially if the one you’re using is not designed for smaller dog breeds. I personally used a mobile crate which solved multiple issues and allowed me to keep my little angel nearby.
In some cases, the problem may be an illness or an allergy. Things like fleas and skin allergies may cause pain which leads to crying. If you’ve recently switched to a new dog shampoo you should take into consideration whether your puppy Chihuahua is allergic to it.
A good idea is to take your Chihuahua out for a nighttime walk so they could do their business. If they are too small for this, consider using puppy pee pads to see if they need to use the bathroom before placing them in the crate for the night.
If all else fails and your Chihuahua is crying beyond the age where it’s normal to do so or is frequently crying, you should contact your veterinarian and get their advice. In some cases, your Chihuahua may have an undiagnosed medical issue common to smaller dog breeds.
Handy Tip: If your vet says everything is ok and your Chihuahua is healthy, you may need to ignore your pup’s crying and whining. If you run to them every time they whimper, you’re basically training them to cry if they want your attention.
Understanding Chihuahua Crying
Although it may be hard or even impossible to understand exactly what your Chihuahua is trying to communicate to you, there are some things to look out for which could point you in the right direction.
Body Language
Dogs can exhibit certain types of body language depending on their mood. We all know the common ones that signal that they are happy, such as tail wagging or jumping. However, few people can identify others.
If your dogs tuck their tails in or are panting while whining, this can indicate anxiety. In the case of the Chihuahua, you may also notice shaking. My Chihuahua always shakes when she is uncomfortable.
Tone
The tone of a whimper or bark can tell you a lot. A high-pitched quick bark could be playful while a low moaning whiney bark could mean your pet is in pain. It takes practice and experience with your Chihuahua to know what the tone of their barks means. Be patient as all of this will take time.
My Chihuahua hardly ever barks unless there is someone outside or at the front door. Also, if she starts barking randomly, it normally means she wants to play. Most of the time, her body language is in line with her barks.
Anxious Behaviors
When dogs are uncomfortable, you can tell easily. Dogs will often use their tongues to signal how they are feeling. If your dog’s tongue is sticking out partially, it could mean they are under stress. If they are pacing or roaming in circles or are panting, this is another clear sign that there is something wrong.
What Not To Do When Your Chihuahua Is Crying
A crying Chihuahua is natural and should be expected, especially from Chihuahua puppies. In fact, I would be concerned if my new Chihuahua puppy did not cry at least a little.
All that being said, it can still be extremely frustrating to hear and you may be tempted to raise your voice or shout to get your Chihuahua to stop crying. Avoid shouting at your Chihuahua as this will not solve anything and may even make things worse. The best thing to do is deescalate the situation and calm their anxiety. Yelling will have the opposite effect.
If you’re feeling frustrated, consider taking a step back and catching your breath. Put yourself in your dog’s shoes and try to figure out what is causing his or her behavior.
Conclusion
Crying is perfectly natural and most dogs will cry at some point in their lives. Chihuahuas are highly prone to anxiety and can cry more often than other dog breeds. While some cry silently only whimpering slightly, others will be louder.
I hope you have a better idea of what to look out for and what steps to take when your puppy Chihuahua or adult Chihuahua is crying. Following the guide above and putting some of these tips into practice will definitely save you from a lot of headaches and make your four-legged friends feel much better!
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/separation-anxiety-dogs-puppies/
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
