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Do you have a Chihuahua in your life? If so, you may have noticed that these little pups have a peculiar habit of hiding under the sheets.
But why do Chihuahuas burrow under covers? I’ve always been curious about this behavior, so I did some digging (pun intended) and found some interesting answers that I’m excited to share with you.
Are they just trying to stay warm, or is there more to it?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind this adorable habit and share some tips on how to make your Chihuahua’s burrowing experience even better.
So, let’s dive in!
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10 Reasons Why Chihuahuas Burrow Under Covers
If you’ve got a Chihuahua at home, you probably noticed him burrowing from time to time.
But what got him doing that?
I gotta say this though, Chihuahuas love burrowing and it’s high time we get an explanation of why they do that.
1. Feeling cold
Chihuahuas may burrow under covers because they are feeling cold.
The covers keep them warm and away from the uncomfortable coldness of your home.
You see, Chihuahuas are a dog breed with lesser body fat. They don’t have much fat or fur in their body, hence they get cold easily.
Normally, Chihuahuas will look for a place where they can burrow themselves to get comfy.
If your bed covers are warm, especially if they’re made of cotton, Chihuahuas will enjoy burrowing in them.
If you haven’t noticed yet, Chihuahuas love basking under the sun.
They were initially bred in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the temperature can be rather too hot, so they naturally love being in warm areas.
If you’re living somewhere cold, don’t be confused about why your Chihuahua loves burrowing under covers.
2. Comfortable
Chihuahuas love living in luxury and burrowing in silk or cotton covers gives them comfortable feelings.
Seriously, even humans like us love being under the covers when we wanna get comfortable for the night.
Being under the covers gives Chihuahuas an undeniably comfortable indulgence that they love.
I also gotta add that not all Chihuahuas are born to be energetic. Some of them feel tired after a short amount of time playing.
To get some sleep, they’ll try looking for a comfortable place, which usually means burrowing under the covers.
3. Sickness
Sickness is a possible reason why your Chihuahua burrows himself in covers.
The warm and comforting covers somehow ease the uncomfortable feelings of your dog’s sickness.
Chihuahuas, like any other dogs, can’t express themselves very well when they are sick. Hence, they’ll look for ways to soothe their discomfort.
Being burrowed under the covers gives Chihuahuas the sense of protection they need when they’re sick since sickness makes them feel vulnerable.
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4. Fearful or anxious
Constantly burrowing under the covers can be a tell-tale sign of being fearful or anxious among Chihuahuas.
Chis get scared so easily and they can be very anxious with the slightest disruption.
To run away and find some protection, they’ll burrow in the covers of their favorite person.
If your Chihuahua is so attached to you, and something happened that made him anxious you’ll most likely see him burrowing into your covers.
5. It’s their instinct
Burrowing under the covers is a Chihuahua’s instinct.
You see, Chis are small dogs, and before they were domesticated and turned into household pets, they were often subject to bigger animals’ predation.
To protect themselves, they’ll burrow underneath the earth or any other places they know bigger predators can’t reach.
Now that your Chihuahua is living in a comfortable place inside your home, he can no longer dig the ground to burrow.
Instead, he’ll just have to make do with the covers in your bed to pay tribute to his instinctual behavior.
6. You encouraged the behavior
Perhaps you’ve encouraged the behavior of your Chihuahua that’s why he now likes burrowing himself under the covers.
I mean, it’s really adorable to see a cute little Chi under the covers. So maybe you’ve praised him or given him some treats the first time you saw him burrowed.
Hence, now your Chi thinks that burrowing under the covers is a good thing to do and will make you adore him even more.
You know, dogs like Chihuahuas are suckers for praise and attention. If they did something that you positively reacted to, they’ll definitely do it again.
7. They like small spaces
You’ve seen how small Chihuahuas are, right? I think they’re one of the smallest dog breeds to ever exist.
So really, it’s no surprise Chihuahuas love small places as well.
Your Chi thinks that being burrowed under the covers is like being encased in a warm and small space.
I assume it’s also important to add that since Chihuahuas aren’t only a small breed but also love small spaces, they’re perfect for apartment or city living.
8. Showing their love
Chihuahuas are very clingy dogs who show their love in so many ways including burrowing under your covers.
Chis love being as close to you as possible especially when you treat them kindly.
Your scent becomes attached to their senses, and your blankets will become their safety zone.
Chihuahuas will usually express their love towards you by burrowing into the space next to you in bed.
They are very affectionate creatures who aren’t hesitant to show how much they love you.
9. Stay away from the noise
Dogs, in general, hate loud noises and Chihuahuas aren’t an exception to this.
When your Chi hears some noise that disrupts their peace and causes him stress, he’ll find a small space to burrow.
Being under the covers muffle the sound of the outside world, and your Chi will feel calmer once again.
10. Could be pregnant
Chihuahuas who developed an unusual liking for burrowing under the covers could be pregnant.
You see, female dogs usually exhibit this “nesting” behavior when they get pregnant.
They’ll be digging from time to time to prepare a makeshift home for their future pups.
If you’ve got a female Chi who you suspect to be pregnant, she’ll most likely be using your blankets to burrow herself underneath.
Burrowing under the covers creates this illusion for female Chis that their puppies will be born more comfortably and safely.
What Should You Do if Your Chihuahua Burrows Under the Blankets?
Choose to let them stay or stop them
You gotta decide whether or not you wanna let your Chihuahua burrow himself under the blankets.
If you choose to stop your Chi from this behavior, it’s best to give him a more comfortable crate that provides warmth when he feels cold.
Give him more toys to keep his mind occupied as well so he doesn’t resort to burrowing when bored.
However, if you’ve got no problem with your Chi staying burrowed under the covers, let him cuddle next to you during bedtime.
As I said earlier, Chis are affectionate pooches who love being physically near you.
Provide a safe and comfortable sleeping area
Chihuahuas do sleep quite a lot, so you would want to provide a nice and safe sleeping area for them to spend their time in.
Make sure that it’s warm, clean, and away from disruptive noises that may cause stress to your Chi.
Placing his favorite toy on top of his sleeping area also lets your Chihuahua stay in place until he falls asleep.
Observe for signs of discomfort
Observe whether or not your Chihuahua is experiencing discomfort.
There are times when Chi burrows under the blanket because he’s uncomfortable with the sleeping area you’ve provided him.
Give him blankets to use so he won’t have to use the covers that aren’t for him.
Observe if the blankets are too thick or thin for his liking to avoid any discomfort as well.
Should You Let Your Chihuahua Sleep in Your Bed?
Letting your Chihuahua sleep in your bed is completely your choice to make.
But from one fur-parent to another, I think you should put into consideration the size of your Chi.
Chihuahuas are very small, and sleeping next to them is an accident waiting to happen.
You might accidentally lie on top of your Chi when you roll to your side, causing him to suffocate.
If your Chi isn’t trained to sleep in bed, he might also fall to the floor while sleeping.
And if your Chihuahua has fleas, best believe you can contract those parasitic creatures as well.
But if you aren’t a heavy sleeper, letting your Chihuahua sleep next to you can actually be a good thing.
You and your Chi can provide each other warmth and comfort during those cold and lonely nights.
It significantly reduces stress as well, both for you and your fur-baby!
Is It Safe for Chihuahuas to Sleep Under the Covers?
No, it isn’t safe for Chihuahuas to sleep under the cover as accidents like suffocation may happen.
When your Chi falls asleep under the cover and wakes up in pitch darkness from feeling too hot, he might panic.
When your dog panics, his breathing increases and it can lead to suffocation if he doesn’t find the ends of the covers.
If your Chi loves burrowing, just take the precaution of not tucking the edges of the covers so he’ll find a way out easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Chihuahuas like to cuddle?
Chihuahuas like cuddling. Cuddling means being enveloped in a small space close to humans. And since Chihuahuas are very clingy to their owners, cuddling is one of their favorites.
Can burrowing under blankets cause overheating in Chihuahuas?
Yes, burrowing under blankets can cause overheating in Chihuahuas, especially if the blankets are made with tightly woven materials.
Why do Chihuahuas get attached to one person?
Chihuahuas get attached to one person because they’re considered Velcro-like dog breeds. This means that they love following their owners around and being close to them as much as possible. They can also have a hard time accepting new additions to the family since Chihuahuas tend to be content with the presence of their owners alone.
What are the signs your Chihuahua is too hot or cold?
Frantic panting and labored breathing with occasional drooling are common signs that your Chihuahua is too hot. Meanwhile, shaking, shivering, and tucking the tail are usually the signs that your Chihuahua is too cold.
Which blankets are potentially harmful to burrowers?
Weighted blankets are potentially harmful to burrowers, especially to smaller dog breeds. These blankets have internal glass beads that may choke dogs when they get a hold of them. Plus, these blankets may also cause overheating.
In Conclusion: Why Do Chihuahuas Burrow Under Covers?
Now that you understand more about this cute behavior, you’re in a better spot to bond with your Chi.
Just remember, while it’s nice to cuddle with your dog under the sheets, it’s better not to let it sleep with you in case of any accidents.
Other than that, embrace the cuteness and snuggle up with your Chihuahua today!
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