Why Do Chihuahuas Burrow

Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dog breed. They are very popular due to their small size and affectionate behavior. They first originated in Mexico. They are very loving towards their owner and other family. They don’t show aggression towards children. They don’t need a lot of exercise. Due to their high intelligence level, they are very easy to train. If you are searching for a small dog then Chihuahua is the best option for you. But it is not suitable for those families who have small children at home, because they are fragile dogs. 

Chihuahuas love to burrow and cuddle, this trait is quite normal in small Chihuahuas. Burrowing does not indicate a desire for hiding on the part of your Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are very affectionate dogs and like to stay with their owner. Today in this article, we will guide you in detail why your Chihuahua burrows under a blanket. 

Why Do Chihuahuas Burrow💢

If you have a Chihuahua in your home, you may have noticed the time in which they burrow. There are many reasons why your Chihuahua likes to burrow under a blanket such as out of instinct, pregnancy, pseudopregnancy, distress, the need for affection, sickness, to warm themselves, or to just feel safe. Pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy is the rare cause of burrowing in Chihuahua. Let’s look in depth about the reasons for burrowing in chihuahua. 

Burrowing Out Of Instinct🐜

This is the main reason for Chihuahua burrows because it was important to their survival before they were domesticated. Like their prairie cousin, Chihuahua burrows for shelter and protection.  Chihuahuas are a small dog breed and they were targeted to predators, so it is important for them to learn how to hide themselves from bigger animals. They could not sleep safely out in the open due to their small size, so they burrowed. 

Chihuahuas are also related to Terriers, who dig in the ground to underneath prey. When Chihuahuas need to hunt, then they can dig to find a meal. Chihuahuas may dig in the earth, nowadays mostly Chihuahuas are house pets, so they burrow. Burrowing under the blanket is similar to a cave for them, so it’s a place where they can feel safe.  

Burrowing To Stay Warm🟤

Chihuahuas come from Chihuahua, a region of Mexico that can be very hot. They can get very cold in the house, their fur and their body naturally adapted to keep cool in the native weather. That’s why they struggle to stay warm, and wrapping themselves under the blanket is the best way. 

Due to their small size, they don’t have much body fat, so they are more likely to get cold than furrier and fatter dogs. During the winter season, they will also want to eat more and they will also enjoy a sweater. In the winter time, it’s good to give them a little more food than usual, this will help to store their body more fat. 

When they feel cool, then Chihuahuas like to lay in the sun. this will often rest for a long period soaking in the sun’s warmth and they can also get their needed vitamin D from the sun. Wrapping themselves in a blanket or burrow is the best way to keep them warm. You can also choose clothes that are made of warm materials like cotton and wool. 

Various products in the market that can help to prevent your pet from getting dry skin are:

To keep your Chihuahua comfortable, you should also:

Burrowing To Feel Safe

Chihuahuas are small dogs and they used to burrow to protect themselves from predators. Nowadays, mostly Chihuahuas are house pets, so they can get scared from strangers and unfamiliar objects. They can also protect themselves from those children who don’t know how to behave with dogs, because they are fragile. 

When a Chihuahua gets scared, they tend to attach themselves to a person or burrow under a blanket, where it feels safe and protected. That’s why Chihuahuas bundle up in their owners’ purses or backpacks. They are the right size for these bags and look cute in them. Chihuahuas are enjoys bags for two reasons:

They associate their owner’s blankets and other personal things with the protection that the owner gives. Chihuahuas are usually bold and curious and they can feel safe burrowing into their owner’s blanket. 

Burrowing To Hide Away🌟

Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed and they can use small spaces to hide in. Small spaces can act as a safe and warm shelter for them. There are also many spaces in your home where the Chihuahua can burrow such as crawl under a bed or chair. But a blanket is the most convenient option for a Chihuahua to burrow itself. 

Their small and compact size make Chihuahuas great pets for families who live in the city. They don’t need wide space for their exercise. Chihuahuas are the best pets for elders, because they don’t require plenty of exercise. 

Burrowing To Show Affection☀

Chihuahuas will often attach themselves to one human, which they see as a pack leader. They express their devotion and affection by burrowing next to their leader. Chihuahua tend to stick to one person, so they can be trained to accept other people. To make them socialize, proper training is essential from a young age, because at this age they are very receptive. 

When they burrow under a blanket, they simply like to be close to their owner. The main way to burrow in the blanket that Chihuahuas have is to show affection. 

Burrowing Because Of The Pregnancy✨

Pregnancy is the curious way of borrowing for your Chihuahua. The term for your Chihuahua’s major instinct during this period of burrowing is “nesting.” A pregnant Chihuahua needs a small space where they can keep their puppy safe. Blankets are an important component of their makeshift shelter. Burrowing is not only the sign of pregnancy, here are some other behaviors: 

As a responsible owner, you need to contact the vet if your Chihuahua gets pregnant. The vet can give advice on taking care of your pregnant Chihuahua.  

Burrowing Because Of The Pseudo-Pregnancy💥

Sometimes, the female Chihuahuas experience conditions which we call pseudo-pregnancy. At this point, your dog may believe she is expecting. Burrowing under a blanket can also be a part of the pseudo-pregnancy process. During this process, the Chihuahua will create a nest for their expecting pups. Pseudopregnancy looks a lot like a real pregnancy.

Your Chihuahua might show physical and behavioral signs of being pregnant such as:

Pseudo-pregnancy is also a sign of underlying health conditions. These health issues can be connected to hypothyroidism or liver problems. In this case, you need to take your Chihuahua to the vet for a regular check-up.  

Burrowing Out of Stress🕳

Burrowing may indicate uneasiness or sadness. Like other dog breeds, Chihuahuas also relieve stress through digging and chewing. These activities are comforting for your Chihuahua. As an owner, it is very important to monitor your Chihuahua nesting activity. They could be facing stressful conditions. Your Chihuahua are usually stressed by:

If your Chihuahuas are under stress, you need to change something in their lifestyle like giving them new toys or taking them outside.

Things To Do When Your Chihuahua Burrows🥨

If you find your Chihuahua’s behavior are destructive, here are some things you can do to prevent your Chihuahua burrows:

Make Sure That They Are Comfortable🍛

Always give your Chihuahua a comfortable environment. You should give your Chihuahua enoughs blankets to wrap themselves in, this will help to keep them comfortable. If your Chihuahua keeps rolling around in them, try to add additional blankets. Chihuahuas also enjoy wearing sweaters and booties when they are walking. 

Make Sure That They Are Well Fed🧀

Chihuahuas need two hundred calories a day. They merely need to consume a diet rich in nutrients; they don’t need to eat a lot of food. Try to restrict unhealthy snacks and keep human foods down to a minimum. Don’t forget to adjust their quantity of eating in the winter season. Meet with the vet for their proper diet. 

Make Sure That They Are Well-Trained🍜

Every owner trains their dog differently; not every Chihuahua needs to jump through hoops or compete on the American Kennel Club circuit. Training your Chihuahua with positive reinforcement is very effective. Burrowing can be an undesirable trait, because it can lead to torn blankets or solid furniture. 

You can use the following commands, to get rid of this trait:

What You Should About Burrowing⛳

Burrowing may benefit your Chihuahua by keeping him warm during the winter season or easing their anxiety. You need to take some precaution to ensure your Chihuahua is safe, while he is burrowing. 

If your Chihuahua burrows in your bed, you may need to encourage your Chihuahua to burrow on the top of the blanket. If he is successful, the blanket may get twisted around your Chihuahua to the point where it traps him. 

Make sure that your Chihuahua can easily escape from the blanket. Seniors and arthritic Chihuahuas may need a helping hand for escaping under a blanket. If your Chihuahua is old, you may need to fit the blanket completely off him. By trimming their nails at least once a month, you can prevent your Chihuahua from snagging. 

CONCLUSION🐾

Chihuahuas dig for a variety of reasons. Although they typically do so for warmth or comfort, burrowing can also be an indication of stress, anxiety, or other problems. Remember that not every dog burrows for the same purpose. Provide blankets to encourage their burrowing activity if you can verify that it is due to a feeling of comfort. Assist your Chihuahua in seeking comfortable places.

You’ll need to invest time training your Chihuahua, adjust a few things about the house, and take into consideration their natural tendencies. Regardless of who is at home, you can help to provide them comfort and support by encouraging a healthy burrowing habit. As a responsible owner, it is important that you take care of your dogs and help them in any way. 

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