Why Do Chihuahuas Cry So Much? (12 Reasons + Solutions)
If you’re wondering, “Why do Chihuahuas cry so much?” you’re not alone.
We have a lovable rescue Chihuahua named Leo, and we understand this question all too well.
Leo has a knack for whining, especially when treats are involved.
No one likes to hear their dog cry all the time so we will help you identify all the possible reasons that could cause your Chihuahua to cry so that you can remedy any problems before it becomes a habit.
Read on to discover the 12 reasons why Chihuahuas cry so much and practical solutions to help you and your furry friend find some peace and quiet.
12 Reasons Why Chihuahuas Cry So Much + Solutions
Chihuahuas are an anxious breed so they tend to cry more than other breeds.
It’s critical to determine if your crying Chihuahua has something serious going on or if it’s just normal behavior for your pup.
For those unsure of what to do, we will go over all the reasons why Chihuahuas cry all the time and the possible solutions.
1. Injured or Ill
Chihuahuas, with their petite frames and delicate bones, are prone to getting hurt or accidentally injured.
When Chihuahuas are hurt or feeling unwell, they often resort to excessive crying as a way to alert their owners that something is amiss.
So, if your Chi starts wailing out of the blue, it’s like their way of saying, “Hey, something’s not right here!”
Regularly check your Chihuahua for any injuries, especially if they start crying suddenly.
If your dog is hurt or sick, look out for these signs:
- lethargy
- vomiting, diarrhea
- difficulty standing
- yelping when picked up
- constantly licking one spot on their body
- limping
Solution:
- If you suspect your Chihuahua is in pain or ill, a visit to the vet is required to rule out any medical issues like a broken bone or a developing disease.
2. Hunger
Chihuahuas might be tiny, but their stomachs are even tinier, and their metabolism is running at warp speed.
If your Chihuahua is crying because they’re hungry, it’s time to do some detective work.
First, check if they’re eating the right amount.
Then, split their food into 2 or 4 meals throughout the day to help keep those hunger pangs at bay.
But beware, these little rascals are experts at the puppy dog eyes routine.
If they’re still whining for more despite having their fill, it’s probably because they’re hoping for a scrap or two – they’ve got us wrapped around their tiny paws.
Solutions:
- Double-check that your Chihuahua is eating the right amount of food for their body weight. Split meals up into 2-4. Feed some treats throughout the day.
- Train your dog not to beg for food. When you’re eating don’t reinforce their behavior if they’re whining, instead give them something to do like a Lickmat, a puzzle, a chew, or put them in their crate. It’s extremely tedious to teach them not to beg for food once they have received some at the dinner table.
- If you’re gone at work all day, an automatic feeder might work well so you don’t come home to a starving dog.
3. Boredom
Chihuahuas are like little brainiacs packed with energy.
When they don’t get enough mental stimulation and entertainment during the day, they’re bound to get bored.
And trust us, a bored Chihuahua is a noisy Chihuahua.
You’ll hear crying, barking, and worst of all, you might find your favorite shoes chewed to bits, a mini crater in your backyard, or a tipped-over water bowl.
So, if your pint-sized pal starts serenading you with cries, they’re basically saying, “Hey, I need some action here!”
That’s your cue to break out the toy box or get those little legs moving on a walk.
Solutions:
- Be sure to have lots of playtime throughout the day to help keep your dog occupied. Here are 26 Fun Games to Play with Your Chihuahua!
- Teach a new trick, buy a new toy, take them to a new park, or a walk in a different neighborhood.
4. Being Left Alone/Anxiety
Why do Chihuahuas cry when they’re left alone?
They may get lonely or scared and they don’t understand why you’re leaving them.
These little guys are like velcro to their owners and get seriously stressed when they’re left to their own devices for too long.
It’s called separation anxiety, and it’s pretty common in Chihuahuas.
Their love for you is like no other, so being apart is basically their worst nightmare.
But fret not, we’ve got some tips up our sleeves for those times when you have to dash and leave your furry friend behind.
Solutions:
- Plan to work from home on some days so you can spend more time with your Chihuahua so they don’t feel so lonely.
- Try leaving the TV on so that there is some background noise when you’re gone. Most dogs love animal YouTube channels like this one.
- Take your dog for a walk before you leave so that they will be calm and more likely to sleep.
- You can also try giving it a stuffed animal or blanket that smells like you (that way, your dog will feel like you’re home when you’re not).
- Have someone check on your dog during the day. You can ask a relative or pay for a service like Rover.
5. Scared
Why do Chihuahuas cry so much when they’re scared?
Chihuahuas are very small so the world can be a scary place for them.
These little guys are easily spooked by things that wouldn’t faze larger dogs.
So if you see your Chi crying, tucking their tail, panting, licking their lips, or shaking, they are probably scared.
Sometimes, they’ll go undercover, hiding under a blanket or in a pile of laundry to escape the scary stuff.
Some common reasons that could cause your Chihuahua to feel scared are:
- loud noises
- strangers
- brooms
- thunderstorms
- fireworks
- the dark
- flies
- other dogs
- too many stimuli
- the vacuum
- balloons
If you suspect your Chihuahua is scared, remove them from the trigger immediately to get some distance.
Try to spot patterns and learn what your dog is scared of so you can avoid the trigger until you decondition them to it.
Solutions:
- Pick your Chihuahua up and talk in a soothing voice to comfort them. Offer some treats to help calm them down.
- If your dog is scared of an object in your house, try to associate it with something good, like yummy treats. You might have to remove the object for a time while you’re working on this.
- Keep them away from large crowds if they are scared of people or get overwhelmed with too many stimuli. Put them in their crate in a quiet room when guests come over.
- For loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms, try to desensitize them by playing recordings of the noise at a low volume. Over time, you can slowly increase the volume. You can also try a ThunderShirt or CBD oil to calm them.
6. Excited
If your Chihuahua starts crying whenever you come home, they’re just over the moon to see you!
These little guys are super loyal and thrive on hanging out with their humans.
So, if they’re excited, expect the whole party package: tail wagging, jumping for joy, doing a little dance, giving you smooches, or going into full zoom mode.
Many situations can make your dog excited:
- when you come home
- when they want to play
- before you take them for a walk or to the park
- before a car ride
- before mealtimes
- when you say the word “treat” or “food”
Solutions:
- Give your dog attention when you get home and reward them when they settle down.
- Take them for a walk or play with them to expend some of that excited energy.
7. In a Crate
Why do Chihuahuas whine when they’re in a crate?
When a Chihuahua is confined to a crate, they may cry because they’re not used to being in there or they don’t want to be separated from you.
They’re the ultimate sidekicks and want to do everything by your side.
If your Chihuahua gets upset in their crate, you can train them not to be so anxious about being confined or being separated.
Try leaving the crate open during the day, toss some tasty treats around it, and add in their favorite toy and blankie to make it feel like home sweet home.
A snuggly blanket draped over the crate can make it feel extra secure.
Before leaving the house or hitting the hay, close the crate and offer your Chihuahua a treat.
That way, they’ll start to see it as their cozy retreat, not a doggy dungeon.
Solutions:
- Crate train your dog so they associate their crate with pleasant things and feel less stressed in there.
- You can add a stuffed animal with a heartbeat and clothing that smells like you inside the crate to help comfort them.
- Keep their crate near you so your Chihuahua can see and smell you. A portable cloth crate would work well for this or put several crates in different rooms so you’re never too far away from them.
8. Cold
Chihuahuas are like those tiny, speedy sports cars – small and high-performance, but not built for extreme weather conditions.
Chis struggle to stay warm in the great outdoors, so they should not be outdoor dogs.
Signs that your Chihuahua is cold include shaking, crying, hiding, and burrowing.
To keep your little buddy toasty, make sure they have a warm, cozy spot to crash and some warm blankets to snuggle in.
Solutions:
- Buy some warm clothes for them. There are many cute sweaters and shirts you can choose from in our Chihuahua clothing guide that will keep your crying Chihuahua warm.
- Make sure they always have blankets available. Our Chihuahua, Leo, loves taking naps burrowed in his blanket where he gets cozy and warm.
9. They Are a Puppy
Why do Chihuahuas whine so much when they’re puppies?
Chihuahua puppies cry a lot, especially when you first bring them home! They are still learning their way around this world and everything is new to them.
If they were separated from their mothers too soon, they may be missing their mom and littermates.
Needing to go potty or being hungry can also manifest as crying.
So, a little whining might just mean, “Hey, I’m hungry!” or “Nature’s calling!”
Solutions:
- Provide extra love and attention to your puppy to make them feel secure.
- Keep them on a feeding and potty schedule.
- Socialize them so they will be less afraid of people and dogs and thus cry less.
10. Seeking Attention
These tiny furballs absolutely adore their humans and can’t get enough of their love and attention.
When your Chihuahua starts crying for no other reason, it might mean you’re not giving them enough attention.
All they really want is some extra cuddle time and a sprinkle of affection.
Give them that, and you’ll have one content and non-whiny Chihuahua on your hands!
Solutions:
- Start scheduling more playtime into your day. Chihuahuas are so tiny, even 10 minutes of playtime will make a big difference! Check out these 26 games to play with your Chihuahua for some ideas!
- If you’re gone at work all day, try leaving a TV on to keep your Chihuahua company. You can also purchase a camera so you can see and talk to your dog throughout the day.
- If you’ve got enough time and love, consider getting a second dog to be their companion and help entertain them.
- If your Chihuahua is always crying when you’re home, try taking it for a walk or playing fetch in the backyard to release some energy. Chihuahuas need 30 minutes of exercise daily.
11. They Want to Play
When Chihuahuas want to play, they’ve got ways of telling you!
You might hear a little whine or see those puppy-dog eyes begging for your attention.
And if they’re feeling super motivated, they might trot over with their favorite toy or ball, basically saying, “Come on, let’s have some fun!”
They thrive on mental stimulation and, of course, a good game of fetch or tug-of-war.
So, keep those toys handy, because your Chihuahua’s always up for a playdate!
Solution:
- Give them lots of interactive toys like puzzles and treat dispensers to keep them occupied.
- If you’re busy and can’t play with them at that moment, teach your Chihuahua to wait. That way, they won’t keep on whining.
- Get a fetch toy so they can play on their own.
12. They Have to Go Potty
If your Chihuahua has to go potty, they will drop some hints – maybe a bit of sniffing, some anxious pacing, or they might just sit there by the door
But, we’re all human, and sometimes we miss those signals.
So, if your Chihuahua skips the dance and goes straight to crying, it’s like their last-resort alarm.
Next time, keep an eye out for those cues, and when you spot ’em, whisk your little buddy outside pronto!
And remember, frequent potty breaks are key.
Solutions:
- Keep your dog on a potty schedule so they don’t have to cry when they need to go to the bathroom.
- Another option is to teach your dog to ring a bell or sit by the door when they need to go outside so they won’t have to cry to alert you.
- If you’re not home during the day or you live in an apartment, you can train your dog to use pee pads and leave them out around your house so when the need arises, they can go.
Do Chihuahuas Cry Tears?
No, Chihuahuas don’t cry tears like humans do because their tears aren’t caused by emotions.
Dogs use other ways to show us they’re sad like whining, shaking, ignoring us, hiding, and being clingy.
Some people might mistakenly think their Chihuahua is crying tears because of how watery Chihuahua eyes can be, but there are various reasons behind those watery peepers, which we will discuss below.
Why Do Chihuahuas’ Eyes Water So Much? (10 Reasons)
I’m sure you’ve seen Chihuahuas with watery eyes or maybe even tear stains on their face, and you’re probably wondering why their eyes water so much.
If you have one of these little guys, you might be in the same boat as us.
Our Chihuahua’s eyes practically turn on the waterworks daily and we have to wipe his eyes.
Chihuahuas can suffer from watery eyes for a variety of reasons.
If it’s a chronic issue then it’s probably due to allergies or a tear duct problem.
But if it suddenly shows up, it might be because of a sneaky foreign object in their eye, an unwelcome infection, or even a scratch on their cornea.
While it may seem like your Chihuahua is shedding tears, it’s more likely just eye discharge.
Some Chihuahuas are just naturally prone to those watery eyes.
Keep reading to find out the answer to why do Chihuahuas’ eyes water.
1. Allergies
Let’s dive into one of the usual suspects for Chihuahua’s watery eyes: allergies.
This is more of a chronic issue and can be environmental, food-related, or contact-related.
Allergies will cause Chihuahuas to have watery eyes, along with other symptoms like frequent sneezing, scratching at their face, or inflamed eyes.
But don’t fret! There are a few tricks up your sleeve to help your Chihuahua find some relief.
- Switch your Chihuahua’s food to an allergy-free diet to see if there is an ingredient they are allergic to.
- Regularly wash all of your dog’s bedding, cloth toys, and clothes to get rid of any contact-related allergens. Use a natural detergent with no harsh ingredients.
- Use an air purifier and vacuum every day to reduce dust and dander in the house.
- Keep your dog away from areas where they might be exposed to dander, pollen, and grass. If they do get exposed, give them a bath as soon as possible to wash off the allergens. Wearing a dog shirt or sweater can also help keep allergens off their skin and coat.
- Visit your vet to get testing done.
2. Bacterial Infections
Another reason why Chihuahuas can experience runny eyes is if they have an eye infection.
Bacteria like canine brucellosis, leptospirosis, and tick-borne diseases can cause eye infections.
If one or both of your Chihuahua’s eyes are watery along with redness, swelling, squinting, and pawing at the eye, it might be time to consider an eye infection as the culprit.
Eye infections are serious and should be treated by a vet as soon as possible to get their eyes back in tip-top shape.
3. Blocked tear duct
A blocked tear duct can cause your Chihuahua to experience watery eyes.
Imagine it like a clogged drain.
When that duct gets blocked, it’s like a traffic jam for tears.
They can’t drain properly and end up spilling over, making your Chihuahua look like they just watched the most tear-jerking movie ever.
This can result in dark-colored tear staining on their face. But don’t worry, it’s not a permanent makeup choice.
If you suspect a blocked tear duct is the troublemaker, your vet will be able to diagnose this issue and prescribe treatment.
4. Glaucoma
Chihuahuas can develop glaucoma, an eye disease that makes it difficult for them to see.
Glaucoma is caused by intra-ocular bleeding, damage to the lens, a tumor, inflammation of the interior of the eye, or discoloration of the lens.
This condition often causes watery eyes in the earlier stages along with eye pain, lethargy, swelling and cloudiness of the eye.
If your Chihuahua starts having watery eyes along with the symptoms mentioned above, take them to the vet to get their eyes checked.
5. A Foreign Object
Your dog may have something stuck in its eye, causing it to water.
Debris, an eyelash, dirt, or a piece of grass could have become lodged in their eye. If this is the case, you may be able to see the object if you look closely.
Pawing at the eye, redness, squinting, and watering can all be symptoms of a foreign object in the eye.
You can try flushing the eye out to remove the object, but if that doesn’t work, it’s best to call your vet.
6. Eye Trauma
Your dog may have suffered an injury to their eye.
Accidents happen, and your Chihuahua could have hit their eye on something or ran into something.
If you notice your Chihuahua has a red, watery eye with possible bleeding, bruising, squinting or they’re pawing at their eye, they may have suffered an eye injury.
Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to have it examined.
7. Ear Infections
Chihuahuas can also develop ear infections which can cause watery eyes.
If you notice your Chihuahua has runny eyes plus they are shaking its head, walking with a tilted head, and frequently scratching their ears, they probably have an ear infection.
A vet will be able to prescribe medication to clear up the infection. To prevent future infections, it’s a must to clean your dog’s ears.
We have an entire post about how to clean your Chihuahua’s ears.
8. Sunlight
Staring into the sun can cause your dog’s eyes to water. Our Chihuahua loves sunbathing so if his eyes aren’t closed when he’s looking around in the sun, they start watering.
This is not a big deal, but they do make sunglasses for dogs if you’re worried about the sunlight irritating their eyes.
9. Eyelash problems
Chihuahua eyelashes may grow in a way that irritates the eye, causing watery eyes.
The eyelashes can grow into the eye (trichiasis), they can have extra eyelashes in abnormal spots (distichiasis), or the eyelash can grow through the inside of the eyelid (ectopic cilia).
All of these eyelash disorders can cause the eyes to water and, in some cases, damage the cornea.
Your vet will be able to evaluate your dog’s eyes and prescribe the necessary treatment.
10. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis in dogs is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye.
There are many causes of conjunctivitis such as a viral infection (like distemper), dry eye, a tumor, eyelid abnormalities, blocked tear ducts, debris, or trauma to the eye.
One or both eyes may be affected and symptoms may include discharge, redness, swelling, and crusting on the eyelids.
Summary
Now you have your answer to “Why do Chihuahuas cry so much.”
We explained the many reasons and listed solutions to reduce or prevent crying so it won’t be an ongoing problem.
Most of the time they just need more exercise, mental stimulation, and affection
Chihuahuas don’t cry tears but they typically experience watery eyes.
This can be caused by many things like allergies, an infection, or a blocked tear duct.
Your vet will be able to diagnose the problem and prescribe the necessary treatment.
FAQ
How Do You Calm a Crying Dog?
There are several ways to calm a crying dog. One way is to exercise them so they don’t feel so anxious. You can also provide physical contact by petting or massaging. Other ways include playing classical music, using a calming coat, a time-out in a quiet room, and supplements like Rescue Remedy or CBD oil.
Why is My Dog Whining So Much All of a Sudden?
If your dog is whining all of a sudden there could be a medical issue going on like an injury or pain. It’s best to take your dog to the vet to rule out any medical problems. If there is no medical explanation, you can look at other causes like boredom, anxiety, or loneliness.
Should You Ignore a Whining Dog?
You can ignore a whining dog if you’re confident there is nothing wrong. Some dogs whine a lot for attention or to beg for food. When they calm down, reward them for their silence. If the whining is continuous or is accompanied by worrisome behavior, then it’s best to investigate the cause.
Why Do Chihuahuas Cry At Night?
Chihuahuas cry at night because they need to go potty, feel alone or anxious, or are cold, hungry, scared of the dark. To keep your Chihuahua from crying at night, try using warm blankets, taking them outside to potty at night, giving them enough exercise during the day, or letting them sleep in the bed with you.
Why Does My Dog Never Stop Whining?
The main reason your dog is whining is because they need or want something. Some common reasons for whining are hunger, needing attention, feeling scared, and being in pain. Once you’ve figured out what’s causing the whining and found a solution, it should stop.
Can Chihuahuas Be Left Alone?
In most situations, Chihuahuas are independent enough to be left alone at home. If you’re worried about leaving your Chihuahua home alone, try setting up a camera so you can check in on them throughout the day. Some Chihuahuas suffer from separation anxiety so you may need to take some extra time to train them to feel comfortable being left alone.
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