Chihuahua: size, sleep, exercise and care

At a glance

Size

Toy

Adult weight

1.5–2.5 kg

Height at the shoulder

13–20 cm

Life expectancy

14–16 years

Exercise needs

Low · 30 min per day

Sleep needs

Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.

Puppy18–20 h

Adult12–14 h

Senior12–15 h

06121824 h

These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's; no study gives a separate figure for the Chihuahua. Individual dogs vary, and a sudden change in how much your dog sleeps is worth mentioning to your vet. Tiny dogs lose heat quickly, so a warm, draught-free bed helps them rest well.

Puppy sleep calculator →

Exercise needs

PDSA and The Royal Kennel Club both put the Chihuahua at around 30 minutes a day. Short walks and indoor play are enough for most, and a coat helps in Nordic winters. Watch out for larger dogs and high furniture, as jumps and knocks can injure such a small frame.

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Potty training

A Chihuahua puppy's bladder is tiny, so expect very frequent trips: after every nap, meal and play session, and often every hour while awake. Many owners also use an indoor pad area at first, especially in cold weather, and then move it gradually toward the door.

Toy breeds are often slower to become reliably clean. Be consistent, reward every success, and keep the puppy in a small area when you cannot watch it.

Puppy potty schedule calculator →

Feeding

Very young and very small puppies can develop low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia); the AKC notes it is most often seen in toy-breed puppies under 12 weeks and recommends small, frequent meals. Feed a small-breed puppy food four times a day at first and never let a toy puppy go long without eating. Weakness, wobbliness or unusual sleepiness needs a vet straight away.

Adults usually eat two small, weighed meals a day. A few grams of extra treats is a lot for a dog that weighs 2 kg.

Puppy feeding schedule calculator →