Fear
A frightened Chihuahua will cry in response to something that scares them. This can be noise, loud honking from cars, thunderstorms, or anything that is perceived as a danger or threat to their safety.
Fear may also come when they feel they are at the veterinarian which makes them cry due to the negative experience associated with medical visits.
Anxiety
Chihuahuas are very prone to separation anxiety. They become very anxious when separated from their owners or left alone.
During an episode of anxiety, crying, trembling, pacing, barking, howling, and destructive behavior are expressed.
Illness
Sickness can also cause a Chihuahua to whine or cry especially if they are in pain or feeling discomfort.
Crying is a way they vocalize how they are feeling and this can show you that they are unwell and need help.
See Also: Chihuahua throwing up: When it is serious and what to do
Need for attention
A Chihuahua can whine or cry to also seek your attention. Chihuahuas are naturally people-oriented breeds meaning they love to be close to owners and family.
Therefore if they feel neglected or sense that you are not paying much attention to them, have a need to play with you, or even sit near you, they may start to cry to get your attention, to bring your focus to them.
Related: Clingy Chihuahua: A guide to an overly needy Chihuahua
Excitement
Crying is also a way of showing excitement, especially when a Chihuahua sees you after being separated from you. This can include jumping on you and vocalizing it with a cry due to excitement.
Boredom
A bored Chihuahua with nothing to do can experience boredom and will whine. Chihuahuas need mental and physical stimulation and if this is not provided, they might engage in destructive behavior and also cry a lot.
A need for something
Dogs can talk to us to tell us what they want or need. The only way to express their feelings is to vocalize them through different sounds.
Crying is one of the ways they communicate with us. Therefore they cry to ask for something from us such as holding a leash while crying which indicates a need to go for a walk, or a need to be fed.
What to do about Chihuahua crying
Provide them with what they need
A Chihuahua crying can be an indication that they need something from you such as food or to go out for a walk. The best way to communicate or express this need is to cry.
Therefore if this is the case provide them with what they need at the moment.
Play with them
Crying can also be an indicator that your Chihuahua just wants to play with you and is seeking your attention.
If they seem very eager to interact with you, provide them with attention by either playing with them, cuddling them, or engaging in activities that they like.
Provide toys
A bored Chihuahua can cry or whine all the time because they have nothing else to do to engage them or to keep them occupied.
Chihuahuas need mental and physical stimulation therefore provide toys for them to play with, activities, or exercises appropriate for their age. This will help to minimize boredom.
Receive their excitement
Your Chihuahua can be very happy when they see you come back home or if you have been separated from them for a long period.
Crying is just a way that they vocalize their excitement and it is a sign of affection. Therefore return the affection by hugging them, petting them, or just a show of affection.
Comfort them
If the whining or crying is due to fear that might have been caused by a particular trigger, remove your Chihuahua from the situation and comfort them.
This includes moving them away from the noise and minimizing exposure to situations that may frighten them.
Seek medical care
Illness can also be the reason why a Chihuahua whines and cries because of pain. If your Chihuahua continuously whines and is also seemingly in pain or other symptoms of illness also appear, seek medical care.
Takeaway
Chihuahua crying is a normal way of communication to express their needs, wants, or fears and occurs in different situations. It can also indicate that something else is wrong such as a Chihuahua being sick and crying out due to pain.
When your Chihuahua whines or cries, try to assess the situation to identify the possible cause to respond appropriately to the situation and help them.
Seek medical care if they present signs of sickness or discomfort, or when you might not be sure what would be causing the crying.
