Chihuahuas are a small breed of dog and are often thought of as lapdogs. While chihuahuas are tiny, they still need plenty of exercise. Playing a few games of fetch or letting your dog go to the bathroom in the backyard may not cut it.
As with humans, dogs need to exert themselves a little bit to benefit from exercise. Going for a brisk walk and engaging in play sessions helps your chihuahua burn energy. Daily exercise promotes better health and many additional benefits.
So, how much exercise do chihuahuas need and what type of exercise is best? Here is what you should know to keep your chihuahua happy and healthy.
How Much Exercise Do Chihuahuas Need?
Chihuahuas need about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. This is the same recommendation for humans and most breeds of dogs.
Physical activity gets the heart moving, improves blood circulation, and keeps the joints limber. However, you need to exercise for more than a few minutes to enjoy these benefits.
Exercising your dog should involve dedicated sessions of exercise. This may include going for a walk or playing fetch in the backyard for 10 minutes or longer.
No matter the type of exercise, the various activities should total at least 20 to 30 minutes each day.
Why Do Chihuahuas Need Exercise?
As with any breed, Chihuahuas may become obese without frequent exercise. However, obesity presents a greater risk for Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas are a small dog breed. Their smaller bones and joints do not easily carry extra weight. Obesity can also lead to an increased risk of tumors, arthritis, and heart problems.
Along with helping to keep your chihuahua from gaining weight, daily exercise helps:
- Joint health
- Bone health
- Mental stimulation
- Anxiety
- Bonding
- Obedience
The mental benefits of exercising your chihuahua are just as important as the physical benefits. Daily exercise provides mental stimulation. Without this stimulation, your dog may experience more anxiety and built-up energy.
Dogs that lack exercise often experience short bursts of intense activity, such as running circles around the room or yard at top speed. Pet owners often call these quick runs “zoomies.”
Zoomies are a common sign that your chihuahua needs more activity. Increase the length or pace of your walks or spend more time engaging in playtime activities.
How Much Exercise Do Chihuahua Puppies Need?
Chihuahua puppies tend to have more energy compared to older dogs. However, they should not engage in vigorous exercise.
Puppies between two and four months old are still receiving shots. You may want to avoid going for walks during this period due to the lack of protection against viruses and illnesses.
At about four months of age, chihuahuas should start going for walks. Up to 30 minutes of exercise is still recommended, but you should avoid pushing your puppy too hard.
The soft cartilage that supports bones and joints is still growing. If the soft cartilage becomes damaged due to excessive movement, your dog may suffer from growth problems and bone or joint issues.
Instead of taking your pup for long walks each day, consider taking several shorter walks. You should also pay attention to your dog’s behavior. If he or she starts to get tired out after 10 minutes of walking, limit your walks to less than 10 minutes.
Luckily, the soft cartilage (growth plates) in chihuahuas tend to grow faster compared to larger breeds. The growth typically stops at about 10 to 12 months.
After your chihuahua celebrates its first birthday, you do not need to worry as much about overexerting your pet. Their growth plates should be developed and ready for longer walks.
Can You Over-Exercise a Chihuahua?
You can over-exercise a chihuahua, especially a puppy chihuahua. As mentioned, excessive exercise may damage soft cartilage. However, chihuahuas of any age can become overexerted.
Many veterinarians believe that excess exercise increases the risk of elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the joint slips from the socket. Over-exercising your chihuahua may also lead to other joint and bone problems, including an increased risk of arthritis.
Chihuahuas have high endurance for a smaller breed. They can keep going even after they fully exert themselves. They are often headstrong and may push themselves too hard.
For example, your chihuahua will likely continue matching your pace after reaching its limit during a walk. Here are a few signs that your dog is getting too much exercise:
- Muscle soreness
- Joint pain
- Heat exhaustion
- Tears and wear on the paws
- Behavioral changes
Walking your dog too vigorously or for too long may result in sore muscles or stiff joints. If you notice your chihuahua limping around or moving stiffly, they may need a break from walking.
Long walks during hot days may lead to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Dogs suffering the heat may become dehydrated and have difficulty breathing.
Wear and tear on the paws are also signs of excess exercise. Walking on the pavement frequently creates small tears on the pads of your chihuahua’s paws. Over time, the small tears may become painful and result in open sores.
Dogs that are worked too hard may also change their behavior. For example, your chihuahua that previously loved going for walks may refuse to move when you grab the leash.
If your dog shows any of these signs, take it easy on the exercise for a few days. Monitor their paws, muscles, and behavior and wait until they seem ready to resume going for walks.
How to Exercise Your Chihuahua
Going for a walk is the most common form of exercise for dogs. However, a leisurely stroll may not exert enough energy.
Strolling around the block provides mental stimulation. Your chihuahua will likely enjoy all the sights, sounds, and smells. Yet, you need to maintain a brisk pace to burn energy.
Luckily, chihuahuas have relatively short legs. Walking at a slightly brisk speed should be enough to get your chihuahua’s heart pumping.
Keep in mind that a long walk may push your chihuahua too hard. Take your chihuahua on two to three walks each day to spread the exercise out across several sessions. This is easier on their little joints and bones.
You should also pay attention to the weather before heading out. Chihuahuas are sensitive to the cold and may require protection, such as a small sweater.
Along with walking your dog, play with your dog. High-intensity playtime often provides more effective exercise compared to going for a walk. Performing certain activities helps burn energy and stimulates their brains. Here are a few of the best ways to exercise your dog:
- Fetch
- Tug of war
- Running up and down the stairs
- Agility courses
Remember that spending just a minute or two may not count as exercise. Try to dedicate at least 10 minutes to the activity to use up some of your chihuahua’s energy.
Do Chihuahuas Need Walks?
Taking your chihuahua for walks offers many benefits. However, it is not a necessity. Going for a walk also provides limited benefits unless you go for a brisk walk or a jog.
You can focus on other forms of exercise if you do not live in an area where taking daily walks is convenient. As discussed, high-intensity playtime is often more beneficial compared to a light walk.
You should still try to include 20 to 30 minutes of dedicated playtime if you cannot walk your chihuahua. This may include several 10-minute sessions of playing fetch or tug-of-war in the backyard.
While playing with your dog may count as exercise, you may want to find additional ways to stimulate your dog’s mind.
Consider taking your chihuahua to a dog park or public park that allows dogs at least once per week. This gives them the chance to enjoy some of the sights and sounds that they would experience during a daily walk.
How Far Can a Chihuahua Walk?
The typical adult chihuahua can walk about one mile on a single trip. Walking a mile should take about 15 to 20 minutes when maintaining a steady pace.
The distance that a chihuahua can walk also depends on their age, health, and activity level. If you typically go for 10-minute walks, walking a mile may tire your chihuahua out.
How to Exercise a Chihuahua in Winter
If you live in a region with cold winters, bundle your chihuahua before going for a walk. Buy a small sweater to limit the loss of body heat when outdoors. You may also want to shorten the length of your walks to limit exposure to cold temperatures.
For example, instead of going for a 15-minute walk twice per day, limit your walks to about 10 minutes, depending on the temperature.
Even when bundling your pet, you are likely to spend less time going for walks during the winter. Try to compensate for the lack of daily walks with fun indoor activities.
Continue to aim for 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Devote at least 10 minutes at a time to playing fetch, tug-of-war, or any other physical activity that your chihuahua enjoys.