Most owners are pretty clueless when it comes to their Chihuahua's heat cycle. After all, don't we have more important things to worry about than the Chihuahua heat cycle? We'll, every owner should familiarize and understand the heat cycle of their Chihuahuas for a number of reasons, one of which is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Some Chihuahuas such as Teacups are simply too small to conceive puppies, making pregnancy a dangerous situation for them. Other owners may not want to deal with the extra needs and requirements that a litter of pups brings.

So, when exactly does a Chihuahua go into heat? I wish there was an easy answer for this, but there's not. Like all dogs, a Chihuahua's heat cycle will vary from dog to dog. Factors such as age, health, hormones, environment and genetics can all change your Chihuahua's cycle. On average, though, a Chihuahua will go into heat about once or twice a year. You may find them going into heat every 6 months or longer. Observe your Chihuahua closely for the first year when you bring them home and mark the date they go into heat on a calendar. It's up to the owner to find their Chihuahua's heat cycle.

When you notice blood and swelling, there's a good chance your Chihuahua is in heat. While every Chihuahua is different, most heat cycles last for about 3 weeks. During the first two weeks you'll see visible signs such as bleeding and swelling, however on the third week, they might seem normal. This third week is what causes trouble for a lot of owners. They think their Chihuahua's heat cycle is over and allow them to interact with dogs, which in turn leads to a pregnant Chihuahua. This is why it's important to keep a close eye on your dog at all times, and don't allow any contact with other dogs when they are in heat.

Dealing with a Chihuahua who's on their heat cycle is a whole different issue. Big dog breeds are easier because we can just let them run free in a fenced in area or on a lead. Chihuahuas and other small dogs aren't so lucky. They usually stay indoors with their owner, and while this is usually a good thing, it also means they are likely to cause a mess in your house. It's usually only the first two weeks when a Chihuahua in heat bleeds, so you'll only have to keep them off the furniture and bed during this time. If you're finding it too difficult, try either the disposable or reusable doggie diapers. While they make look silly wearing them, it will help prevent blood from spreading around your house.