My Chihuahua Bites Everything: A Guide to Chew Toys and Mistakes to Avoid

Shoes, sofa, furniture corners, cushions, hands… If your Chihuahua gnaws on everything, it’s not because they are a “mean dog.” They are a dog trying to chew, explore, calm down, or release an emotion.

The goal is not to forbid them from chewing. The goal is to provide them with the right tools, at the right time, and to prevent gnawing from becoming a habit (or causing damage). In this guide, you will understand why they chew, what safe options to offer, what to avoid, and how to implement a simple routine that protects your home.

Why a Chihuahua chews: 6 common causes

For Chihuahuas, gnawing is very often linked to one or more of these causes:
1) Teething (puppy): sensitive gums, need for relief.
2) Boredom: lack of stimulation, they entertain themselves as best they can.
3) Stress or anxiety: chewing helps to calm down.
4) Excitement: they can't wind down after an "overly" stimulating moment.
5) Attention-seeking: they have learned that gnawing triggers a reaction.
6) Natural need: some dogs simply like to chew.

The key principle: replace, don't just forbid

If you remove an object without offering an interesting alternative, your Chihuahua will look for another object. The most effective strategy is simple:
• make forbidden objects less accessible
• make authorized objects more attractive
• praise and reward when they choose the right object

In short: you make the right choice easier. And you make the wrong choice difficult.

What to give a Chihuahua to chew: the safest options

A Chihuahua has a small jaw. Therefore, chews must be adapted in size, hardness, and safety. Here are the most useful options and how to use them daily.

1) Soft chew toys (puppy or light chewer)

Ideal if your Chihuahua chews out of oral need (puppy) or habit. Aim for soft but durable toys that are easy to grasp.

Good timing: offer them after exciting moments (play, arrival, visit) to channel their energy. Leave 1 to 2 toys accessible, and keep 2 others aside to alternate.

2) Enrichment toys (licking / foraging)

These are toys in which you can place a small amount of treats, pâté, or plain yogurt. They transform gnawing into a useful activity: your dog concentrates, gets mentally tired, and de-stresses.

Tip: start easy (a few accessible crumbs), then gradually increase. If your Chihuahua is very fast, a small, slightly chilled portion can extend the occupation time.

3) Plush toys suitable for small dogs

Some plush toys can distract your Chihuahua from cushions and clothes, especially if they chew because they need a "comfort object." This doesn't replace real chewing, but it often helps calm them down.

Choose a plush toy without small, easy-to-tear elements (plastic eyes, ribbons), with strong seams. If your Chihuahua shreds and swallows pieces, opt for a chew toy or an enrichment toy instead.

4) Natural chews: useful, but choose with caution

Natural chews can be very effective, but you need to be careful about their size and hardness. For a Chihuahua, the main risks are: too hard (teeth), too small (choking), or swallowed pieces.

Good practice: choose sizes adapted for small dogs and supervise the first sessions. As soon as the object becomes small enough to be swallowed whole, remove it.

5) Mini rope / mini tug: chew + play

A mini rope can be an excellent outlet, especially if your Chihuahua bites hands during play. The goal: teach them to bite an object, not skin.

Simple rule: if teeth touch skin, the game stops for 2 to 3 seconds. Then resume with the rope.

How to choose the right "hardness" for a Chihuahua

A small dog's teeth are more fragile than you might think. A good guideline: if you can't make a mark on the object with your fingernail, it's often too hard.

Another guideline: chewing should require a moderate effort, not a struggle. If your Chihuahua bites down very hard, grimaces, or can't get a grip, it's often too hard or poorly sized.

What to avoid: mistakes that cause injuries

Certain options should be avoided, especially for a small dog.

1) Very hard objects

Objects that are too hard can crack a tooth. A broken tooth means pain + vet visit. It's better to choose a chew that's a little less "spectacular" but safe.

2) Cooked bones and kitchen scraps

Cooked bones can splinter and cause digestive injuries. Also avoid unsuitable "small scraps": they are not designed for chewing and can be dangerous.

3) Toys that crumble or tear into small pieces

If your Chihuahua tears off pieces, they can swallow them. Always supervise the first uses and remove a toy as soon as it deteriorates.

4) Sticks, wood, objects picked up outdoors

Wood can cause splinters, irritate the mouth, and be swallowed. For a Chihuahua, problems can arise quickly.

5) "Household" fabrics

Giving an old T-shirt might seem clever, but it can teach the dog that "fabric = allowed." Then, they don't differentiate between an old T-shirt and your sweater. Prefer toys clearly identified as toys.

The case of the Chihuahua puppy: teething and gnawing

Between approximately 3 and 7 months, teething increases gnawing. Objective: relieve without creating bad habits.

What often helps:
• chilled (not frozen) soft toys
• short, calmly supervised play sessions
• frequent breaks (a puppy gets over-excited quickly)

Avoid: punishing or yelling. This excites or worries them, and can make things worse.

How to stop hand biting (without getting angry)

Hand biting often occurs during play or excitement. Here's a simple method:
1) Keep a "relay toy" nearby (rope, small chew toy).
2) As soon as teeth touch skin: stop. Remove your hands and freeze for 2 to 3 seconds.
3) Immediately offer the relay toy.
4) Resume playing only when they bite the object.

Clear message: biting humans = end of game; biting the toy = game continues.

If your Chihuahua chews on the sofa, furniture, or shoes

Here, we combine management + learning.

Management: put away shoes, block access to certain areas, use a gate or a small playpen if necessary. The goal is to avoid "repetition": the more they chew on a piece of furniture, the stronger the habit becomes.

Learning: offer a more interesting authorized object at the right time. Timing is essential: give a chew toy when you see the warning signs (they sniff, approach, get excited).

Toy rotation: the simple method that rekindles interest

Many dogs chew on "everything" because their toys have become boring. You don't need 20 toys: you need rotation.

Principle: leave 2 toys available, put the others away, and switch them every 2 to 3 days. A stored toy becomes "new" again when it comes out. Result: your Chihuahua is more likely to turn to their objects, and less to your belongings.

Gnawing and stress: when chewing helps to calm down

For many Chihuahuas, chewing is a self-soothing strategy. After stimulation (visitors, noises, busy outing), chewing helps them calm down.

The right timing: offer an authorized object immediately after the event, before your Chihuahua goes for the sofa. An enrichment toy reserved for "critical" moments (cooking, calls, video conferences) can make a real difference.

Safety: 6 simple rules to follow

1) Size: the object must be large enough not to be swallowed whole.
2) Supervision: the first sessions should always be under your watchful eye.
3) Condition: if the toy fragments, remove it.
4) Entanglement risk: no long ropes left unsupervised.
5) Hygiene: regularly wash toys, especially enrichment toys.
6) Teeth: if you notice pain, red gums, or a damaged tooth, consult a vet.

The simple 7-day plan

Day 1: Identify the 3 most "attacked" objects and secure them (storage / barrier / playpen).
Day 2: Choose 2 appropriate chew toys + 1 enrichment toy.
Day 3: Implement the "relay toy" for hands.
Day 4: 2 enrichment sessions (5 to 10 min) at the times when they chew the most.
Day 5: Clearly praise when they choose the correct object.
Day 6: Slightly increase the duration, always under supervision at first.
Day 7: Evaluate: when do things still go wrong? Anticipate with an alternative.

Frequently asked questions

My Chihuahua mostly chews when I'm busy, why?

Often, it's a mix of boredom and attention-seeking. Anticipate: offer an enrichment toy before your "I'm working / I'm cooking" moment, and reward calm behavior. A Chihuahua learns routines quickly.

My Chihuahua destroys their toys, what do I do?

Choose toys that are more suited to their style. Some dogs enjoy shredding (it calms them), others don't. If it's rapid destruction with ingestion of pieces, choose a safer toy and supervise. Remove it as soon as the object fragments.

Does chewing really tire my dog out?

Yes. Chewing and licking are calming activities that engage the brain. For many Chihuahuas, 10 minutes of well-chosen enrichment helps as much as a large part of the day's exercise.

Conclusion

A Chihuahua who chews on everything is not trying to annoy you: they are looking for a solution (to relieve, to occupy themselves, to calm down). The key is to offer them appropriate tools, avoid risky objects, and replace bad targets with good habits.

With a little anticipation, toy rotation, and simple rules, most homes quickly become... livable again.

When gnawing becomes worrying

In most cases, gnawing is normal. However, seek advice if you observe:
• frequent ingestion of pieces
• sudden onset in a usually calm adult
• visible pain when chewing, very red gums, unusual bad breath
• associated aggression (growling, biting) or severe anxiety

In these situations, a veterinary check-up can rule out pain (teeth, stomach) that can exacerbate gnawing. And a trainer can help if the behavior has become deeply ingrained.

Adapting the choice to your Chihuahua's profile

Not all Chihuahuas chew the same way. To make a more accurate choice, identify their profile:
• "Fast" chewer: they grab, shake, and want to tear off. Opt for more durable toys and monitor wear and tear.
• "Calm" chewer: they chew slowly. Enrichment toys and adapted chews are often perfect.
• "Stressed" chewer: they chew mainly after an event. The priority is to offer a soothing option at the right time.

The right product is not the hardest one: it's the one your Chihuahua spontaneously chooses, safely, and that helps them settle down.

Home organization: avoiding temptations

Prevention saves a lot of time. Two simple changes often reduce damage:
• everything "chewable" is stored out of reach (shoes, children's toys, remote controls)
• a quiet corner is defined (bed/cushion) with 1 authorized toy nearby

The fewer opportunities your Chihuahua has to successfully chew on a forbidden object, the faster the behavior extinguishes.

What to do when you catch your Chihuahua chewing

The right reflex: interrupt without causing stress.
1) Approach calmly.
2) Exchange: offer a more interesting authorized toy.
3) As soon as they take the right object, praise them.

Avoid running towards them shouting: some dogs turn this into a game, or associate your arrival with tension.