Do Chihuahuas like to be kissed?
I love kissing my Chihuahua Bella and she kisses and licks me right back.
Not all dogs love that though. Many doggies may not appreciate being kissed and often, Chihuahuas are known to show aggressive behavior.
That is why it is best not to kiss a Chihuahua unless you know for sure it likes being kissed.
Let us find out how Chihuahuas perceive kissing to be and also consider ways to show your pet love and affection.
Do Chihuahuas Like to Be Kissed?
When trying to answer the question, do Chihuahuas like to be kissed? – We must first understand whether a dog understands what kisses mean.
In dogdom, kisses aren’t natural. Dogs lick but a dog lick isn’t always a gesture to convey affection. Many dogs simply lick their humans when they are stressed or when they want to taste whatever flavor is on their skin.
In short, the answer to the question – do Chihuahuas like to be kissed – is not necessarily.
Some Chihuahuas may be ‘neutral’ about being kissed. However, if your Chi is used to being kissed from an early age, then it might understand kissing to be a part of petting, love, affection, and appreciation.
Dogs are sensitive enough to understand our body language. So they most certainly understand when we are praising them or showing them our love and appreciation.
Also, there are some aloof, aggressive, or temperamental dog breeds that may perceive kissing as a threat.
That is why we cannot definitely answer the question – do Chihuahuas like to be kissed – since the answer will vary from dog to dog.
Continue reading for ways to tell if your Chihuahua likes being kissed.
5 Ways to Tell if Your Chihuahua Likes to Be Kissed
Here are some ways to read into dog language and tell if your pooch is happy about being kissed:
1. Tail wag
Tail wagging is a well-known sign of a happy Chihuahua. Your small dog will wag its tail and reciprocate by lifting its mouth to give you a few dog kisses right back!
2. Relaxed ears
If your Chihuahua has relaxed its ears (not pricked them up or kept them standing upright), then it is a sign that your pet is okay with your kisses.
3. Relaxed posture
Your tiny dog will have a relaxed posture –its body won’t be stiff or tense. This means that you can keep those kisses coming!
4. Shows that it wants to play
Your pet might bring its favorite toys or leap around. All these signs show that it is happy and appreciative of your affection and kisses.
5. Leans into you
Many Chihuahuas demand to be picked up, want to cuddle or snuggle with you when you plant those slobbery kisses on them. This is a sign that your pet wants to be kissed!
5 Ways to Tell if Your Chihuahua Doesn’t Like Being Kissed
Some Chihuahuas are neutral about kissing. But most Chis hate being kissed by strangers and might only allow their family members or one particular person to kiss them.
Here are some ways to tell if your Chi does not like those kisses:
1. Tense body posture
A Chihuahua might shrink away or avoid eye contact with you/or someone when they don’t want kisses from. Their ears might be pinned back and it might tuck its tail between its legs.
2. Snapping/snarling or growling
Many aggressive Chihuahuas might not hesitate to growl or snap at you when you try to kiss them.
3. They turn away from you
Some Chihuahuas simply turn their head away or walk away from you when they do not want to be kissed by you.
4. Appeasement behavior
Some Chihuahuas simply turn on their back. They might repeatedly lick their lips and yawn to tell you they are done.
5. Hiding
A few Chihuahuas hide behind you or another object in case they don’t want to be kissed by a stranger.
Is it Safe to Kiss a Chihuahua?
Do you smooch your pooch all the time? I sure do!
However, many vets recommend not to do this. Here are reasons why kissing your Chihuahua may not be the healthiest thing to do.
1. Think where its mouth has been
If you want to kiss your Chi, then do it on its head or between its eyes. Avoid kissing it on its mouth because that might have been in a number of places that you don’t want to think about.
Even if your pet has an ear infection and it has scratched itself, then the germs and bacteria from the ear can be everywhere. So avoid kissing too much or unnecessarily.
2. Think about parasites
No matter how clean you keep your Chi with the best shampoo, it might still have parasites.
Even if your domestic dogs are free from ticks and fleas, they could still carry intestinal parasites like hookworm, roundworm, etc.
It is not just the danger of your Chihuahua passing on the germs and parasites to you from dog saliva – even you could pass germs like salmonella to your dog.
3. Skip those kisses if you are sick
Humans do not pass flu to their dogs and neither can they get sick from dogs’ influenza. However, doctors still recommend an animal lover to avoid those kisses especially if one is sick with serious diseases or has recently had surgery.
4. Avoid the risk of bites
Some Chihuahuas simply hate being kissed. They might perceive it as an act of threat or aggression.
Your pet might snarl, snap, or growl and if that happens, you should lay off those kisses. Many people fail to see these signs and then they blame the dog when it bites them.
Should You Kiss Other People’s Chihuahuas?
No. It is not the safest thing to do.
We can never tell for sure if a Chihuahua is aggressive or temperamental just by looking at it. Even if the Chihuahua owner gives you permission to go ahead and kiss or pet their Chi, think twice.
Many Chihuahuas are known to be quite snappy and we can never tell for sure if a Chi is in a foul mood just by looking at them.
And it is not just dogs that we need to think about – many Chi parents are rather possessive about their pooches and may not appreciate you kissing their fur baby.
Therefore, as far as possible, lay off those kisses – and reserve them for your Chihuahua only!
Why Do Chihuahuas Kiss/Lick One Person Only?
Does your Chihuahua reserve those slobbery kisses to only one member in your family? Worry not – this is perfectly normal.
Here are some reasons why your family dog might reserve its kisses for only one person:
1. It is instinctual
Dog kisses (or licking) is a highly instinctual behavior. A dog learns to lick right from birth when its mother licks and grooms it.
Often, your Chihuahua might lick one person in the house to show subordination. This means that it is instinctually showing the other member that it accepts him/her as the dominant pack member.
2. Helps your pet release endorphins
Many Chihuahuas lick the child in the house as it helps them relieve stress. It helps them shows affection to the child but in the process also releases endorphins in the dog that calm and comfort it.
3. To depict feelings of happiness
Often a Chihuahua will lick you when you come home from work. This is a way of showing its happiness.
4. They like the ‘taste’ or flavor of that person
Sometimes, a Chi might lick one member more than the others simply because it likes the way that person tastes. They might find your taste very comforting and it instils a sense of security in them.
5. To reduce your stress
Our smart and perceptive Chihuahuas can sense when its humans are stressed, tired, or upset. They might lick us to reduce our stress and tension.
Why Do Chihuahuas Like to Be Kissed by One Person Only?
Yes, Many Chihuahuas like to be kissed by one person only because they attach themselves or imprint with that person.
Many Chis, like Yorkies, are one-owner dogs – they will always follow that person around and show more affection to that person. Here are some reasons behind this behavior:
A. Time they spend with that person
A Chi might get attached to one person if that person spends a lot of time with it. This close bond can form at any age or with any gender. A puppy might instinctively bond with the person that trains, feeds, or even sleeps next to it.
However, an adult dog – especially one rescued – might also deeply attach to the individual that picked it up from the shelter. In such cases, it might only allow that one person to kiss it.
B. They understand the language of love
Often, a Chihuahua will allow only a loving, kind person to kiss it. They understand their body language and it is possible that the person in question never shouts or physically abuses the dog.
Even if the other members are not hitting or scolding it, it might just be that they are not as attached or loving with the pet.
Children might play too rough with the Chi or a tired and busy member might not give it the attention it desires. In such cases, your Chi might only accept kisses from the person that is most loving and attentive towards it.
C. Matches their energy levels/personalities
Often, Chis pick their favorite person when their energy levels and personalities seem to match. They might kiss that person only and not the others.
How to Show Affection to your Chihuahua?
In addition to kissing your dog’s face (or in lieu of kissing!), here are some ways to show your Chihuahua love and affection:
1. Rub it behind the ears
Most dogs love being scratched behind their ears – that is their favorite spot. Your pet will show you if it likes this by tilting its head and making the spot more accessible.
2. Allow it to lean towards you
Most Chihuahuas show affection and love by leaning into you, rubbing against you, and asking for those cuddles and snuggles.
3. Make eye contact
Speak to your pet in calm, soft voice as you gaze lovingly into its eyes! Chihuahuas love this!
4. Play with it
The best way to show your Chi you love her/him is by spending time with it. Play with it, take it out on walks and car rides (only if your Chi likes those), or simply let it sit by your feet while you work or watch TV.
5. Snuggle and cuddle with it
Chihuahuas love to cuddle – so let it in your bed if you aren’t allergic to pets. Your Chihuahua might sleep between your legs. Just be careful not to accidentally injure your buddy.
FAQs on Do Chihuahuas Like to Be Kissed?
1. Is it okay to kiss a Chihuahua on its lips?
No. Please avoid kissing any dog on its lips as it is unhygienic for both you and your pet. Dog’s saliva can end up transmitting bacteria to your mouth and vice-a-versa – which can be harmful for you both.
2. Is it okay to kiss a Chihuahua on its head?
Chihuahuas like being kissed on their head only if they are used to it since puppyhood. However, an aggressive Chihuahua might perceive kissing as a threat, so do not try to kiss an unknown Chi on its head.
3. Does my Chihuahua know I love him/her?
Yes! Your Chi knows how much you love it. It can understand your love when you play with it or gaze at it with loving eyes. This gesture raises oxytocin – love hormone – in both you and your pet.
Conclusion
Do Chihuahuas like to be kissed?
Most Chihuahuas don’t mind being kissed on the head as long as they are used to the gesture. Some Chis are neutral about being kissed but others might perceive kissing as a threatening gesture – particularly if it is from a stranger.
Avoid kissing your Chihuahua on its lips as it could transmit germs and is unhygienic for both you and your dog.
