The Chihuahua lifespan is arguably the longest in the dog kingdom. With some individuals dwelling 17 to 20 years. But, how long do Chihuahuas live?
All matters being well, you could count on your diminutive companion to paste around for a long time, as a minimum through puppy standards.
That said, Chihuahuas are prone to several lifestyle factors and health conditions. In this manual, we’ll test these and provide you with some advice on the way to maximize your Chihuahua’s possibilities of extended and glad life.
If you’d want to learn greater approximately Chihuahuas in general, here’s an awesome guide to the world’s smallest dog breed. Small canine breeds tend to stay longer than medium and massive dogs.
While the exact cause of this disparity is unknown, it’s a concept to have something to do with their slower fee of boom delaying the onset of age-related diseases.
Chihuahuas aren’t any exception, dwelling a mean of 15 to 20 years. Females typically live around 1 to 2 years longer than males.
This location is the common Chihuahua lifespan in the first region along the Chinese Crested.
Medium and huge dogs stay significantly shorter lives. Medium puppies live a mean of 10 to 13 years and massive puppies live from 8 to ten years.
Chihuahuas can be small, but they maintain on kicking!
Health conditions affecting their lifespan
While Chihuahua’s lifestyle expectancy is excellent, the breed is laid low with quite several fitness situations. Knowing and handling these are crucial.
Trauma
Chihuahuas are famous (or possibly infamous relying on your factor of view) for their cocky, “big dog” attitude.
While that is endearing, it does make them prone given their Lilliputian dimensions.
Compounding the risks associated with this “by no means say die” attitude, Chihuahuas frequently show off a genetic situation regarded as “moleras” – smooth spots inside the cranium wherein bone did not develop.
Owing to these factors, a high percentage of Chihuahuas die from trauma, whether from dog fights or by accident being dropped or stepped on.
Cardiovascular disease
A twenty-month study into canine mortality discovered that 18.5% of Chihuahua mortality may be attributed to coronary heart-related disease. This sets the breed among the top five of those maximum susceptible.
While the onset of heart disease happens extraordinarily overdue in a Chihuahua’s life (14 years) it stays the unmarried finest contributor to reduced Chihuahua life expectancy.
The good news is that up to 70% of reported coronary heart disease cases in small breed puppies are degeneration of the mitral valve, a circumstance which can be prevented via a good diet and exercise.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a situation that reasons blood sugar levels to stay at lower than healthful levels.
While the bodily effects are not continually straight away obvious, through the years hypoglycemia reasons a sluggish decline in physical circumstances.
Chihuahuas must be checked if they may be sluggish, drowsing excessively, or liable to shaking.
Early treatment can arrest the onset of this condition. Conversely, if no longer treated it will extensively reduce Chihuahua’s lifespan.
Other situations
Other conditions that may reduce your Chihuahua’s lifespan or quality of existence include patellar luxation, Von Willebrand’s Disease, hydrocephalus, and retinal disease.
Some practical things you could do to improve your Chihuahua’s lifespan:
Diet
A healthy food regimen is your primary weapon in stopping cardiovascular degeneration.
Chihuahuas are regularly choosy eaters and it’s common for them to beg for that delicious “human food.”
It’s crucial to be firm! Make certain your diminutive pal gets nutritious and well-balanced canine food, preserving treats from your desk to a bare minimum.
Exercise
Chihuahuas generally love to play and opt for walks via their neighborhood. So, retaining your Chihuahua in shape and energy is normally easily accomplished.
While they want everyday walks, the distance, and intensity are far much less than required by using a larger canine. A little bit of exercising goes a protracted manner.
Remember that Chihuahuas are huge puppies trapped in tiny bodies!
They’ll frequently face as many as a whole lot larger dogs believing themselves to be invincible.
It’s, therefore, a good concept to keep a close eye on their natural outgoing exuberance.
Preventive fitness
As with all puppies, prevention is way higher than cure.
Make sure your furry companion receives wellness take a look at every 12 months and that they get all their vaccinations (leptospirosis, parvovirus, and dog influenza are especially vital).
You’ll also want to make certain they receive normal oral care. Chihuahuas are at risk of dental problems and persistent problems with oral fitness can introduce contamination and boom the probability of coronary heart disease.
Finally, spaying and neutering brings many benefits. It reduces the threat of cancer, lowers their aggression, and reduces the probability of them walking away.
With proper care, the average Chihuahua lifespan is excellent! Your pint-sized accomplice stands a very good risk of being around for the long term to come.
22 comments
What about chihuahua mixed do they live longer
My chihuahua is around 20. Very healthy up until the past couple of years. Cataracts and hearing loss bus she’s still a trooper! So many great memories!
Made me happy to know that our Leo will live longer we can enjoy his company .
Thank you for that information. I have a male chihuahua,not sure of his age. I got him from the city pound in Clovis,N. Mexico. No idea his age guessing him to be between 8 and 10 years of age. I have had him 5 years,perfect dog for me!
Thanks for the info.
Both of mine died from enlarged heart
Very informative
My Pollyann lived for 22 years miss her so much
My chihuahua he is 15 yrs old he is hanging on he is a minuture I love him also much I’ll get another one when he passes away
I had a two legged 5 pound Chi for 19 years. SHe was so sweet and didn’t mind not having front legs because she didn’t know any different. Of course she was low keyed as far as exercise and walks but she loved life to her best possible. She passed away of heart failure Always in my heart
Love my Chihuahua’s… I had one that lived a ripe old age of 18 1/2 yrs and I still miss him.. Died on New Years eve 2018 in my arms. I have two more again and will not trade them or any other breed…..
I have a female chihuahua, i got from the humane society. she just turned 9 on monday 2/24 sh is very laid back ( except when there are other dogs, she don’t care how big they are). icouldn’t ask for a mire perfect friend. she’s been by my side through alot of stuff. my neighbors got her for me after i lost my other chihuahua bridget. who was severely abused when i got her at 4yrs. she passed at just a week shy of her 15th. birhday! i have her ashes on ny table. and i will do the same with lyla. your page was very helpful, thank you for sharing!
I believe that lots of love and affection and a loving, calm environment is key to the longevity of their lifespan.
Great info to know.
My male chihuahua died from kidney failure but he diagnosed a heart murmur when he was 7 years old.
He left me 4 of his puppies & wife.
I still missed him a lot.
You may think twice about giving a Chihuahua the Leptospirosis vaccine, sometimes added to a multi vaccine. Studies have found a substantial high mortality rate with small breeds especially Chihuahuas. My sister’s furry baby died three days after receiving a multi vaccine with Lepto in it. Do your research please.
Thank you for sharing that information. I have a 13 year old baby boy that is going thure some problems and this makes me feel better.
My Chi has congestive heart failure. We lost her mate a year and half with same disease and 3 out of 4 of their puppies. She is 16.5 years and he was 15. Heartbreaking when we lose one of our family!
Ihad mine for 16 years very few health issues miss him so much!I will someday get another when I am ready and one jumps in my arms hopefully.
I have a rescued chihauhau , I am a senior citizen. King is the best thing that could happen to me. He is funny, he is sweet, and every bit a ladies man. I am hard of hearing , he lets me know when someone is at the door by running from the door ,to me and back to the door barking. All the ladies want to pet,and love him because he is not aggressive at all, so he’s the center of attention, and he loves it. When he’s not with me, they worry me to death asking me where he is, or how is he. he is well loved ( which he deserves) by me and my neighbors. Here, King is really king.
May came into our lives one year ago she have some issues she was apparently missed treated and her first and last place , but now she’s home where she belongs it took me about 8 or 9 months for her to get comfortable and realize that she is now in a safe place she likes to walk between my legs as I walk I called my son for my room if he doesn’t answer she barks for him when I leave home I tell her that I will be back she loves to stand between my legs when I’m in the kitchen she knows that I drop food so there she is she knows this is your house and she knows the house she doesn’t like my son in dark clothes but she loves him and he loves her they have a routine at night they mess with each other till they’re tired and then they go to bed this happens every night but my thing is she likes playing in and out the closet and the bathroom don’t know why she also likes to run back-and-forth from the living room to the bedroom on the bed Roma circle back again 5to 6times
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes which will make the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing!