Chihuahuas are known for their interesting personality. They’re also known for having one of the longest life expectancies of modern dog breeds. We don’t know about you, but we think that bodes pretty well for your pack. Here’s everything you need to know about the average Chihuahua lifespan.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Chihuahua?
The average life expectancy of standard Chihuahuas is 12-20 years, and the Teacup Chihuahua’s lifespan can be 15-20 years with the proper care.
As furry companions go, that’s quite a long while to spend with your favorite lapdog!
The Amazing Chihuahua Lifespan
Megabyte, the oldest Chihuahua on record, lived 20 years and 265 days old. That’s almost unheard of in the canine world!
Sadly, Megabyte passed away on New Year’s Day in 2014. But who knows? Maybe your Chihuahua puppy will surpass his record!
Chihuahua Age In Human Years and Dog Years
You’ve probably heard that one human year equals seven dog years. However, different breeds age at their own pace, so that calculation won’t always be accurate.
For example, Chihuahuas and other little dogs don’t age as quickly as larger dogs, and they also tend to age faster in their first year of life as they move through puppyhood into adulthood.
A Handy Chart of the Chihuahua Lifespan
Use this helpful chart to determine how old Fido is:
| Age in Human Years | Age in Dog Years |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 29 |
| 5 | 33 |
| 6 | 37 |
| 7 | 41 |
| 8 | 45 |
| 9 | 49 |
| 10 | 53 |
| 11 | 57 |
| 12 | 61 |
| 13 | 65 |
| 14 | 69 |
| 15 | 73 |
| 16 | 77 |
| 17 | 81 |
| 18 | 85 |
| 19 | 89 |
| 20 | 93 |
| 21 | 97 |
| 22 | 101 |
| 23 | 105 |
| 24 | 109 |
| 25 | 113 |
What do Chihuahuas usually die from?
The Chihuahua dog isn’t free of health issues even with a robust life expectancy.
For Chihuahua puppies, infection and trauma are the top causes of death. But infectious viruses and accidental injury can affect adult Chihuahuas just as quickly.
While your pup is still growing, Chihuahua owners must be mindful of their small size. Something that only irritates a giant dog, like being stepped on, can be fatal for a tiny Chi puppy.
Like traumatic injuries, they can also avoid many viral or bacterial infections.
Make sure your Chihuahua is vaccinated against parvovirus and distemper. Never let them drink from contaminated water, as this is a common source of leptospirosis.
Be mindful of their dental care, as well. Tooth rot or decay can trigger sepsis in your Chihuahua.
If sepsis spreads, your Chi’s lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart can all be impacted. Few dogs have robust immune systems to fight sepsis, even with treatment.
Keeping your Chihuahua’s heart in tip-top shape is of the utmost importance. Nearly 20% of adult Chis die from heart problems, making cardiovascular disease the #1 cause of death for this breed.
These cardiovascular conditions can be broken down into three main groups: heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems.
Heart problems Affecting a Chihuahua Lifespan:
Heart failure simply means that your Chi’s heart doesn’t pump blood effectively.
This leads to an inadequate supply of oxygenated blood, which contributes to your Chi’s body and organs not functioning properly.
An arrhythmia occurs when the heart doesn’t beat at a regular pace. These don’t always impede a dog’s quality of life, but arrhythmias can be fatal in severe cases.
Heart valve problems can refer to various cardiovascular issues, including stenosis, regurgitation, and valve prolapse.
Think of stenosis as a major highway with one lane closed. Dogs with stenosis have narrower veins that prevent blood from flowing correctly, and they’re usually born with this condition.
Now think of regurgitation as the cars that make their own rules and try to go against traffic to avoid the jam. In this case, heart valves don’t close tightly, and blood flows backward into the heart.
Valve prolapse most often refers to a bulging mitral valve that puts pressure on the heart. Sometimes, valve prolapse can cause regurgitation.
Many heart conditions crop up when your Chihuahua reaches their twilight years, usually when they hit the 14-year mark and beyond.
For that reason, senior Chis are often said to have died of old age when they’ve passed due to a poorly functioning heart.
How do I know if my Chihuahua is dying?
The worst part of pet ownership is knowing it’s time to say goodbye.
You better be prepared for that moment. The more you can support your beloved canine as they cross over the rainbow bridge.
Classic signs that your Chihuahua’s happy life is coming to an end are:
- Increased lethargy: Your sweet pooch may suddenly stop interacting with its pack, or they lose its spunk. Several owners report their aging dogs staying in one spot all day, barely moving.
- Disinterest in food, water, and treats
- Difficulty breathing
- Lack of bodily control: This may present as a loss of balance, disorientation, or incontinence. Your Chi may be unable to stand up or walk without falling. They may seem confused, and house training could go out the window.
All these indicate that your buddy needs your companionship more than ever before.
Of course, if you notice any of these symptoms in your sprightly 7-year-old Chihuahua, it could signify an underlying medical issue rather than death.
Suppose you notice them in your otherwise-healthy, 19-year-old Chihuahua. The best thing you can do is offer your fur baby love and comfort.
Give them as much peace as possible, and know that you’ve taken good care of them up to their final moments.
Other Chihuahua Health Problems
In addition to these more severe conditions, Chihuahuas are at risk for other issues that can affect their health.
Dental problems, for example, are widespread. Tooth loss, tooth decay, and gum disease are prevalent among most toy breeds, not just Chis.
Collapsed trachea is a risk for small dogs. Tracheal collapse is likely the culprit if your Chihuahua starts honking like a goose when they breathe.
Patellar luxation is an attractive joint condition. As it’s often present at birth but may not show symptoms for quite a while—patellar luxation results in misalignment or dislocation of the kneecap.
If left untreated, patellar luxation can contribute to osteoarthritis.
You might not know immediately that your Chihuahua has osteoarthritis if they don’t have more obvious joint abnormalities.
Other Conditions Halting the Chihuahua Lifespan
Some dog owners don’t realize that their puppy has arthritis. Till the disease has progressed enough to cause pain and impede mobility.
Interestingly, obesity can be a sign (and predictor) of arthritis. If your Chi can’t move comfortably, they won’t move as much.
Now, that’s not to say that obesity can’t develop for non-medical reasons. Chihuahuas are tiny gluttons and will eat as many treats as you give them.
Stay one step ahead of their bottomless appetites!
Finding the balance between too much food and not enough can be tricky with Chihuahuas. As luck would have it, hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar) is a common ailment for this breed.
Hydrocephalus–a fancy term for fluid buildup in the skull. It can also occur, particularly in dogs with moles.
We see this more often in apple head Chihuahuas than deer head Chis, which is possible for both varieties.
These molars, or soft spots, are typical in Chis. And they can be an indication of hydrocephalus, though.
If your pup seems to have a larger-than-life molera or if their molera is still open past six months of age, get them to the vet to be on the safe side.
What factors impact a Chihuahua Lifespan?
The average lifespan for a Chihuahua is based on far more than genetics alone.
A Chi’s diet, weight, and activity levels affect their overall health. While it might not sound important, oral care is also crucial to protecting your Chihuahua dog.
Surprisingly, your Chihuahua’s gender can affect their life expectancy, too. Female Chis tend to live 1-2 years longer than males.
Proper medical care is another essential element of giving your Chi a healthy life. Routine vaccinations and spaying or neutering your pup are surefire ways to prolong their lifespan.
Tips to help your Chihuahua live for decades
Much to our collective relief, not all Chihuahua’s health conditions are life-threatening if adequately managed. Here are simple steps to give your Chihuahua a long life.
- Vaccinate your puppy. We can’t stress this enough!
- Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth daily.
- Keep your Chihuahua on a leash at all times.
- Get your Chi a collar with an ID tag. You can find collars for your small dog in Amazone, and it would help if you didn’t have trouble finding one that fits your pup. You could even take this a step further and get a microchip for your dog. If Fido gets loose, his ID tag and microchip may be your only hope of getting him back safe and sound.
- See your vet 1-2 times a year. Regular checkups are the surest way to catch potentially serious conditions before they become untreatable.
- Feed your dog a healthy diet. The best dog food is high in protein and packed with nutrients. Make sure your Chi has high-quality kibble–but not too much!
- Exercise your Chihuahua regularly. Not only does exercise help them bond to you, but it also prevents unhealthy weight gain.
How the Chihuahua’s lifespan compares to other breeds
You’ve probably heard about famously long-lived pups like Bluey, the 29-year-old Australian Cattle Dog. Let us compare a Chihuahua’s lifespan with Bluey.
These super seniors tend to be the exception to the rule, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of hardy dog breeds out there!
Yorkshire Terriers and Toy Poodles give the Chihuahua a run for its money. With a 14-16 years lifespan, these fluffy puppies will be by your side for years to come.
The Pomeranian also boasts a long life expectancy, living an average of 12-16 years, and Maltese ranks just behind Poms at 12-15 years.
If we didn’t know any better, we might say a long coat equals a long life!
So, whether you have a longhaired Chihuahua or a short-haired one, her life expectancy will be the same.
The only consistent factor in keeping her healthy? You. Aside from her genes, the care you provide directly impacts how long your Chihuahua lives.
