A smiling Chihuahua lying on the floor

Chihuahua Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds. Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, they’re known for being a lap dog and make great companions. If you’re thinking of buying a Chihuahua, this dog breed guide will help you decide if this breed is the right one for you.

Chihuahua Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Toy
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
14 - 16 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
1.8 - 2.7 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
12 - 20 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Sensitive, confident and alert
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
30 mins per day
Dog breed grooming icon
Grooming
Medium maintenance

Is a Chihuahua Right for Me?

Chihuahuas may be tiny dogs but don’t underestimate them. There’s a big personality despite their small size. These confident dogs will stand up for themselves and can rule the house if they’re not well-trained.

They can get lonely if left alone all day so they may need another dog (ideally a sibling) to keep them company. They’re the ideal city companion pet but may not be suitable if there are small children are in the household.

A cute Chihuahua puppy giving a side eye

What are Chihuahua Puppies Like?

Everyone will fall in love with a Chihuahua puppy. As the breed has become very popular in recent times, make sure you get your pup from a reputable breeder – visit the breeder’s home and see the mother of the litter and father if possible. Make sure they’re well-socialised by introducing them to other dogs, cats, people, noises and new situations from an early age.

A cute brown Chihuahua in a garden

Life with a Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are the ultimate lap dog. They don’t need much exercise but can be sensitive. Make sure you have time to give them the attention and tender care they need, and don’t leave them on their own for long periods. As Chihuahuas love to investigate and can fit in small spaces, make sure your garden is secure so they don’t escape or get stuck somewhere they shouldn’t!

They form a strong bond to one person and will become protective of them. This can make some dogs aggressive to other people if they haven’t been well-socialised as a puppy.

Caring for Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have small appetites and can be fussy with their food. Feed them at regular times, twice a day, to get them into a regular eating routine. Puppies need to be fed 3-4 times a day.

If you’re unsure how much you should feed your dog, you can find guidelines on the food packaging.  Weigh your dog’s food so you give them the correct daily amount. If you decide to change your dog’s food, do it slowly to prevent an upset tummy.

You can add new dog food to the original food, gradually increasing the amount over the course of a week. Your vet will also be happy to advise you on the best food for the breed.

Chihuahuas are either smooth coated or have a long coat. The short-haired variety is more common. Long-haired Chihuahuas require more grooming to stop the fur from matting. They should be brushed twice a week while those with short coats only need to be brushed once a week.

Chihuahua clothes and coats will keep them warm and clean - and looking cute. A coat worn when outside during the winter will protect them from the cold. And, because they’re low to the ground, they can get dirty especially when the ground is wet and muddy.

Baths may be needed to keep them clean after a messy day out. Some owners also like to take their long-haired dogs to professional dog groomers to try out different grooming styles!

Chihuahuas are highly intelligent which makes them easy to train. They can quickly learn commands with positive, reward-based training. But they probably won’t be interested in playing fetch. Your puppy may have started house training with the breeder, if not, puppy toilet training should be taught first.

Training classes are a great way of getting tips on training while allowing your puppy to socialise with other dogs and people.

Chihuahuas don’t require much exercise, and some would rather be carried, especially if they’re not used to walking far. They should have up to 30 minutes exercise a day, but exercise doesn’t just mean walking.

Getting them to run around by playing with them, is another way to get them active. However, these small dogs are usually happy with a short, slow walk. They enjoy playing with toys as well so have a selection of these to keep them occupied when you’re busy.

Chihuahua Insurance

Dinky they may be, but sometimes these little rascals bite off more than they can chew, and their small dog syndrome gets them into trouble. For times like this, it can be a good idea to think about Chihuahua insurance. Everypaw’s Dog Insurance can be there to help look after your Chihuahua against illness or injury, and all our policies come with a range of additional benefits to help keep them in tip-top shape.

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Common Chihuahua Health Problems by Vetstream

The good news is that Chihuahuas don’t suffer from many hereditary health problems. However, there are still a few health issues that you should be aware of. Everypaw has teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream to help you spot any signs of these.

Patella luxation is a condition where the kneecap becomes unstable and slips out of place. The condition often affects small-breed dogs. Dogs with a luxating patella will hop rather than use the affected leg.

The kneecap can often slip back in place without any treatment, but surgery may be needed to correct the position of the kneecap. The degree of patella instability is graded in a scale of 1-4. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment for your dog.

The Chihuahua is predisposed to Congenital Hydrocephalus. This is a condition where there is build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the brain. Signs usually appear when a puppy is a few weeks old when they may appear to have a deformed head. The increased pressure causes weakness of the muscles, blindness and seizures.

It can be life-threatening if it’s not treated. Treatment involves surgery to remove the fluid to another part of the body. Medication may be given to stop seizures and steroids given to reduce the build-up of CSF around the brain.

Retained testicles are a relatively common occurrence in male puppies, particularly in certain breeds. This is when the testicles haven’t descended from inside the abdomen into the pouch of skin that the testicles sit in (so are retained).

If a testicle remains inside the body for many years, it’s more likely to become cancerous. If your puppy has retained testicles your vet will recommend an operation to remove them (castration).

Tracheal Collapse is a condition that is mostly seen in toy breeds. Initially, dogs with tracheal collapse develop a cough that sounds like a goose honking. This often happens when the dog is excited or has been pulling on the lead.

The condition can be controlled with simple changes such as changing from a lead to a harness, exercise reduction and weight loss, but medical treatment may also be required. If severe, surgery may be necessary to prevent the trachea from collapsing by either inserting artificial rings around the trachea to hold it open or by inserting a tracheal stent.

Quick Cavapoo Q&A

Chihuahuas have a lifespan of 14-16 years which means that they’ll outlive most dog breeds. Some have been known to live longer – even to the grand old age of 20. Some health conditions can shorten your dog’s lifespan if left untreated. Smaller varieties of the breed, like the tea-cup or micro Chihuahuas, tend to have more health issues and can impact how long chihuahuas live, typically making their lifespan shorter.

Chihuahuas are temperature sensitive and will shiver in the slightest breeze! They can also quiver and shake when they’re alert or anxious.

Yes, both smooth and long-haired Chihuahuas will shed, especially in spring and autumn.

Chihuahuas were bred for companionship. Being small, they make the perfect lap dog. The breed originated in Mexico, although their exact origins are a bit of a mystery.

That’s All You Need to Know About Chihuahuas

This affectionate breed needs an owner who can devote lots of time to them. They don’t need much exercise and would rather be carried around. They love lots of attention and cuddles and don’t like being left alone for long. Fortunately, their small size means you can take them with you to most places. Chihuahuas are generally a healthy breed so there aren’t many health issues that you’ll need to worry about.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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