Before we discuss if Chihuahuas are hypoallergenic, let’s determine what hypoallergenic means.
Hypoallergenic, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “having little likelihood of causing an allergic response”. Little likelihood. That means hypoallergenic dogs, products, and so on, could still cause an allergic response in some people.
Is pet dander the only cause of pet-related allergies?
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, as much as 10% of the population in the U.S. is allergic to dogs! More specifically, 10% of the population in the United States is allergic to pet dander. But, people who suffer from dog allergies may be allergic to all dogs or only to some breeds.
So, since a person can be allergic to one breed and not another regardless of its known dander production, it can be a good idea to spend time with a specific breed before buying or adopting it can help you determine how you will react to it.
If you contact local rescue groups, or shelters, many will be happy to have an additional volunteer or foster home (even if it is temporary) to help you determine your sensitivity to the breed you are considering adopting.
Because allergic reactions can become dangerous and life threatening, it is important to choose adding a dog to an allergy sufferers household carefully. According to the Mayo Clinic website, “A pet allergen can prompt inflammation in air passages and prolonged exposure can cause the ongoing (chronic) inflammation associated with asthma.”
For those who have pet allergies, the pet dander forces their immune system into a reaction state. This causes an inflammatory response in the nasal passages and lungs.
So, are Chihuahuas hypoallergenic?
No. However, they can still be a great choice for allergy sufferers!
NO breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but certain breeds are better for allergy sufferers. Typically, the breeds recommended for those suffering from pet allergies are hairless or non-shedding breeds, because the allergen (pet dander) attaches to pet hair and therefore can be harder to control with a shedding breed. But, that does not mean a chihuahua is allergenic.
Also, while the typical allergen produced by pets is their dander, according to the Mayo Clinic website, the allergen cause is actually “a protein found either in an animal’s skin cells, saliva, or urine“. So, if you have a pet-related allergy, be sure to find out if you are allergic to dander (which can be controlled), or if other contact with pets causes you to have a reaction also.
If you suffer from allergies to dog saliva or urine, unfortunately, adding a pet to your household is not a good idea.
How to control your pet-dander allergy:
When dealing with a small breed, like a Chihuahua, controlling pet dander can be much simpler as they do not shed as much as a large dog (smaller body = less hair)
1. Grooming (Bathing and Brushing) – The small size of a Chihuahua makes this solution simple. It is easy to wash them frequently which cuts down on both shedding and dander. By grooming your Chihuahua dog every day (or weekly, at the very least), you can greatly reduce the allergens, especially if you use a products specially formulated to cut down on pet allergens like this shampoo.
2. Don’t Allow Your Chihuahua in Your Bed (or possibly even your bedroom) – Choosing to keep your Chihuahua out of your bed (or bedroom if your allergies are more severe) may be difficult, but it will reduce allergens in your bedroom, which can help with your overall allergy management.
3. Use a HEPA Filter – HEPA air filters or air purifiers are specifically created to capture more allergens. They will not only reduce pet-related allergens in your home, but also environmental allergens like dust.
4. Vacuum – Similar to tip number 3, there are vacuums that are specifically manufactured to cut down on allergens and/or include HEPA filters. The more you vacuum, the more you can keep the allergens in your home under control.
5. Wash Your Hands – Because dander “sticks”, if you remember to wash your hands after petting your dog, that will help prevent the allergen having prolonged contact with your skin.
6. Skin Supplements for Your Dog – Adding fish oil as a daily supplement to your dog’s diet helps keep his coat healthy which will reduce dander.
7. Consider Medication – There are no medications you can give a dog to cause them to stop producing allergens, but there are many allergy medicines on the market for humans. If you find the above steps don’t help control your allergy to dogs, then you may want to consider this option by visiting your doctor who can recommend the best medication for pet allergies.
Some breeds do create less dander than others. However, according to the American Kennel Club, the Chihuahua is not on their list of dog breeds that are known for producing less dander, but again, their tiny size does make it easier to manage the dander they produce.
So, if you suffer from pet related allergies…go ahead, adopt a Chihuahua. But remember, you will need to be diligent about grooming in order to keep your allergies under control. Choosing a pet is a lifetime commitment, so if you’re not comfortable regularly grooming, you may be better off sticking to a non-shedding or hairless breed.
BUT, keep in mind that hairless dogs can cause even more allergic reactions because they have no fur to trap the dander before it goes into the air.
NOTE: If your (or your loved one’s) allergies are severe, rather than trying an easy-to-groom breed like a Chihuahua, you may want to try one of the following breeds:
Breed: | Why this breed is considered hypoallergenic: |
---|---|
Affenpinscher | Doesn’t shed |
Airedale Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
American Hairless Terrier | Hairless |
Basenji | Doesn’t shed |
Bedlington Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Bearded Collie | Hair pH same as human hair |
Bichon Frisé | Springy undercoat doesn’t hold much hair or dander Recommended by AKC for allergy sufferers. |
Bolognese | Doesn’t shed |
Cairn Terrier | Sheds little to no hair |
Chinese Crested | Has very little fur, doesn’t shed much |
Coton de Tulear | Doesn’t shed |
Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Fox Terrier (Wire) | Sheds little to no hair |
Greyhound | Short hair, single coat (similar to many Chihuahua coats) |
Goldendoodle | Doesn’t shed (providing it is a later generation breeding, because early crosses may still shed) |
Havanese | Doesn’t shed |
Irish Water Spaniel | Doesn’t shed |
Italian Greyhound | Short hair, single coat (similar to many Chihuahua coats) |
Kerry Blue Terrier | Single-coated, short hair, sheds less |
Maltese | Doesn’t shed |
Peruvian Inca Orchid | Hairless |
Poodles | Doesn’t shed |
Portuguese Water Dog | Doesn’t shed |
Puli | Doesn’t shed |
Schnauzers of all sizes | Short hair, sheds less |
Scottish Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Sealyham Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Silky Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
Welsh Terrier | Doesn’t shed |
West Highland White Terrier | Sheds little to no hair |
Yorkshire Terrier | Hair has same pH as human hair |
Xoloitzcuintli | Hairless |
As an allergy sufferer myself, I always enjoy learning additional information for folks who love animals but may suffer from allergies. I had not heard of the shampoo that helps with dander, so i appreciate you sharing that information!
I see how Chis could be good. Unfortunately, Kilo the Pug sheds like a bandit. My great friend is very allergic and got a maltipoo puppy. She still had a small reaction so she went to an energy lady I interviewed – the treatment seemed odd but worked.
my son has always been allergic. the best advice I ever got was from my pediatrician, ” Dogs are more important than allergies”. Ive never forgotten this. its been a great lesson!
The doctor thinks I may have some allergies to the girls, but that won’t keep me from being around my beautiful long haired Persians,.
Mr. N is hypoallergenic and several people have told us that he hasn’t set off their allergies. He gets a ton of baths too which helps.
I’ve heard that before that no dog is completely hypoallergenic so it’s important to be sure before bringing a dog into a home with allergies. Love dolly
We have a Maltese because my husband wanted a dog that didn’t shed after having a Keeshond for 11 years. Smaller dogs are easier to bathe and that would reduce dander and hair everywhere.
Great tips! A lot of people are allergic to dogs and being able to manage a smaller dog when it comes to pet hair and bathing is much easier than a large dog, great post!
This is good news, I don’t have allergies, but with Matilda, I love that everything about her is smaller – the poops, the need for food and treats, and the scattered fur around the house. So fun to give her a bath in the sink, too, and easier to control the temperature than with a big dog that might need to be hosed outdoors.
Great topic. Yes, having a smaller breed makes it so much easier to bath them on a regular basis to help control the dander that causes allergies. My son is allergic to cats, but I don’t think they would enjoy be bathed as much 😉
Great post with good information! I hope your post helps to dismiss some myths and provide people with good info.
So many folks get pets advertised as “hypoallergenic” without ever understanding what that means. Great post to shed some light (pun intended!).
I never thought about Chis as hypoallergenic before! You make some great points. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from pet allergies – and if I ever did, I would be so upset!
Polly Pocket is so adorable. Great tips. I will say, as a person who was/is allergic to dogs, I received allergy shots 2x a week for 3 years. Like I would ever give up my dog. 😉
Very interesting article. Learnt something new as didn’t know they made specially formulated shampoos to use if you as an owner have allergies. I own a Yorkshire Terrier and I know they are also another good breed to own if you have allergies.
Took my partner Stefan 2 years of allergies but he’s now immune to OUR Chihuahua. And he is “less” allergic than he was before. Love that man for toughing it out!
That’s amazing Sonja! That’s the type of Dog-Dad every dog deserves!
I didn’t realize that Chi’s might work for someone with allergies but your information totally makes sense! I will definitely be keeping it in mind when chatting with people. Thanks so much for the information!
You’re welcome! We truly believe the “hypoallergenic dog” can be misleading, so we are glad we could provide more information!
My sister suffers from dog & cat allergies, which is a shame because she’d love a dog. I have one non shedding breed, a Havanese/Maltese mix, we think. I love Chi’s but never considered that they might be easier to manage for allergy sufferers. Thanks!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Some Chi’s (like our Polly Pocket) have little to no hair, and because they are so small, they are definitely easy to manage for allergy sufferers. Plus, you don’t have to learn to groom (though Havanese are adorable and would be on our “must have dog” list if we were any good at grooming)!