So, you’re thinking about adding a Chihuahua to your family. But first, you want to know…do Chihuahuas shed?
The short answer to your question: yes. Chihuahuas shed. BUT, there are many reasons why this fact should not deter you from adding a Chihuahua to your family. Why should you still consider a Chihuahua?
Grooming a Chihuahua is easy and cuts down on shedding!
First, Chihuahuas are tiny. Obviously no matter how much a dog sheds, the bigger they are the more hair they have which means the more they will shed! That means, regular grooming (to decrease shedding) is actually really easy. Baths and brushing take minutes instead of hours. And there is no need to dirty the entire bathroom in an effort to clean your Chihuahua…a simple bath in the kitchen sink works perfectly!
If you prefer to have your dogs professionally groomed, you will still benefit from having a Chihuahua as most groomers have a lower fee for smaller dogs that don’t need haircuts. All you would need to book is a bath, brush, and nails!
Chihuahuas have different types of coats…some shed more, some shed less…
If shedding or other types of grooming are a big concern, you can still find the right fit for your home in a Chihuahua with their different coat types! They have long hair and short hair, and they have single coat and double coats. What does that mean?
Long Hair Chihuahuas
The long-hair Chihuahua will require more brushing than short hair Chihuahuas or else their coat will tangle and develop mats (really bad tangles that can cause pain and skin irritation). This type of coat does not shed any more (or less) than a short coated Chihuahua.
Short Hair Chihuahuas
The short-hair Chihuahua will benefit from brushing to help with shedding, but it is not required to prevent tangles or other problems. This type of coat does not shed any more (or less) than a long coated Chihuahua.
Single Coated Chihuahuas
Both long-hair and short-hair Chihuahuas can be single-coated. This type of coat will shed less than double coated Chihuahuas as they literally have less hair. However, due to their near “nakedness”, they require more maintenance in the form of clothing and blankets to keep them warm since they do not have enough hair to do a sufficient job on their own.
Double Coated Chihuahuas
Both long-hair and short-hair Chihuahuas can be double-coated. This type of coat has a soft, downy “under-layer” that not only means they have more hair, but also that they will need more grooming (and will shed more).
ALL Chihuahuas Shed
Unfortunately, the truth is, all Chihuahuas shed year round unless they suffer from hair loss as puppies or adults. Some hair loss is permanent, some is reversible – depending on if the cause is topical or genetic.
Easy Ways to Decrease Chihuahua Shedding
Brushing
This seems obvious, but it is not only simple, but also a very efficient way to deal with shedding. Brushing removes the loose and tangled (if you have a long-hair Chihuahua) hair that’s ready to fall. Again, since Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, it takes considerably less time than any other breed. If done daily you will notice a significant decrease in shed hair around your house! We recommend this brush for short hair Chihuahuas and this comb for long hair Chihuahuas!
Bathing
Just like brushing, the more you bathe your Chihuahua, the more you will remove all the loose hair (and dirt) from their coat. We love the Furminator De-shedding Shampoo and the Furminator De-shedding Conditioner!
De-Shedding Sprays
Want more power to your brushing sessions? Add in a de-shedding spray which helps detangle and moisturize your Chihuahua’s coat to decrease shedding!
Lint Rollers and Vacuums
No matter how much you groom your Chihuahua, there (unfortunately) will still be some shed hairs left around your home or on your clothes. Having a couple lint rollers handy will help quickly and easily remove hair from your clothes, furniture, and car seats.
Beyond that, investing in a quality pet vacuum will make a big difference in picking up the hair left behind by your Chihuahua in your home.
A Word of Caution: Causes of Hair Loss in Chihuahuas
Hair loss in Chihuahuas is not the same as shedding. Shedding is a normal occurance for most dogs, and you will notice it increases or decreases based on the time of year and weather. However, if your Chihuahua is consistently losing their hair (and not growing it back at the same rate) then that can be indicative of different issues entirely.
Because we want your Chihuahua to be healthy, here are some conditions that could cause hair loss outside of a Chihuahua’s normal shedding cycle:
Hypothyroidism: This is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland can’t produce enough of the thymine hormone. Your veterinarian would be able to determine if your Chihuahua is suffering from hypothyroidism with a blood test.
Heat Cycle: If you have an intact (unaltered or non-spayed) female Chihuahua, this type of hair loss is normal and will occur every time she is in “season” due to an increase of estrogen.
Allergies: Allergies from food, to certain chemicals in the environment (like shampoo products or flea medicine), seasonal allergies and so on can all cause hair loss. If you notice your Chihuahua scratching, licking, or chewing a lot, you may want to contact your veterinarian to discuss allergy treatments.
Infections: Various bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections can often cause extreme hair loss. Again, your veterinarian would be able to diagnose which type of infection your Chihuahua is suffering from and give you the proper course of treatment.
Do you have a Chihuahua? How do you feel about their shedding?
