How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?

Here we have an interesting and extremely important question. How long do Chihuahuas live? The answer is simple and there are basically 2 numbers. But, understanding why this is the case and how you can help your pet live longer are far more complicated. There are a lot of factors you need to know and there are a lot of things you can do. 

How long do Chihuahuas live on average?

On average, most of them live between 15 and 20 years. In dogs, this is extremely long. Keep in mind that many dog breeds live around 10 years. How long do Chihuahuas live is basically answered. But, there are a lot of other things you need to know about.

For instance, smaller dog breeds live longer than big dogs. Scientists are still learning why this happens but they believe that abnormal cell growth is the reason. Well, Chihuahuas are some of the smallest dogs on the planet and they can reach 3 kg of weight tops. But, smaller ones are 1.5 kg in weight.

Another fact we would like to share with you is that many Chihuahuas can be seen at 20 years of age. Some live even longer. Of course, this cannot be generalized and there are many variations and not all sources are accurate!

Common health issues Chihuahuas suffer from

All dog breeds have health issues that affect their life span. Some are more dangerous than others and some breeds have more issues than the others. When it comes to Chihuahuas, there are a few health issues we would like to discuss. 

• Obesity

Obesity is a huge issue for many dogs, especially Chihuahuas. The reason is that these dogs are very small and they can gain weight in a matter of days. This can lead to issues with joints (because they must support extra weight now) kidney, heart, and liver issues. All of these start as non-severe but can become life-threatening except for bad joints.

• Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia occurs when a dog has lower than normal blood sugar. This will remain present all the time and can lead to severe issues and complications. In the lack of a better word, it is a life-threatening disease. 

On the other hand, regular visits to a vet and proper treatment can make these issues extremely minor and can be treated successfully. 

• Heart issues

Chihuahuas are prone to heart diseases and issues, period. One of the most common is heart murmurs which disrupt the blood flow through the heart and it is severe. Luckily, there are a lot of treatments out there that are very helpful. 

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the cartilage between the two bones in the body. As a result, bones will rub one another which causes severe amounts of pain. Of course, this issue doesn’t have a direct effect on how long your Chihuahua will live but does affect things. Dogs with Osteoarthritis will become depressed, won’t be able to exercise, which has a negative effect on how long they can live. 

• Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation can significantly affect the quality of life your dog has. This issue affects the knee and will make your dog limp all the time. There are a few treatments for it and they are reasonably effective. Patellar Luxation affects almost all small dog breeds. 

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How can your Chihuahua live longer?

There are a lot of things you can do in order to help your pet live as long as possible. Consider these as tips, tricks, or just pieces of advice that will help your pet live as long as he can. These are very simple and easy to implement but they are very effective.

• Take him to a vet on a regular basis

You need to take your pet to a vet on a regular basis so all potential issues and problems are discovered as soon as they appear. Most of the health—related issues are treatable or completely curable if discovered in time. If you don’t do this, your pet may develop complications that will have a negative effect on his lifespan.

• Use special food for Chihuahuas

Well, this type of food is not extremely special or impossible to find but it is different than other dog breeds require. The food is designed specifically for very small dog breeds. You have countless examples on the market. This food is essential and it will have a huge, positive effect on the lifespan of your Chihuahua. It is not expensive or hard to find so it is something all owners should consider.

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• Vaccines are mandatory

Here is one thing all dog owners must memorize. We, humans, get vaccines as babies and children. But, dogs get vaccines throughout the life to help them have a strong and effective immune system. That’s why it is important to take your Chihuahua to a vet on a regular basis to get the vaccines needed. This is extremely important and can make a massive difference. No, vaccines are not dangerous to your pet and there are no severe side effects. 

• Allow your pet to exercise

All dogs need a lot of physical activity. Chihuahuas need it as well. On average, they need 30 minutes of running around per day so make sure you provide them that. Don’t forget that they have small sizes and thin coats so they can get chilly in a matter of minutes. This also means that you need to carry a coat or a sweater and make sure your pet doesn’t get too cold. 

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The final word 

If you are one of many people who always wanted to know the answer to this question, now you know. How long do Chihuahuas live was an interesting question. There are a lot of variables and a lot of things you need to know and we have covered all of them. Try to implement all of these in your Chihuahua and make sure your pet has a long and high-quality life. 

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