How Long Do Chihuahuas Live? Expert Insights on Chihuahua Lifespan

As the world’s most popular breed of lap dog, chihuahua’s are a special little breed of dog. From children’s movies to fast food commercials, chihuahua’s have most definitely made a name for themselves around the world.

For as small as these dogs are, their life expectancy and the factors that influence it may come as a surprise to some. Being aware of a chihuahua’s life expectancy is important for those who already own a chihuahua to know, as well as anyone who is considering adopting one. 

How Long Can a Chihuahua Live?

There is no accurate way to determine exactly how long any particular chihuahua is destined to live, but we do have a good average age range that we can go by. We can also rely on the fact that smaller dogs tend to live longer lives in general.

From chihuahuas to shih tzus, smaller breeds tend to have longer life expectancies compared to their larger counterparts. 

A generous average tells us that chihuahuas are known to live from 14-20 years. This average is based on the chihuahua living a relatively healthy life and not facing too many of factors that can have a negative effect on a chihuahua’s life expectancy. It's worth noting though, that there are things you can do to improve your pet's longevity.

The World’s Oldest Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are one of the world's longest living dog breeds. On record, the oldest chihuahua known to have existed lived a long happy life to the ripe old age of 20 years old, almost to 21. Megabyte, the name of this record-setting chihuahua died on New Year's Day in 2014. He was 20 years and 265 days old.

If you want to prolong your pet's life, here are guaranteed tips to improve your pet's longevity.

What Factors Affect a Chihuahua’s Life Expectancy?

There are several factors that greatly influence how long a chihuahua will be present in your life. You might notice that many of these factors are similar to what might impact how long a human will live, making them rather easy to remember.

Genetic Traits

A dog’s genes can tell you a lot about how long they might live or how healthy they are going to be in the long run. That is if you are so lucky to meet the parents or adopt from someone who knows about the chihuahua’s parents.

Caring for your dog

Caring for your dog is sometimes a full-time job. There are so many things to know, and so little time to research! 

Here at Petsmont, we have a team whose only job is to research the best ingredients for dog products. And because Fleas & Ticks are such a big headache for dog owners, we have developed our very own & natural Flea & Tick Collar for dogs. Say goodbye to fleas, your dog will thank you!

Petsmont Flea & Tick Collar

 

If you live in a rural or urban area, you will want to shield your dog's paws from hard surfaces, hot pavement or even salty ice. The same way we hoomans need lipstick, our furry friends need paw balm! And because we only want the best for them, we have developed a USDA Certified Organic Paw Balm for dogs. No more dry, cracked paws. You will see a difference after the very first application. 

 

Petsmont Organic Paw Balm

Diet and Nutrition

A chihuahua is only going to be as healthy as the food they eat. For instance, as much as most pet owners want to share their “people food” with their little buddies, it’s probably one of the worst things you can do for your chihuahua’s diet. People food is just as the name implies; it’s meant for people. 

Your pet needs better food for a longer life. A chihuahua needs to be given a balanced diet of high-quality pet food that is well balanced nutritionally and does not contain preservatives or fillers of any sort. A chihuahua’s diet is directly linked to how long they live due to how significantly it impacts their overall health. 

A good diet provides well-rounded nutrient intake and helps them to maintain a healthy weight. A plump little chihuahua might sound adorable, but these little dogs can have some serious negative impacts on their health if they are carrying around any excess weight. 

In order to ensure that your pet is getting the optimum amount of nutrients in their diet, you can start by making healthy homemade dog food yourself. Here are some of our best DIY dog food recipes that your pup will surely enjoy:

• DIY Tasty Apple Chips for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Stuffed Pawtato for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Pup Kebabs for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Doggy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Weight Gain or Loss

Just like with humans, if chihuahuas gain and hold onto a few extra pounds, they are more susceptible to developing health problems. Typically these health problems include diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, both of which can lead to a shortened lifespan.

The average chihuahua weight ranges from 3-6 pounds. This means that even the slightest weight gain or loss can be significant for these tiny dogs. Yes, being underweight is also detrimental to the health and lifespan of a chihuahua. 

Being underweight often points to a chihuahua being undernourished, which can lead to a weakened immune system Meaning, a chihuahua who is underweight is at just as high of a risk for a shortened life span as an overweight chihuahua is.

Dental Hygiene

Small dog breeds such as chihuahuas are at very high risk for dental issues throughout their lives. If these problems are not prevented or handled as they appear, these small dogs can suffer some serious consequences to their health. 

If your chihuahua develops diseases such as gingivitis due to poor dental hygiene, bacteria can then get into their bloodstream and travel through their body. Typically, this bacteria ends up in their heart or kidneys, inflicting even further damage and shortening their life span. 

Conclusion

Chihuahuas are one of the luckier small breeds of dogs who have the ability to spend up to two loving and happy decades with us. Their life span is very much dependent upon several factors, some of which are in our control as their owners. Others, on the other hand, are just part of their nature. Such as their genetics or predisposition to certain diseases that can have a negative impact on their ability to live those full two decades. 

Are chihuahuas smart?

Chihuahuas are in fact rather intelligent little dogs. Although, they often have a naturally sassy personality that can interfere with their ability to be trained easily. They know that they are adorable, and will try and milk that fact for all that it’s worth for as long as they can. Surely, that’s a sign of intelligence in itself.

Which chihuahua breed is the smallest?

Teacup chihuahuas are the smallest member of the chihuahua family. Weighing in at a whopping 5 pounds or less, these tiny pets are definitely the right choice for someone who wants a dog that stays puppy-sized for life.

Where do chihuahuas come from?

Chihuahuas’ roots can easily be traced back to Mexico. History has it that Chihuahuas are distant relatives to a breed of dog called the techichi. These dogs were known to be companions to the Toltec people who inhabited certain regions of Mexico, with their partnership dating back as far as 300B.C.

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