Do Chihuahuas Shed a Lot?

Whether your affectionate chihuahua has a long coat or a short coat, in both cases, it will shed, but what about its hair loss on a daily basis and in adulthood? 

Indeed, this is a natural and continuous process that is actually beneficial for our little canine companions 😊

However, as a (future) owner, you may have questions about shedding in the chihuahua dog breed:

🐶 Why do chihuahuas shed their hair?

🐶 How often does my chihuahua shed?

🐶 Do chihuahuas shed a lot compared to other breeds?

🐶 Do long-haired chihuahuas shed more hair than smooth-haired chihuahuas?

🐶 How can I manage excess hair at home?

🐶 Is excessive hair loss a sign of a health problem or that my dog is fragile?

Why Do Chihuahuas Shed Their Hair?

Smooth-Coated and Long-Coated Chihuahuas

 

According to the official chihuahua breed standards, these doggies can have a short coat or a long coat.

The smooth-coated (short) chihuahuas have an outer coat that lies flat against the body, shiny and soft. If there is an undercoat, the outer hair will be slightly longer.

The long-coated chihuahuas also have soft but thinner fur, slightly wavy, with a possible undercoat of varying density.

As for the beautiful coat colors of this breed, officially they are all accepted except for the merle pattern according to the FCI (World Canine Organization) nomenclature.

Which Chihuahua Sheds the Most?

At first glance, one might assume that long-coated chihuahuas shed more hair than smooth-coated chihuahuas, but that is not necessarily true.

If a smooth-coated chihuahua has an undercoat, it sheds less than a long-coated chihuahua without an undercoat.

Most long-coated chihuahuas have two layers of hair, but some only have a topcoat.

Furthermore, long-coated chihuahuas often lose their hair in tufts, which makes them easier to clean. 😉

When Will My Chihuahua Shed Its Hair?

 

Most long-coated chihuahuas shed their undercoat twice a year, in the spring and late autumn, and their topcoat gradually throughout the year.

Smooth-coated chihuahuas generally shed once in the spring or gradually throughout the year.

The spring shed allows for the development of a lighter and thinner coat, while the autumn shed allows for the development of a heavier and thicker coat.

When a doggie loses all or most of its coat in a short period of time, it is referred to as "shedding."

In addition to seasonal shedding, both varieties of chihuahuas also lose small amounts of hair throughout the year. That is why we don't see packs of hairless Chihuahuas roaming the streets!

But not all chihuahuas follow this cookie-cutter shedding schedule. Whether smooth or long-coated, a chihuahua may shed once a year, twice a year, or gradually throughout the year.

How Does Daylight Affect Chihuahua Shedding?

It is often thought that temperature changes are responsible for shedding, but it is actually variations in daylight that trigger this biological process.

The frequency and time of year when a chihuahua sheds its hair vary depending on its biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm.

Indeed, all animals have a circadian rhythm: this involves physical, mental, and behavioral changes that respond to light and darkness in the animal's environment. The circadian rhythm tells the chihuahua not only when to sleep but also when to shed. 😇

The circadian rhythm of the chihuahua, and therefore when it sheds its hair, depends primarily on the amount of light during the day.

After the spring equinox, the Earth's Northern Hemisphere begins to get closer to the sun, resulting in longer, sunnier days. In comparison, the Northern Hemisphere moves away from the sun in autumn and winter, making the days shorter and less bright.

Seasonal daylight variations affect melatonin production, signaling to the chihuahua when to shed its hair and when to grow a new coat.

Common Causes of Excessive Hair Loss

 

You can expect your chihuahua to lose some hair through shedding. However, excessive hair loss and/or bald spots, uneven patches of hair, or brittle fur can be signs of an underlying issue » ALWAYS consult your veterinarian, who will be best able to advise you.

- Hypothyroidism: Generally appearing in middle-aged dogs, hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones.

Symptoms include high cholesterol, lethargy, excessive hair loss, weight gain, and anemia. If you suspect your chihuahua has hypothyroidism, ask your vet to perform a blood test to check its thyroid hormone levels.

- Cushing's Disease: Characterized by a chronic overproduction of adrenal gland hormones, Cushing's disease causes hair loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, and increased urination.

- Heat Cycle: Due to high estrogen levels, female chihuahuas shed more hair while in heat. Estrogen levels normalize about 24 to 48 hours before the end of the second phase (estrus).

- Stress: Just as stress causes us to lose hair, it can also cause a chihuahua to lose its hair.

Common stressors include separation anxiety (when your chihuahua is left alone), moving to a new home, a death in the family, or the arrival of a new pet.

- Food Allergies: If your chihuahua is allergic to one or more ingredients in its food, it may lose an excessive amount of hair. This is a direct response of your chihuahua's immune system to what it believes to be a foreign invader.

Try different food varieties until you find one that does not cause excessive hair loss or other allergic reactions. Every dog is different and what suits one may not suit another, so consult your veterinarian.

- Contact Allergies: Even if your chihuahua does not have a food allergy, it may be allergic to other chemicals or compounds in its environment, such as a bed, cushion, or basket (all our bed models are handmade by the best canine accessory specialists). 

 

For dogs, possible allergens include shampoos, flea medications, antibiotics, metals like nickel, rubber, wool, plastic, and household cleaning products.

Use the process of elimination to identify and remove the allergen from your home.

- Infections: Certain bacterial infections can cause excessive hair loss, including ringworm and pyoderma.

- Fleas: Fleas are not responsible for hair loss in all chihuahuas. But if your Chihuahua is allergic to flea saliva (flea allergy dermatitis), it may scratch intensely until bald spots appear.

How to Control Your Chihuahua's Shedding?

Chihuahuas are considered dogs that shed little compared to other dog breeds.

The chihuahua ranks seventh among the lowest-shedding breeds, right after the Poodle, Bichon Frisé, Miniature Poodle, Chinese Crested, Yorkshire Terrier, and Maltese.

Nevertheless, chihuahuas do shed their hair, leaving behind small tufts of hair scattered all over the house, but fortunately, there are ways to control shedding.

😉 Here are some tips for shedding:

🙌 Brush your beloved chihuahua

Daily brushing is the most effective way to control a chihuahua's shedding. Brushing with a dog brush removes loose hair, straightens out tangles, and evenly distributes the natural oils from your chihuahua's skin throughout its coat.

 

 

🙌 Bathing your small dog

Although it is not the most pleasant activity for Chihuahuas, bathing promotes coat cleanliness by removing dirt as well as dead hair.

We recommend bathing your Chihuahua once a month; too often, and you will damage their skin and fur as well.

However, if your pet dog sheds in winter and/or spring, you can give them a weekly bath during these seasonal shedding periods.

Use a special dog shampoo and do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian.

🙌 Using a dog hair dryer

After bathing your small dog, use a hair dryer on the cool air setting to remove loose hair from their beautiful coat.

You can also use a dog dryer, but go step-by-step so as not to scare your dog (plug it in another room for several minutes to gradually get them used to the noise).

🙌 Using a lint (hair) roller

Fabric sofas, armchairs, and cushions are magnets for loose hair! To prevent your Chihuahua's hair from invading your furniture, run a lint roller over your upholstery.

🙌 Giving your Chihuahua quality food

Avoid giving your Chihuahua food composed mainly of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Choose a varied dog food instead whose main ingredient is a high-quality protein.

Food supplements can certainly help too, and why not talk to their vet about it; they will provide you with excellent advice.

🙌 Taking your Chihuahua for regular check-ups

If they are an adult, you should take your Chihuahua to the vet every six months for a routine check-up.

This can reveal infections, diseases, skin disorders, and other problems that may cause excessive hair loss.

🙌 Dressing your Chihuahua

A piece of clothing, a sweater, or even a harness for Chihuahuas is not just a fashion accessory; it helps control hair shedding by keeping it in place.

After undressing your Chihuahua, immediately brush their coat to remove loose hair.

Final thoughts

Although excessive shedding can be annoying, you should NEVER shave your Chihuahua puppy or adult. 😵

A dog's coat plays an important role in regulating their body temperature. If you shave their coat, they will not have the insulation needed to stay warm in winter, nor the protective hair needed to slow down heat absorption and stay cool in summer.

Shaving your Chihuahua also exposes their skin to damage caused by the sun.

Without a protective layer of fur, doggies (and small dogs) can develop painful sunburns regardless of the season, so you can trim your Chihuahua's coat, but you should never shave it.

Tell us in the comments what your grooming and dog care tips are, as well as the coat type of your wonderful small pet!

- The Teckelshop team - We are fans of dachshunds but remain in love with all dog breeds 💚🐶