Do Chihuahuas Shed: 10 Shedding Causes & Controls

Do Chihuahuas Shed
Do Chihuahuas Shed

Every dog shed, which is the hard truth but do Chihuahuas shed and how do you control shedding in Chihuahuas, let’s find out more together!

In this post, we will outline and discuss some common ways to control shedding in Chihuahuas since you can’t prevent it completely.

We will also look at some common reasons or things that can contribute to excessive shedding in Chihuahuas.

Before we move any further, let me quickly answer your question, do Chihuahuas shed in a way you can understand!

Do Chihuahuas Shed

Minimally, Chihuahuas shed all year, although they shed the most in the spring and fall, with the spring shedding being the most intense.

In comparison to other dog breeds such as the Golden Retriever, Chihuahuas don’t shed as much.

Chihuahuas exist in both short and long coat kinds, with some lacking an undercoat and others possessing one.

So it depends on whatever Chihuahua you have, but they don’t shed much and aren’t difficult to groom in general.

A variety of factors influence the quantity of hair your Chihuahua sheds.

This will be determined by the size of their coat since some coat sizes shed more than others, as well as the season.

Feeding, temperature, and insect infestations may all have an impact on how much hair your dog loses on a regular basis.

Causes of Shedding in Chihuahuas

Here are a few of the most prevalent causes of excessive shedding in Chihuahuas:

1. Sudden Hormonal Changes

Hypothyroidism is a hormonal disorder that affects Chihuahuas often and can cause significant hair loss.

It affects the thyroid glands of Chihuahuas, causing a thyroxine deficiency, a hormone that regulates metabolism.

This sickness causes hair loss, a dull and thin coat, discolored skin patches, exhaustion, a lack of enthusiasm to exercise, and weight gain.

If your female Chihuahua hasn’t been spayed, her heat cycles may impact the amount of fur she sheds at any particular time.

You may notice her shedding more hair at the end of those cycles.

Hair loss caused by hormonal shifts is the term used to describe all of these causes of hair loss.

2. Poor diet

If a chihuahua’s nutrition is inadequate, he or she may lose a lot of hair. A poor diet has the same effect on Chihuahuas as it does on humans.

A dietary imbalance in chihuahuas can cause significant apparent hair loss. As a result, keep a close eye on what you give your dog.

Whether it’s winter or spring if you notice any especially severe shedding after changing your puppy’s food, switch back or talk to a vet.

Chihuahuas will live longer if they consume a well-balanced diet rather than a diet consisting mostly of human foods.

A decent dog food provides the minerals and vitamins needed to keep skin healthy, hair follicles robust, and discharges to a minimum.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to aid in the growth of healthy hair in Chihuahuas, so incorporating them into their diet is always a smart idea.

A moist diet is crucial in the life of a Chihuahua because dry skin or dehydration can cause unwanted hair loss.

3. Medication Side Effects

If you give your Chihuahua medicine, and it starts shedding right away, it’s possible that the prescription’s side effects are contributing to the excessive shedding.

Certain medications, on the other hand, may cause your Chihuahua to scratch and shed excessively as a result of irritation or scaling.

Due to the adverse effects of a drug or illness, your Chihuahua may over-groom or lick herself excessively, leading to baldness on one or more parts of its body.

If your Chihuahua is shedding excessively, have him examined to rule out any health problems.

Check with your veterinarian to see if any of your Chihuahua’s medicines are causing her to shed so much.

4. Allergic reactions

Allergies to certain foods or objects in the environment might irritate a Chihuahua’s skin, causing it to shed.

As a result of the allergies, your Chihuahua may scratch, lick, or bite himself, producing considerable hair loss.

Allergies in Chihuahuas can be caused by food, dust, medication, and insect bites, etc.

Chihuahuas’ hair falls out as a result of an allergic response on their skin when they come into touch with anything they are sensitive to.

This type of shedding is unusual, and you’ll only notice it once in a while.

If you find any allergy triggers, keep them out of reach of your Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas may shed in reaction to shampoo changes, so consult your veterinarian if you need to switch shampoos.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your Chihuahua’s excessive shedding due to allergies.

5. Seasonal Changes and temperatures

The season is one of the key causes for Chihuahua shedding since the rate or degree of shedding is most commonly governed by seasonality.

In the spring, there will be a lot more Chihuahua hair droppings than there were in the winter.

As a result, it’s reasonable to assume that the season influences Chihuahua shedding.

Chihuahuas shed their winter coats in the spring to avoid warmth, then lose hair in the summer to thicken their winter coats.

Warm weather causes chihuahuas to shed less, so keep your chihuahua’s temperature down in the spring.

If you don’t look after your Chihuahua during the summer, you’ll be surprised at how much they shed.

6. Parasite attacks

While parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice can attack Chihuahuas, they shed a lot due to the attack.

One bite from one of these bugs can cause a slew of issues, including shedding.

Even though the quantity of shedding is minor, Chihuahuas dislike insect bites, and this bite may result in shedding.

If your Chihuahua is affected with a parasite, shedding will continue until the parasite is removed.

As a result, the dog will get irritable and scratch, maybe resulting in bald areas.

Flea bites can cause a variety of health problems, including shedding that is excessive or infrequent.

Flea bites can cause significant allergic reactions in your chihuahua, so keep him away from them.

7. Anxiety and excessive stress

Chihuahuas shed a lot because all dogs, including Chihuahuas, lose their hair when they are anxious or stressed.

Hormonal fluctuations occur often when the Chihuahua is overworked, irritated, or nervous, resulting in excessive or low secretions.

When things get very hectic, your dog will start tossing fur more regularly for the same reason.

As a result, stress-related dog hair loss is usually linked to anxiety, depression, and other unpleasant emotions.

Keep in mind that Chihuahuas are a little breed that was created to be a human companion, therefore they can’t handle a lot of stress.

Here are some common Chihuahua stress symptoms you should know. Also see some causes of Chihuahua anxiety.

8. Sudden increase in body temperature

Chihuahuas shed a lot, especially if they reside somewhere hot. When a Chihuahua’s body temperature increases above normal, excessive shedding occurs.

As a result, don’t overwork your Chihuahua; a 15-minute daily walk should suffice. If you overwork them, you’ll have hairs all over your house.

Keep a close check on their temperature and keep away from anything that might raise it. Playing with your Chihuahua in the heat of the day is a good example.

Due to their size, a rise in body temperature might cause breathing issues, resulting in needless shedding.

9. Bacteria or fungal infections

Bacterial diseases, fungal infections, and infestation are all significant causes of hair loss in Chihuahuas.

These health problems typically cause a lot of pain and contribute to hormonal imbalances, which lead to hair loss.

Bacterial infections such as salmonella can be caught by the consumption of raw foods such as raw chicken.

A fungal infection, which can arise if your Chihuahua comes into contact with mold or other types of fungus, can also cause the problem.

Mold can grow on snacks and dry foods, so store them properly after each use.

Remember that Chihuahuas are exceptionally curious dogs who will sniff out whatever they can find in the corners of your house.

As a result, make sure your home and the locations where your Chihuahua spends time are mold-free.

When Chihuahuas inhale spores on the ground after a walk, they may shed excessively.

10. Age factor

Between the ages of five and seven months, Chihuahua puppies are known to go through a puppy stage in which they lose their puppies.

However, you might argue that older Chihuahuas lose more hair since they are larger and have a larger surface area of hair.

Over the age of eight years, Chihuahuas are more prone to develop health issues, which can lead to hair loss.

Remember that once Chihuahua puppies have outgrown their puppy coat, which happens around four months, they shed a lot more. Then, until they reach adulthood, they will shed copiously.

Ways to control shedding in Chihuahuas

Some of the most common ways for managing or minimizing shedding in Chihuahuas include:

1. Regular brushing sessions

Using a brush to treat Chihuahua hair loss is the most effective method. It not only improves blood flow to the surface of the skin, but it also aids in the dispersal of natural fats.

 It also ensures that the brush’s loose bristles hairs won’t fall to the floor or onto the sofa.

Always offer rewards before and after brushing since Chihuahuas enjoy them.

However, brushing your Chihuahua for at least 7-10 minutes on average is recommended.

Depending on your schedule, you may be needed to brush your Chihuahua at least twice every six days, but if you’re busy, you can brush once a week.

Weekly brushing should be regarded as a preventative method when contemplating why Chihuahuas shed so much.

2.

To remove dead hair and grime from the short-haired Chihuahua, use a soft bristle brush. Because these dogs don’t have a lot of hair, this brush may also be used throughout shedding season.

Both in and out of season, the long-haired Chihuahua will require a pin brush or a slicker brush to groom his lengthy hair. Because of their tiny size, Chihuahua puppies require special caution.

2. Provide high-quality dog food

Keep an eye on your Chihuahua’s eating habits. In all dogs, a well-balanced diet promotes healthy skin and decreases shedding.

The food a Chihuahua eats should be nutritious and well-balanced. How properly you feed your dog has an impact on the condition of his coat.

Keep even the slightest hair loss on the inside to a minimal by feeding your Chihuahua a well-balanced diet.

If your Chihuahua consumes dog food high in Omega-3 fatty acids, oils, and minerals, her hair and skin will be as smooth and healthy as possible.

Dietary supplements often contain natural fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial to Chihuahuas and help maintain their skin and coat in good shape.

If your Chihuahua has skin problems, he or she will scratch and itch a lot, which will cause more hair to fall out of the follicles.

Give your Chihuahua a good vitamin and Omega-3 supplement to help minimize shedding and itching.

Supplements containing these ingredients are beneficial not only to your health, but also to your hair removal.

Fish oil helps to keep joints and bones healthy, in addition to skin and coat advantages.

Consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your Chihuahua’s diet.

3. Avoid skin dehydration

Make sure your Chihuahua has access to clean drinking water at all times to avoid dry skin and to help lower your Chihuahua’s body temperature.

This is important because dogs that don’t drink enough water have dry skin and hair, which contributes to excessive shedding.

If your dog’s water dish is maintained clean and full, the risk of harmful microorganisms being consumed is decreased.

Check your Chihuahua’s water dishes to make sure they’re only drinking fresh water.

Dehydration may induce shedding in small dogs like Chihuahuas, as well as other health issues.

Therefore, make sure your Chihuahua has access to fresh water at all times.

4. Keep stress minimal

Manage your Chihuahua’s stress level to reduce shedding.

Stress may cause your dog to shed more than usual.

Many changes in your dog’s surroundings might cause anxiety, such as a move, the death of another pet, or the birth of a new pet.

To help your dog manage with stress and shed, give her lots of exercise, love, affection, and attention.

5. Bathing your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas benefit from frequent bathing and the usage of de-shedding dog shampoo when it comes to shedding control.

Bathe your Chihuahua once a month to keep their coat clean and reduce shedding.

Also, if you’re eliminating a lot of stray hair in the bath, don’t be alarmed.

Bath time creates a lot of shedding in Chihuahuas, but this isn’t a problem.

Make sure they’re completely dry with a towel or a blow-dryer before bringing them back into the home, and be cautious around their closed eyelids.

6. Avoid Chihuahua allergies

Itchy ears, frequent biting at your Chihuahua’s skin, tears welling up in your Chihuahua’s eyes, and repetitive licking of the paw or skin are all signs that your Chihuahua is having an allergic reaction.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your Chihuahua from shedding excessively is to eliminate allergies.

Pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and dead skin cells, to mention a few allergens, can cause allergic reactions in Chihuahuas.

Keep an eye out for rashes or hair loss on your dog’s skin or hair that might indicate a food allergy.

7. Avoid parasite infestations

Fleas, ticks, and other parasites irritate the skin and coat of your Chihuahua, decreasing its quality.

In Chihuahuas, flea bites can cause severe hair loss as well as itchy, irritated skin if they are not treated regularly and efficiently.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss tick and flea prevention.

8. Avoid table scraps

Inadequate Chihuahua diets, such as stale dog food or table scraps, can create digestive issues in any Chihuahua, resulting in unwanted hair loss.

Did you realize that picking up rubbish from the ground might expose your Chihuahua to harmful bacteria?

It is not appropriate to let your Chihuahua to pick up food from the ground.

Always keep your chihuahua’s food in a clean container. When eating, avoid dropping food off the table.

Can you shave your Chihuahua

You may trim your Chihuahua, and many owners of the longer-coated kinds do so.

However, unless your veterinarian explicitly prescribes it, you should never shave your Chihuahua down to the skin.

Because Chihuahuas with an undercoat rely on it to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and having hair protects them from sunburn and insect bites.

I hope your question about Do Chihuahuas Shed was addressed!

Read more: Do Chihuahuas Bite (9 Bite Triggers)

Categorized as Dogs

By Jackson Duke

I'm Jackson Duke the founder of allpetspot. I grew up with lots of pets with 15 years of experience living with pets. My love for pets made me start allpetspot, am here to share his experiences with pets.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *