Do Chihuahuas Shed: 9 Shedding Triggers & Control Tips

Since we have the long hair and short hair breed of Chihuahuas this always comes with the question do chihuahuas shed, which is what we will discuss in this post.

Since there are yet no proven methods to completely stop shedding in dogs, there are practices that help to reduce excessive shedding which we will outline in this post.

We will outline and discuss the most common reasons or things that can trigger off excessive shedding in Chihuahuas, this applies to both long and short hair.

Let me quickly answer your question do Chihuahuas shed before we continue to other things we will discuss.

Do Chihuahuas Shed

Both long and short hair Chihuahuas shed all year, although their shedding rate is quite modest when compared to other dog breeds. They shed the most in the spring and fall, with the spring shedding being the heaviest.

Due to their thick, long coats, which may be seen during grooming, long hair Chihuahuas appear to shed more than short hair Chihuahuas.

Despite the fact that Chihuahuas shed very little throughout the year, there’s a good possibility you won’t notice much hair on the floor until their hairs grow out, which is why people may say that Chihuahuas don’t shed. 

Now we have established the fact that Chihuahuas do shed, but the shedding rate depends on many factors, let’s look at why the rate of shedding may increase.

Why do Chihuahuas shed so much

Here are some of the most prevalent causes of excessive shedding in Chihuahuas that you should be aware of:

1. Nutritional imbalance

A Chihuahua’s hair will fall out if his or her food isn’t balanced. Poor nutrition affects chihuahuas in the same way it affects people.

Whether it’s winter or spring, if you notice any exceptionally high shedding after changing your Chihuahua’s food, switch back or visit a veterinarian.

A proper dog diet has 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 development of healthy hair in Chihuahua dogs, so including them in their diet is always a smart idea.

A wet diet is crucial in the lives of Chihuahuas since dry skin or dehydration can cause unwanted hair loss.

2. Seasonality

The season is one of the key causes of Chihuahua shedding since the pace or degree of shedding is frequently controlled 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 think that the season has an impact on Chihuahua shedding.

Chihuahuas lose hair over the summer to thicken their winter coats, then shed them in the spring to avoid heating up.

Keep your chihuahua’s temperature down in the spring since warm weather causes them to sweat less.

If you don’t care for your Chihuahua during the summer, you’ll be surprised at how much it sheds.

3. Parasitic attacks

Parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice can affect Chihuahuas that go outside, but they shed a lot as a result of the attack.

One bite from one of these insects can cause a number of issues, including sudden excessive shedding.

Bug bites irritate Chihuahuas, and despite the minimal quantity of shedding, this bite may result in shedding.

If your Chihuahua is infected with a parasite, she will continue to shed until the parasite is removed.

As a result, the dog will feel itchy and scratched, resulting in bald patches in certain cases.

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

4. Allergic reactions

The skin of a Chihuahua might get inflamed and shed because of allergies to particular foods or toxins in the environment.

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

Allergies in Chihuahuas can be caused by a variety of things, including food, dust, medication, and insect stings.

A Chihuahua’s 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 is an uncommon type of shedding that only happens once in a while. If you find any allergy triggers, keep them out of reach of your Chihuahua.

5. Changes in hormones

Hypothyroidism is a hormonal disorder in dogs that can result in significant hair loss.

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

This sickness causes hair loss, a dull and thin coat, discolored skin patches, exhaustion, a lack of enthusiasm for 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 could see her shedding more hair at the end of her cycles.

Hair loss driven by hormone changes refers to all of these causes of hair loss.

6. The 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 infants.

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, Chihuahuas are more prone to have health problems, which can result in hair loss.

When Chihuahua puppies outgrow their puppy coat, which happens around four months, they shed a lot more. Then, until they reach maturity, they will shed copiously.

7. Increased environmental temperature

When a Chihuahua’s body temperature increases above normal (101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit), excessive shedding occur.

As a result, don’t overwork your Chihuahua; a regular 15-minute walk should be enough. If you overwork them, you’ll have hair all over your house.

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

Because of their size, a rise in body temperature might cause respiratory issues, resulting in excessive shedding.

8. Bacterial diseases or infections

Hair loss in Chihuahuas is caused by bacterial infections, fungal infections, and infestation.

These health issues commonly cause a great deal of discomfort and contribute to hormonal imbalances, which result in hair loss.

Bacterial illnesses like salmonella can be contracted by eating raw foods like raw chicken.

A fungal infection, which can occur if your Chihuahua comes into contact with mold or other forms of fungus, can cause the issue.

Snacks and dry foods can grow mold, so store them carefully after each use.

Remember that Chihuahuas are inquisitive dogs that will smell out whatever they can discover in the cracks of your house.

As a result, ensure that your house and the areas where your Chihuahua spends time are mold-free.

Chihuahuas may shed excessively if they inhale spores on the ground during a stroll.

9. Side effects of medications

If you give your chihuahua medicine and it starts shedding right away, the medication’s side effects may be contributing to the unnecessary shedding.

Certain medicines, on the other hand, may induce excessive scratching and shedding in your Chihuahua owing to irritation or scaling.

Some illnesses may cause your Chihuahua to overbrush herself, resulting in baldness.

As soon as possible, consult a veterinarian. You should have your dog checked out if he is shedding excessively to rule out any health concerns.

Check with your veterinarian to see if any of your Chihuahua’s medicines are causing her to shed excessively, shown by some common Chihuahua sick symptoms.

Ways to reduce shedding in Chihuahuas

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

1. Regular brushing

Using a brush to treat Chihuahua hair loss is one of the most effective methods of reducing excessive shedding.

It not only improves blood flow to the skin’s surface but also aids in the dispersal of natural lipids.

Provide treats before and after brushing since chihuahuas enjoy them.

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

Depending on your schedule, brush your Chihuahua at least once every six days; however, if you’re busy, brush once every nine to ten days.

Brushing Chihuahuas on a weekly basis should be considered a preventative practice when evaluating why they shed.

In and out of season, long-haired Chihuahuas will require a pin brush or a slicker brush to comb their long hair.

Because of their tiny size, Chihuahua puppies require additional attention during grooming sessions.

2. Provide high-quality food and supplements

Keep a tight check on your Chihuahua’s food intake. In all dogs, a well-balanced diet supports good skin and decreases shedding.

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

Even the slightest hair loss on the inside may be controlled 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 keep their skin and hair in good shape.

There are some common foods your Chihuahua should avoid.

3. Avoid dehydration

Make sure your Chihuahua has access to clean drinking water at all times to avoid dry skin and to enhance your dog’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 bacteria being consumed is decreased.

Examine your dog’s water dishes to ensure that they are only drinking freshwater.

In little dogs like Chihuahuas, dehydration can cause shedding and other health issues. As a result, make sure your dog always has access to freshwater.

4. Bath Chihuahua once in a while

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

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

Also, if you’re removing a lot of stray hair in the bath, don’t be alarmed. When it comes to washing time, Chihuahuas may shed a lot, 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 careful around their closed eyelids.

5. Keep away all forms of allergies

Itchy ears, gnawing at your Chihuahua’s skin often, tears welling up in your Chihuahua’s eyes, and licking of the paw or skin on a regular basis are all signs of 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.

6. Keep parasites away

Fleas, ticks, and other parasites irritate the skin and coat of your Chihuahua, reducing 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.

I hope with the information provided on this page your question do Chihuahuas shed was addressed.