Chihuahua Growth Stages

Q: How long does it take for a Chihuahua to be full grown?

Chihuahuas become adults when they are one year old.

Q: At what age does a Chihuahua stop growing?

Chihuahuas usually stop growing at around 10 to 12 months, which is when they’re considered adults.

Q: When do Chihuahuas stop teething?

Chihuahuas stop teething by the age of 8 months at most.

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If you have a Chihuahua or will be getting one soon, you’re probably curious about your Chihuahua’s growth stages as well as what to expect and when it’s time for potty training. Well, you’ve come to the right place! We will discuss in details everything you need to know about your Chihuahua’s growth and the different phases of his or her life.

Table of Contents

4 Stages of maturity in Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are among the longest-living canids. They grow up very quickly and spend a long time as adults, making them ideal for people looking for a long-term pet.

During their lives, Chihuahuas go through 4 stages of maturity: infancy, puppyhood, adulthood, and old age.

1. Infancy: 0 to 1 month

Your Chihuahua is a newborn from birth to about four weeks. The infant Chihuahuas are entirely dependent on their mother during this time.

2. Puppyhood: 4 weeks to 1 year

When Chihuahuas are over four weeks old, they enter puppyhood. This stage can be split into two sub-parts:

i. Young puppy: 1 to 5 months

Your Chihuahua is considered a young puppy during the first half of puppyhood. The small pooch will experience rapid growth during this period.

ii. Older puppy or adolescence: 6 to 12 months

Chihuahuas experience adolescence during this age. Growth decelerates or slows down gradually and stops when the Chihuahua puppy is 12 months old.

3. Adulthood: 2 to 9 years

This stage is when a Chihuahua becomes mature and stops growing longer and taller. Your Chihuahua’s body is in peak form and at his or her healthiest. Adulthood is further divided into two sub-parts:

i. Young adult: 2 to 3 years

The young adult period starts from the end of the growing phase of a Chihuahua and continues until he is three years old.

ii. Full adult: 4 to 9 years

Your Chihuahua is considered middle-aged by this point and continues to be a full adult until his 10^th birthday.

4. Senior age: 10 years and above

This age starts after the Chihuahua has successfully made it into double digits and continues for the rest of his life.

Youngest age you can get a Chihuahua puppy

The minimum legal age for adopting a Chihuahua puppy is 8 weeks. Baby Chihuahuas, no matter if they are Apple Head Chihuahuas or deer head Chihuahuas are extremely tiny, delicate creatures who are very much dependent on their moms during their early few days.

Taking a puppy away from his or her mom too soon isn’t just cruel, but it also poses a risk to the Chihuahua’s health. After the eighth week, it is safe for the Chihuahua puppy to go up for adoption.

Chihuahua age milestones

Knowing the typical behavior, weight, and health of your Chihuahuas at each phase of their lives can help you keep track of their growth and be on the lookout for any abnormalities.

Chihuahuas have different needs at each stage of their lives, and knowing what to expect at each milestone will help you raise healthy, well-behaved Chihuahuas.

Let’s explore each stage of a Chihuahua’s life, starting with birth.

1-day old newborn

Newborn Chihuahuas are just 4 to 5 inches long and weigh 2.5 to 5.5 ounces. They can’t see or hear and have no teeth. They sleep the whole time and only wake up to be nursed.

10 days old Chihuahua puppies

In the next 10 days, you can expect the Chihuahua puppies to grow rapidly and get almost twice as big. Sleeping still takes up most of their day, and the small pups are still entirely dependent on their mom.

They are even incapable of pooping, peeing, or regulating body temperature on their own.

1-month-old Chihuahua puppies

3 week old chihuahua — when do chihuahua puppies open their eyes

Chihuahuas’ baby teeth or milk teeth start coming out during this period. 1-month-old Chihuahua puppies will also start taking their first steps, exploring their surroundings with their recently opened eyes.

While their eyes are adjusting to the new environment, other parts of their bodies are still developing so you may notice that the Chihuahua ears are still floppy or they are still learning to walk.

Growth is still rapid, and the Chihuahua pups learn to pee by themselves or on their own. You can start introducing solid foods, but milk would still be a major part of its diet.

6 weeks old Chihuahua puppies

Chihuahua puppies are at the height of their curiosity, and it is the perfect time to get them used to people, children, and other dogs. Socialization at this stage makes them confident for later on in their lives. This is the best time to start leash training the puppies.

It is also essential to reduce the pup’s time with his mom and siblings to lessen the shock of separation later on. First vaccinations are also administered at 6 weeks.

You can estimate your dog’s adult size from his weight at this stage. Divide your Chihuahua’s weight in ounces by 4 to get an estimated adult weight in pounds.

2 months old Chihuahua puppies

The baby Chihuahuas have switched entirely to solid food at this point, and it is now ok to send them to a new home. The Chihuahua puppy is a little skittish yet highly curious. Use the curiosity to get your Chihuahua pup familiar with his new environment and future routines like walking, brushing, grooming, and cleaning.

Getting your Chihuahua puppy into a grooming routine is especially important at this stage. Getting your pup accustomed now will make it easier in the future. Whether you have a long-haired Chihuahua or a short hair Chihuahua, you can expect some shedding, especially during the spring and fall seasons.

The puppy has grown all of its baby teeth at this point, and the teething phase is about to begin.

3 months old Chihuahua puppies

Training should begin during this period, or the Chihuahua puppy may develop behavioral issues later on. The small pups should learn their place in the hierarchy of your house and respect you as the alpha.

The final vaccines are administered, and the puppy gradually loses all of its baby teeth.

4 months old Chihuahua puppies

The teething period is at its peak, and you should provide plenty of chew toys for your Chihuahua puppies during this stage. The Chihuahua is no longer foolishly fearless and understands different fears.

It is also this stage when male Chihuahua pups go through puberty. However, they’re not mentally mature enough to breed yet.

5 months old Chihuahua

The Chihuahua pups are highly energetic at this age. Giving them 3 meals a day will keep them well-nourished. It’s best to walk them at least twice every day to keep their hyperactivity under control. Expect the growth to slow down at this stage.

6 months old Chihuahua

Female Chihuahuas get their first period when they are 6 months old, signaling the arrival of their maturity. However, it is very early to let the females breed, as they lack the mental maturity to have kids.

Chihuahua pups are a bit rebellious at this age, making them somewhat difficult to deal with. It has to do with their adult hormones being in full swing. If you want to neuter or spay your Chihuahuas, now is a good time.

9 months old Chihuahua

The growth slows down further as the pup reaches adulthood. Hyper puppy behavior disappears, and the puppy can be put on an adult dog diet. The Chihuahua stops teething and would sport 32 adult teeth by the 9-month mark.

Most of the growth at this stage is in the pup’s weight rather than its height.

1-year-old Chihuahua

A 1-year-old Chihuahua isn’t a puppy anymore, for he has reached his maximum size. The fruits of your training throughout the pup’s early age should bear its fruit, and you should have a calm, well-behaved adult Chihuahua.

In human years, your Chihuahua has aged 15 years in just 12 months!

Adulthood years in Chihuahua

Adulthood begins from the Chihuahua’s first birthday and carries on until the age of 10. This is the longest phase of his life. If your Chihuahua was vaccinated and did not suffer from any congenital diseases, he will experience the least health issues and diseases during this phase.

2 to 3 years old Chihuahua

The first sub-stage of the Chihuahua’s adulthood lasts till the age of 3. The puppy-like antics are gone, and the Chihuahua has become fully housetrained. But while the adolescent behavior is over, the Chihuahua is still highly energetic.

This is also the ideal time for Chihuahuas to have kids. Be careful when breeding Chihuahuas in their later years as it could lead to painful pregnancies.

4 to 10 years old Chihuahua

While the best years of a Chihuahua’s life may be behind him, this stage isn’t so bad either. Health complications may arise in Chihuahuas with congenital disabilities, but overall, their condition should be fine.

It’s best not to let female Chihuahuas get pregnant at this stage, for it will be too much for their bodies to handle. Better get them spayed to prevent any unwanted pregnancies.

Senior years in Chihuahua

Chihuahuas live for a long time and can spend a good part of it in their senior years. This stage starts after their 10^th birthday and ends with their passing— typically at 14 to 16 years. However, some Chihuahuas can live for up to 20 years.

10+ years old Chihuahua

A 10-year-old Chihuahua is like a 56-year-old human. Expect weakness, reduced activity, and physical degradation in your small canine companion. Dental issues, arthritis, and joint problems are common among senior Chihuahuas. Also, be on the lookout for collapsed trachea and valve disease.

The exercise and nutrition that the Chihuahuas got in their early years determine how well and how long a senior Chihuahua gets to live. Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are predisposed to various diseases, making their senior years marred with medical complications.

Rare Chihuahua types like the Blue Chihuahua are much more susceptible to health issues so if you have one, make sure to keep an eye on them.

Chihuahua to human age equivalency

baby chihuahuas pictures — chihuahua newborns

“One dog year is equal to 7 human years” is the adage many of us believe. While it is true that dogs age differently from humans, the 1:7 ratio isn’t entirely accurate.

Chihuahuas age the fastest during their first year. The following year they age a bit slower, and from then on, they age at a steady rate. Their life in human years is as follows:

The first year of a Chihuahua’s life is equal to 15 human years
The second-year is equal to 9 human years
After that, each year is equal to 4 human years

For example, a 3-year-old Chihuahua is 28 in human years; a 6-year-old Chihuahua is 40, and so on.

Chihuahua Years	Human Years
1	15
2	24
3	28
4	32
5	36
6	40
7	44
8	48
9	52
10	56
11	60
12	64
13	68
14	72
15	76
16	80
17	84
18	88
19	92
20	96

When do Chihuahuas stop growing?

Chihuahuas stop growing at around 10 to 12 months, which is when they physically become adults. You may observe slight changes in the Chihuahua’s weight and shape, but the height stops increasing.

Chihuahua Growth Stages