My family and I have both a small Chihuahua and a Labrador. From our experience, although our Chihuahua does shed, she doesnât shed as much as my Labrador. We totally understand how annoying it can be to have so much fur around the house – from our carpets, furniture, to our clothes. But believe me, itâs not as bad as you think! Letâs find out why.
Do Chihuahuas shed? Yes, Chihuahuas do shed all year round. Chihuahuas shed more during the fall and spring season because thatâs when their coat changes. They shed the most during the spring season. Canine shedding power varies from light to heavy. Luckily, Chihuahuas are a light to moderate shedder throughout the year.
Of course, depending on whether you have a long-haired Chihuahua or a short-haired Chihuahua, the shedding power varies.
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Do Chihuahuas shed a lot?
Although Chihuahuas do shed throughout the year, their shedding actually does not cause any pet hair nuisance in the house. Since Chihuahuas are small and tiny dog breeds, their shedding does not cause as much mess or annoyance around the house when compared to how much large or giant dog breeds shed.
This is why many people who are either hypoallergenic or sensitive to fur choose to have Chihuahuas. If you or your family members love dogs and want one, a great option would be to go with a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are great for those who are allergic to fur or are hypoallergenic.
There are also those who choose to have a Chihuahua because they cannot handle a lot of fur around the house or on furniture. With a Chihuahua, you have less cleaning to do and itâs not too time-consuming to clean up after your pooch.
However, since Chihuahuas do shed a lot, especially during the spring and fall seasons (shedding season), weâve shared some tips and tricks below of what you can do to minimize the amount of fur you have to clean up.
Chihuahua shedding a lot: What to do
If your Chihuahua is shedding a lot, here are some of the things you can do:
Groom your Chihuahuas regularly during the spring and fall seasons
Especially during the spring season, you can expect your Chihuahuas to shed a lot. If you have a Blue Chihuahua, you’ll find a lot of dull grey and silver fur around your house. But donât worry, their hair is very short and thin.
We highly recommend that Chihuahua owners groom their Chihuahuas regularly about two to three times a week, although brushing every day is best. When you groom your Chihuahua, you are brushing their coat and controlling where the fur is falling. This will help to prevent the fur from falling in undesirable places like on your clothes, furniture, or even the kitchen.
As a result, thereâs not that much fur inside your house to clean up. So while grooming does not stop the shedding, Chihuahua owners can expect to save a lot of time and energy from having to clean up after their Chihuahuaâs fur thatâs around the house.
Check out: Best Dog Shampoos for your Chihuahua! Weâve provided several top-rated dog shampoo options depending on your Chihuahuaâs coat and skin needs.
Use deShedding grooming products like brushes
We highly recommend that Chihuahua owners use a deShedding brush, which is a grooming tool, to collect the dead hair. This helps to reduce the amount of shedding around the house and your cleaning efforts later.
Itâs best for Chihuahua owners to brush their dogs every day. However, we totally understand that sometimes our schedule gets very hectic and we donât have time to brush every day. If this is the case, try brushing 2 to 3 times a week.
I find it convenient to use a deShedding tool like this one below on my Chihuahua. She enjoys it and finds it very soothing. My Chihuahua would purr every time I brush her with the deShedding tool. After the brushing session, I canât believe how much hair comes out!
Bathe your Chihuahua weekly with deShedding shampoo
In addition to using a deShedding brush, you can use a deShedding shampoo for your Chihuahua. Itâs best to go with deShedding shampoo that includes fruit extract and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. This type of shampoo will not only lessen the excessive shedding but also give your Chihuahua a healthy and shiny coat. Make sure the deShedding shampoo does not contain chemical dyes or parabens.
Fortunately, the deShedding brush and shampoo work for all coat types. By using these two products, there will be less fur inside your house. There are also deShedding conditioners if you prefer to pair the deShedding shampoo with a conditioner.
After the bathing session, dry your Chihuahua and brush her coat again.
There are also other grooming products Chihuahua owners can use such as deShedding combs, undercoat rakes, or simply wire pin brushes for your Chihuahua.
Rub coconut oil onto your Chihuahuasâ coat and skin after their bath
Not only does the coconut oil help keep your Chihuahuasâ skin and coat healthy and moisturize after their bath, but rubbing the coconut oil onto them feels like a massage. Which Chihuahua dog doesnât like a massage?
Feed your Chihuahua with a well-balanced and healthy diet
Your Chihuahuaâs food and diet can affect their shedding. Be sure to feed them a high-quality and well-balanced diet that contains protein and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. If youâre not sure which food is best for your dog, consult with your vet and discuss together a diet that is best for your small pooch.
Provide essential minerals and vitamins for your Chihuahua
If your Chihuahua does not have the essential vitamins and minerals, they can start to shed a lot. We recommend that you bring your Chihuahua to the vet for a check-up and see if there are any minerals or vitamins that your precious pup is missing.
Your vet may be able to recommend a few vitamin or mineral supplements like fish oil that your Chihuahua needs for a healthy coat and skin.
Use a vacuum to clean up the fur in your house
If you use a vacuum cleaner, it is much easier to clean up the fur inside your house. It is also more time-efficient and takes less effort.
Alternatively, some Chihuahua owners prefer to use a lint roller or a hair roller with sticky tapes to get rid of the fur from any furniture like the sofa, couch, chairs, tables, or curtains. When it comes to getting rid of fur from your curtains, you can also use pet hair magnets, but they are quite expensive.
Why does my Chihuahua shed so much?
Itâs normal for Chihuahuas to shed so much. However, there are also other reasons why a Chihuahua would shed a lot:
- Shedding is normal especially when there is a change in season. Itâs common for Chihuahuas to shed during the fall and spring and Chihuahua owners can expect heavy shedding during the spring season.
- Get rid of damaged fur from its body.
- Get rid of excessive or excess fur.
- Your Chihuahua may have an allergy that causes him or her to shed more than usual.
- Stress can affect a Chihuahuaâs shedding.
- Poor diet and nutrition.
If you have a female Chihuahua that is pregnant, you can expect her to shed a lot of hair from her belly. In fact, youâll notice that her tummy area does not have hair because her belly is growing larger by the day. This is normal and after giving birth, the hair in her belly will start to grow again.
Some Chihuahuas may shed so much hair because of a health problem or medical condition. Some health conditions that can cause a Chihuahua to shed a lot of hair are:
- Skin infections: bacterial or fungal infections.
- Sunburn.
- Itching excessively in the body or face can cause face rubbing or excessive body licking.
- Immune disease.
- Allergies from food.
- Topical or inhalant allergies.
- Parasitic bites from fleas or mites can cause the hair in that area to fall off.
- Reaction from medications.
- Skin contact with toxic chemicals or substances.
- Cancer.
Keep a close eye on your Chihuahua if you notice more shedding than usual Sometimes, kidney failure or liver failure can also cause abnormal or excessive shedding.
If you notice any excessive shedding or hair loss, we advise that you contact your vet right away and inform the vet of your observation. Schedule an appointment with the vet and bring your Chihuahua in for a checkup to confirm your observation or suspicion.
Keep an eye out for any red patches of skin that look irritated or any bald spots. Skin rashes can be extremely uncomfortable and painful in Chihuahuas so your Chihuahua may cry or whimper as a way to cope with that discomfort.
Itâs not normal for a Chihuahuaâs hair to fall out in clumps or fall out when you pet them lightly. If youâre noticing this, be sure to call your vet as soon as you can.
In these cases, having pet insurance for your Chihuahua is extremely helpful and essential. Sometimes medical conditions and health problems show up in our Chihuahuas when we least expect them and having pet insurance for our dog can help alleviate some of that financial burden.
Do long haired Chihuahuas shed?
If you’re wondering, do long-haired chihuahuas shed a lot, you’ll be surprised by this answer!
Although long-haired Chihuahuas do shed, they donât shed as much as short-haired Chihuahuas. Surprising right?! When I got my short-haired Chihuahua, Lily, I thought she would shed less than a long-haired Chihuahua and boy was I wrong.
Itâs normal for many people to assume that long-haired Chihuahuas shed more because they have long hair. However, long-haired Chihuahuas actually shed less because they donât have the undercoat that short-haired (smooth coat) Chihuahuas have.
How much do Chihuahuas shed?
If youâre still wondering, when do Chihuahuas shed, Chihuahuas shed all year round. You can expect your Chihuahua to shed throughout their lives. However, they shed the most in the spring and fall seasons. Chihuahuas and other dog breeds have a natural circadian rhythm so their body knows when it is time to lose that fur.
Chihuahuas naturally shed a lot during the spring because their body is preparing for the summer season. Cool, right?! During the spring, the Chihuahuaâs thick winter coat falls out and they start to grow in their thin summer coat.
The shedding is also triggered by the number of daylight hours in the summer and spring months.
Chihuahuas also shed during the fall for the opposite reason that they shed in the spring. During the fall, Chihuahuas are preparing for the cold temperature. They start to shed their light coat and grow in thick coats. During the winter, there are also fewer daylight hours which triggers the shedding as well.
Never underestimate your Chihuahuaâs natural circadian rhythm!
Some online sources say that Chihuahuas also shed the most during the summer too, which makes sense because the weather is very hot so Chihuahuas do not need that much fur. The fur can make them very hot which is why they will shed some of that fur.
So, do Chihuahuas shed?
Yes, Chihuahuas shed all year round, but they shed the most during the fall and spring seasons due to the weather, temperature, and amount of daylight during these seasons.
Chihuahuas have a natural circadian rhythm that will tell their body it is time to shed some of that fur.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do when your Chihuahua sheds. This will help to keep you and your family members happy as well as keeping your house free from excessive fur.
Related Questions
Although Chihuahuas shed every single day, they are low to moderate shedders. There are particular shedding seasons such as spring and fall (and summer) when Chihuahuas shed the most. However, since they are small dogs, the shedding won’t be much of a nuisance and Chihuahuas are great for people who are hypoallergenic or have fur allergies.
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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Excessive-Shedding-in-Dogs
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
