Chihuahuas are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. But, whether you have a Chihuahua or not, you must know how long they live on average. This will help you plan for your pet’s future and understand what health conditions affect its lifespan. So, what is the correct lifespan of your Chihuahua? How long will they accompany you? How long do they live?
A Chihuahua is a small breed with a lifespan of 12 to 20 years and 15 years on average. The life span of this breed depends on various factors such as diet, health conditions, genetics, care level, living environment, etc. You must take care of these pups properly and attentively if you want to spend a long time or more than two decades together.
This article will help you understand what factors affect the life expectancy of your dog. It will also help you know how to increase their longevity by understanding and addressing these issues.
We’ll also provide an approximate age equivalent for dogs so you can better determine how old your dog is!
Chihuahua Lifespan: How Long Does A Chihuahua Live?
Chihuahua lifespan on average bags to 15 years. However, many Chihuahuas live up to 20 years or older, while some may not survive for even 12 years.
Several things will affect the Chihuahua’s lifespan, and you will always be the prime factor who can make sure your Chi lives for a long time. And the beautiful part of this lifespan, longer or shorter, is it consists of some wonderful years of memory.
And do you know that a 21-year-old chihuahua named TobyKeith holds the Guinness record for being the world’s oldest dog? Isn’t it wonderful how this dog lived for nearly two-plus decades and made its name memorable for everyone?
Health Conditions Affecting A Chihuahua Lifespan
The biggest health conditions that affect a Chihuahua’s lifespan are trauma, obesity, patellar luxation, molera, and hydrocephalus. However, other issues can also shorten your dog’s life, such as:
- Trauma
- Obesity
- Patellar Luxation
- Molera
- Hydrocephalus
- Heart Valve Disease
- Heart Problems
- Arrhythmia
- Leptospirosis
- Collapsed Trachea
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
Factors That Affect Your Chihuahua Lifespan
Several factors will affect how long your Chihuahua lives. Diet is one of the most important. An unhealthy diet can lead to obesity, a major contributor to health problems and a shorter lifespan.
Aside from health conditions, other factors play a role in how long your dog will live. These include:
Diet
The type of diet you feed your Chi has a big impact on its overall health and lifespan. A poor-quality diet full of processed foods will most likely lead to a shorter lifespan for your Chihuahua.
Weight plays an important role in how long your dog will live because being overweight harms its overall health. In addition, it can lead to other issues such as arthritis or breathing problems which shorten your pet’s life expectancy.
Healthcare
Regular veterinary visits are very important when it comes to maintaining good health. In addition, they play a big part in increasing the average lifespan of dogs.
If you neglect preventative care, then that could have serious consequences on your pup’s wellbeing later down the road. So, this should not be overlooked!
Genetics
Unfortunately, some breeds just don’t live as long as others do. These include:
- Labrador Retrievers (average lifespan of 11 years),
- Shih Tzus (average lifespan of 14 years), and
- Chihuahuas (average lifespan of 15 years).
Vaccinations
It is important to keep your dog’s vaccinations up-to-date as this will help protect them from potentially deadly diseases. Puppies should start receiving their vaccines at around six to eight weeks old and then continue with follow-up shots throughout their life.
Dental Care
Another very important aspect of your dog’s health is dental care. Dental problems can cause a lot of pain for your pet. However, it can also lead to other serious health issues if not treated.
Spaying/Neutering
One of the best things you can do for your Chihuahua is to have them spayed or neutered. This not only helps control the pet population but also has a lot of health benefits for your dog. It includes reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, preventing obesity, and helping to keep their bones healthy.
Activity Levels/ Exercise
Giving your Chihuahua plenty of exercise is important for their physical and mental well-being. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight problems and other health issues. So ensure you provide your pup with plenty of opportunities to run, play, and explore.
Chihuahua Age In Human Years And Dog Years
One way to get an idea of how long your Chihuahua might live is by converting their age into human years. Of course, this is not an exact science, but it can give you a rough estimate.
One year in human years is equivalent to seven years in dog years. So, if your Chihuahua is 15 years old, that would be around 105 in human years.
Okay, breathe! I know this sounds like your dog will live a century and a half if it attains its maximum lifespan. But come on, it is cool, isn’t it?
Things You Can Do To Increase Lifespan Of Your Chihuahua
Aside from keeping your pup healthy and providing good healthcare, you can also do other things to help increase its lifespan.
Some of these include:
Diet
As we’ve already mentioned, diet is important to your dog’s overall health and well-being. So make sure you feed these Chihuahuas a high-quality diet of nutritious ingredients.
Additionally, you should follow a calorie chart to feed your Chihuahua. Some chihuahua is picky eaters. So, you might have to feed them using some tricks.
| Estimated Adult Weight in-lb. | Total Calories through Dry Food per day | Total Calories through Wet food per day |
| 6 | 244 | 232 |
| 7 | 274 | 260 |
| 8 | 303 | 288 |
| 9 | 331 | 314 |
| 10 | 358 | 340 |
Exercise
Like humans, dogs need exercise to stay healthy. A lack of exercise can lead to weight problems and other health issues.
Take your Chihuahua on a 30-minute walk every day. This will also help them clear their stomachs and remain healthy and happy. You can also play different games with your Chihuahua ranging from tug of war to simple fetch.
Preventative Methods
It’s always better to prevent health problems from happening in the first place, so make sure you are taking the necessary steps to keep your pup healthy. This includes regular vet visits, vaccinations, dental care, and keeping them at a healthy weight.
Good Dental Care For Chihuahuas
Dental problems are very common in dogs and can cause pain and discomfort. Make sure you brush your pup’s teeth regularly to help keep their pearly whites as clean and healthy as possible.
Good Summer And Winter Care
It is important to ensure that your Chihuahua has the right clothing for summer and winter weather conditions. They can easily become overheated or over-chilled, which puts them at risk of contracting deadly diseases such as pneumonia.
Regular veterinary visits, keeping vaccinations up-to-date, good dental care, spaying/neutering, giving plenty of exercise, proper diet, and preventative methods.
It also helps monitor activity levels during different seasons by ensuring dogs have appropriate clothing depending on current climate conditions. All these things play an important role in increasing your Chihuahua’s lifespan.
Teacup Chihuahua Lifespan: Cracking A Teacup Myth
There is a common misconception that because their small size makes them prone to health problems, teacup Chihuahuas have a shorter lifespan than regular-sized Chihuahuas. However, this is not always the case.
Many teacup Chihuahuas live just as long as their larger counterparts. Sometimes even longer. So don’t be discouraged from getting a teacup Chihuahua.
You think they won’t live as long. Just make sure you provide them with good healthcare and proper care. They should have no problem reaching a ripe old age!
The average lifespan of a Teacup Chihuahua is around twelve years.
Conclusion
The average lifespan of a Chihuahua is around fifteen years. But with good healthcare and proper care, they can live up to twenty years or more (some have been known to l).
You can do several things to help increase your pup’s lifespan, including providing them with a healthy diet, regular exercise, good dental care, vaccinations, and preventive methods. So make sure you provide your Chihuahua with everything they need to live a long and happy life!
I hope you can get all the good years of your Chihuahua and spend them making memories that will last your lifetime and theirs.
All my love for your Chi and all the best wishes for your journey with this adorable fur ball!
