Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Chihuahuas Live. Chihuahua Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Chihuahua Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Chihuahua, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Chihuahuas
- How Old is Your Chihuahua in Human Years
- How Long Do Chihuahuas Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Chihuahua Live Long
- Conclusion on Chihuahua Life Expectancy
How Long Chihuahuas Live. Chihuahua Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Chihuahua is from 10 to 18 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Chihuahua. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 71 pet Chihuahuas lived.
From the study, it was found that Chihuahuas have a average lifespan of 12.4 years. Furthermore, the study found that Chihuahuas can live for as long as 19.8 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Chihuahuas.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Chihuahuas are:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Infectious Disease: Problem caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Chihuahua to make your Chihuahua live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Chihuahua have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Chihuahua is in human years? Then, check out our Chihuahua age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Chihuahua Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Chihuahua compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Shih Tzu Lifespan | 13.10 |
| Vizsla Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Norwegian Buhund Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Belgian Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Shetland Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Siberian Husky Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Keeshond Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer Lifespan | 12.00 |
| English Springer Spaniel Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Basset Hound Lifespan | 11.20 |
| Pug Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Maremma Sheepdog Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Great Pyrenees Lifespan | 9.58 |
| Komondor Lifespan | 9.13 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog Lifespan | 8.00 |
| Black Russian Terrier Lifespan | 1.79 |
Common Causes of Death in Chihuahua, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Chihuahua, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Chihuahua.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
-
Cardiovascular Disease in Chihuahuas
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 18.5 percent of all deaths in Chihuahuas.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Chihuahua
Heart disease in Chihuahuas may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Chihuahuas
You can prevent heart problems in your Chihuahua by exercising your Chihuahua regularly and feeding your Chihuahua a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Chihuahua. The supplement is not only good for your Chihuahua`s heart, but it is also good for your Chihuahua`s overall health.
-
Trauma in Chihuahuas
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 16.8 percent of all deaths in Chihuahuas.
Causes of Trauma in Chihuahua
One of the most common causes of trauma in Chihuahuas is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Chihuahuas
The best way to keep your Chihuahua from getting hit by a car is by having them on a fixed leash. Veterinarians do not recommend retractable leashes for dogs. This is because, oftentimes, dogs on retractable leashes will bolt into the road before their owners can lock the leash and get hit by cars, even though they were technically on a leash. Having a normal, fixed leash is also a good way to prevent your Chihuahua from bolting on walks and getting into fights with other dogs before you can lock the leash.
Here is a good fixed leash that can save your Chihuahua from traumatic accidents.
-
Neurologic Disease in Chihuahuas
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 13.3 percent of all deaths in Chihuahuas.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Chihuahua
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Chihuahuas
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
-
Gastrointestinal Disease in Chihuahuas
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 11.0 percent of all deaths in Chihuahuas.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Chihuahua
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Chihuahua eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Chihuahua stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Chihuahua is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Chihuahua has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Chihuahuas
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Chihuahua`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
-
Infectious Disease in Chihuahuas
There are many types of infectious diseases: bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. Different diseases have different causes and they affect different parts of the body. For example, E. coli causes an infection in the intestines which can cause diarrhea in humans and dogs, whereas Demodex is a parasite on dog skin.
Infectious Disease is responsible for 10.5 percent of all deaths in Chihuahuas.
Causes of Infectious Disease in Chihuahua
All infectious agents fall into two categories: the ones that invade the body from the outside, and the ones that are living in or on the body that experience an overgrowth. For example, staphylococcus aureus is a normal bacteria found on the skin; however, it can cause skin infections if its growth gets out of hand. Both types of infectious agents can be stopped by the body`s immune response. Internal infectious agents can also be prevented by probiotics.
How to Prevent Infectious Disease in Chihuahuas
If your Chihuahua seems like they are not doing well, you should take them to the veterinarian so they can decide if your dog needs antibiotics, fluids, a dewormer, or other therapies. When your Chihuahua is well, you can support their immune health through nutrition, probiotics like this and vitamins.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Chihuahuas
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Chihuahua is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Chihuahua`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Chihuahua`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Chihuahua offsprings by only breeding Chihuahua that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chihuahua puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Chihuahua breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Chihuahua has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Chihuahua for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Chihuahua a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chihuahuas for:
How Old is Your Chihuahua in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Chihuahua. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Chihuahua is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Chihuahua is 12.4 years.
Chihuahuas are tiny-sized dogs. Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Chihuahua in converting Chihuahua age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Chihuahua`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Chihuahua`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Chihuahua`s human age. If you do not know your Chihuahua`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Chihuahua is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Chihuahua`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Chihuahua`s up-to-date human age.
Chihuahua Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Chihuahua age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Chihuahua`s human age based on your Chihuahua`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Chihuahua`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Chihuahua Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 18 |
| 3 | 24 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 39 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 51 |
| 10 | 55 |
| 11 | 58 |
| 12 | 62 |
| 13 | 65 |
| 14 | 69 |
| 15 | 73 |
| 16 | 77 |
How Long Do Chihuahuas Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Chihuahua is 12.4 years. In human years, the Chihuahua lives for 63 years.
How Old is 2-year-old Chihuahua in Human Years?
A 2-year old Chihuahua is 18 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Chihuahua in Human Years?
A 4-year old Chihuahua is 30 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Chihuahua in Human Years?
A 5-year old Chihuahua is 35 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Chihuahua in Human Years?
A 9-year old Chihuahua is 51 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Chihuahua Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Chihuahua live a long life:
-
Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Chihuahua fit and make it live longer.
-
Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Chihuahua does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Chihuahua will have a shorter lifespan than a Chihuahua that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Chihuahua high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Chihuahua. Check out our Chihuahua feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Chihuahua from being overweight here.
-
Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Chihuahua existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Chihuahua has access to clean water whenever your Chihuahua needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Chihuahua. See our Chihuahua water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Chihuahua.
-
Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Chihuahua might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Chihuahua.
-
Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
-
Vaccinations: Always make sure your Chihuahua is up to date on its vaccination.
-
Dental Hygiene: Your Chihuahua’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Chihuahua teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Chihuahua Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Chihuahua`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.