There are different types of Chihuahuas you can choose from, but the American Kennel Club only recognizes two breeds of Chihuahuas, short coat and long coat. The coat is the primary differentiating factor between these two breeds.
It is worth noting that Chihuahuas come in different coat color types, and it often takes even up to two years for the long coat Chihuahuas to grow a luxurious and full coat. Short coat Chihuahuas shed less hair and also require less grooming than long coat Chihuahuas. Discussed below is all you need to know about Chihuahuas shedding and hair loss.
Do Chihuahuas Shed?
It is worth mentioning that all Chihuahuas shed, even the short coat breed. Luckily, they only shed a lot during the shedding season, but the shedding is pretty moderate throughout the year. Your Chihuahua may also be shedding excessively due to health issues, so it would help if you have them checked out if they are excessively shedding when it is not shedding season.
The layers of your Chihuahuas coat are what primarily determine whether they will shed a lot or not. However, most individuals often assume that the long coat Chihuahuas are more likely to shed more than the short coat ones, which is not the case. Chihuahuas can either have a double coat or a single coat.
A double coat consists of both an undercoat with thin hair and thick guard hair that makes the topmost layer, while a single coat only comprises the thick guard hair making the top layer. The long coat Chihuahua breed often has a double coat, meaning it sheds a lot less. Conversely, Chihuahuas who have a single coat shed a lot more.
Therefore, your Chihuahua breed has nothing to do with how much it sheds. Instead, the coating layer determines how much your Chihuahua will shed. Understanding the life stages of your pet Chihuahua may help you accord better care to them.
The first step would be to understand the shedding cycle of your pet thoroughly. Often, there are three shedding cycles your Chihuahua will undergo. This includes the initial growth stage or anagen, transitional stage or catagen, and the resting phase also referred to as telogen.
Shedding is an essential part of your Chihuahua’s wellbeing and health. So during the anagen stage, your Chihuahua’s blood will deliver nutrients to its hair follicles which will prompt the active growth of a luscious and healthy fur. The hair follicle usually separates from the blood supply once it attains the maximum size in the catagen stage.
Finally, the last stage is telogen, where your Chihuahua’s hair follicles will begin to die since they will be getting prepared for the shedding process. It is also worth mentioning that a long coat Chihuahua often sheds in clumps, meaning the owner will have an easier time and more control of the process.
Why Do Chihuahuas Shed
As mentioned earlier, your Chihuahua will shed throughout the year. This is because the sunlight variation triggers the growth and falling off of your pet’s fur. Therefore, with the change of seasons and sunlight hours, the fluxes in your dog’s pineal glands are triggered, resulting in shedding.
The shedding is often more prominent when summer transitions to spring but is relatively minimal throughout the year. This is because they shed, and their hair becomes thin, so they are prepared for the rise in temperatures. Essentially, shedding happens so that your pet Chihuahua stays cool.
As the seasons shift, your Chihuahua’s coat is often thicker during winter to help keep them warm. If you plan to get a Chihuahua or have been worried that yours is shedding, it is normal for them to shed excessively in specific seasons. However, seek help if the excessive shedding occurs throughout the year instead of during shedding season only.
It is also worth mentioning that although your pet may shed excessively, there is no notable change in their body. This means that if you notice a patch of hair missing or their fur is uneven and brittle, seek help from the veterinary immediately because this is not normal. Excessive shedding indicates an underlying problem in your pet.
What Causes Chihuahua Hair Loss / Do Chihuahuas Lose Their Baby Hair?
As discussed above, it is ordinary for your Chihuahua to shed their hair, and often this is so they can better adapt to the season. Therefore, it is only alarming when they are shedding excessive hair during a non-shedding period. However, it is worth noting that shedding and hair loss are not the same things.
Chihuahua’s usually lose their baby hair, especially the long-haired breed. Just like human babies, Chihuahuas lose their baby hair as they grow. Therefore, when you get a Chihuahua, prepare for the puppy uglies.
So if you notice that their hair is falling off in clumps or patches, there is no need to be alarmed since their adult coat is coming in, so they have to lose their baby hair. It is often not a pretty sight, and you cannot cover it up, so you will have to endure seeing them will bald spots and other areas with long hair. Luckily, after a couple of months, their adult coat would have fully grown.
There could be multiple reasons to hair loss in your Chihuahua, so it would be best to take your Chihuahua to the veterinary for a diagnosis and a thorough examination. Hair loss is formally known as alopecia, and the treatment may vary based on the primary factor for hair loss. Listed below are some of the reasons that could cause hair loss in your Chihuahua.
Allergies
Your Chihuahua could be allergic to specific foods or ingredients in the food, so their immune system may react to it by causing a lot of hair loss. Therefore, it is often best to discuss the right food to feed your pet with the veterinary to prevent this from happening.
Color Dilution Alopecia
Your pet may lose their baby hair as a result of color dilution alopecia. You may notice that your Chihuahua is losing hair around the neck region and on their head, especially between six months and three years of age. This is a hereditary condition often accompanied by a chronic bacteria skin infection, so there is no permanent cure.
Your veterinary can recommend moisturizers to help their dry skin and antibiotics. It would be best to avoid breeding such a Chihuahua.
Mange
Mange can also cause excessive hair loss in your Chihuahua while hardening their skin. This condition is caused by mites and can severely affect your pet’s health if you do not treat it.
Fleas
Flea bites can also contribute to hair loss in your pet because they often stimulate an allergic reaction. This, in turn, will result in bald patches and inflammation. In addition, the inflammation causes your pet to excessively scratch, which results in hair loss.
Fungal and Bacterial Infections
Circular hair patch losses on the skin of your Chihuahua could be an indication that it is infected with a contagious ringworm infection. This infection also results in skin hardening and inflammation, which can be quite painful for your pet.
Bacterial infections can also contribute to your Chihuahuas hair loss. These infections are persistent and often lead to more infections, so it would help if you take your pet to the veterinary as soon as you notice any of the mentioned signs.
Can Chihuahuas Go bald?
Your Chihuahua could go bald, although that is not a good thing since it indicates an underlying problem. It is worth mentioning that they will not go entirely bald. Instead, they will have bald patches as a result of hair loss in a specific area.
As discussed earlier, this can result from alopecia, irritations often caused by parasites, or an infection. Pattern baldness could also be the reason why your Chihuahua is getting bald. It would be best to consult with your veterinarian first before starting any treatment type for your pet.
Note that your Chihuahua going bald is not always a sign of an underlying issue. Sometimes, just like humans, Chihuahuas also go bald. But of course, you cannot be sure of this until a veterinarian confirms it.
It is also worth noting that baldness could start from as early as six months.
Do Long Haired Chihuahuas Shed?
Every breed of Chihuahua sheds. As mentioned earlier, most people often assume that the long-haired Chihuahuas shed more than the short-haired Chihuahuas, but this is not the case. Primarily, the breed of your Chihuahua does not determine how much it sheds, but the type of coat they have does.
Most long-haired Chihuahuas tend to shed less because they have a double coat. During shedding season, a Chihuahua with a double coat will shed moderately, and one with a single coat will shed excessively. It will help if you take good care of your long-haired Chihuahua if you want it to have lavish-looking fur.
It is worth mentioning that compared to other dog species, they shed a lot less.
How Can I Stop My Chihuahua from Losing hair? / Proper Grooming or Care
You cannot stop your pet Chihuahua from shedding hair since it is normal for them to shed hair. However, if they have an underlying problem causing them to lose their hair excessively, a veterinary can help you prevent that from happening. Please do not shave your pet as a measure of controlling their excessive hair loss.
The best thing to do to help your Chihuahua if they are excessively losing hair is to give them good grooming. Occasionally bathing them can also significantly make the grooming to be that much more effective. Generally, a Chihuahua is straightforward and pretty fun to maintain compared to most dog species.
The breed of Chihuahua you have may influence the kind of grooming and proper care you give them. For instance, the short hair breed would be much easier to groom and take care of compared to the long-haired breed. However, if you know the basics of grooming a dog, it should not be hard.
The basic techniques include having a healthy diet for your pet, trimming, and bathing. Some of the tools you will require are a soft towel, trimmer, dog shampoo, and a brush with soft bristles. Brushing your Chihuahua helps get rid of excessive hair and also keeps their coat shiny.
Frequently brushing their hair keeps their coat healthy. It also helps to wipe around their eyes and their inner ears. A healthy diet plan will ensure that your Chihuahua is healthier and also prevent hair loss.
Consult your veterinarian if you plan to give the pet any supplements and find what diet plan best suits your Chihuahua. Proper grooming and care ensure that your pet is happy and they have a beautiful and shiny coat. Regular visits to the veterinary will also be an excellent idea.
Chihuahuas are pretty easy to care for, so they would make an excellent house pet for anyone who loves dogs. Ensure that you take proper care of your Chihuahua to prevent them from developing any health issues. It would be best to immediately take your pet to the veterinary if you notice that they are excessively shedding hair or have hair loss patches.