Chihuahua Shedding – What To Do About It?

Are you looking to adopt a puppy, and you are 90% certain you want a Chihuahua? But you might have some allergies, and you’re wondering about Chihuahua shedding. Is there a lot? Do they shed all year round? Does a Chihuahua shed more in the spring, fall, or rest of the year? All important questions, and yes, you should ask them before you take the plunge and opt for a Chihuahua.

So, you already know he’s one of the smallest dog breeds, and having all those celebrity owners and acting in movies has also made him a bit of a celebrity. He’s pretty feisty, some would say over-confident even, especially when he is so small. But what he loses in stature, he more than makes up for with charisma.

The full title of this article is Chihuahua shedding what to do about it? We’re going to talk about the Chihuahua’s coat, how much he sheds and how to make grooming him part of your daily routine. But we can’t tell you where to get a magic pill to stop him from shedding; no-one can; it’s natural.

Chihuahua Shedding Guide

Chihuahuas are a reasonably low shedding breed.

If you are concerned about allergies, the good news is the Chihuahua is a low-shedding dog breed. Chihuahuas come in two distinct coat varieties—Long-coat and smooth-coat, or, short as some people like to say. In the US, the AKC (American Kennel Club) determines the breed standard.

1. Long-Coat Chihuahua

2. Smooth-Coat Chihuahua

3. Why Chihuahuas Shed Their Fur

Chihuahuas shed fur because old hair has to die. New hair replaces it, but the dead hair falls from the dog’s body.

A Chihuahua’s fur helps him to control his body temperature. Dogs do sweat but not as much as humans, so they need to adopt different ways of keeping cool and, of course, warm.

We’ve all seen how dogs pant when it’s a hot day or they’ve had a good exercise session. That’s not just for them to get their breath back, no they pant to cool down. Likewise, they search out cool areas, like tiled floors.

When the weather turns cold, they need to keep warm by temporarily lowering their metabolic rate. By a Chihuahua lowering his body temperature in this way, he can reduce his body heat loss by bringing his body temperature closer to the air temperature.

A Chihuahua’s coat is also essential for temperature regulation. In the cold months, a thicker coat gives way (shedding) to a much thinner coat in hotter months, which is why there will always be a more significant amount of shedding in spring and fall.

4. Long-Coat Vs. Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas: Which Sheds More?

It should be a simple case of longer coat-sheds more, but it isn’t. A long-coat Chihuahua sheds less than a smooth-coat.

Why’s that? It doesn’t make sense.

One reason is their hair doesn’t drop out as easily as short hair. And a long-coat Chihuahua that has no undercoat will shed less than one with an undercoat. The long-coat Chihuahua does shed, but it sheds in small clumps rather than individual hairs as with the smooth-coat.

Chihuahua owners agree. The long-coat Chihuahua appears to shed less than the smooth-coat Chihuahua.

One drawback to the long coat is the amount of debris it will collect. Everything will stick to it; grass, leaves, dust, and dirt. Not only that, they will bring it into your home when they come inside.

5. When Will My Chihuahua Shed?

If your Chihuahua has a double coat, he’s going to shed twice each year. Once in the spring and again in the fall. They will also shed their topcoat all through the year. If he’s a single coat, then one big shed in spring, but shed a small amount through the year.

The purpose for shedding in spring will allow the thinner coat to come through, and of course, they shed in fall because they need their thicker coats to protect against the colder weather. Both types of coats typically will shed small amounts year-round.

Of course, nothing is always as simple. Some Chihuahuas haven’t heard the rules for shedding and basically do what they want.

6. How To Control Your Chihuahua’s Shedding

When you compare Chihuahuas to other breeds, they are not heavy shedders. But they will still leave loose hair about your home, on the furniture, beds, and floors. But there are things you can do to minimize Chihuahua shedding.

Brush your Chihuahua: The best way to control the amount of shedding is by daily brushing. By brushing, you’re removing any loose hair, getting rid of knots and tangles, and spreading the dog’s natural oils over his skin and coat.

The best brush: If the Chihuahua has an undercoat, you might find a slicker is best, whereas if the dog doesn’t have an undercoat, you should use bristle. De-shedding tools can also be useful, as are high steel combs.

Give your Chihuahua a bath: We wouldn’t suggest bathing a dog too often. It can strip the coat of its natural oils, making the dog’s skin dry and flaky. Maybe once a month is enough.

Use a blow dryer: After he’s had his bath, towel him down until about 60% dry. Then use a blow dryer. Set on warm air until you have him 80% dry, and then put it on cool until he’s completely dry.

Your Chihuahua needs regular check-ups: If he’s a mature adult, visit your vet every six months for regular check-ups. The vet can ensure he’s in the best condition. He will determine any kind of infection, disease, or coat and skin disorders leading to over shedding.

In Conclusion

That’s the information you need to know about Chihuahua shedding. You can see from this article; they are not particularly heavy shedders. Twice, spring and fall, they shed a little more than throughout the rest of the year.

But they are such a tiny dog that there isn’t that much hair to shed in any case.