Chihuahua Shedding: The Definitive Guide

Is your Chihuahua a heavy shedder? Shedding can create a mess while potentially triggering allergy attacks in people who suffer from pet allergies. As your Chihuahua sheds, he will leave behind loose hair that will blanket your floors and furniture.

You can’t stop your Chihuahua from shedding. With the exception of certain hairless breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli or Chinese Crested, all dogs shed. It’s a natural process that’s actually beneficial for our canine companions. There are ways to deal with a shedding Chihuahua, however, to maintain a clean home and protect against allergy attacks.

Single-Coat vs Double-Coat Chihuahuas: What’s the Difference?

The amount of hair your Chihuahua sheds will depend heavily on the number of coats he has. There are single-coat and double-coat Chihuahuas. Double-coat Chihuahuas have two coats of hair, so they shed more hair than their single-coat counterparts.

• Single-coat Chihuahuas have a single, outer coat consisting of thick guard hairs. Also known as a top coat, the outer coat offers protection from minor injuries, bugs and the sun.
• Double-coat Chihuahuas have a top coat of guard hairs and an undercoat of softer, thinner hairs. The undercoat helps to regulate the Chihuahua’s temperature. During warmer months of the year, it increases circulation by allowing air to reach the Chihuahua’s skin. During the cooler months of the year, the undercoat insulates the Chihuahua’s body to minimize the loss of body heat.

Chihuahuas can further be classified as smooth coat or long coat depending on the length of their hair. Smooth-coat Chihuahuas have short hair that sits close to their body. Long-coat Chihuahuas have long hair that extends farther out from their body.

Some smooth-coat Chihuahuas only have a top coat, whereas others have a top coat and an undercoat. The same is true for long-coat Chihuahuas. While a double coat is more common with long-coat Chihuahuas, some of them only have a top coat.

AKC Standards for Single-Coat and Double-Coat Chihuahuas

The Americal Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) breed standards accept Chihuahuas with or without an undercoat. Only a sparse coat resembling bareness is grounds for disqualification, and this rule only applied to long-coat Chihuahuas. If you own a smooth-coat Chihuahua, you can register him even if he has a sparse coat.

An undercoat, though, is preferred for long-coat Chihuahuas in the AKC’s breed standards. Only double-coat Chihuahuas have an undercoat. For smooth-coat Chihuahuas, the AKC’s breed standards permit but do not prefer an undercoat.

When Do Single-Coat Chihuahuas Shed?

Single-coat Chihuahuas typically shed small amounts of hair throughout the entire year. Some of them may shed more heavily in spring and fall, but they will almost always shed year-round.

If you own a single-coat Chihuahua — regardless of whether he has a smooth coat or long coat — you can expect to find small amounts of hair in your home throughout the year. Single-coat Chihuahuas only have a top coat. They will shed their top coat gradually year-round, leaving behind thick guard hairs on floors, furniture and other surfaces.

When Do Double-Coat Chihuahuas Shed?

Double-coat Chihuahuas typically shed their undercoat once in spring and again in late fall, and they shed their top coat gradually throughout the year. 

The process of shedding an undercoat in a short period is known as “blowing a coat.” Most double-coat Chihuahuas will blow their coat twice a year. It lasts for about two to three weeks, during which you can expect to find large clumps of hair in your home. These large clumps of hair are known as “tufts.”

Why Chihuahuas Shed

Chihuahuas shed so that they can regrow new, healthier hair. They don’t keep their hair indefinitely. After their hair has reached a certain length, it will fall out so that new hair can grow in its place. This is all part of the hair growth cycle (see below).

Shedding isn’t limited to Chihuahuas. All dogs and even most mammals experience some degree of shedding — assuming they have hair. Over time, the hair on most mammals will become weaker and brittler. The hair growth cycle tells their bodies when to shed hair old and when to regrow new hair.

Double-coat Chihuahuas shed their undercoat to help regulate their body temperature. Shedding in spring allows for the development of a lighter and thinner undercoat. When the summer months arrive, double-coat Chihuahuas will be ready. Their newly developed undercoat will allow air to flow around their skin, thus keeping them cool.

Shedding in fall allows for the development of a heavier and thicker undercoat. They will shed their lightweight and thin undercoat in preparation for the upcoming cold weather. Chihuahuas will develop a heavier and more insulative undercoat in its place.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Chihuahuas have a three-stage hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle is hardwired into their DNA. It affects their top coat, and if present, their undercoat. Undercoats, though, have a shorter growth cycle than top coats. Chihuahuas will shed and regrow their undercoat hairs faster than their top coat hairs.

1. Anagen (growth phase): Nutrient-rich blood from the papilla feeds the hair follicle and stimulates growth.
2. Catagen (transition phase): The hair has reached its predetermined length and has stopped growing. The hair separates from the papilla but remains in the follicle.
3. Telogen (resting phase): The hair remains dormant before falling out of the follicle. 

After the telogen stage, the hair falls out and a new hair grows in its place, thus repeating the three-stage hair growth cycle.

Do Long-Coat Chihuahuas Shed More Than Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas?

It’s a common myth that long-coat Chihuahuas shed more than smooth-coat Chihuahuas. Some long-coat Chihuahuas do, in fact, shed more, but this isn’t always the case.

The amount of hair a Chihuahua sheds has nothing to do with the length of his coat. Rather, it’s determined by whether the Chihuahua has an undercoat. Double-coat Chihuahuas have an undercoat, which they typically shed in spring and fall. They also have a top coat, which they shed more gradually year-round.

Single-coat Chihuahuas only have a top coat. They don’t have as much hair as double-coat Chihuahuas, so they shed less. If a smooth-coat Chihuahua has an undercoat, he will shed more than a long-coat Chihuahua without an undercoat. Long-coat Chihuahuas simply shed longer strands of hair, which are more visible than the shorter strands of hair shed by smooth-coat Chihuahuas.

How Daylight Affects Shedding

Shedding is governed by changes in daylight. In the Northern Hemisphere, there are approximately 1 fewer minutes of daylight per day beginning with the arrival of fall. The days essentially become shorter and the nights longer. These photoperiod changes will trigger hormonal changes in Chihuahuas that, among other things, affect when they shed.

The shorter days associated with the fall season may cause Chihuahuas to shed. Single-coat Chihuahuas may shed more of their top coat than usual in fall, whereas double-coat Chihuahuas may blow their entire undercoat. This is the result of hormones telling their bodies to produce a new thicker coat in preparation for winter.

The days will become longer in spring, conversely. As they are exposed to more daylight, Chihuahuas will experience hormonal changes that can affect their shedding. They no longer need a thick undercoat or top coat in spring, so they may shed it. Shedding in spring allows Chihuahuas to develop a thinner and more breathable coat in preparation for summer.

Common Causes of Excessive Shedding

Unless your Chihuahua is hairless, he’s going to shed. Some shedding is normal. It allows Chihuahuas to maintain a strong and healthy coat by replacing their old hair with new hair. What’s not normal, however, is excessive shedding. If you notice bald spots on your Chihuahua, an underlying problem could be to blame. Here are some of the most common causes of excessive shedding in Chihuahuas.

#1) Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can cause excessive shedding. This thyroid disorder is characterized by an underactive thyroid gland. Chihuahuas with hypothyroidism don’t produce enough thyroid hormone. With low levels of thyroid hormone, Chihuahuas may experience lethargy, weight gain, anemia and excessive shedding.

#2) Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease has been linked to excessive shedding. Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, it involves the overproduction of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates stress and facilitates metabolic functions. As levels of cortisol increase, Chihuahuas may begin to shed excessively.

Excessive shedding due to Cushing’s disease is typically limited to the body. Chihuahuas with Cushing’s disease may lose hair on their body, but the hair on their head and legs will remain intact.

#3) Heat Cycle

Female Chihuahuas may shed excessively during, as well as shortly after, their heat cycle.They’ll experience hormonal changes during their heat cycle. Depending on the particular stage of their heat cycle, female Chihuahuas may produce more estrogen or more progesterone. These hormonal changes can cause them to shed excessively. Dams who’ve recently given birth may experience similar hormonal changes.

#4) Stress

Just like our hair can fall out when we are stressed, so can a Chihuahua’s hair. When they encounter a perceived threat, Chihuahuas produce stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. Stress hormones are responsible for their fight-or-flight response, which plays a key role in their survival, but they can contribute to excessive shedding as well.

Common stressors in Chihuahuas include separation anxiety, boredom, relocation, death in the family and the addition of a new family pet. Stressors such as these may not pose a direct threat to Chihuahuas, but they can trigger their fight-or-flight response, resulting in elevated levels of stress hormones.

#5) Food Allergies

Food allergies can cause excessive shedding. Food allergies involve an overactive immune system response to a particular food or an ingredient. With food allergies, the Chihuahua’s immune system wrongfully identifies the food or ingredient as a foreign invader. It will attack the food or ingredient with antibodies, which can lead to symptoms like itching and hair loss.

Common food allergies in Chihuahuas and other dogs include:

• Dairy
• Beef
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Fish

#6) Contact Allergies

Even if your Chihuahua doesn’t suffer from any food allergies, he may suffer from contact allergies. Like all types of allergies, contact allergies involve an overactive immune system response to an allergen. But Chihuahuas only need to come into contact with the allergen to trigger a contact allergy attack. Chihuahuas suffering from food allergies, in comparison, must ingest the allergen.

Allergens for contact allergies may include shampoo, flea medicine, antibiotics, metals such as nickel, rubber, wool, plastic and household cleaning products. If your Chihuahua is allergic to any of these allergens and they get on his skin, your Chihuahua may develop an itchy and red rash. If left untreated, he may scratch this rash to the point where it becomes bald.

#7) Infections

Chihuahuas can develop infections that cause them to shed excessively. Ringworm, yeast and pyoderma are common types of skin infections linked to excessive shedding. As the invading germ begins to spread on the Chihuahua’s skin, he will itch profusely. Fortunately, most infections are treatable.

If your Chihuahua is suffering from a bacterial infection like pyoderma, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic medication. If your Chihuahua is suffering from a fungal infection like ringworm or yeast, your veterinarian may prescribe an antifungal medication.

#8) Fleas

Fleas can cause Chihuahuas to shed excessively. Measuring just 1.5 to 4 millimeters long on average, fleas are small parasitic insects that feast on the blood of mammals and birds. They can burrow themselves in your Chihuahua’s coat, at which point they will bite your Chihuahua. Your Chihuahua may be bitten hundreds of times per day if he’s suffering from a flea infestation.

Fleabites are naturally itchy, but some Chihuahuas are particularly sensitive to them. Flea saliva is a common allergen. Many Chihuahuas and other dogs are allergic to flea saliva. A condition known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), it causes intense itching in response to fleabites.

#9) Mange

Mange can cause excessive shedding. There are certain types of parasitic mites that can infest your Chihuahua’s skin. Mange is a group of skin diseases that involve these parasitic mites.

Two of the most common types of mange include Demodectic and Sarcoptic. The former is caused by Demodex mites, whereas the latter is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Parasitic mites such as these can quickly reproduce while causing intense itching and hair loss.

How to Control Your Chihuahua’s Shedding

You can’t prevent your Chihuahua from shedding, but there are ways to control it. If you’re tired of finding loose hair scattered throughout your home, consider the following tips.

Here are some tips to control your Chihuahua shedding:

• Brush your Chihuahua’s coat at least once a day. Daily brushing will remove loose hair, strengthen tangled knots and evenly distribute your Chihuahua’s natural skin oils throughout his coat.
• Use the right type of brush. Not all grooming brushes are the same. If your Chihuahua only has a top coat, a slicker brush or pin brush may suffice. If he has a top coat and an undercoat, you may want to begin with a slicker brush or pin brush, followed by an undercoat rake.
• Bathe your Chihuahua regularly. You can control your Chihuahua’s shedding b bathing him at least once a week.
• Consider a medicated shampoo for allergy-related shedding. If allergies are responsible for your Chihuahua’s excessive shedding, ask your veterinarian if a medicated shampoo is right for your tiny companion. There’s hydrocortisone shampoo, for instance, that suppresses the inflammation and itching associated with contact allergies.
• Use a blow dryer. After bathing your Chihuahua, use a blow dryer on the cool-air setting to remove loose hair from his coat.
• Use a deshedding spray. Try using a waterless deshedding spray to control your Chihuahua’s shedding. These sprays typically contain natural ingredients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, that moisturize and strengthen the Chihuahua’s coat.
• Vacuum and sweep floors. Keeping your floors will minimize your Chihuahua’s loose hair.
• Use a Lint roller on furniture. You’ll probably discover hair on furniture. A quick and easy way to remove it is to use a lint roller. Lint rollers feature strips of self-adhesive tape to which dirt, dust and loose pet hair will stick.
• Invest in a premium kibble. What type of food do you feed your Chihuahua? Low-quality kibble with lots of corn, preservatives, artificial flavors and filler ingredients may contribute to excessive shedding.
• Add olive oil to your Chihuahua’s diet. Drizzle a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil over your Chihuahua’s food once daily. The high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids in olive oil will promote a healthy coat and skin that keeps excessive shedding in check.
• Consider a supplement. There are supplements available to minimize shedding in dogs. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, vitamin A supplements and biotin supplements may improve your Chihuahua’s coat and minimize his shedding.
• Get a veterinary checkup annually. Excessive shedding may be attributed to an underlying disease or condition. An annual checkup will allow you to treat these diseases and conditions early — potentially before they lead to excessive shedding.
• Dress your Chihuahua. Chihuahua clothes are more than just a fashion statement; they can control loose hair. A shirt or sweater will catch your Chihuahua’s loose hair so that it doesn’t end up on the floor.

What You Shouldn’t Do

While excessive shedding can be a nuisance, you shouldn’t shave your Chihuahua. Chihuahuas need their hair for protection. The guard hairs protects them from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you shave your Chihuahua, you’ll remove these guard hairs while placing your Chihuahua at risk for sunburn.

If your Chihuahua has an undercoat, shaving him will remove both the guard hairs and the thinner undercoat hairs. Undercoats help regulate the temperature of dogs. They keep dogs warmer in winter by insulating their bodies, and undercoats keep dogs cooler in the summer by increasing air circulation around their skin. Your Chihuahua won’t have an undercoat if you shave him.

Shaving is never the answer to excessive shedding. It won’t make your Chihuahua shed any less. Your Chihuahua will still shave the same amount of hair if you shave him; your Chihuahua’s hair will simply be shorter. You can trim your Chihuahua’s coat, but you should never shave it.

In Conclusion

Shedding is a natural and expected part of owning a Chihuahua. While their small size may lead some to believe they shed less than other dogs, Chihuahuas actually have a moderate shedding level. And there are ways to control your Chihuahua’s shedding.

References:

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/reduce-dog-shedding/

How do you manage your Chihuahua’s shedding? Let us know in the comments section below!