How Long Do Teacup Chihuahuas Live? [COMPLETE LIFESPAN]

Almost everyone is aware that Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breeds in the world; however, even in the Chihuahua family, there is a smaller breed, the Teacup Chihuahua. Although Teacup Chihuahuas are not classified as a breed, they can be specially bred by breeders. They are also known as Toy Chihuahuas, Mini Chihuahuas. Teacups, and Miniature Chihuahuas.

Teacup Chihuahuas have an estimated life expectancy of about seven (07) to fifteen (15) years. It is said that the smallest dogs live for a long time, and the Teacup Chihuahua is proof of that. However, not all Teacup Chihuahuas live that long because of various health-related issues.

If you have a Teacup Chihuahua and want it to live a long, healthy life, the dog needs extra and consistent care. You would also need to conduct regular visits to the veterinary doctor to prevent health issues.

Teacup Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are known to be one of the smallest dogs globally. They are a perfect dog for companionship, loyal but could be very aggressive. Chihuahuas come in standard sizes and teacup sizes. Aside from a difference in physical size, both dogs are the same.

Teacup Chihuahuas are the smallest sizes of Chihuahuas. Teacup Chihuahuas came into existence due to breeders’ careful selection of the smallest sizes of Chihuahuas from the standard-sized liter. They are not an independent breed, as they are not recognized officially by any kennel club.

Teacup Chihuahuas share the same history as the standard Chihuahua. Chihuahuas, according to research, were said to be descendants of the Techichi breed, which was kept by the Toltec tribe in Mexico dates back to the 9th century. The dog was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas coat usually come in two types – the long-haired coat and the short-haired coat. They are not hypoallergenic dogs; however, they shed moderately. Also, they come in different colors such as sable, red, chocolate, silver, tan, cream, black, merle, gold, and brown.

Teacup Chihuahuas have the same personality as the standard ones. They love being around their owner as they are good companions. Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone for too long, as they could suffer from separation anxiety. Also, it is important to state that regardless of Chihuahuas’ small size, they could sometimes be very aggressive and territorial.

Teacup Chihuahua Lifespan

The life span of the Teacup Chihuahua is shorter than the Standard Chihuahuas. The Standard Chihuahuas can live for about 15 to 20 years. However, Teacup Chihuahuas have a lifespan of about 7 to 15 years when properly taken care of. Breeders explain that Teacup Chihuahuas are usually the runts of the litters (the smallest and weakest puppies).

Breeding of two Chihuahua runts to make Teacup Chihuahua could be why they tend to have a shorter life span. The offspring are usually weak dogs. If you want your Chihuahua to live long, you also have a role to play. You need to pay attention to its diet, exercise level, and how often it gets a regular checkup from a vet.

Teacup Chihuahuas Health Issues

Due to Teacup Chihuahuas’ very small size, they are prone to some health conditions that affect the Standard Chihuahuas. Although, it is not all health conditions that are life-threatening.

However, it is best advised that you take your dog to a vet for immediate treatment whenever you notice some health symptoms to avoid further complications. We will be explaining some of the conditions below.

Soft Skull

When a Teacup Chihuahuas is newly birthed, they usually have a soft spot on their skull named molera. As they grow older, the spot is expected to become hard. However, in some Teacup Chihuahuas, their skull sometimes usually remains soft.

This is because it makes the dogs vulnerable to some neurological disorders. So, if you notice your adult Chihuahua still has a soft skull, you must take the dog to the veterinarian.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

A lot of small-sized dogs are prone to having this health condition. Despite having a tiny body, Teacup Chihuahuas have a high metabolism, making them burn calories faster. Due to this, they find it difficult to store blood sugar. To avoid your Teacup Chihuahua from suffering from low blood sugar, ensure you feed your dog well daily. This would help to keep its sugar level stable.

Heart Problems

This is another health condition Teacup Chihuahuas are prone to. The major factor responsible for this could be due to genetics. Also, when a Teacup Chihuahua becomes overfed, it could develop weight, causing obesity, which often causes more health problems.

The heart valve is a common problem that Teacup Chihuahuas face. Some of its symptoms include difficulty in breathing, coughing, and tiredness. Whenever you notice your dog displaying any of these symptoms, you should take it to a veterinarian.

Bone and Joint Problems

This is a common and life-threatening health issue most Teacup Chihuahuas experience, bone and joint problems. Ensuring your Teacup Chihuahua is not overfed is a way of avoiding this problem. Since they have a very small body, overfeeding could cause a lot of pressure on their joints.

For instance, knee joint alignment problem is common in many small-sized dogs. Also, when there is more stress on a dog joint, most times due to being overweight, it could lead to its cartilage wearing down faster, causing Osteoarthritis. When a dog is faced with this, it becomes difficult to exercise. Lack of exercise, in turn, could lead to obesity.

How Long Does A Teacup Chihuahua Live?

We mentioned earlier that Teacup Chihuahuas have an average lifespan of about seven to fifteen years; they will only live this long when you treat them well, feed them the right food, and take proper care of them. However, they have various factors that affect the lifespan of Teacup Chihuahuas.

Teacup Chihuahuas are very sensitive to low temperatures, so they live longer in warm regions than in cold regions. They need lots of blankets and cold to remain warm in the winter. So, if you reside in cold regions, you should keep in mind that your Teacup Chihuahua will not live as long as those in the tropical regions.

If you want your Teacup to live long, you need to pay proper attention to its diet, exercise, and regular visits to the veterinary doctor. No matter the dog’s treatment, as long as it is not consuming healthy food, its lifespan will be reduced. You need to feed your Teacup Chihuahua the proper meals with all the essential nutrients.

You also need to ensure your Teacup Chihuahua maintains a healthy weight. If it becomes overweight, it is prone to various heart diseases, and if it becomes underweight, it is also prone to health issues. Also, since Teacup Chihuahuas are small, they are at risk of experiencing physical trauma.

Your dog’s overall health also plays an important role in how long it will live. You need to take the Teacup Chihuahua to the veterinary doctor for regular checkups to detect health issues early and treat them before they become serious. Also, you should spay and neuter your Teacup Chihuahuas.

Spayed female Teacup Chihuahuas are less at risk of developing ovarian cancer, and neutered male Teacup Chihuahuas are less susceptible to testicular cancer. You should also ensure that your dogs get fixed; this prevents runt puppies in the litter and makes the dog less aggressive.

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Final Thoughts

Chihuahuas are one of the dog breeds with the longest lifespan; however, they are also one of the breeds susceptible to various health-related issues that affect their lifespan. The smaller the dog, the more difficult it is to care for it. If you own a Teacup Chihuahua, you must be dedicated and available to provide it with all it needs.