Are Chihuahuas Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Are Chihuahuas hypoallergenic dogs? This pocket-sized, popular breed isn’t hypoallergenic due to their short/medium-length coats and average shedding. This means if you suffer from pet allergies, they may not be suited for you.
Chihuahua Quick Facts
Let’s be completely honest and start by saying — there is not a single breed of dog that will be 100% hypoallergenic.
However, don’t panic, your dreams of being a pet parent are not over. Quite a few breeds are considered hypoallergenic, meaning they’re less likely to irritate the symptoms of allergies.
To find out more, read our article What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
Chihuahuas come in two coat types, smooth-haired and long-haired, both of which shed — making them unsuitable as a hypoallergenic pet.
Both long and smooth-haired Chihuahuas shed seasonally — in the spring and fall. But they also shed a small amount of fur all year round.
They come in a range of colors and markings — including black, white, gray, chocolate, silver, spotted, and brindle! There are a huge number of combinations, making for a lot of unique pups!
You can’t stop a Chihuahua from shedding — it’s a natural process. But there are a few steps you can take to improve their health and coat quality to manage shedding and keep dander to a minimum.
1. Groom Your Chihuahua According to Coat Type
Your Chihuahua’s grooming routine will depend on the type of coat they have:
Proper grooming for a smooth-coated Chihuahua will only be needed occasionally or when you feel is necessary. Whereas a long-haired Chihuahua requires a lot more maintenance to prevent matting. Hence, brush them weekly to keep their coats perfect and knot-free.
And, the key to good grooming is choosing the right tools for the job. In this case, choosing the correct brush for your Chihuahua’s length of coat is crucial.
If you have a short-haired Chihuahua, use a bristle brush, but check that the bristles are not too stiff — they could irritate your pooch’s skin. And, if you have a short-haired Chihuahua, a pin brush would be more suitable, and be gentle so you don’t cause discomfort.
2. Don’t Bath Your Chihuahua Too Frequently
Chihuahuas are not the type of dog that requires a dip in the tub every week to keep them looking and smelling clean. Plus, bathing too often can cause dry skin, which makes shedding worse.
However, a bath helps to remove dander, loose hair, and any debris that may have built up in their coats. Long-haired Chihuahuas should be bathed more frequently — every four to 8 weeks, while short-haired Chihuahuas only require a bath every eight to 12 weeks.
3. Allergy-Related Shedding
If your Chihuahua is excessively shedding due to allergies, you need to take action to get the shedding under control. Using a hydrocortisone dog shampoo for allergies can help to treat the inflammation and alleviate any itching that often occurs as part of an allergic reaction.
4. Feed High-Quality Food
Choose a dog food containing high-quality protein as the main ingredient, plus check that it’s considered a complete and well-balanced meal. This will help to ensure that your Chihuahua is receiving all the nutrients it needs from its diet.
5. Consider Nutritional Supplements for Your Chihuahua
If you feel your dog needs a little help in the nutrition department, you could introduce a supplement.
You can also find supplements formulated to help reduce shedding in dogs. They often contain omega 3 and omega 6, a range of vitamins, and flaxseed oil.
There are Chihuahua hypoallergenic alternatives that carry the same intelligence and protectiveness, and still love to cuddle up with you all the same — without the allergy-exacerbating element.
So, if you have your heart set on the world’s smallest dog breed — here are some similarly-sized pups who could be compatible with your needs.
The Maltese is a small hypoallergenic breed that rarely sheds or drools with similar temperaments to the Chihuahua — such as their high energy levels and trainability.
This breed weighs similarly to a Chihuahua but with the benefit of an anti-allergy single-layer coat, and they’re family-friendly!
Similarly, you may enjoy the company of a Shih Tzu, another low-to-no shedding breed that loves companionship and has a playful, energetic side to them.
They’re ideal for older families and are much like the Chihuahua with regard to their abilities to bark a lot, and become defensive over their owners and home environment.
The Affenpinscher is also an adorable small breed that won’t agitate your allergies with an appealing and mischievous nature. However, they’re slightly less energetic compared to the Chihuahua, but still have the fearless and defensive temperament you may be looking for.
Another pocket-sized breed that’s popular and often considered similar to the Chihuahua. The Yorkshire Terrier also sports a tiny frame, a highly affectionate nature as well as being high energy!
They love exploring and are a strong breed for companionship, plus unlike other Terriers, Yorkies are easy to train.
Conclusion
The Chihuahua is a pint-sized pooch with a colossal character. Yet, despite its tiny stature, it’s not ideal if you’re sensitive to pets.
However, several breeds are similar in temperament to the Chihuahua, without the need to aggravate your allergies, such as the Maltese, Affenpinscher, or Yorkshire Terrier.
To answer the burning question of are Chihuahuas hypoallergenic? Unfortunately not, but there are other toy-sized allergy-friendly tail-waggers sporting the same loyalty and adorable size.
The Chihuahua is a pint-sized pooch with a colossal character. Yet, despite its tiny stature, it’s not ideal if you’re sensitive to pets.
Is a Chihuahua Hypoallergenic?
No. Chiwawas or Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic. Hence, If you’re prone to allergies, this breed isn’t suitable.
Are Chihuahuas Non Shedding?
Chihuahuas don’t shed copious amounts. That said, depending on their coat, they can have thin, short hair or very long — meaning it can get everywhere in your home, and this makes them unsuitable for allergy sufferers.
Can Chihuahuas Be Left Home Alone?
The Chihuahua is a highly dependent breed and loves human interaction, but also benefits from the company of another dog.
Are Chihuahua Poodles Hypoallergenic?
When crossed with a Poodle, the Chihuahua can become a hypoallergenic breed. This is due to the allergy-friendly genetics of the Poodle. However, you can’t guarantee it completely.
What Are the Smallest Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Some of the smallest hypoallergenic breeds are:
Is a Long Haired Chihuahua Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, both long-haired and short-haired Chihuahuas shed, so neither are considered a hypoallergenic breed.
