Lifespan Of A Teacup Chihuahua; Everything Else You Need To Know

Last Updated on July 26, 2021 by Marco

Looking to join the Teacup Chihuahua Club? Here’s everything you need to know about them, including the lifespan of a Teacup Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are generally considered to be one of the cutest dog breeds around. But Teacup Chihuahuas are beyond adorable. Weighing no more than 3 pounds as adults, Teacup Chis make delightful little companions that you can carry around in your purse. What’s more, they have colorful personalities and are playful to boot.

If you’re looking to enrich your life with the presence of a Teacup Chi, you must learn as much as you can about them. That’s where we can help. This article will tell you all you need to know about the breed, including their personality, lifespan, and health concerns. All you need to do is stick with us as we break down how to look after your Teacup Chi!

Chihuahua 101 – History And Temperament Of Teacup Chihuahuas

Alrighty, let’s kick off our Teacup Chi-centered feature with a little bit of history. Dog parents often wonder about their pet’s breed origins, and that’s perfectly natural. After all, canine breeds are often categorized according to breed purpose. For example, German Shepherds were bred to help with herding sheep.

• History

When it comes to Chihuahuas, history tells us that the breed was created for one purpose alone – to be companions. Chihuahuas aren’t a recent breed either – they’ve been around for thousands of years. Modern-day Chihuahuas are a little different from their ancestors and have become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

While it’s not clear when Teacup Chihuahuas first made their appearance in the doggy kingdom – they’ve certainly carved out a place for themselves. And, here’s something really interesting. Contrary to popular belief, Teacup Chihuahuas aren’t a breed unto themselves, nor are they the product of cross-breed.

Teacup Chis are just regular Chihuahuas who happen to be really tiny. Breeders achieve this by breeding two small or micro-sized Chihuahuas to ensure the resulting litter is precisely the same size or even smaller. In fact, the name ‘Teacup Chihuahua’ is used by breeders to describe the product of breeding micro-sized Chihuahuas to produce a miniature Chi.

• Personality

Dogs are hardly ever lacking in the personality department. And Teacup Chis aren’t any different. Remember that a Teacup Chihuahua is just a smaller version of a regular one. That means Teacup Chihuahuas are pretty similar to their larger counterparts in temperament.

Despite being companion dogs, Chihuahuas have stellar protective instincts. So, if your Micro-Chi ever feels you’re in any danger, it’ll do its best to protect you. It’s also very common for Teacups to bark or yap at strangers. Excessive barking is something a lot of dog parents face with Chis. But you can easily take care of the problem by ensuring your pup attends socialization classes early on.

Aside from that, Teacup Chihuahuas are incredibly loving and affectionate. They love spending time with their families, are extremely energetic and playful.

Read more about: The Average Price Of Teacup Chihuahua And Everything Else

Lifespan Of A Teacup Chihuahua

Because Micro-Chihuahuas are just miniature versions of the standard breed – they’re lifespan is pretty similar. On average, a healthy and well-cared for Teacup Chi may survive up to 15 to 20 years.

However, it’s best not to treat the 15 to 20 years timeline as gospel because there are always other factors at play. For example, breeding two runts might result in a small dog, but unfortunately, it can also result in a weaker dog. Then there’s the fact that micro-breeds are more vulnerable to developing health conditions than others.

Another factor that comes into play when considering how long do teacup chihuahuas live is diet, care, and maintenance. If your Chihuahua receives any ideal diet, has a set and beneficial exercise regime – it’s much likelier to be healthier. And healthy canines have a better shot at longevity.

Teacup Chihuahuas Health Concerns

As we said earlier, Teacups are more susceptible to developing health concerns in life. One part of this is due to the breeding process – which means your pet may or may not face hereditary health problems like the following –

• Heart Problems

Teacup Chihuahua life expectancy can be severely affected by conditions like heart disease. And, unluckily, Teacups are prone to heart diseases. Pet experts state that genetics can be a contributing factor in such situations.

You see, being bred for smaller sizes can also play havoc with a Chihuahua’s internal system. For example, the breeds’ organs, along with other systems of the body, are forced to scale down pretty quickly due to breeding for size. And that’s possibly why they develop heart conditions.

• Fractures

Another factor that affects the lifespan of Teacup Chihuahuas is that they have really delicate bones that can fracture quite easily. Fully grown Micro-Chihuahuas measure less than 6 inches in height. That means things that aren’t dangerous for other dog breeds can result in serious injuries for Teacups. For example, jumping off high spots or clumsy footwork can cause your pet’s bones to break and affect their mobility.

• Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar is another common health concern in toy dog breeds. Because of their diminutive size, Teacup Chihuahuas aren’t able to store ample amounts of sugar, making them susceptible to hypoglycemia. Pet parents have to adapt a Teacup’s feeding schedule to ensure it has enough sugar in its system to keep working the way it should. Low blood sugar in canines can result in trembling, weakness, or even seizures.

How To Increase The Lifespan Of A Teacup Chihuahua

You can adopt certain measures to make sure your Teacup Chi leads a trouble-free and long life. Here are some pointers that may help Teacup parents look after their pets better.

• To avoid troubles like low blood sugar and related symptoms, ensure you give your Teacup Chihuahua small-sized and regular meals. Doing so will maintain your pet’s energy levels and help aid digestion.
• Puppy-proof your house before bringing your pet home. This will mean getting rid of any sharp objects that can hurt your pet, rearranging furniture to keep it out of your pet’s path, etc.
• If you live in an apartment with access to a gallery – keep the doors closed to ensure your Teacup stays away from the railings.

Conclusion

There are quite a few ways you can extend the lifespan of a Teacup Chihuahua. However, taking care of a Teacup is a full-time job. From diet to grooming and regular vet visits – there will be plenty to keep you busy. We’re not saying you should put off the idea of adopting a Teacup Chi – but you should do your research about what taking care of one involves. That way, both you and your little pet will lead happier and trouble-free lives.

Learn more about: Why Does My Dog Blink With One Eye: The Secrets Behind Dog Winking