Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
The chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and has the longest lifespan.
Caring for a chihuahua in their senior years requires extra attention to their eyes, teeth, and heart.
Longevity15™ is a supplement that can support your chihuahua from the cells up, giving you a chance to love them even longer.
Some people want a large dog, while others want the smallest version of K9 companionship possible. For those people, the chihuahua is the best fit.
Often weighing under six pounds when fully grown, these tiny bundles of energy are known for their big personalities and their loyalty. They do well with families of any size and can also find their homes with individuals.
Chihuahuas are part of a group of dogs known as extra-small breeds. These breeds are dogs that weigh less than 10 pounds. Extra-small breeds are sometimes referred to as “toy” breeds. Interestingly, extra-small breeds have some of the longest life spans of any breeds of dogs.
Chihuahuas have a life expectancy of between 14 and 16 years. It is not uncommon, however, for some chihuahuas to live to see their 18th and 20th birthdays. Supporting a chihuahua in its senior years can help it reach its full life expectancy.
Chihuahuas can (and frequently do) live up to 18 to 20 years. A dog’s size and breed are the determining factors in estimating a lifespan.
Due to their extremely small size, chihuahuas experience fewer joint and back-related problems than larger dogs. Instead, they suffer from page-related illnesses like heart failure, dental disease, and obesity. If you own a chihuahua, here are some of the most common health concerns your dog could experience.
Small dogs like chihuahuas can become overweight easily. Weight gain of one to two pounds on a large dog may go relatively unnoticed, but on a small dog, the pounds add up quickly.
Obesity can lead to other health problems, like diabetes. It may be hard to tell if your dog is overweight, especially if they have long hair. Your dog’s veterinarian can help determine if your dog is within a healthy weight range.
As a chihuahua ages, joints and bones begin to weaken. Chihuahuas (and other toy breeds) are prone to patellar luxation. This condition causes the kneecap to become dislodged, creating pain and instability in the knee. Dogs that suffer from this condition may limp or lose partial mobility.
The leading cause of death for senior chihuahuas is congestive heart failure. This is usually related to a progressive, chronic mitral valve disease that causes the valve on the left side of the heart to weaken.
This weakened valve allows blood to leak backward, which causes the heart to enlarge and places stress on the heart, leading to heart failure. Chihuahuas are also predisposed to genetic heart disorders. Have your dog’s veterinarian check their heart regularly.
Many small breeds suffer from dental issues. Chihuahuas may develop periodontal disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues system-wide.
Unfortunately, about 80% of dogs over age three have gum disease, but few of their owners know about it. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to decay, pain, tooth loss, and even organ failure.
Small dogs are prone to tracheal collapse, a condition that causes their windpipe to flatten. Chihuahuas may develop weak cartilage around the neck that no longer supports the trachea, causing it to lose its shape.
You may begin to notice your dog coughing or wheezing regularly, which can indicate there are issues with the windpipe. Usually, this condition can be treated with medication, but some cases may require surgical intervention.
Although numerous health issues could affect your dog, there are ways to support your chihuahua and help them live a longer, healthier life.
Chihuahuas are active dogs who need regular exercise. Taking them for walks and enjoying playtime with them will help them maintain a healthy weight and support their mobility. Just remember that due to their tiny size, they can easily become injured if you play too hard.
In addition, giving your chihuahua food that meets their needs is key to supporting their overall wellness. Just like humans, dogs have nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for their bodies to thrive. Essential means they must have them, but their bodies cannot readily make them on their own. Instead, they must get these nutrients from food or supplements.
While most dog food contains the ingredients a chihuahua needs to thrive, three out of five dog foods tested were completely void of one key fatty acid known as pentadecanoic acid, or C15:0 for short.
C15:0 is an odd-chain, saturated fatty acid that is essential for mammals. Researchers studying dolphins discovered that animals with higher circulating levels of C15:0 have fewer age-related illnesses than those with lower levels of this nutrient.
C15:0 works by supporting your dog’s cells by:
Your dog needs C15:0, but chances are they aren’t getting it in their food. Because C15:0 is only found in trace amounts in full-fat dairy products (like whole milk) and some parts of some fish, it can be hard to ensure your dog is getting enough, especially when their food may not contain it.
A solution? Longevity15.
Longevity15 is a dog supplement that helps support your dog’s overall health so they can live as long as possible and maintain their health. Inside each packet of Longevity15 is FA15™, the sustainably-sourced version of pentadecanoic acid.
Your chihuahua could live two full decades. You owe it to them to protect their ability to age healthfully and enjoy their senior years. Giving your dog Longevity15 is one of the easiest and smartest ways to support your chihuahua’s health and protect their longevity.
Sources:
Chihuahua Dog Breed Information|American Kennel Club.org|Dog Breeds | Chihuahua
Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs? | American Kennel Club
Chihuahua Dog Breed Health and Care | PetMD
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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