The cost of a Chihuahua ranges from $500 to $2,500. They are considered one of the cheapest dogs to raise because their maintenance costs are low, at about $50 per month. This is due to the fact that they have little demands because of their petite size.
What Is The Average Chihuahua Price?
An average chihuahua will cost between $500 to $1500.
There are a lot of chihuahuas around, so you may be able to find one for less or even free from adoption agencies or individuals giving away litter. However, if you want a purebred, breeder-developed chihuahua, it can cost $1500 or more. There are a few reasons for this:
Size
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, making them very easy to carry around. People like to carry them around in their bags.
Some Chihuahuas are even smaller, and people are willing to pay a lot more money for them just for their smaller size. A teacup Chihuahua, for example, could cost as high as $2000.
Feisty personalities
Chihuahuas are very active dogs. They are always up for a good time. Some people might not like this, but Chihuahua enthusiasts do.
They understand that this means extra work and money. While the dog may be hard to train and might damage your house, it is worth it for these people because of how fun the dog is.
General low maintenance
People who invest in Chihuahuas may be happy with the initial price because the subsequent cost of raising them is low, at around $50 a month. They are a healthy dog breed and don’t have high vet costs. They’re also small, so they don’t need a lot of food or grooming products.
How Many Years Do Chihuahuas Live?
The small size in Chihuahuas comes with a great advantage. They have one of the longest lifespans of any dog breed.
Chihuahuas can live for an average of 12 to 20 years.
This is because they are relatively healthy dogs and are at risk of very few life-threatening diseases. For some perspective, let us take a look at what Chihuahuas suffer from and what they die from.
Obesity
A healthy weight range for Chihuahuas would be between 3 to 6 pounds for an adult. The Chihuahuas have to be on a special diet since their metabolism and high appetite levels make them very prone to developing obesity.
Luxating patella
Luxating patella is a condition where, with time, the patella bone in the dog’s knee joint becomes progressively loose. This disease could affect motility in terms of range and comfort levels for the canine. It is excruciating as the bones in the joint continuously rub on each other and require urgent veterinary attention.
Gum and tooth disease
One of the main reasons why Chihuahuas stink is poor dental hygiene. They are prone to developing plaque and tartar, responsible for their foul oral odor. If this is not taken care of, it could lead to complications like dental cavities or even gum infections.
Bladder and kidney stones
Typically, a Chihuahua can hold their pee for 6 to 8 hours.
If your dog hasn’t gone to the bathroom in a while, it may have renal stones. These cause a lot of pain for the dog and other symptoms, like blood or pus in their urine.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Chihuahuas is hereditary and is one of why chihuahuas shake so much. Fortunately, with medication and a healthy diet, it is something the doggy can live with.
How To Take Care Of A Chihuahua?
Chihuahuas do not need a lot of care. But this does not mean that they do not need any care. You need to do a few things to take care of them, like choosing the best diet and knowing how much rest they need.
Get them on a healthy diet
Chihuahuas should eat natural dog food. Pet Plate offers high-quality dog food prepared from natural ingredients and customized to your doggy’s specific needs.
Human food, including overprocessed dog food, is terrible for chihuahuas. However, they can eat human food, including fruits like pineapples and mangoes.
Watch their portions
In addition to the quality, quantity also matters. How much food a chihuahua should eat per day depends on its age. However, ½ to 1/3 of a cup per day should be more than enough for most.
Supplement their meals with multivitamins
In addition to good food, you should put your Chihuahua on multivitamin supplement routines. These help in everything from boosting immunity to supporting bone and joint health for all-rounded wellness.
Ensure they get enough sleep
Chihuahuas are little balls of energy and need as much sleep as possible. A chihuahua can sleep 12 to 14 hours. Your job is to ensure they have a safe and comfortable place.
Establish a potty break routine
Establishing a potty break routine is vital to pick out any changes that could indicate problems in the urinary tract or digestive system. A Chihuahua typically poops 1 to 5 times a day and pees 3 to 4 times.
Are Chihuahuas Good Pets? Temperament Of A Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are infamously challenging to deal with due to their firecracker personalities. However, all they need is a little love, patience, and understanding, and you will see how affectionate and cuddly chihuahuas can be. Here is more about their personalities and what makes a chihuahua happy.
Feisty
People often mistake the Chihuahua’s feistiness for being mean, which is not the case. They are just very confident with prominent personalities.
Vocal
Chihuahuas tend to bark a lot. They bark when they are scared, excited, sad, angry, or bored.
Territorial
These doggies are also quite territorial. Chihuahuas have been known to show jealousy when their human friends show other pets or people too much attention.
Clever
These doggies are very smart, which comes in handy when house training a chihuahua. However, it is not always easy, as you will soon see.
Stubborn
Even though chihuahuas are smart, they can be very stubborn when it comes to training. This can be especially frustrating when you’re trying to toilet train them. It may cost up to $900 to get professional help with training, but there are also affordable online programs that can help.
We recommend Brain Training for Dogs, which is designed to help with all sorts of skills and tricks for even the most stubborn dogs.
Energetic
Chihuahuas are the furthest thing from lazy. If anything, you will have to work very hard to keep up with their high energy levels.
Needy
These doggies need a lot of attention and do not do well with being left alone. This character makes them ideal for homes with a constant human presence.
How Often Should Chihuahuas Be Bathed? Grooming Tips For A Chihuahua
Professional grooming for a chihuahua cost between $30 and $50 per session. Grooming them yourself can save you a lot of money in the long run, but it takes more time. Here are some tips to help you groom your chihuahua effectively.
Brush their fur on a regular basis
Chihuahuas shed a moderate amount, both short and long-haired varieties. To minimize the amount of hair that they lose and to avoid mats in long-haired Chihuahuas, you should brush their fur regularly – at least 2 to 3 times a week.
Regular baths
Chihuahuas need to be bathed, especially if they spend much time outdoors. It would be best to bathe them at least once every month or two.
Take care of dental hygiene
One of the leading causes of foul odors in chihuahuas is poor dental hygiene. It is best to invest in their dental hygiene to spare yourself the discomfort and your dog’s future pain from complications.
You can do a lot in this case, including giving them chew toys, including hard kibble to the diet, or using dental water additives.
Keep their clothes and accessories
Chihuahuas actually need clothes especially in places where winters can be brutal.
You should also clean your dog’s clothes and other accessories. Keeping your Chihuahua clean helps stop the spread of germs, bad smells, or parasites like fleas.
Related Questions
At What Age Do Chihuahuas Stop Growing? Chihuahuas technically stop developing and growing at 10 to 12 months. However, they can add weight in the case of obesity if they eat more than they are burning off by staying active. To avoid this, a healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial.
Are Boy Or Girl Chihuahuas Better? Male chihuahuas are more popular among dog owners due to their personalities. They tend to be more friendly, affectionate, and loyal. However, they are also prone to bad behavior, including temper tantrums and urine spraying. On the other hand, female chihuahuas may be aloof, and a little more aggressive than most are comfortable with. However, they can become just as affectionate with socialization and obedience training.
How Do I Know If My Chihuahua Is Happy? The best way to know if a chihuahua is happy is by monitoring its interactions with its human friends. When they are happy, they are usually very playful and affectionate with people they trust. If, on the other hand, they are not happy about something, they may become withdrawn or even aggressive, including towards people they previously liked.
