If you’ve ever found Chihuahua hair on your clothes, furniture, and somehow even in your coffee, you’re not alone! Learn why Chihuahuas shed, what you can do to reduce it, and when excessive hair loss might be a sign of a health problem.
If you’re a Chihuahua parent, you’ve probably discovered tiny hairs on your clothes, your couch, your bed, and somehow even inside your morning coffee.
If you’re a Chihuahua parent, you’ve probably discovered tiny hairs on your clothes, your couch, your bed, and somehow even inside your morning coffee.
You may have even looked at your little dog and thought, “How can something so small produce this much fur?”
The good news is that shedding is completely normal for Chihuahuas. The not-so-good news? There’s no magic cure to stop it completely. But there are plenty of things you can do to keep it under control.
If you’re noticing other changes in your Chihuahua besides shedding, you may also want to read Is My Chihuahua Sick? Signs You Should Never Ignore.
Let’s talk about why Chihuahuas shed, when you should worry, and how to keep those little hairs from taking over your house.
Do Chihuahuas Shed?
Yes! All Chihuahuas shed to some degree.
How much they shed depends on several factors, including:
- Their coat type
- The season
- Age
- Diet
- Overall health
- Genetics
Regular grooming and good nutrition can help reduce the amount of loose hair you find around your home, but there is no such thing as a completely non-shedding Chihuahua.
Do Long-Haired Chihuahuas Shed More?
This surprises many people.
A long-haired Chihuahua doesn’t necessarily shed more than a smooth-coated Chihuahua.
What matters most is whether your Chihuahua has a single coat or a double coat.
A double-coated Chihuahua has a soft undercoat beneath the outer coat. These dogs tend to shed more heavily, especially during seasonal coat changes.
Single-coated Chihuahuas often shed less, but every dog is different.
The biggest difference is that long hair is easier to see. Short Chihuahua hairs seem to weave themselves into fabric and can be surprisingly difficult to remove!
Why Is My Chihuahua Shedding So Much Right Now?
Many Chihuahuas go through seasonal shedding cycles.
Spring
As the weather warms up, they lose much of their thicker winter coat.
Fall
Many dogs shed again as they prepare for colder weather.
Some people call this “blowing their coat.”
Indoor Chihuahuas may shed throughout the year because artificial lighting and climate-controlled homes can affect their natural coat cycle.
If your Chihuahua suddenly seems to be leaving fur everywhere during spring or fall, it’s usually perfectly normal.
Chihuahua Puppies Shed Too
If you have a Chihuahua puppy, don’t be surprised if their coat changes as they grow.
Puppies often lose their soft baby fur as their adult coat comes in. During this time, you may notice:
- Extra shedding
- Changes in coat texture
- Slight changes in color
- Longer or thicker fur developing
This is simply part of growing up.
Why Is My Chihuahua Losing So Much Hair?
Normal shedding should happen evenly across the body.
If you notice excessive hair loss or bald spots, something else could be going on.
Normal shedding looks like:
- Loose hair all over
- No bald patches
- Healthy-looking skin
- No excessive scratching
Contact your veterinarian if you notice:
- Bald spots
- Red or irritated skin
- Constant scratching
- Scabs
- Sudden heavy hair loss
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss
- Low energy
Possible causes include:
- Allergies
- Fleas
- Skin infections
- Mange
- Hormonal disorders
- Thyroid disease
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
It’s always better to have your vet check anything unusual.
Can Stress Cause Shedding?
Yes!
Just like people can lose hair during stressful times, dogs can shed more when they’re anxious or experiencing major changes.
Common stressors include:
- Moving
- New pets
- New babies
- Boarding
- Veterinary visits
- Loud storms
- Changes in routine
Once life settles down, the shedding often improves.
Can Diet Affect Shedding?
Absolutely.
A healthy coat starts with good nutrition.
Feed a high-quality dog food that contains:
- Quality protein
- Healthy fats
- Vitamins and minerals
- Omega fatty acids
Fresh water is also important. Dehydration can affect skin and coat health.
While supplements may help some dogs, they won’t completely stop shedding.
How to Reduce Chihuahua Shedding
You can’t stop shedding entirely, but you can make a big difference.
Brush Your Chihuahua Regularly
For smooth coats:
- Rubber grooming mitt
- Soft bristle brush
For long coats:
- Pin brush
- Small slicker brush
- Metal comb
Brush daily during heavy shedding seasons.
The rest of the year, two or three times a week is usually enough.
Give Regular Baths
A bath every three to six weeks can help remove loose fur before it ends up all over your house.
Use a gentle dog shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
Feed a Healthy Diet
Healthy skin supports a healthy coat.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Fresh water helps maintain skin health.
Visit Your Veterinarian
If shedding suddenly increases or your Chihuahua develops bald spots, it’s worth getting checked out.
Should You Shave a Chihuahua?
No.
Many owners think shaving will reduce shedding.
Unfortunately, it usually doesn’t.
The hair that would normally fall onto your furniture simply falls onto your floor instead.
For double-coated Chihuahuas, shaving can actually damage the coat and interfere with its natural ability to regulate body temperature.
Proper grooming is much safer than shaving and helps keep the coat healthy.
Chihuahua Shedding Myths
Myth: Short-haired Chihuahuas don’t shed.
Truth: Many smooth-coated Chihuahuas shed quite a bit.
Myth: Long-haired Chihuahuas shed more.
Truth: Coat type matters more than hair length.
Myth: Shaving stops shedding.
Truth: It doesn’t and may damage the coat.
How to Survive Chihuahua Shedding
Let’s be honest. Chihuahua hair has a way of getting everywhere.
Here are a few tricks that help:
- Brush outside when possible.
- Wash dog bedding weekly.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Keep lint rollers in several rooms.
- Use washable furniture throws.
- Consider an air purifier.
And remember, every Chihuahua owner eventually reaches the point where they simply accept finding dog hair in places that make absolutely no sense.
I sometimes think a Chihuahua could shed enough fur to make another Chihuahua!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Chihuahuas shed all year?
Many do, especially indoor dogs, although shedding often increases during spring and fall.
Do long-haired Chihuahuas shed more?
Not necessarily. Double-coated dogs generally shed more than single-coated dogs.
At what age do Chihuahua puppies shed?
Most puppies begin losing their puppy coat as their adult coat develops.
Why is my Chihuahua suddenly shedding so much?
Seasonal changes are common, but sudden excessive shedding can also indicate stress, illness, allergies, or skin problems.
What brush is best for a Chihuahua?
Smooth coats do well with grooming mitts and soft brushes. Long coats benefit from pin brushes and metal combs.
Should I shave my Chihuahua?
No. Shaving usually doesn’t reduce shedding and may damage the coat.
Final Thoughts
If you share your home with a Chihuahua, a little shedding simply comes with the territory.
Thankfully, regular grooming, good nutrition, and routine veterinary care can help keep your Chihuahua healthy. As our little companions get older, paying attention to changes in their coats can become even more important.
Most importantly, remember that shedding is a normal part of life with these wonderful little dogs.
And if you occasionally find Chihuahua hair in your dinner?
Welcome to the club. You’re officially a Chihuahua parent now.
Cathy Bendzunas
Pet Blogger
Dr. Sara Ochoa
DVM
This article has been fact-checked and approved by Dr. Sara Ochoa DVM. You can read more about her on our About page.
I have a small shop vacuum, in the garage, I go out and plug it in so its running , I go in and get my chi and vacuum her she don’t mind at all. I do this a couple times a mont it really helps
That’s great that she doesn’t mind Emalene. Mine would totally freak out.
LOL!!!!!
I do the same thing!!!! but with a regular vacuum.
I just get sick of it(dog hair) and vacuum Fifi off, she doesn’t freak out, but she doesn’t love it either lol.
I thought I was the only one who did this!
It’s good she lets you do it Verlinda. Some do freak out.
My short hair chi sheds a lot until I used the hydrocortisone spray for dogs dry itchy skin on him, it stopped the itching and actually STOPPED the shedding leaving her coat silky and no more itch
That’s a great idea Maureen.
@Maureen, Where can you purchase this?
My short hair scratches ALOT!
I have him on apoquel and children’s benadryl.
@Rita Dean,
My Nurse Practitioner friend advised Omega nutrients to support skin lubrication. Instead of a processed Omega fish oil pill off amazon, she recommended putting both:
Organic Chia Seeds
Organic Ground Flaxseed
Into their wet food for the unprocessed Omegas. Yes, its safe for Chihuahua/Dogs, and yes it pretty much worked overnight. Of course general proper nutrition is supportive too, cuz food is medicine.
Get the dogs off Vet Pharma Chemicals, its awful for them!
Good info Rob.
@Maureen, please bare in mind that hydraquartisone is a steroid and they can be detrimental if used over a long period even if the cream is weak in strength.
I tried a Furminator, but it seems to me that its cutting the hair, rather than just removing the hair that has shed. I’d be interested in other opinions on this.
I really like my furminator. I find if I push down too hard, it does seem to cut the hair so I use a lighter touch.
I love using a furminator. After trying all kinds of brushes, rubber tools and a glow that’s for short coated dogs and cats, I found a cheap version of a furminator and it works perfect. And my chi loves it. But so much fur. My chi is the bigger version of chihuahua so there is pretty much dog to work on.
Furminators are great. It is amazing how much fur they get off.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I like that you touched on possible medical issues. I have a long haired Chi and she could our shed my sled dog! My groomer said that some just shed more than others. Turns out that what we thought were all unrelated some medical issues, were all linked together and we found the answer to all of it, including the shedding! She has an endocrine immune imbalance. It made everything in her poor little body not work right. She is being treated and is doing amazing!! The shedding is barely noticeable now too! So, medical issues causing skin trouble may be more than skin deep.
Interesting Christina. Is she hypothyroid or is it another type of issue?
I notice that articles and comments seem to indicate that long hair chi does not have undercoat and therefore does not shed as much as smooth coats. I am totally baffled. I have a ‘found’ long hair chi and she sheds something terrible. Plus, she has a very thick undercoat which reminds me of our husky mix. Hair is all over the place, yes I use the Swiffer and go through multiple pads every day. I vacuum more than ever. Just can’t seem to get ahead of this. She loves to snuggle on my chair next to me, so I put an old sheet on her side and have a big sticky lint roller to remove hair each and every time she gets up.
She is a fussy eater unless I give her plain cooked chicken, peas or carrots or sweet potato and brown rice. However, vet suggested using high quality kibble and canned which I did/do but sometimes she eats and others not.
I have no idea what to do or what I am doing wrong. Note, I have had several breeds and issues over my almost 70 yrs but nothing like this.
The other comments here have at least let me know I am not alone. I wasn’t looking for another dog when she came into my life. I’m wondering if she would be better off elsewhere with someone with far more patience and understanding at this point. What to do, what to do????
She is so cute Maryellen!
Maybe I should amend the article to say most long haired chis shed less than short haired chis. There will always be some like your dog who are the exception.
Have you tried the furminator? It works great on dogs with heavy undercoats. You do need to use it at least several times a week (daily is optimal) to get it under control.
@Maryellen, my dog is the same way I was like wow she is talking about me and Kai he is a sweet boy and I was looking for an dog to and ended up with him and now I love him and I can’t give him up. We have to keep trying and something is going to happen. You Are Not Alone…
My Chi sheds all over all the time and has a very thick under coat. She is now 12 and has always been very healthy and never any health or skin issues. I have fed her quality kibble from day one. I think some may just have thicker under coats than others. I use a flea comb before and after her bath time to help.
She is so cute with those glasses on Lisa! Yes, some of them do have thicker undercoats than others. If you try brushing her everyday, you will cut down on a lot of that shedding.
I do brush with a soft brush daily. This seems to help keep the hair count at home in check. Weekly we have a bubble bath and use the flea comb. She hates the furminator with a passion. She is also hyper sensitive to topical flea treatments. We started doing this to make sure we don’t end up with fleas and found that the comb was great at tackling the under coat.
Yes I can see how a flea comb would be good with tacking the undercoat since it gets so close to the skin.
I did find out that if you use the ‘defur’ process at groomer’s it only makes it worse. I brush at least once daily, usually in the evening. Which makes a Big difference. However, I also need to keep track of pollen counts etc. as I’ve noticed that it affects her. I’m assuming that the pollen gets hung up on her belly and works into the coat making her uncomfortable and extremely itchy as she starts to scratch like crazy. When that happens, I give her a bath with a natural shampoo and it really helps.
Interesting that the groomer’s defur process makes it worse Mary. I think brushing daily and using a furminator is the best solution for most chis. I have heard pollen can do that to dogs if they have an allergy to it.
I have my first chi, she’s 6 mos. Old and sheds terribly. I don’t know if she’s long or short haired. I’m really tired of the hair every where.
It could be the changing of the seasons causing the excess shedding. Has she been checked by a vet? She might have something else going on. Brush her every day (preferably outside) and see if that cuts down on the shedding.
I forgot to attach her picture, so here is my first chi, her name is Princess bc that’s what she is.
She looks like a little princess.
Is 3 and half month chi shed? My Chi shed and i notice some bald on her skin.
Usually puppies that young don’t do a lot of shedding and there may be a health issue if she has some bald spots. I’d get her checked out by a vet.
My short hair fawn Chi sheds a lot because we live in Florida and it is due to the heat. I brush him daily with a furminator, and bathe him weekly with a good quality shampoo for itchy skin. He is very healthy and look beautiful. I was shocked that a tiny dog can shed so much, but I am informed by other Chi owner that theirs do as well. I got myself a Roomba robot vaccuum and it has helped a lot. My car is really suffering with the black interior and I have to clean it weekly. Worst of all is that I really can’t wear black any more!
Yeah I hear you. I’d love to get a Roomba too!
I’ve been using a grooming glove for the past few months and it’s working better than brushing. Plus the dogs love it. I do it outside (weather permitting) so no hair in the house.
My three-year-old short haired Coco sheds but the problem isn’t the furniture. The problem is getting her short hair off of my clothes. I’ve tried just about everything. I’ve tried the Velcro remover, tape, A stone product they sell for this purpose, but nothing seems to work easily. What do you suggest?
Yeah it’s tough to keep dog hair off clothes. The best way is prevention by brushing them daily, washing them regularly, etc. You can also spray your clothes with Static Guard as soon as they come out of the dryer. That’s supposed to help.
My Chi is 14 years old and sleeps with me. She is my therapy dog so she tends to stay close to me. Her shedding is not bad but still I get some hairs in my bed. What is the best thing to do to minimize this issue? Keeping her out of the bed is not an option. Thanks.
I’d give her a brushing every night before bed. Other than that, try some of the things in the post.
Sorry Donna, I know you wrote this a month ago but I just now saw it. Your chi is a cutie.
I’d give her a good brushing before bed to limit her shedding while she’s in your bed. Also can you put a blanket on top of the bed just for her? That would put more of the shedding in the blanket and less in your sheets.
I have a 1 year old Maltese Chihuahua Pomeranian female and she sheds a lot of hair all the time I have tried the
Bathing each day and hasn’t worked.
She’s pretty! Bathing every day is too much, It will dry out her skin. However she should be brushed every day to help with the shedding. Furminators help too, Sometimes if they shed excessively it could be a vitamin deficiency.
My short haired chihuahua crossed with king Charles, she’s been shedding since late March early April and hasn’t stopped and also it’s heavy, she eats chicken, tails.com food scrambled eggs and treats,but she seems healthy and well,playing etc she is 2 years old June 18th, but I am worried now after what I read about shedding, she’s very alert, and I can’t see a vet because of covid 19 please could you give advice and put my mind to rest I couldn’t even think about losing her, thank you, Marie
Are you seeing any bald spots? If so, then she needs to see a vet. You should still be able to get an appointment, you will just have to stay in the car.
If not, it’s probably just the seasonal shedding that many dogs do when the weather gets warm.
I was told by the previous owners that my dog is healthy but is a dog that has only dark skin and no hair on on chest area healthy was told that it was from the sun can someone tell me is that true please help
That’s probably not from the sun but I have seen it before in some dogs. If it’s scaley or your dog scratches at it, it could be mange. Or it could be just extra melanin in the skin which isn’t dangerous.
I think I’d get your dog checked out by a vet just to rule out anything bad.
Similar to Marie’s comment, I adopted a Chi X mini fox terrier in March and she’s been shedding very heavily for the last 2 weeks. I assumed it was a seasonal shed but now getting worried that it’s still happening… She’s otherwise a healthy / happy 3yo. Her fur is more chihuahua-esque and it seems like the top coat of longer/shiny hair is coming off with the lower / more woolly coat remaining. Is that a known issue?
She sounds like she’s double coated which isn’t common in chis but is possible. My Lucy is double coated. Some double coated dogs do shed more.
You may want to mention it to your vet just to be safe but it’s probably nothing medically wrong as long as you aren’t seeing any other symptoms. Their shedding season can last a few months.
I am probably up to my neck in dog hair. I have a short-haired Chi. I know that she has allergies and she has had a skin condition since she was given to me. She no longer will eat any dog food (gastro issues and last run was in March, ever since the bland diet, she refuses to eat dog food, so I have to make her food) which probably contributes, but I do add in coconut oil. I know she sheds more with each season change. Here lately, I can’t even pick her up without hair getting everywhere. Her vet wants to put her on Apoquel, has anyone had any experience with it? I would hope it clears up skin issues as well. She chews her toes her allergies are so bad. She has one little toe that seems to be her favorite so, no fur there a lot of the time. It becomes frustrating, sometimes I feel like she is miserable, but she still loves playing. No weekly bathing to be rid of hair either, it makes her skin much more dry and flakier.
Yikes, it sounds like you have a heavy duty shedder and it does sound like a lot of this is due to allergies. Have you tried rubbing some coconut oil in her skin once a week? It may help some. I actually use it on my own skin since I have skin issues and it does help.
@Marie,
Just a thought, it could be a possible systemic yeast infection a lot of vets overlook this if there isn’t a yeast infection in the ears. I’d say to try apple cider vinegar. A light spray from a 50/50 water mixture after bathing and make sure they are thoroughly dried before spraying as well, and a couple drops in their water bowl should help the itching and the hair loss.
Good idea Joey. Thanks!
My 2 year old tri colour longish coat chihuahua sheds quite a lot , it is always the long black hairs ,not the fluffy under coat , I have to vacuum the floor twice a day , I bought a lightweight cordless vac especially for that.I got him at 8 weeks old and we were told he would likely be short haired like his mum , he had a smooth sleek coat until he was about one year old when it just started to grow long ! you never can tell , he is getting longer haired with age , his coat is beautiful and shiny ! He is better if I brush him everyday , I use a small silicon purple cat brush I found on Amazon ,£7 . It is the only one that works !!I stand him on a hard floor to brush him , I can then vacuum the hair up easily . My new baby chi is a short coated white 3 month old girl , and she doesn’t shed much at all yet , I use a fine metal brush on her every few days just to get her used to it , some fluff comes off , her dad is a long haired chi so I would not be surprised if she grew a long coat too . I think people who say chihuahuas are non shedding are totally wrong! I used to have a Yorkie, he never lost any hair but he did need professional grooming regularly or he would get matted hair and knots . Chihuahuas are much easier to care for . I don’t wash my dogs much , it is too cold here , maybe just once a month or even less in the winter .
Yeah they definitely do shed, but I’ve found mine don’t shed as much some other dogs I have had. Yorkies are non shedding because their fur is actually hair, much like what we have. I guess I’m lucky. My long hair chi is double coated so you’d think she would shed alot. But she really doesn’t. Neither does my chi-yorkie mix.
I pull out as much of the shedding hair as possible in a warm bath and then go over them with the flea comb to get the remaining hairs. I own both long and short coats and it works for both of them. I wish it would help with my hunt terrier, but not much can keep up with her shedding. Fortunately, I don’t mind so much as I did when I was younger. I guess I just realized as long as my kitchen is hair free we’re doing OK ha ha!
Good idea Tali.
His hair come off body a lot and brown spot under his eyes
Hi! I have a 17 year old cranky chi who has been my bff for 15 years. He sheds like mad! He hates being brushed and I hate having everything within a 5 ft radius covered in clingy hair when we are done. It finally dawned on me to put him in a dry bathtub. He is contained. The hair coming off is contained. I just use dry tissue to wipe up the mounds of hair and then focus on getting him to forgive me for the betrayal.😄. I use a furinator…gently…he is a very sensitive guy.
Genious idea Kathy!
I have 3 Chihahuas . Aged 3 , 15 months and a 5 month old . The worst shedder is my short haired girl . I have 2 long haired boys who shed a little bit but not nearly as much as the girl . I brush my dogs most days with a silicon cat brush , I have tried lots of brushes and the one I got from Amazon is the best for me and the dogs love it , it’s called Purrpaw . I bathe them every month or so . I bought a floor cleaner (bissell crosswave) which works brilliantly and gets all the hair off the carpets ,I use it every week or so , it’s like a small carpet washer that does hard floors too and you don’t have to vacuum first. It cost a lot but I needed a new hoover anyway , my cordless hoover only really got the hair up from hard floors . Also I find putting a jumper or T-shirt on the dogs will keep a lot of hair from dropping . My older dog has only just got his full adult long coat at 3 years old and he doesn’t shed as much at all anymore . I will see how it continues as he gets older . They all eat hills science diet kibble and fresh pet small dog food . They are fussy !! Hope this helps , Fran
It’s funny how often the long haired chis shed less than the short hair chis.
I tried to find the Purrpaw cat brush on Amazon but they don’t sell here it in the states.
My little rescued mixed breed dog but has chihuahua in her is very anxious. She wants to be held all of the time and acts depressed if I don’t. I am flying 6 hours on a plane and want to take her but I don’t know if she can handle it since she has to stay in a carrier under the seat in front of me. Any advice is so appreciated. This is her third home and I don’t want to damage her any more than she is. Thank you
I think I would ask your vet for a sedative for the trip.
The article mentioned the Furminator brush which I may need to order but not the Furminator shampoo which I use and is helpful. I have an eight year old short hair, Apple head female. She doesn’t shed much but I noticed it pick up after a fishing trip I took her on where she and I were in the sun. Can the sun cause it? And can Chiahuahuas get sunburned like I did. Slowed down now. I find duct tape helpful for getting stubborn hair off sofa like a lint roller only much stickier.
Yes dogs can get sunburned too. The sun can trigger new hair growth which will cause the old hairs to fall out so yes, the sun can cause shedding.
I am so worried my chi “Twinkle” has been losing a lot of hair. He has lots of bald spots. Have taken three times to his vet who always says its allergies, prescribes pills and sends him home. No tests whatsoever and he seems to be doing worst. Tomorrow we are taking him to a new vet and I hope he runs some tests and get to the problem. bottom of his problem. Has this happened to anyone? He is only 5 years old. Thank you for reading and blessings to all your fur babies.
I hope you find the answer Mary!