How long does a teacup chihuahua live? In this post, we discuss the average life expectancy of a teacup chihuahua and what factors can affect its life expectancy.
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How long does a teacup chihuahua live?
Teacup chihuahuas are small dogs that weigh between 1.5 to 3 pounds (0.6 to 1.4 kilograms). They have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. The average age at which a teacup chihuahua dies is about 10.5 years old.
What factors can affect a teacup chihuahua’s life expectancy?
The factors that can affect a teacup chihuahua’s life expectancy include:
Genetic factors
A teacup chihuahua’s genetics play an important role in determining its life expectancy. For example, if a teacup chihuahua has a mutation in one of its genes, it may not live as long as other dogs with the same gene.
Some teacup chihuahuas have a mutation that causes them to be born with a condition called brachycephaly. This condition makes their heads too large and their bodies too short. These dogs are usually euthanized when they are puppies because they are unable to walk or eat on their own.
Indeed, the average life expectancy of a teacup chihuahua with this condition is about six months.
Nutrition
If a teacup chihuahua’s diet is not healthy, it may affect its life expectancy.
For example, some teacup chihuahuas are fed diets that are too high in carbohydrates. This can cause obesity. Obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. In addition, obesity can make a dog’s joints stiff and painful.
For example, dogs that have a diet that contains 30% protein, 40% fat, and 30% carbohydrates tend to live longer than dogs that have a diet that contains 20% protein, 25% fat, and 45% carbohydrates.
In addition, some teacup chihuahuas are fed diets that are too low in protein. This can lead to skin problems such as dry skin, brittle nails, and allergies.
Environment
If a teacup chihuahua lives in an environment that is too hot or too cold, it may affect its life expectancy.
For example, dogs that live in environments that are too hot tend to get heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious condition that can be fatal.
If a dog gets heatstroke, it will become dehydrated. This dehydration can cause brain damage. It can also lead to kidney failure. If a dog’s kidneys fail, it will die.
If a dog lives in an environment that is too cold, it will develop hypothermia.
To demonstrate how dangerous hypothermia is, I would like to share with you the story of a woman who was walking her dog in a very cold environment.
She left her dog alone in the car while she went inside to buy groceries. When she returned, the dog was dead.
The dog had died from hypothermia.
Health
Dogs that are not healthy can die from various diseases.
For example, if a dog has a genetic disease, it may die from the disease.
If a dog has an illness, it may not recover from the illness.
If a dog has an infection, it may die from the infection.
If a dog has an injury, it may not heal.
Other factors
There are other factors that can affect a teacup chihuahua’s life expectancy.
For example, if a teacup chihuahua is exposed to too much sunlight, it may develop cancer.
If a teacup chihuahua is exposed to too much sunlight, it may get sunburned.
If a teacup chihuahua is exposed to too much sunlight, it may develop skin cancer.
Teacup chihuahuas that are exposed to too much sunlight may develop melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Certainly, if a dog has melanoma, it will die.
If a teacup chihuahua is exposed to too much sunlight, it may also develop cataracts. Cataracts are cloudy eyes. If a dog has cataracts, it will not be able to see. That is why a dog that has cataracts will probably die.
If a teacup chihuahua is exposed to too much sunlight, it may also develop retinal degeneration. Retinal degeneration is a condition that makes a dog’s eyes go blind.
Conclusion
I hope that this article helped you understand the different factors that can affect a teacup chihuahua’s life expectancy.