Don’t be shocked when your Chi starts running the show. Chihuahuas are a loyal, bold, and intelligent breed.
If you’re a Chihuahua owner or considering adopting, we’ll give you the rundown on Chihuahuas to see if they’re the right fit. We’ll cover dog breed characteristics, personality, cost, common illnesses, and references to pop culture. Scroll down to find the freshest Chihuahua influencers that’ll brighten up your Insta feed!
But, as we all know, having a dog isn’t always as easy as scrolling through your feed. So before giving the run down on Chis, we’re going to tell you how to protect your pooch, and explain how dog insurance could help take the bite out of vet bills.
Getting pet insurance for your Chihuahua
Pet insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. With Lemonade pet insurance, pet parents can customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness.
A basic policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet.
Wondering if pet insurance is worth it? Check out how much pet parents of dogs and cats, including Chihuahuas, have saved on vet bills by signing their fur baby up for pet insurance.
We ask a Chihuahua about a day in their life…
“With a big personality and a tiny teacup body, I’m guaranteed to be entertaining. I’m a pup of many talents too: agility, obedience, intelligence, and more! We can join my Chihuahua friends at the park to practice some of my favorite tricks.
If you’re not looking for me to compete in trials, I’m also a master at being affectionate. I’ll make sure you’re not lonely while you’re walking around the house. After work, we can play and cuddle together.
Time for running errands? I’m the OG purse dog. We can grab groceries, shop, and walk…. you never really have to leave my side. FYI, I prefer a sweater when it’s a bit chilly outside; I shiver easily.
If a big dog tries to give me a sassy look, you bet I’ll react. Your pet is willful, so we never back down from a stare-off. It might be smart to pull me away if you think my small size will make me lose.”
The Chihuahuas personality
This dog breed can make the best companion. Since they are constantly shivering, they’ll cuddle up to you in any way possible — even under your shirt. You may find your pup in a basket of laundry or the crevice of your couch. Do these small dogs a favor and buy some Chihuahua sweaters.
You can expect to enjoy a large portion of your life with your four-legged friend. Not only can you bring them everywhere, but healthy Chihuahuas can have a lifespan of up to 18 years! That’s a lot of shopping sprees, grocery trips, and walks to the park.
Avoid adopting a Chihuahua while you have a young child. This breed can be easily hurt during playtime. Any Chi requires gentle and kind families that give them extra attention.
How much does a Chihuahua cost?
Owning a Chihuahua puppy is moderately expensive, initially having an average cost between $350-$2,500.
We highly recommend the adoption route. Since this small breed became famous, animal shelters are overwhelmed by the number of Chihuahua puppies that need new homes. Every pup deserves a second chance at having a fur fam!
Sadly, some dog breeders take advantage of the Chihuahuas’ popularity while neglecting important health and temperament issues. Make sure to get as much health background as possible before adopting. Rescue Me is a great resource for all potential pet parents.
If you choose the breeder route, require health checks on genetic conditions like heart disease and luxating patella. You can also ask your reputable breeder for information on the pup’s genetic temperament.
Be prepared: During the first year, you’ll spend near $3,300 to get your new friend vaccinated, groomed, and insured. This average price drops to around $1,050 for each year following.
On average, Chihuahuas cost owners around $18,000 over their lifetime. But if you plan on spaying/neutering your dog, hiring a dog walker, and boarding your pup once a year, expect to pay anywhere from $72,000 to $140,000 over their lifetime.
What are common Chihuahua health conditions?
To decide if this breed of dog is for you, we wanted to share some health problems you might run into. We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and know the signs.
Before we get into some common health problems your pup might encounter, a quick reminder that Lemonade offers stellar Pet Health insurance that’ll keep your Chihuahua happy and healthy. You can get a quote from your favorite insurance company in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
If your dog’s running on three legs or limping, she might have Patellar Luxation. It’s a painful condition that involves the knee joint shifting in and out of place. Most cases can be treated with pain medications, but some may require surgery.
When your dog is prone to Hypoglycemia, they have a higher chance of low blood sugar. Common in toy breed puppies, Hypoglycemia can make your pup weak and dizzy. This condition could be a symptom of another disease like diabetes. To prevent low blood sugar, make sure your four-legged friend is getting plenty of food throughout the day.
Chihuahuas with Collapsed Trachea can struggle to get air to their lungs, making it hard to breathe. It’s an inherited condition that leads to a constant cough. If you notice your pup is coughing more than usual, reach out to your vet. They might recommend cough suppressants or steroids. Catching these symptoms early can help make Collapsed Trachea easier to treat.
For Chihuahua puppies, Hydrocephalus is a common condition where your dog’s spinal fluids fill up their skull. Dogs prone to this condition will have a larger soft spot, or molera, on their head than other puppies. While steroids can help reduce inflammation and seizures, Hydrocephalus can’t be cured. To be extra careful, wait to adopt a puppy after they’re four months old.
Like humans, dogs show symptoms in a variety of ways. So you never overlook something serious, we suggest calling your vet if your dog starts acting differently.
Chihuahuas in Pop Culture
Not many breeds have earned a holiday. May 14th is International Chihuahua Appreciation Day! On this day, pet parents across the world celebrate their Chihuahuas with gifts and treats.
Famous Chihuahuas star in movies, commercials, and tv shows. In 1993, Gidget became a world-renowned mascot of Taco Bell. If you’ve seen Legally Blonde, you know of the popular Bruiser Woods, an iconic Gemini vegetarian Chihuahua. The younger crowd may recognize the stars from Beverly Hills Chihuahua: Angel, Tinker, Charlotte, Ruscoe, Ren, and Gidget.
In the early 2000s, America fell in love with the Chihuahua breed. Celebrity Chihuahua parents have included Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, Madonna, Reese Witherspoon, Marilyn Monroe, and George Lopez. Unfortunately, the breed’s massive popularity led to breeders overproducing Chihuahuas, causing many pups to be left in mills and shelters.
Instagram-famous Chihuahuas
Nothing cheers us up like our favorite Instagram Chihuahuas. Add these photogenic pups to your feed!
Venus Afrodite and Marte Dionisio aren’t your typical doggy influencers. These little dogs will put your sweater game to shame.
Lolita the alien can never get enough love. She’ll do everything possible to find a warm spot cuddled up to her pet parent.
Huey and Duey are pro sock stealers and toy chewers (even when their ‘toy’ isn’t a toy). Follow and watch these long coat Twinchis burrow their way into any comfy spot.
And don’t forget!
Your Chihuahua is a bundle of cuteness, and you want to keep that pup happy and healthy—without going bankrupt with vet bills in the process. Enter Lemonade’s Pet Health insurance, which offers an affordable way to make sure your furry friend can live their fullest life. Get your quote in just a few minutes, with a dog insurance policy that Chihuahuas and their pet parents both love!
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
