Chihuahua health problems — 9 important issues every owner should know.

Understanding the most common Chihuahua health problems is one of the most important things you can do as an owner of this breed. Chihuahuas are among the longest-living dogs in the world — averaging 14 to 16 years — but that longevity comes with a specific set of health vulnerabilities that every owner should recognise early. Knowing what to watch for, when to act, and how to prevent the most common issues can add years to your dog’s life and dramatically improve their quality of it.

As AKC-registered Chihuahua breeders at Chihuvas, we health-screen all our breeding dogs specifically for the conditions listed in this guide. The AKC Chihuahua health information and the PDSA Chihuahua care guide both provide additional veterinary context on breed-specific conditions.

1. Dental disease — the most common Chihuahua health problem

Dental disease is the most prevalent of all Chihuahua health problems — affecting up to 80% of dogs over three years old, and disproportionately impacting Chihuahuas because of their small jaw and crowded teeth. The Chihuahua’s mouth is tiny but contains the same number of teeth as much larger dogs — 42 adult teeth packed into a small space, creating pockets where bacteria accumulate rapidly.

Signs of dental disease include bad breath, red or swollen gums, difficulty eating, dropping food, blood on chew toys, excessive drooling, and loose or discoloured teeth. Significant dental disease can appear as early as one year of age in Chihuahuas. The consequences of untreated dental disease extend far beyond the mouth — bacteria entering the bloodstream cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and liver, directly shortening lifespan.

What to do: Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth daily with dog-specific toothpaste. Schedule professional dental cleans every one to two years from middle age. Dental chews, water additives, and dental toys can supplement brushing but do not replace it. See our dedicated Chihuahua dental care guide for a complete step-by-step approach.

2. Patellar luxation — slipping kneecap

Patellar luxation — dislocation of the kneecap — is one of the most common orthopaedic Chihuahua health problems. The kneecap slips out of its normal groove, causing intermittent limping, skipping gait, or sudden leg-holding. It is graded on a scale of 1 to 4 based on severity — Grade 1 causes occasional discomfort; Grade 4 involves permanent dislocation requiring surgery. Most Chihuahuas with patellar luxation are at Grade 1 or 2 and manage well with monitoring and joint support.

Symptoms typically appear between four months and a year of age. Watch for sudden lameness in the hind legs, a skipping or hopping gait, or your Chihuahua holding a hind leg up for several seconds before it pops back. This is the kneecap relocating itself — less dramatic than it looks, and not usually painful at lower grades.

What to do: Have your vet assess and grade the condition. Grade 1 and 2 cases are typically managed with weight control, joint supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin), and restricted jumping. Grade 3 and 4 may require surgical correction. At Chihuvas, all our breeding dogs are screened for patellar luxation before breeding.

3. Cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death

Cardiovascular disease is the most serious long-term Chihuahua health problem and the leading cause of death in the breed. Mitral valve disease (MVD) — a progressive deterioration of the heart’s mitral valve — is particularly common in small breeds and affects many Chihuahuas from middle age onward. As the valve deteriorates, it begins to leak, creating a heart murmur. Severe cases progress to congestive heart failure.

Early mitral valve disease produces no visible symptoms — which is why cardiac auscultation at every annual vet visit is essential. As the condition progresses, signs include a persistent cough (particularly at night or after exercise), reduced exercise tolerance, rapid or laboured breathing, and in advanced cases, fainting. Other cardiovascular conditions in Chihuahuas include dilated cardiomyopathy and patent ductus arteriosus — a congenital defect present from birth.

What to do: Annual cardiac check-ups from age seven onward. If a murmur is detected, follow your vet’s recommended monitoring schedule. Medications can manage MVD effectively when started at the right stage. Maintain a healthy weight — obesity significantly accelerates cardiac deterioration. This is one of the most important Chihuahua health problems to monitor consistently throughout life.

4. Hypoglycaemia — low blood sugar

Hypoglycaemia is a particularly dangerous Chihuahua health problem in puppies and very small adults. Chihuahuas have a fast metabolism and tiny energy reserves — going too long without food can cause blood glucose to drop to dangerously low levels. Stress, intense exercise, illness, and cold temperatures can all trigger or worsen hypoglycaemic episodes.

Signs of hypoglycaemia include sudden weakness or lethargy, wobbling or loss of coordination, glazed or glassy eyes, shivering, and in severe cases seizures or collapse. If you suspect hypoglycaemia, rub a small amount of honey or corn syrup on the gums immediately and contact your vet. Untreated severe hypoglycaemia can be fatal in puppies within hours.

What to do: Feed Chihuahua puppies every three to four hours without fail. Adult Chihuahuas should eat at least twice daily — ideally three times. Keep honey or glucose gel accessible at home. Never allow a puppy to go more than four hours without food, especially during travel or stressful events. Chronic hypoglycaemia in adults may indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes or liver disease requiring veterinary investigation.

5. Hydrocephalus — water on the brain

Hydrocephalus — a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull — is a congenital Chihuahua health problem linked to the breed’s distinctive apple dome skull. When fluid accumulates, it increases pressure on the brain, causing neurological symptoms. The condition is present from birth but symptoms may not become apparent until weeks or months later. Severity varies considerably — some affected Chihuahuas live relatively normal lives with management; others are more seriously affected.

Signs include seizures, coordination problems, circling, pressing the head against walls, behavioural changes, visual disturbances, and a dome-shaped head that is notably large even for the breed. Diagnosis typically requires specialist imaging — CT or MRI scan. Mild cases may be managed medically; severe cases may require surgical placement of a shunt to drain excess fluid.

What to do: If you observe any neurological symptoms in your Chihuahua — particularly coordination problems, head pressing, or seizures — seek veterinary attention promptly. At Chihuvas, we monitor all litters closely for any early signs of this condition and do not breed from affected lines.

6. Tracheal collapse — chronic cough

Tracheal collapse — a structural weakening of the tracheal cartilage rings — is a common Chihuahua health problem in middle-aged and older dogs. The trachea, which carries air from the mouth and nose to the lungs, partially collapses during breathing, producing a distinctive honking cough. The condition is worsened by obesity, excitement, pulling on a collar, heat, and respiratory infections.

The honking cough is the most recognisable sign — often described as sounding like a goose. It is typically worse after excitement, exercise, or drinking. In mild cases, the dog is otherwise comfortable. In severe cases, the dog may struggle to breathe, develop blue-tinged gums, or faint — both of which are medical emergencies requiring immediate veterinary attention.

What to do: Switch from a collar to a harness immediately — collar pressure directly worsens tracheal collapse. Manage weight carefully. Avoid triggers like extreme excitement and heat. Medical management with cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatories helps most cases. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

7. Eye conditions — vulnerable to injury and disease

Eye problems are among the more common Chihuahua health problems due to the breed’s distinctive large, prominent, and slightly protruding eyes. Their shallow eye sockets mean the eyes are more exposed than in other breeds — increasing the risk of corneal scratches, foreign body injuries, and dry eye. Common conditions include keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal ulcers.

Signs requiring veterinary attention include redness, discharge, excessive tearing or squinting, cloudiness of the eye, the dog rubbing at its face, or apparent difficulty seeing (bumping into objects). Eye conditions in Chihuahuas should never be left untreated — what begins as a minor irritation can progress rapidly to corneal damage or vision loss in a breed with such exposed eyes.

What to do: Check your Chihuahua’s eyes daily for discharge or redness. Keep the eye area clean with a damp cotton pad. Seek veterinary attention promptly for any sign of discomfort or change in the eye’s appearance. Annual eye examinations are recommended for Chihuahuas from middle age.

8. Obesity — amplifier of all other conditions

Obesity is not just one of the most common Chihuahua health problems — it is the condition that amplifies every other item on this list. A Chihuahua just one pound overweight is carrying a proportionally enormous burden. Excess weight accelerates cardiovascular deterioration, worsens patellar luxation, compounds tracheal collapse, increases the risk of diabetes, and reduces overall life expectancy significantly.

Identifying obesity in Chihuahuas can be harder than it sounds — particularly in long-coated dogs where the coat conceals body shape. Check by feeling the ribs: you should be able to feel them easily without pressing but they should not be prominently visible. A visible waist when viewed from above and an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side indicate a healthy weight. If the ribs are difficult to feel, your Chihuahua is likely overweight.

What to do: Weigh food precisely rather than estimating. Avoid table scraps and high-calorie treats. Ensure daily exercise appropriate to the dog’s age and health. If weight is a persistent problem, speak to your vet about a structured weight loss programme — even a small reduction in a Chihuahua’s weight can produce significant health improvements.

9. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease — hip deterioration in young dogs

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a painful Chihuahua health problem affecting young dogs — typically between five and twelve months of age. The blood supply to the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) is disrupted, causing the bone to deteriorate and the hip joint to become unstable and painful. Because Chihuahuas are lightweight, early symptoms can be subtle — slight lameness, reduced activity, or reluctance to use the affected leg.

Without treatment, the hip joint progressively deteriorates, causing significant pain and mobility problems. Diagnosis requires X-ray confirmation. Surgical removal of the femoral head — femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) — is the most common treatment and produces excellent outcomes in small breeds. Most Chihuahuas recover good mobility and quality of life after surgery.

What to do: If your Chihuahua puppy shows any limping, reluctance to bear weight on a limb, or unusual gait between five and twelve months of age, seek veterinary assessment promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment produces significantly better outcomes for this condition.

How to reduce Chihuahua health problems

Many of the most common Chihuahua health problems are significantly influenced by preventive care. These are the most impactful actions every owner can take:

• Buy from a health-tested breeder — the single most important prevention step. Chihuahuas from parents screened for patellar luxation, cardiac conditions, and eye disorders start life with a meaningful genetic advantage
• Schedule annual vet check-ups — from middle age, twice-yearly visits allow cardiac conditions, dental disease, and other developing issues to be caught at the most treatable stage
• Brush teeth daily — prevents the most prevalent Chihuahua health problem and protects the heart, kidneys, and liver from secondary bacterial damage
• Maintain a healthy weight — reduces the severity and progression of virtually every other condition on this list
• Use a harness, not a collar — prevents tracheal pressure and reduces the risk of tracheal collapse worsening
• Feed regular small meals — prevents hypoglycaemia, particularly in puppies and very small adults