8 Common Health Issues in Yorkies (And How to Spot Them Early!)

So, you’ve got a Yorkie. Congratulations — you now share your home with a tiny, confident, big-personality fluff ball who truly believes they run the house.

I’ve spent over 20 years grooming, feeding, training, and caring for small breeds — and I can tell you from real, hands-on experience that Yorkshire Terriers are incredibly loving… but they are also medically delicate. Their small size, fine bone structure, and purebred genetics make them more prone to certain health issues than many other breeds.

The good news? When I catch these issues early in my own dogs or my clients’ dogs, outcomes are dramatically better and often far less expensive.

Key Takeaways

• Yorkies are predisposed to joint, dental, liver, airway, eye, and blood sugar issues.
• Early signs are often subtle — small behavior changes matter.
• Daily grooming and observation are powerful prevention tools.
• Weight control significantly reduces risk of joint and airway disease.
• Dental care is not optional for this breed — it’s critical.
• Routine vet screening (especially under age 1 and after age 7) improves long-term outcomes.

Now let’s break down the eight most common health problems I see in Yorkies — and how you can spot them early.

1. Luxating Patella – When Their Kneecaps Play Hide-and-Seek

If you’ve ever seen your Yorkie suddenly hop on three legs for a few steps and then walk normally again, that’s a classic sign of luxating patella (slipping kneecap).

This is extremely common in toy breeds. Studies suggest patellar luxation affects up to 40% of small dogs to some degree.

🚨 Why It Happens:

Yorkies have shallow knee grooves, so the kneecap can slip out of place.
It’s often genetic but can worsen with jumping off furniture (which they love doing).

🛑 What to Do:

• Keep your Yorkie lean. Even 1 extra pound on a 6-lb dog is significant joint stress.
• Use pet stairs instead of letting them jump off couches or beds.
• Ask your vet to grade the luxation (Grade 1–4).
• Mild cases may benefit from joint supplements and muscle strengthening.
• Severe cases often require surgery, and outcomes are generally very good when done early.

From personal experience, dogs treated early recover faster and maintain better mobility long-term.

2. Collapsed Trachea – The Infamous “Honking” Cough

If your Yorkie makes a goose-like honking sound, especially when excited or pulling on a leash, think collapsed trachea.

The tracheal rings weaken and flatten, narrowing the airway. Toy breeds are especially prone.

🚨 Warning Signs:

• Honking cough
• Gagging when excited
• Exercise intolerance
• Coughing when picked up under the chest

🛑 What to Do:

• Switch to a harness immediately. Never use a neck collar.
• Maintain ideal weight — obesity worsens airway pressure.
• Avoid smoke, dust, and strong fragrances in the home.
• If coughing progresses, your vet may prescribe cough suppressants or bronchodilators.

In my experience, early harness use alone can dramatically slow progression.

3. Hypoglycemia – Tiny Dogs, Big Blood Sugar Problems

Yorkie puppies are especially prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Their tiny bodies burn energy fast and don’t store much reserve.

🚨 Signs I Watch For:

• Shaking
• Weakness
• Glassy eyes
• Sudden lethargy
• Disorientation

🛑 What to Do:

• Rub a small amount of honey or corn syrup on their gums in emergencies.
• Feed 3–4 small meals daily for puppies.
• Avoid long fasting periods.
• Reduce extreme overexertion during play.

This is one of the few conditions that can turn serious very quickly — especially under 6 months old.

4. Dental Disease – Because Yorkie Teeth Are a Nightmare

If there’s one thing I stress constantly to Yorkie owners, it’s dental care.

Yorkies are among the top breeds for early periodontal disease. By age 3, over 80% of small dogs show some level of dental disease.

Their tiny jaws crowd teeth together, trapping plaque and bacteria.

🚨 Signs of Trouble:

• Bad breath
• Red or bleeding gums
• Dropping food
• Pawing at the mouth

🛑 What to Do:

• Brush daily if possible (I do this with my own dogs).
• Schedule professional cleanings annually.
• Use vet-approved dental chews.
• Avoid sticky soft foods.

Untreated dental disease can lead to heart, liver, and kidney complications — not just tooth loss.

5. Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease – The “Why Is My Yorkie Limping?” Mystery

This condition affects the hip joint, usually between 4–12 months of age.

Blood supply to the femoral head decreases, causing bone deterioration.

🚨 What I Notice First:

• Gradual limping
• Muscle shrinkage in one rear leg
• Pain when hip is extended

🛑 What to Do:

• Immediate veterinary imaging (X-rays).
• Mild cases may require rest and anti-inflammatories.
• Severe cases often need surgery — which typically has excellent recovery outcomes in small dogs.

Early intervention makes a dramatic difference in long-term mobility.

6. Portosystemic Shunt (Liver Shunt) – A Liver That Misses the Memo

Yorkies are one of the most commonly affected breeds for congenital liver shunts.

A blood vessel bypasses the liver, preventing proper toxin filtration.

🚨 Symptoms:

• Stunted growth
• Lethargy after meals
• Neurological signs (staring, confusion)
• Excessive drooling

🛑 What to Do:

• Bloodwork screening in young Yorkies is highly recommended.
• Special low-protein veterinary diets may help.
• Surgery can be curative in many cases.

I always recommend screening Yorkie puppies early — especially if growth seems delayed.

7. Eye Problems – Because Yorkies Think They’re Part Owl

Yorkies have prominent, delicate eyes that are prone to injury and disease.

Common issues include:

Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
Cataracts
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

🚨 Early Signs:

• Redness
• Cloudiness
• Squinting
• Bumping into objects

🛑 What to Do:

• Check eyes daily during grooming.
• Seek vet care immediately for squinting — ulcers progress fast.
• Genetic testing helps reduce PRA risk in breeding lines.

In my grooming routine, eye checks are non-negotiable.

8. Sensitive Stomachs – The Pickiest Eaters in the Universe

Yorkies are notorious for digestive sensitivity.

Their small pancreas also makes them more vulnerable to pancreatitis, especially from fatty table scraps.

🚨 Common Issues:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Food allergies

🛑 What to Do:

• Choose high-quality, limited-ingredient diets.
• Avoid fatty human food completely.
• Introduce new foods over 7–10 days gradually.
• Monitor stool consistency daily — it’s one of the best health indicators.

In my experience, consistency in diet prevents 80% of Yorkie digestive flare-ups.

Final Thoughts – Keeping Your Yorkie Healthy and Happy

After two decades working hands-on with dogs, I can confidently say Yorkies are incredible companions — but they require proactive care.

Their small size means small changes matter. Subtle limping, mild coughing, slight appetite shifts — these are early warning signs.

When I stay consistent with:

• Routine vet exams (at least annually, twice yearly after age 7)
• Daily dental hygiene
• Weight management
• Harness use
• Careful diet control
• Regular grooming checks

My Yorkies thrive well into their teens.

Prevention is always easier — and kinder — than treatment.

If you stay observant and proactive, your tiny boss dog will absolutely continue ruling your household for many happy, healthy years.