6 Most Common Yorkie Breathing Problems: What To Do?

Posted by

Tanya

February 21, 2025

On February 21, 2025

Yorkshire Terriers may be small in size, but they can sometimes have big breathing problems. If your Yorkie is wheezing, snorting, coughing, or struggling to breathe, you’re probably wondering what’s wrong and how to help. Yorkie breathing problems can stem from allergies, respiratory infections, collapsed trachea, or even heart disease. In this guide, we’ll go over the common causes, symptoms, and treatments so you can keep your pup breathing easy! My Yorkie has always been a tiny ball of energy. He’s bouncing off the walls, barking at absolutely nothing, and demanding attention like he’s some kind of royalty. But one day, I noticed something weird. He started making this honking sound, like a little goose trapped inside his tiny body. He’d stop mid-play, look up at me with those big, confused eyes, and start wheezing. Cue my instant panic mode.

That’s why I decided to help every owner who’s dealing with these issues.

Table of Contents

1. The Most Common Breathing Problems in Yorkies

Here are the main reasons Yorkies struggle to breathe:

Collapsed Trachea (Most Common Issue)

This is what Loki has, and it’s something a lot of Yorkie owners deal with. The trachea (aka windpipe) is made up of tiny rings of cartilage, and in some Yorkies, those rings start to weaken and collapse over time. This makes breathing harder, especially when they get excited or overexert themselves.

Allergies (Dust, Pollen, Food, You Name It!)

If your Yorkie suddenly starts sneezing, wheezing, or having trouble breathing, allergies might be the culprit. Loki once had a sneezing fit after I lit a scented candle, and I swear, he looked at me like I’d personally offended him. Turns out, Yorkies are sensitive to strong smells—perfume, cleaning products, and even certain dog foods.

Reverse Sneezing (Looks Scary, But It’s Harmless)

Reverse sneezing is one of those terrifying-but-actually-fine things Yorkies do. It sounds like they’re choking or gasping for air, but it’s just an irritated soft palate. Loki has these episodes when he gets too excited (like when he hears the word “treat”) or if he sniffs something weird outside.

Kennel Cough & Respiratory Infections

If your Yorkie is coughing non-stop, has a runny nose, or seems super tired and sickly, they might have picked up a respiratory infection. Kennel cough is like a doggy cold, and it spreads like wildfire, especially if your pup has been around other dogs at the park or groomers.

Heart Disease (Yep, It Affects Breathing Too)

As Yorkies get older, some develop heart problems that lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, making it harder for them to breathe. If your pup coughs a lot at night or seems tired all the time, it might be a heart issue.

2. Collapsed Trachea (The #1 Yorkie Breathing Issue)

The biggest breathing issue Yorkies can face is a collapsed trachea. When I first heard Loki’s weird honking cough, I thought he had something stuck in his throat. He kept making this high-pitched, wheezy sound, and it freaked me out.

I rushed him to the vet, and they told me, “Yep, classic collapsed trachea.” Apparently, it’s super common in small dogs, especially Yorkies.

What Is a Collapsed Trachea?

The trachea (windpipe) is supposed to be firm and open so air can pass through. But in some Yorkies, the cartilage weakens over time. This makes the trachea flatten, so air can’t move as easily. Imagine trying to breathe through a straw that’s getting pinched shut—that’s what it feels like for them.

Signs Your Yorkie Might Have It:

A honking cough (literally sounds like a goose)
Trouble breathing after exercise
Gagging or choking sounds after drinking water
Worse symptoms in hot weather

Loki’s coughing always gets worse when he gets too excited or pulls on his leash, so I had to make some changes.

What Makes It Worse?

1. Collars – Never use a collar on a Yorkie with a collapsed trachea! Always go for a harness instead.
2. Obesity – Extra weight puts more pressure on their airway.
3. Allergens & Smoke – Loki starts coughing every time I cook something smoky in the kitchen.

How Is It Treated?

Medication (Cough suppressants & anti-inflammatories)
Weight management (Keeping your pup slim helps a lot!)
Surgery (Only for severe cases)
Lifestyle changes (Avoiding stress & excitement)

If your Yorkie has this, don’t freak out! With the right care, they can still live a happy, normal life—Loki sure does!

3. Allergies & Yorkie Breathing Problems

Yorkies can be allergic to basically everything—dust, pollen, certain dog foods, even perfume and scented candles. I learned this the hard way when I brought home a lavender-scented candle, and Loki started sneezing like crazy..

Common Allergy Triggers for Yorkies:

Dust & pollen often trigger Yorkie breathing problems (seasonal allergies)
Scented candles, perfumes, & air fresheners
Cigarette smoke (even secondhand smoke affects them). Therefore, do not allow your dog to spend time in smoky rooms and places.
Certain dog foods (grains, chicken, or beef can be triggers). I remember that my friend’s dog got an allergy to soy that was the main ingredient of the dry kibble food.

How Do You Know If It’s Allergies?

Frequent sneezing
Watery, itchy eyes
Runny nose
Wheezing or coughing
Scratching their face or rubbing against furniture

How to Help a Yorkie With Allergies:

Keep them indoors on high-pollen days
Use an air purifier to keep dust under control
Switch to a hypoallergenic dog food if food allergies are suspected
Wash their bedding often to remove dust mites. We also recommend you to use hypoallergenic detergents that suit Yorkie’s sensitive skin.
Avoid using strong perfumes & scented products. Just like us, our dogs can also have allergic reactions to strong smells. If allergies get really bad, your vet might prescribe antihistamines or allergy shots.

4. Reverse Sneezing (Weird, But Usually Harmless Yorkie Breathing Problems)

Alright, let’s talk about one of the strangest, most panic-inducing things Yorkies do—reverse sneezing. I remember the first time my friend’s dog did it, I thought he was literally choking. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, threw his head back, and started making this loud, snorting, gasping sound.

Turns out, reverse sneezing is totally normal. It is not considered for one of the Yorkie breathing problems. It happens when a dog’s soft palate (the tissue at the back of their throat) gets irritated. Instead of sneezing out, they suck in air really fast, making that terrifying noise.

What Triggers Reverse Sneezing?

Excitement (Loki does it when he sees his favorite treat bag)
Drinking or eating too fast
Strong scents (perfume, cleaning products, candles)
Cold air hitting their nose
Allergies (dust, pollen, smoke, etc.)

What Does It Look Like?

Imagine your Yorkie:

Standing stiff with their neck extended
Snorting loudly, like they’re gasping for air
Mouth closed, but nostrils flaring
Lasting a few seconds to a minute

It seriously looks like they’re choking—but they’re not.

What to Do When It Happens

Stay calm! (If you panic, your dog will panic.)
Gently rub their throat to help them swallow.
Cover their nostrils for a second (this forces them to swallow and resets their breathing).
Take them outside for fresh air.

Loki usually snaps out of it after a few seconds, shakes his head like nothing happened, and trots off like a little prince.

If your pup reverse sneezes all the time, talk to your vet—sometimes, it can be linked to allergies or nasal irritation. But most of the time, it’s just one of those weird Yorkie quirks.

5. Respiratory Infections & Kennel Cough

If your Yorkie has a persistent cough, it’s not always a collapsed trachea—it could be a respiratory infection like kennel cough. My friend’s dog once after a visit to the groomer, and let me tell you—it was NOT fun.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is basically the doggy version of a cold. It spreads easily in places where dogs gather—dog parks, groomers, kennels, training classes. It’s usually caused by a mix of viruses and bacteria, most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Symptoms of a Respiratory Infection:

Persistent, dry cough (sounds like they have something stuck in their throat)

Runny nose
Sneezing
Lethargy (acting extra tired and sluggish)
Loss of appetite

My friend’s dog had this nasty, hacking cough for days—it sounded like he was trying to cough up a hairball. It got worse at night, and neither of them got any sleep.

How Do You Treat It?

Lots of rest & hydration
Vet-prescribed antibiotics (if it’s bacterial)
Cough suppressants (if needed)
Keeping them away from other dogs (it spreads fast!)

Kennel cough usually clears up in 1-2 weeks, but if your Yorkie starts having trouble breathing, stops eating, or has a fever, get them to the vet ASAP—it could turn into pneumonia.

6. Heart Disease & Breathing Struggles

As Yorkies get older, some develop heart problems that mess with their breathing. Heart disease can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, making it harder for them to breathe normally.

Signs Your Yorkie Might Have a Heart Problem:

Heavy breathing, even at rest
Coughing a lot at night
Getting tired quickly after short walks
Swollen belly (fluid retention)
Weakness or fainting spells

What Causes Heart Disease in Yorkies?

Genetics (some are just prone to it)
Old age (heart valves start to weaken)
Obesity (extra weight makes the heart work harder)
Poor diet (high-sodium food is a big no-no)

Treatment & Management

Medication to support heart function
Low-sodium diet (helps reduce fluid buildup)
Regular vet checkups (to catch issues early)

If your Yorkie is coughing a lot, especially at night, talk to your vet. It might not just be a collapsed trachea—it could be a heart issue that needs attention.

7. Other Possible Causes of Yorkie Breathing Issues

If none of the usual suspects seem to fit, here are some other things that could be affecting your Yorkie’s breathing:

Obesity

Extra weight puts pressure on their lungs and airway, making it harder to breathe. Loki LOVES food (especially stealing my snacks), so I have to be super careful with his diet. In case you don’t know what are the best dog treats you can give your pooch, then I recommend you to switch to natural options. Reward your pooch with a slice of an apple, carrot, banana or blueberries. These super food ingredients are not only great for their skin but also for their immunity.

Nasal Blockages

Sometimes, dogs get something stuck in their nose (grass, dust, tiny toys—yes, Loki once tried to sniff a popcorn kernel up his nose). If they suddenly start sneezing uncontrollably, check their nose for any foreign objects.

Heatstroke

Yorkies don’t do well in extreme heat. If they’re panting excessively, struggling to breathe, or acting sluggish in hot weather, get them to a cool spot immediately and offer water. Besides, you can put a dog cooling vest on your body to keep them safe while walking in hot weather. Wet bandana can also help as well as using a dog cooling bed. Dog cooling beds are usually filled with a cooling gel and they should be placed out of a direct sunlight. Yorkie breathing problems triggered by the lack of oxygen and overheating can turn out to be fatal.

Anesthesia Sensitivity

Small dogs, especially Yorkies, can have bad reactions to anesthesia, which can cause breathing issues after surgery. Always talk to your vet about anesthesia safety before any procedure.

Home Remedies For Dog Difficulty Breathing

In case you know what type of Yorkie breathing problems your dog has, then these tips could help:

A humidifier can help keep airways moist and reduce irritation.
Alternatively, let your dog sit in a steamy bathroom (run hot water in the shower and let steam build up) for about 10–15 minutes to loosen mucus.
Identify and remove any allergens like pollen, dust, mold, or smoke.
If your dog has seasonal allergies, wiping their paws and fur after outdoor walks can reduce allergen exposure.
Use a saline solution to flush out mild nasal congestion.
A warm, damp washcloth can help clean around the nose and ease mild blockages.

Dealing With Yorkie Breathing Problems: Wrapping Up

Watching Loki struggle to breathe—even for a few seconds—was one of the scariest things ever. But now that I know what’s normal (like reverse sneezing) and what’s serious (like a collapsed trachea), I feel way more prepared to handle it.

If your Yorkie is dealing with breathing problems, don’t ignore it! The sooner you figure out what’s wrong, the sooner you can help them breathe easy again.

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