Older Yorkies Health Problems: 9 Issues and Early Signs

Most health problems in older Yorkies start quietly. It might be a new cough, a little more thirst, bad breath, or a dog who sleeps more and plays less. The nine conditions worth knowing are dental disease, collapsing trachea, heart valve disease, kidney disease, bladder stones, dry eye and cataracts, arthritis, pancreatitis and canine dementia. Once your Yorkie is a senior, book a checkup every six months, keep them lean, walk them on a harness, and don’t write off any change as “just old age” until your vet agrees.

Yorkies are one of the longer-lived breeds, and many stay with us well into their teens. That’s the good news. The flip side is more years for age-related problems to creep in. And Yorkies are tough little terriers who often hide discomfort until a problem is well along.

I share my home with two Yorkies, Lea and Loki, and like every Yorkie owner, I want as many good years with them as possible. This guide covers the most common health problems in older Yorkies, the early signs of each, and what you can do at home. One note before we start: many lists of older Yorkies health problems still include low blood sugar and liver shunts. Both usually show up in puppies, not seniors, so they’re not on our main list. (Low blood sugar is covered in the FAQ.)

When Is a Yorkie Considered a Senior?

There’s no single birthday. Many vets follow the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines, which define a senior dog as one in the last 25% of its expected lifespan. For a Yorkie expected to live around 14 years, that’s roughly 10 to 11 years old.

What really changes is the care. AAHA recommends exams at least every six months for senior dogs, together with screening tests. For a Yorkie, that rhythm makes sense, because many of the problems below develop slowly and hide well.

Normal Aging or Something More?

Some changes are simply part of getting older. Others deserve a vet visit.

Usually normal:

• A gray or lighter muzzle
• More sleep and a little less play
• Slower, shorter walks
• A soft bluish haze in the eyes that doesn’t change how they get around

Worth a vet visit:

• Drinking or peeing more than usual
• A new cough, or faster breathing at rest
• Bad breath, red gums or dropping food
• Straining to pee or blood in the urine
• Squinting, sticky eye discharge or bumping into things
• Stiffness, limping or avoiding stairs
• Pacing at night, staring at walls or new accidents indoors
• Weight loss or gain you can’t explain

9 Common Health Problems in Older Yorkies

1. Dental Disease and Tooth Loss

This is the problem most Yorkie owners meet first. Small jaws mean crowded teeth, and food and bacteria get trapped easily. In a study of Yorkshire Terriers, 98% of the dogs already had early gum disease in at least one tooth before they were nine months old. By the senior years, loose or infected teeth are common.

Watch for bad breath, red gums, dropping food or chewing on one side. Daily brushing, regular dental checks and professional cleanings help keep it under control. Our guide to Yorkie teeth problems shows how to brush, and you’ll find supplies in our Health & Care collection.

2. Collapsing Trachea

The windpipe is held open by rings of cartilage. In some Yorkies, those rings weaken and flatten. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, it shows up most often in middle-aged and senior dogs, and Yorkshire Terriers are one of the breeds it commonly affects. The classic sign is a dry, honking cough, especially when your dog gets excited or pulls on the leash.

There’s no cure, but ongoing medical care can calm the cough and improve quality of life. At home, helping an overweight dog lose weight is one of the most important steps. Use a harness, never a collar. Our guide to the best harness for a Yorkie that pulls explains what to look for, or browse our Yorkie harnesses. If your dog struggles to breathe or their gums turn blue or gray, go to a vet right away.

3. Heart Valve Disease

Mitral valve disease is very common in small dogs as they age. The valve slowly thickens and starts to leak. The first sign is usually a heart murmur that your vet hears during an exam, which is one more reason senior checkups matter.

As the leak worsens, some dogs develop heart failure. Early signs include shortness of breath, tiring easily and coughing. A simple habit helps: count your Yorkie’s breaths while they sleep. According to NC State’s veterinary hospital, fewer than 30 breaths a minute during sleep is considered normal. A count that stays above 30 is worth a call to your vet. Found early, the right medication can slow the disease down.

One more thing: a cough in an older Yorkie can come from the heart or the windpipe. Tracheal collapse is also more common in dogs that have heart disease. X-rays help your vet tell them apart.

4. Kidney Disease

Kidney damage builds quietly for a long time. VCA notes that in most small dogs, early signs of kidney disease show up between about 10 and 14 years of age. The first sign is usually more drinking and more peeing.

Kidney disease can’t be cured, but in many dogs it can be managed to keep them comfortable. The key is catching it early. Blood tests can find kidney disease before a dog shows obvious signs, which is why bloodwork and a urine test belong in every senior checkup. If the water bowl empties faster than it used to, don’t wait for the next visit.

5. Bladder Stones

Yorkies are one of several small breeds more prone to calcium oxalate stones, which tend to form in middle-aged and older dogs. Males are affected more often. The most common signs are blood in the urine and straining to pee.

A stone can block the urethra, especially in males. If your Yorkie strains and little or nothing comes out, treat it as an emergency. To lower the risk, help your dog drink more: fresh water in a few spots and some wet food both help. Your vet may also suggest a special diet.

6. Dry Eye and Cataracts

Yorkshire Terriers are among the breeds more likely to get dry eye, which most often affects middle-aged and older dogs. Typical signs are red, irritated eyes, squinting and a thick yellowish discharge. Dry eye can’t be cured, so most dogs need eye drops for life. The sooner it’s found, the better the eye can be protected.

Cataracts are different. They turn the lens white and cloudy and can blur or block vision. Don’t confuse them with the soft bluish haze most older dogs get, which usually doesn’t affect sight much. If your Yorkie’s vision is fading, keep furniture in the same place, use a night light, and speak before you touch them.

7. Arthritis and Kneecap Problems

Slipping kneecaps are common in Yorkies, and years of extra wear can lead to arthritis. You might notice stiffness after naps, a skip in their step, licking at a joint, or a new reluctance to jump or climb stairs.

Keep your Yorkie lean, add pet steps or a ramp to the sofa and bed, and put rugs on slippery floors. A warm, soft bed helps too. Many Yorkies love cave beds because they can burrow in, and there are more options among our Yorkie beds. Ask your vet about dog-safe pain relief and joint support such as omega-3s. Never give human painkillers like ibuprofen. They can be dangerous for dogs.

8. Pancreatitis

When the pancreas gets inflamed, it hurts. Pancreatitis is more common in Yorkshire Terriers, and table scraps or raided trash cans are frequent triggers. Signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, belly pain, weakness and diarrhea.

The best prevention is boring food: no fatty scraps and no “just one bite” of bacon. At home, Lea and Loki’s rewards come straight out of their daily food, so extra treats never sneak in. They also eat two smaller meals a day instead of one big one, to avoid bloating and tummy aches. If your older Yorkie vomits more than once and seems painful or flat, call your vet the same day.

9. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (Dog Dementia)

Some senior dogs develop brain changes similar to dementia in people. Vets describe the signs with the acronym DISHAA: disorientation, changes in social interaction, a disrupted sleep-wake cycle, house soiling, changes in activity, and anxiety. It’s estimated to affect around 14% of dogs aged 8 and older.

In daily life, that can look like pacing at night, staring at walls, getting stuck behind furniture or forgetting house training. Pain, poor eyesight and other illnesses can cause similar changes, so start with a vet visit. The DISHAA checklist from the Morris Animal Foundation is a handy way to track what you see. After that, routine and gentle brain work help. Short sniff walks, food puzzles and toys that keep Yorkies busy all count, and our toy collection has more ideas.

How to Help Your Older Yorkie Age Well

Most health problems in older Yorkies can’t be prevented completely, but you can shape how your dog ages.

• Keep up with senior checkups. Twice a year, with bloodwork and a urine test, gives your vet the best chance to catch problems early.
• Watch the waistline. Extra weight worsens tracheal collapse and arthritis and raises the risk of pancreatitis. Our guide on how much a Yorkie should eat per day helps you get portions right.
• Keep them warm. Older Yorkies feel the cold more. A sweater or coat for walks and a cozy bed at home go a long way.
• Make outings easier. When little legs tire, a carrier lets your Yorkie keep joining you.
• Keep a health diary. Note weight, water intake, appetite, sleeping breaths and any accidents. Small changes are easier to spot on paper.
• Plan for costs. Senior care costs more. Our breakdown of what it costs to own a Yorkie helps you budget, and pet insurance is easier to get before problems start.

For everyday basics at any age, see our Yorkie care guide.

When to Call the Vet Right Away

Some signs can’t wait for the next checkup. Call your vet or an emergency clinic if your Yorkie:

• struggles to breathe, or their gums look blue or gray
• strains to pee and little or nothing comes out
• vomits several times, especially with belly pain
• refuses food for a whole day
• has a seizure or collapses
• suddenly can’t see, can’t stand, or keeps tilting their head

FAQ

At what age is a Yorkie considered a senior?

Using AAHA’s rule of thumb, the last 25% of expected lifespan, most Yorkies become seniors at around 10 to 11 years old. Your vet may start senior screening earlier if your dog has a known health problem.

Why is my older Yorkie coughing?

The two most common causes are a collapsing trachea and heart disease, and some dogs have both. A honking cough points toward the windpipe. Tiring easily and fast breathing at rest point toward the heart. Your vet can tell them apart with a stethoscope and X-rays.

Why is my senior Yorkie drinking so much water?

More thirst is often the first sign of kidney disease. Diabetes and Cushing’s disease can cause it too. A blood test and a urine test usually find the reason.

Do older Yorkies get low blood sugar?

Low blood sugar is mainly a puppy problem. In an adult or senior Yorkie, it’s unusual and usually points to another illness, such as liver disease. Weakness, trembling or confusion in an older dog always needs a vet.

Is my Yorkie too old for a dental cleaning?

Age alone isn’t a reason to skip a cleaning your dog needs. Your vet will run bloodwork first and adjust anesthesia for an older dog. Leaving infected teeth in place is often the bigger risk.

Final Thoughts

Most older Yorkies still have plenty of fun left in them. The key is noticing small changes early and not writing them off as “just old age.” Keep up with checkups, keep your dog lean and comfortable, and trust your gut when something seems off. You know your Yorkie best.

This article is for general information and doesn’t replace advice from your veterinarian.