Yorkshire Terrier Blog

Why Is My Yorkie Throwing Up? Top 5 Reasons and Solutions

yorkie turning black

As pet parents, we often encounter not only the good but also the bad sides of owning a dog and vomiting is one of them. In case your Yorkie vomits, you need to quickly discover the reason and help your dog. Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration and even turn out to be fatal. That’s why we decided to reveal the topic ‘’Why is your Yorkie throwing up?’’.

These tips can help you find out the root of this issue and react quickly in certain situations. Note that occasional vomiting in your Yorkie is not often a huge issue, but it can be very dangerous if it lasts for more than 24h. 

Our dogs love to sniff and lick on everything, so that’s why we need to always pay attention to that part when we take them for a walk. Because, let’s be honest, sometimes it can cost them their lives.

vomiting in yorkies

My Yorkie is Throwing Up: Symptoms to follow up

If you’ve ever caught your Yorkie looking a bit green around the gills and thought, “Oh no, not again!” you’re not alone. It seems that they have a talent of eating things that they shouldn’t, and then we stand a puke patrol. So, let us go step by step what the hell is happening while our little furry pals are not in a good shape.

Nausea

First up, nausea. The ick, that’s an all-too-familiar feeling, and you guessed it, dogs get it too. Think of a situation where you are in a car ride and your Yorkie starts crying or looking really uncomfortable, and even hunched over like it’s about to throw up. Well, that’s nausea. There’s no vomit per se, but they’re obviously not feeling good.

Dry heaving

Then there’s dry heaving – sounds as fun as it is, right? It’s when your Yorkie looks like they’re trying to vomit, doing the whole heave-ho routine, but nothing comes up. This can happen when their stomach’s empty or if they’ve already upchucked everything they had.

Vomiting

Now, vomiting – that’s the main event. It’s when all the stuff in their belly, sometimes even from the small intestine, decides to make a grand exit. We’re talking partially digested food, bile, the works, all coming up and out. Not a pretty sight, but it’s their body’s way of saying, “Nope, this has gotta go.”

Regurgitation

Regurgitation is a bit different. It’s like a magic trick where the food comes back up from the esophagus, not the stomach, so it still looks pretty much the same as when it went down. This can happen super fast, right after eating, and without any of that nauseous build-up.

Expectorating

And lastly, expectorating. This one’s a bit of a tag-along with coughing. Your Yorkie might look like they’re vomiting, but they’re actually coughing up mucus from their lungs or windpipe, and sometimes food gets caught in the crossfire if it went down the wrong pipe.

Symptoms that can occurs alongside your Yorkie’s vomiting

Vomiting in your Frenchie never goes alone. It’s almost always followed by certain symptoms that can point out to an underlying process. Therefore, besides telling your vet that your Yorkie is throwing up, your should also observe the other symptoms.

  • Loss of Appetite: Your Yorkie can start refusing food that used to eat with enjoyment.
  • Lethargy: When something bothers your pup, he can start being lethargic. Note that vomiting is especially exhausting for dogs.
  • Diarrhea: Alongside your Yorkie’s throwing up, diarrhea is another problem that can lead to dehydration. If these two symptoms occur together, then you should react fast.
  • Constipation: The opposite problem; nothing’s moving.
  • Tummy Trouble: Belly’s tender, and they’re not loving the belly rubs.
  • Water Woes: Either chugging water like there’s no tomorrow or ignoring it altogether.
  • Fever: They’re running hot and you can notice that your Yorkie started to shake and tremble. 

Why is My Yorkie Throwing Up? 5 Reasons To Know

Vomiting in Yorkies, like in other dogs, is one of the body’s protective mechanisms that helps expel harmful substances or alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. Although infrequent vomiting might not be a concern, excessive or severe cases should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian who might be required in such situations.

These are some of the potential reasons why is your Yorkie throwing up.

1- Your Yorkie Ate Something He Shouldn’t

For Yorkies, this could range from table scraps sneaked during dinner, to intriguing but indigestible objects found during a stroll or playtime. Unfortunately, their small size and sensitive digestive systems mean that even seemingly harmless items can trigger adverse reactions, leading to yorkie vomiting.

The allure of human food is often too tempting for these little companions to resist. However, many foods that are safe for humans can be harmful or even toxic to Yorkies. Foods high in fat, such as certain meats or dairy products, can cause acute pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious condition. Similarly, items like chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions, which might be found in garbage or left unattended, are toxic and can lead to significant health issues beyond just vomiting.

yorkie throwing up

2- Yorkie Throwing Up due to parasites 

Regrettably, parasites in Yorkies may be one of the possible causes of your Yorkie’s vomiting. If a Yorkie consumes parasite eggs or larvae, they would develop to adult parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, which would cause irritation, blockages, and eventually, vomiting. Here are some of the parasites that frequently occur in dogs:

Roundworms:

These are the most widespread of the intestinal parasites in dogs. They are also particularly harmful to puppies, and could lead to a pot-bellied appearance, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Hookworms: 

Hookworms parasites stick to the surface of intestinal wall and suck the blood of dog resulting in anemia, diarrhea, and vomiting. They are less in size compared to roundworms but can be more dangerous.

Tapeworms: 

The tapeworm segments can easily be spotted next to the dog’s anus or in their feces looking like small grains of rice. Infestation causes loss of weight and vomiting.

Giardia: 

Although this is a protozoan parasite and not a worm, but it can still produce gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting inYorkies. One gets giardia by drinking infected water.

Whipworms: 

These parasites reside in cecum and colon and irritate leading to bloody diarrhea and vomiting. They are rarer but can be hard to eliminate.

Coccidia: 

Coccidia is another form of protozoan that infects the intestinal tract of dogs, producing diarrhea, which can be quite severe in puppies. It can also cause vomiting in Yorkies.

3- Yorkie Throwing up Due To Food Allergies 

Just like us, our pooches can have food allergies or sensitivities.  They can make them feel pretty awful, resulting in digestive upset and vomiting. Here’s a heads-up on what foods might be the troublemakers:

Beef and Chicken: 

I get it, I get it, they’re like the classic dog food flavors, aren’t they? But it appears, they are also the number one allergen for our furry mates. If your Yorkie’s stomach reacts sensitively to beef and chicken, then you should try a few different proteins such as lamb, fish and even venison.

Dairy Products: 

Is there anyone who once gave a scoop of their ice cream to their Yorkie and later regretted it? If the answer is yes, then you gotta know that many dogs are not very good at handling dairy products. It is kind of the lactose intolerance for lil wolve pups, causing some serious tummy upset and well, a lot of throw-ups.

Wheat and Corn: 

The grains can be found in all dog foods, but some Yorkies might be allergic to them. If you notice some food-related problems, try grain-free alternatives Perhaps.

Soy: 

Another usual culprit. If the diet of your Yorkie contains a great percentage of soy and your pet doesn’t feel well after meals, then you should switch him to another diet.

Artificial Stuff: 

You get it, all of those additional colors, tastes, and preservatives that make dog food appear and taste better? It seems that they’re not that good for your Yorkie’s tummy.

Eggs: 

Even though most Yorkies can eat eggs, some pooches can start dealing with diarrhea if they eat them too often.

yorkie throwing up

4- Stress and Anxiety in Yorkies

So, just like us, our little Yorkie friends can get all wound up with stress and anxiety. It’s not just a human thing; our furry pals feel it too. And guess what? This stress can actually make them throw up. It’s like their bodies are saying, “Nope, can’t deal with this right now!”

One of the biggies in the stress department for Yorkies is something called separation anxiety. Ever noticed how your Yorkie seems to have a mini meltdown when you’re about to leave the house? That’s your Yorkie’s separation anxiety in action. It’s like they think every time you step out, you might never come back, and that thought freaks them out big time.

Here’s what happens: 

You grab your keys, put on your shoes, and your Yorkie starts getting all anxious, pacing around or maybe even starting to whine. Then, when you’re gone, the stress levels can go through the roof, leading to all sorts of behaviors like barking, chewing on things they shouldn’t, and yes, even vomiting.

It’s tough seeing our pups go through this, but there are ways to help them cope. Simple things, like leaving a piece of clothing that smells like you or turning on some calming music can make a difference. Also, practicing short leave-and-return sessions can help them understand that when you leave, you will come back, making the whole experience less stressful for them.

5- Poisoning in Your Yorkie

These tiny explorers have a knack for getting their paws on things they shouldn’t. Here’s a quick rundown of common toxins that might tempt your Yorkie:

  • Chocolate: A big no-no. Even small amounts can be dangerous.
  • Grapes and Raisins: Seemingly harmless but can cause kidney issues.
  • Xylitol: This sugar substitute found in gum and candy is a hidden hazard.
  • Onions and Garlic: Bad news for Yorkies, even in small doses.
  • Certain Plants: Lilies, azaleas, and tulips, just to name a few, are toxic.
  • Rodent Poisons: Those bait stations aren’t just dangerous for mice.
  • Antifreeze: Its sweet taste can be tempting, but it’s deadly.
  • Household Cleaners: If it cleans your house, it probably shouldn’t be ingested by your Yorkie.

Always keep an eye on your Yorkie and ensure these items are out of reach. If you suspect your Yorkie has ingested something toxic, it’s vet time, stat!

The Vomit Files: A Table of Common Causes and Symptoms

If your Yorkie throwing up very often? To help you navigate the tumultuous seas of Yorkie vomit, here’s a handy table summarizing the common causes and their associated symptoms:

CauseSymptomsWhat to Look Out For
Dietary IndiscretionsVomiting, Diarrhea, LethargyForeign objects, toxic foods
Motion SicknessVomiting, Drooling, UneasinessCar rides, movement
Stress or AnxietyVomiting, Panting, PacingChanges in environment or routine
Parasites/Health IssuesVomiting, Diarrhea, Weight Loss, LethargyPersistent vomiting, blood in vomit/stool
Overeating/Eating Too FastVomiting, Distended Belly, GaggingEating quickly, large meals

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