Senior Yorkshire Terrier Care Guide

Yorkshire Terriers may be tiny in stature, but they are enormous in personality, courage, and devotion. These spirited little dogs have a lot of living to do, and with lifespans reaching 13-16 years or more, the senior phase of a Yorkie's life can span many rewarding years. However, their small size brings a unique set of age-related health challenges, from dental disease and tracheal collapse to liver conditions that require breed-specific knowledge to manage well. This guide provides everything you need to help your senior Yorkie age gracefully and comfortably.

When Is a Yorkie Considered Senior?

Yorkshire Terriers are considered senior between 10 and 12 years of age, reflecting their impressive longevity. The average Yorkie lifespan is 13-16 years, and it is not uncommon for well-cared-for Yorkies to reach 17 or 18. Because the senior phase can last 5-6 years or longer, building sustainable care routines is particularly important for this breed.

Begin twice-yearly senior wellness exams by age 10, including comprehensive blood panels to monitor liver and kidney function, thyroid levels, and blood sugar. Dental evaluations should be a priority at every visit given the breed's extreme susceptibility to periodontal disease.

Dental Disease: A Critical Yorkie Health Issue

Dental disease is the most pervasive health concern for Yorkshire Terriers, and by the senior years, it has often progressed significantly. Yorkies have tiny jaws with crowded teeth that create ideal conditions for rapid plaque and tartar accumulation. Many senior Yorkies have already lost some teeth by their early teens, and the remaining teeth may be compromised by periodontal disease.

The Systemic Impact

Dental disease in Yorkies is not merely a mouth problem. Bacteria from infected gums enter the bloodstream and can damage the heart valves (worsening the mitral valve disease Yorkies are already prone to), kidneys, and liver. In a breed already susceptible to liver problems, this additional bacterial load is particularly concerning.

Dental Care Essentials

• Brush teeth daily using an ultra-small toothbrush or finger brush with enzymatic canine toothpaste
• Schedule professional dental cleanings every 6-12 months as recommended by your vet
• Provide appropriately sized dental chews (look for the VOHC seal)
• Use dental water additives as a supplementary measure
• If teeth are lost, transition to soft or wet food or food for dogs with no teeth

Collapsed Trachea

Tracheal collapse is one of the most common and concerning conditions in Yorkshire Terriers, and it typically worsens with age. The C-shaped cartilage rings that normally hold the trachea (windpipe) open weaken and flatten, restricting airflow. The hallmark symptom is a distinctive honking or goose-like cough, often triggered by excitement, exercise, pulling on a leash, or environmental irritants.

Essential Management Strategies

• Always use a harness, never a collar. This is the single most important rule for Yorkie owners. Any pressure on the throat from a collar directly compresses the weakened trachea.
• Maintain a healthy weight; excess body fat around the throat and chest worsens compression.
• Avoid exposure to smoke, strong fragrances, dust, and other airway irritants.
• Use a humidifier in dry environments to reduce tracheal irritation.
• Manage excitement; calm greetings and transitions help prevent coughing episodes.
• Avoid extreme heat and humidity, which increase respiratory effort.

Medical management includes cough suppressants (hydrocodone or butorphanol), bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications. In severe cases, surgical placement of tracheal stents can provide dramatic relief. Consult your veterinarian if coughing episodes become frequent or if your Yorkie shows signs of respiratory distress.

Liver Shunt (Portosystemic Shunt)

Yorkshire Terriers have the highest breed predisposition for congenital portosystemic liver shunts, where an abnormal blood vessel allows blood to bypass the liver. While most liver shunts are diagnosed in young dogs due to stunted growth, disorientation, or seizures, mild shunts may go undetected until the senior years when the liver's diminishing reserve capacity finally produces symptoms.

Signs in Senior Yorkies

• Disorientation or unusual behavior, particularly after meals
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Poor coat condition
• Urinary crystals or stones (particularly ammonium biurate stones)
• Seizures in severe cases

Management of liver shunts in senior Yorkies often involves dietary modification (moderate protein from highly digestible sources), liver support supplements like SAMe and silybin (Denamarin), lactulose to reduce ammonia levels, and antibiotics to control ammonia-producing gut bacteria. Surgery is an option for some dogs but is more commonly performed in younger patients. Regular blood panels monitoring liver enzymes, bile acids, and ammonia levels are essential.

Heart Disease

Like many toy breeds, senior Yorkies are prone to mitral valve disease (MVD), a progressive condition where the heart's mitral valve deteriorates, causing blood to leak backward. This eventually leads to heart enlargement and congestive heart failure. Your veterinarian may detect a heart murmur during routine exams; this is the typical first sign.

Annual cardiac screenings with echocardiograms allow monitoring of disease progression and timely initiation of treatment. Medications including pimobendan, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics can manage the condition and extend quality of life significantly. For comprehensive information, see our heart disease in older dogs guide.

Joint Health and Luxating Patella

Luxating patella (slipping kneecap) is common in Yorkshire Terriers and causes intermittent hind-leg lameness. You may notice your Yorkie skip a step or briefly hold up a hind leg before continuing normally. In senior Yorkies, luxating patella contributes to arthritis in the affected knee.

Protect your senior Yorkie's joints with ramps or pet stairs for furniture access, non-slip surfaces throughout your home, and joint supplements appropriate for toy breeds. Keep your Yorkie at a healthy weight; for a 5-7 pound dog, even one extra pound represents a 15-20% increase in body weight and joint stress.

Nutrition for Senior Yorkies

Senior Yorkies need a small-breed senior formula with tiny kibble or wet food that matches their small jaws (especially if teeth have been lost). Feed 3-4 small meals daily to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which toy breeds are susceptible to. Look for foods with high-quality animal protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and added antioxidants.

For Yorkies with liver shunts, dietary protein should be moderate and from highly digestible sources like cottage cheese, eggs, and white fish. Avoid red meat and organ meats that produce more ammonia during digestion. Work closely with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to design an appropriate diet. For more guidance, see our best dog food for senior dogs article.