Are You Ready For Your Yorkies Golden Years?
As a smaller breed, your Yorkshire Terrier can live well into the teens. Between the ages of 8-10, a Yorkie is considered to be a senior.
Caring for a Yorkie in their golden years requires some adjustment in the timing of their preventative care and daily care, as well as having awareness of some concerns typical of the breed. Here are some things to keep in mind when caring for a senior Yorkie:
1 – Veterinary Care:
Whereas a yearly veterinarian exam is sufficient for a younger Yorkie, after the age of 8, it is recommended that they receive a comprehensive exam every six months to screen for health conditions that are common with ageing. Medical issues can arise very quickly and without warning in the elderly dog, and by scheduling these preventative exams every six months, the risk of missing a serious condition is lessened.
2 – Daily Exercise:
Like humans, staying active is important for Yorkies, both young and old. Keeping your Yorkie active through daily walks is important, but may require some modification as they age. Making more frequent stops for water and rest may be necessary, as well as protecting your ageing dog from temperature extremes. Walking your elderly dog in the morning and evening can help avoid the extreme heat during the summer months. Using a sweater or fleece coat in the winter can help avoid chilling.
3 – Senior Dietary Concerns:
Many dog owners worry that their ageing companion will need to be given a food specially prepared for the senior dog. Yorkies, being an active breed with an appetite that lessens somewhat with age, may not require a change to a lower calorie senior food preparation. It is recommended that you seek the advice of your Yorkie’s veterinarian prior to making any changes in food preparation, even if your Yorkie is a senior.
4 – Senior Grooming:
The senior Yorkshire Terrier may have a thinner coat, with drier, more sensitive skin. Use of high-quality emollient shampoos and conditioners and regular grooming can keep your Yorkie clean and comfortable. While bald spots aren’t common, it’s important to keep any areas of exposed skin covered or apply sunscreen if your Yorkie will be outside.
5 – Yorkie Golden Years Sleeping:
Like an elderly human, the ageing Yorkie may require more naps and shuteye. It is recommended that your companion have an age-appropriate bed with padding to support their ageing body. Orthopaedic or memory foam bedding can ease the pressure on sensitive joints and the thinner build of the older Yorkie.
6 – Weekly Hands-on Assessment:
Once a week, carefully inspect your Yorkie for anything out of the ordinary. Check his or her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and paws for changes. Carefully feel the entirety of his or her body for unusual masses or skin changes, making sure to report any changes to your veterinarian.
Many Yorkies enter their senior years with the same robust zest for life that they entered puppyhood with, while others prefer a slower pace. With a bit of awareness and preventative care, you can keep your older Yorkie healthy and happy for years to come. For more information regarding the special health needs of your senior Yorkie, contact us at The Yorkie Times.
Thanks for the information
You are very welcome 🙂
Keeping your Yorkies teeth clean is very very important!!
We agree Chuck and we are going to have a couple of articles on dental care coming up soon. Let us know if there are other topics you’d like to see.
My Yorkie is 10 years old. Her vet tells me she has a slight enlargement of her heart. Can you tell me anything about this condition? Why? Thank you.
Our Sunny is almost 13, but she misleads us because she doesn’t act old. She is looking a little older though! She’s our “old lady baby.”
That is awesome Pam 🙂
My sweet boy lived to be 17.5 and was prwtty active till he passed away. We did geriatric bloodwork twice a year from 13 on just be safe
Our yorkie is 13 and is said to have a collapsed trachea which now is causing her to cough more especially when she drinks water. I was told yorkies are prone to this problem but there is nothing a vet can do
Is there amy tips you know of that would help her or lessen the coughing?
Thank you so much for the helpful information. My yorkie, Bastian is about to turn 13 and reading your comments reminded me of what to look out for and do.
You are very welcome! We want to share as much information and fun things about yorkies as possible.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Our Baci will be turning 15 in May. He is slowing down a little, sleeping a lot, but boy when we take him outdoors, that young pup once again appears with a lot of energy. He loves sunbathing. So I tell him soon, Spring and Summer are right around the corner. ??
We tell Rosie that all the time <3
My yorkie is 16 an still happy an healthie won’t work far but owner cannot either
My Yorkie is 10 yrs old. Everyone is amazed when I tell them that because he loves being around people and acts like a puppy when he is. He has has 14 teeth removed but he still eats as normal. Love him to the ends of the earth.
Last year, my sweet boy passed away just shy of his 16th birthday … he enjoyed going for long walks in his stroller which he shared with my other senior yorkie, his daughter.
They love sunshine, soft breezes and of course, snacks … exercise is critical and so was stroller as they both slowed down but were still alert and happy …
Hi everyone
We have a older Yorkie some people say he’s a silky? The breeder 16 years ago said yorkie! Anyway we have been treating his cataract he can’t see as good anymore so we are his eyes of course. Noticed that he’s peeing a lot on the PP pads every time I turn around there’s P on the PP pads could that possibly be his kidneys? Any answers I will make a vet appointment just curious. Thx
Our Yorkie is 10 and I noticed changes in the appearance of his nose (little white sports), as well as thinning of hair on the nose. Is this a normal aging process?
He was at the vet last week and she was not concerned.