If you’re a Yorkie owner, you know how much joy these little dogs bring into your life. They’re small, cute, and affectionate, making them the perfect companion for many people. However, as with any pet, there are some health issues that you need to be aware of, one of which is vomiting or regurgitation. If you’re wondering why your Yorkie can’t keep food down, there are a few reasons why this might be happening.
One of the most common reasons why your Yorkie can’t keep food down is that they may be eating too quickly. This can cause them to regurgitate their food, as their stomachs are not able to break down the food properly. Additionally, if your Yorkie has recently switched to a new type of food, this could be causing digestive issues, leading to vomiting or regurgitation.
In this article, we’ll explore the various reasons why your Yorkie can’t keep food down, as well as what you can do to help them. From dietary changes to medical interventions, there are many ways to address this issue and ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of Yorkie health together!
Table of Contents
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
- FAQ
- Why is my Yorkie throwing up his food?
- Why is my Yorkie regurgitating?
- Why is my Yorkie vomiting?
- What if my Yorkie isn’t stressed?
- What foods are poisonous to my Yorkie?
- Should I be concerned about my Yorkie vomiting?
- What if my Yorkie vomits all the time?
- What is slow feeding?
- What are the benefits of slow feeding?
- How should I care for my Yorkie when he is vomiting?
- What should I tell my vet when I take my Yorkie in?
Symptoms
If your Yorkie is having trouble keeping food down, there are several symptoms you should look out for. These include:
Vomiting
Vomiting is one of the most common symptoms of a Yorkie who can’t keep food down. If your Yorkie is vomiting frequently or unable to keep any food down, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Vomiting can be a sign of a serious underlying health issue.
Diarrhea
Another symptom of a Yorkie who can’t keep food down is diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including food allergies, infections, and parasites. If your Yorkie has diarrhea and is unable to keep food down, it’s important to take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Lack of Appetite
If your Yorkie is unable to keep food down, it may also experience a lack of appetite. This can be a sign that they are feeling unwell and may need medical attention. It’s important to monitor your Yorkie’s food intake and appetite closely and seek veterinary care if you notice any changes.
Causes
Dietary Issues
Your Yorkie may not be able to keep food down if they have eaten too much or too quickly. Switching to a new food can also cause digestive issues. Make sure your Yorkie is eating a balanced diet and not overeating.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or bloating can cause your Yorkie to vomit. If your Yorkie is experiencing these symptoms, make sure they are getting enough water and fiber in their diet. Consult with your veterinarian if the symptoms persist.
Infections or Parasites
Infections or parasites in the stomach or intestines can cause vomiting in your Yorkie. Symptoms may include diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. Consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your Yorkie has an infection or parasite.
Diagnosis
If your Yorkie is experiencing frequent vomiting, it is important to seek veterinary care. Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and may recommend diagnostic tests such as blood work, urinalysis, and imaging studies like X-rays or ultrasounds. These tests can help identify underlying medical conditions that may be causing your Yorkie’s vomiting.
During the physical exam, your veterinarian will check for signs of dehydration, abdominal pain, and other symptoms that can help identify the underlying cause of your Yorkie’s vomiting. They may also ask you questions about your dog’s diet, eating habits, and any recent changes in behavior or routine.
If your veterinarian suspects that your Yorkie’s vomiting is due to a food allergy or intolerance, they may recommend a food trial to determine which ingredients your dog is sensitive to. This involves feeding your dog a special diet for several weeks to see if its symptoms improve.
In some cases, further testing may be necessary to diagnose underlying medical conditions such as pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. Your veterinarian will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your Yorkie’s vomiting.
Treatment
If your Yorkie is having trouble keeping food down, there are several treatment options available.
Home Remedies
There are several home remedies that you can try to help your Yorkie keep food down.
- Feed your Yorkie smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of one or two large meals.
- Try feeding your Yorkie a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a few days to see if their symptoms improve.
- Make sure your Yorkie has access to plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated.
- Elevate your Yorkie’s food and water dishes to help prevent them from swallowing air while eating or drinking.
Medications
If home remedies are not effective, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to help your Yorkie keep food down.
- Anti-nausea medications can help reduce vomiting and nausea.
- Probiotics can help restore the balance of healthy bacteria in your Yorkie’s gut.
- Antibiotics may be necessary if your Yorkie has an infection or parasite causing its symptoms.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct an underlying medical condition causing your Yorkie’s symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal surgery may be necessary to remove an obstruction or correct a structural abnormality.
- Laparoscopic surgery may be used to examine the digestive tract and diagnose any issues.
Prevention
To prevent your Yorkie from experiencing food regurgitation, there are some things you can do:
- Feed your Yorkie small, frequent meals instead of one large meal.
- Avoid giving your Yorkie table scraps or human food.
- Do not give your Yorkie access to garbage or other potential sources of toxic or spoiled food.
- Make sure your Yorkie has access to fresh water at all times.
- Exercise your Yorkie regularly to maintain a healthy digestive system.
If you suspect your Yorkie has an intolerance to a certain type of food, avoid giving them that food and consult with your veterinarian to find a suitable alternative. Additionally, keep your Yorkie up to date on their vaccinations and parasite prevention to avoid any potential illnesses that could cause food regurgitation.
FAQ
Why is my Yorkie throwing up his food?
To judge the many reasons your Yorkie may be throwing up, it is important to keep in mind the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. According to the Animal Medical Center of Marquette in Michigan, vomiting occurs when the stomach forcefully ejects its contents through the mouth.
Regurgitation, on the other hand, comes from problems with the esophagus, and your dog will often just burp up undigested food. Vomiting is usually more concerning than regurgitation.
Why is my Yorkie regurgitating?
If the food that your Yorkie is unable to keep down is undigested, he is most likely regurgitating rather than vomiting. This food never made it to the stomach.
This most typically happens shortly after eating. If your dog ate too much, too quickly, or was overly stressed or excited while eating, this may result in regurgitation.
Why is my Yorkie vomiting?
If the food that your Yorkie is unable to keep down is partially or fully digested, he is vomiting rather than regurgitating. Just like regurgitation, vomiting can sometimes be caused by stress or over-excitement.
If you have just adopted a new Yorkie, or if you have just introduced him to a new environment or playmate, the vomiting could be due to butterflies in his tummy.
What if my Yorkie isn’t stressed?
Stress is not the only thing that can cause vomiting. The number one cause of vomiting is gastritis, usually caused by eating garbage or spoiled foods.
Your Yorkie may also be unable to keep food down if he has eaten too much food or had too much water if he has eaten something poisonous or toxic if he has come down with a stomach bug, if he is constipated or bloated, if you have recently switched his food to something that does not agree with him, or if he has intestinal parasites.
What foods are poisonous to my Yorkie?
According to Battersea pet advice, the nine most common dangerous foods for dogs are onions, garlic, and chives, chocolate, macadamia nuts, corn on the cob, avocado, xylitol, alcohol, cooked bones, and grapes, and raisins. Be careful, because xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in food products, including some peanut butter.
If you suspect that your Yorkie has ingested even a small amount of any of these foods, seek immediate veterinary attention.
Should I be concerned about my Yorkie vomiting?
It is important to consider what your Yorkie’s vomit looks like and how he is behaving. If he vomits once and goes straight to acting like nothing is wrong, then nothing serious may have occurred.
If your dog is acting unlike his usual self, or if he has become weak, lethargic, or disoriented, then it may be cause for concern. If you find blood or worms in your Yorkie’s vomit, or if he cannot stop vomiting, seek immediate veterinary attention.
What if my Yorkie vomits all the time?
It is important to pay attention to when your Yorkie is vomiting to determine the root cause. If he always vomits after eating, you may need to try switching his food, feeding him in smaller increments, or slow feeding.
If your dog eats a lot of grass in the yard or on walks, this could be a cause of vomiting. If your Yorkie’s vomit is green, keep an eye on him to see if he is eating grass.
What is slow feeding?
Slow feeding is feeding your Yorkie using a puzzle bowl or another type of bowl with obstructions to prevent him from wolfing down his food too quickly. You can easily find these bowls online or at your local pet store.
What are the benefits of slow feeding?
When your Yorkie eats too quickly, he can gulp down a lot of air alongside his food. This can cause bloating which can lead to chronic vomiting.
Slow feeding leads to better digestion, portion control, reduced bloating, and constipation, and best of all, reduced chance of vomiting!
How should I care for my Yorkie when he is vomiting?
If your Yorkie has vomited, take away his food for at least six hours. If he does not vomit again within six hours, you may gradually introduce small amounts of bland food such as chicken and rice, shredded chicken, or unseasoned canned pumpkin.
Make sure that your Yorkie has access to water, but do not allow him to have too much water, as that can lead to further vomiting on an upset stomach.
What should I tell my vet when I take my Yorkie in?
When you take your Yorkie to the vet for vomiting, make sure you come prepared with a list of your observations to help inform the doctor.
VetWest suggests keeping these things in mind: What does the vomit look and smell like? How many times has your Yorkie vomited? When did the vomiting start? Have you made any recent changes to your Yorkie’s food or environment? Do you think your Yorkie might have ingested any dangerous foods or objects?
This checklist could be crucial in helping your vet properly diagnose your Yorkie.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
