Why Is My Yorkie Throwing Up? 12 Common Causes
Understanding when vomiting is normal vs. when it's an emergency, plus home remedies and prevention strategies
Quick Answer
Most Yorkie vomiting is caused by eating too fast, hunger (bile vomit), or minor stomach upset—which resolves within 24 hours. However, vomiting with blood, multiple episodes (3+ times), lethargy, or pain requires immediate veterinary care. The color and timing provide clues: yellow/green bile means empty stomach, white foam suggests acid buildup, and brown/red indicates potential bleeding.
🚨 Emergency signs: blood in vomit, won't drink water, bloated belly, seizures, or suspected toxin ingestion → Go to ER vet NOW.
🩺 Vomiting Symptom Checker
Select all symptoms your Yorkie is experiencing to determine urgency level
12 Common Causes of Vomiting in Yorkies
1. Eating Too Fast (Regurgitation)
Common & BenignWhat it looks like: Undigested food comes up in a tube shape within minutes of eating. No retching or heaving beforehand—the food just "slides back up."
Why Yorkies Do This:
- • Food competition anxiety (even in single-dog homes)
- • Inherited feeding frenzy behavior from terrier ancestry
- • Excitement around meal times
- • Kibble pieces too large for small mouths
Solutions:
- ✓ Use a slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder ($10-20)
- ✓ Spread kibble on a baking sheet or snuffle mat
- ✓ Feed smaller meals more frequently (3-4 times daily)
- ✓ Soak kibble in water to slow eating and aid digestion
- ✓ Hand-feed during training sessions
2. Bilious Vomiting Syndrome (Empty Stomach)
Very CommonWhat it looks like: Yellow or greenish-yellow foam/liquid, usually first thing in the morning or before meals. May contain white foam or froth.
Why It Happens:
When the stomach is empty for too long (typically overnight), bile from the intestines backs up into the stomach, causing irritation and nausea. This is especially common in Yorkies who eat dinner at 5-6 PM but don't eat again until 7-8 AM (14+ hour gap).
Solutions:
- ✓ Give a small bedtime snack (1-2 tablespoons kibble around 10 PM)
- ✓ Feed breakfast earlier or dinner later to reduce fasting gap
- ✓ Switch to 3-4 smaller meals instead of 2 large ones
- ✓ Offer a plain Cheerio or small treat if vomiting happens
3. Dietary Indiscretion ("Ate Something Bad")
CommonWhat it looks like: One or more episodes of vomiting within hours of eating garbage, table scraps, dead animals, or non-food items. May include partially digested material.
Common Yorkie Triggers:
- • Table scraps high in fat (bacon, fried foods, cheese)
- • Garbage raids (chicken bones, spoiled food)
- • Grass, leaves, or outdoor plants
- • Cat food or cat litter
- • Other pets' food (higher protein/fat)
- • Dropped human food (chocolate, onions, grapes - TOXIC)
What to Do:
- ✓ Withhold food for 12-24 hours (water only)
- ✓ Gradually reintroduce bland diet (boiled chicken + rice)
- ✓ If ate something toxic → call vet or Pet Poison Hotline immediately
- ✓ Prevention: secure trash cans, supervise outdoor time, no table scraps
4. Food Allergies or Intolerance
ModerateWhat it looks like: Recurring vomiting (usually within 2-8 hours of eating), often with diarrhea, gas, and itchy skin. Happens consistently with certain foods.
Common Allergens in Yorkies:
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Work with your vet on an elimination diet (8-12 weeks). Switch to novel protein (duck, venison, rabbit) or hydrolyzed protein diet. Once stable for 4 weeks, reintroduce ingredients one at a time to identify the culprit.
5. Pancreatitis (SERIOUS)
Medical EmergencyWhat it looks like: Severe, repeated vomiting with abdominal pain (hunched posture, won't let you touch belly). May refuse food/water, have diarrhea, and appear very ill.
⚠️ Warning Signs:
- • Repeated vomiting (3+ times in 24 hours)
- • "Prayer position" (front down, rear up)
- • Extreme lethargy or weakness
- • Fever (normal is 101-102.5°F; >103°F is fever)
- • Often triggered by high-fat meal (bacon, table scraps)
🚨 This requires immediate veterinary care. Pancreatitis can be life-threatening if untreated.
Treatment:
Hospitalization with IV fluids, pain management, anti-nausea medication, and zero food for 24-48 hours. Recovery takes 3-7 days with gradual reintroduction of ultra-low-fat diet.
6. Intestinal Parasites (Worms, Giardia)
Signs: Vomiting with diarrhea, weight loss, pot belly, scooting. Solution: Fecal test + deworming medication from vet.
7. Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
Signs: Sudden vomiting + diarrhea, often after contact with other dogs. Solution: Supportive care, hydration, bland diet for 3-5 days.
8. Intestinal Obstruction (EMERGENCY)
Signs: Repeated vomiting, bloated belly, no poop, severe pain. Caused by toys, socks, bones. Solution: Emergency surgery required.
9. Medications or Supplements
Signs: Vomiting starts after new medication. Common culprits: NSAIDs, antibiotics, supplements on empty stomach. Solution: Give with food or switch medications.
10. Motion Sickness (Car Rides)
Signs: Vomiting during or after car rides, drooling, whining. Solution: Anti-nausea medication, gradual car desensitization, avoid food before travel.
11. Kidney or Liver Disease
Signs: Chronic vomiting, weight loss, increased thirst, bad breath. Solution: Blood work to diagnose, prescription diet, medications to manage symptoms.
12. Toxin Ingestion (EMERGENCY)
Common toxins: Chocolate, xylitol (gum/candy), grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, antifreeze, rat poison, human medications. Solution: Call Pet Poison Hotline (855-764-7661) or ER vet immediately.
When to See a Vet (Decision Guide)
🚨 EMERGENCY (Go Now)
- •Blood in vomit
- •Bloated, hard belly
- •Extreme lethargy/collapse
- •Seizures or trembling
- •Known toxin ingestion
- •Can't keep water down
- •Puppy under 6 months
⚠️ VET TODAY
- •Vomiting 3+ times in 24 hours
- •Vomiting + diarrhea together
- •Signs of pain (hunched, whining)
- •Not eating for 24+ hours
- •Acting very sick or weak
- •Vomiting after starting new medication
👀 MONITOR AT HOME
- •Single episode, acting normal
- •Yellow bile vomit (hunger)
- •Vomited right after eating fast
- •Still eating, drinking normally
- •Playful and energetic
- •No other symptoms
Home Remedies (For Mild Cases Only)
1. Fast for 12-24 Hours
Give the stomach time to rest and heal. Puppies under 6 months should NOT fast—call vet instead. Adult Yorkies can safely fast 12-24 hours with water available.
Schedule: If vomiting stops in morning, fast until evening (12 hours), then offer tiny bland meal. If tolerates well, continue bland diet for 24-48 hours before returning to normal food.
2. Bland Diet Protocol
Recipe:
- • 2 parts boiled white rice (cooked plain, no seasoning)
- • 1 part boiled chicken breast (skinless, boneless, shredded)
- • Start with 1-2 tablespoons every 4 hours
- • If tolerated for 24 hours, increase portion size
- • Continue for 2-3 days, then gradually mix back to regular food
3. Keep Hydrated
Dehydration is the biggest risk with vomiting. Offer small amounts of water frequently (1-2 tablespoons every 30 minutes) rather than a full bowl at once.
Dehydration check: Gently pull up skin on back of neck. It should snap back immediately. If it stays "tented" or returns slowly → vet needed for IV fluids.
4. Pepto-Bismol (Vet Approval Required)
Dosage: 0.5-1 mL per lb body weight, given every 8 hours. For a 6 lb Yorkie = 3-6 mL (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon).
⚠️ CAUTION: Only use regular Pepto-Bismol (NOT Pepto with aspirin). Do NOT use if dog is on other medications, has bleeding disorders, or is pregnant. Always consult your vet first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?
Vomiting involves active heaving/retching from the stomach (digested food, bile, foam). Regurgitation is passive—undigested food comes up from the esophagus in a tube shape, usually right after eating too fast. Regurgitation doesn't involve stomach contents or nausea.
Why does my Yorkie vomit yellow bile in the morning?
This is bilious vomiting syndrome from an empty stomach overnight (12-16 hour gap between dinner and breakfast). Bile backs up from the intestines and irritates the stomach. Fix: give a small bedtime snack or feed dinner later/breakfast earlier to reduce the fasting period.
Is it normal for Yorkies to vomit after eating grass?
Yes, dogs often eat grass to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach. It's their natural way to "clear" their stomach. Occasional grass-eating and vomiting is normal. However, if it happens frequently (multiple times per week), there may be an underlying digestive issue worth investigating with your vet.
When should I worry about white foam vomit?
White foam usually means the stomach is empty and producing excess acid/mucus. Single episode = not concerning (try a small snack). Multiple episodes, especially with lethargy or refusing food/water = vet visit needed. White foam can also indicate kennel cough if accompanied by coughing.
How long can a Yorkie safely go without eating after vomiting?
Adult Yorkies can fast 12-24 hours safely. Puppies under 6 months should NOT fast—they're at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If your puppy vomits, call your vet immediately. For adults, if not eating after 24 hours despite offering bland food, vet appointment needed.
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Find Responsible Breeders →Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information about vomiting in dogs and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. If your Yorkie shows emergency symptoms (blood in vomit, extreme lethargy, suspected toxin ingestion, repeated vomiting), seek immediate veterinary care.