Yorkies suffer from a wide variety of skin issues ranging from simple surface irritation to systemic diseases that manifest on the skin. Most common Yorkie skin problems include:
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Dry Flaky Skin
- Alopecia
- Skin Bumps
- Skin Mites
- Dandruff
- Scabs On Skin
- Cushing’s Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Black Skin Disease
Let us take a look at exactly what it is that makes the Yorkies vulnerable to skin issues, as well as what the conditions look like. You will also learn a few handy tips to help you prevent or manage skin conditions from the very comfort of your home.
Are Yorkies Prone To Skin Problems?
Yorkshire terriers are particularly prone to skin conditions for a variety of reasons. The first is based on genetics and its influence on things like the dog’s immunity. This is associated with reactive skin diseases like dermatitis.
The long hair and sensitive skin on the Yorkies also predispose them to skin problems. The long hair, in particular, affects overall hygiene and may harbor germs or pests that cause all the trouble for the already delicate skin.
Skin diseases that affect this breed can either be surface reactions or systemic. Surface reaction skin conditions occur when the skin is irritated. Some of the most common issues in this case include:
Yorkie Atopic Dermatitis (Yorkie Itchy Skin)
It’s an allergic reaction that presents with itchy skin. It is often due to contact with irritants, including fabric and chemicals from grooming products. However, atopic dermatitis may rarely be due to systemic allergies, including food intolerance.
Yorkie Dry Flaky Skin
This is more often than not simply a consequence of a lack of adequate moisture. Yorkies have very delicate skin, so it is important that it stays hydrated from inside and out.
Yorkie Dandruff
With time, the untreated dryness will lead to dandruff which is a whole lot more complicated to deal with. It is also more irritating to the pooch and often affects the quality of the coat.
Yorkie Skin Bumps
The skin bumps are usually a result of blocked pores that cause inflammation of sebaceous cysts. It could be separate individual bumps or full-blown acne bumps and are very painful for the pooch.
Yorkie Skin Mites And Fleas
This ectoparasite infection causes anything from simple dermatitis to large and painful infected sores.
Yorkie Scabs On Skin
These appear while the skin is healing, whether it is from flakiness, bumps, or even mite infections. They are itchy and irritating, but it gets worse before it gets better for your dog.
On the other hand, skin problems in Yorkies could be due to systemic diseases. This is more often than not associated with hormonal imbalance in which hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are the main culprits. They often result in alopecia, where the dog starts to experience hair loss beyond the volume of normal shedding and gets itchy skin.
Another common systemic disease associated with skin manifestations is black skin disease. Here, there is a darkening of the skin, mainly on folds like the neck and armpits, from conditions like infections and metabolic imbalances.
What Causes Dry Skin On Yorkies?
Yorkies commonly suffer from dry skin and its myriad consequences. It is one of the main reasons why these doggies scratch so much. The good news is that it is a problem that is very easy to solve once you understand its cause.
So what is this cause? The answer is poor skincare. This doesn’t necessarily mean poor hygiene as dryness still occurs in even the best groomed of yorkies. It is the lack of deliberate care of their sensitive skin that puts them at risk of dryness.
What helps a Yorkie’s dry skin the most, in this case, is investing in good moisturizing products. These will help keep the Yorkie’s skin hydrated, supple, and generally healthy. In this case, natural oils, like coconut oil, are very good for the dog.
Zesty Paws Coconut Oil for Dogs is a fantastic coconut-based moisturizer you could try out on your beloved furry bestie. This will take care of everything for you, from dry and flaky skin to sore spots from parasite infestation. It also works wonders for cracked paws, which some Yorkies suffer from.
The best part is that it is made from 100% extra virgin coconut oil. That way, you don’t have to worry about exposing their very sensitive skin to any harsh chemicals that only make things worse.
Animal-derived oils also have a lot to offer your ashy Yorkie for healthier skin. Salmon oil is one such oil, and the Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats is easily the best pick on the market. It is rich in omega-3 oils, DHA, and DPA, which are awesome for skin and coat health.
What Can I Put On My Yorkie For Itching?
The good news is that you do not have to sit around and watch your Yorkie go through the nightmare helplessly. In fact, there are a lot of at-home remedies you could try to ease their discomfort. Here are five of the best itch reliefs for Yorkies.
Oatmeal Rubs
This is the oldest trick in the book for dry and itchy Yorkie skin, and it works wonders. Whether it is widespread atopic dermatitis or local irritation, rubbing some oatmeal on it will make a huge difference. It releases anti-inflammatory compounds that help to soothe the skin giving your doggie some peace of mind.
Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
It’s a simple and quick-acting option for skin irritation from things like poison ivy contact. Just add equal parts vinegar and water and spray onto the afflicted parts of the skin. However, do not use this if there are any open cuts as it could cause irritation.
Tea-Infused Baths
The best options here are green tea and chamomile. They have several anti-inflammatory compounds in addition to the calming effect.
Any Natural Oil
Given that a lot of itching on Yorkies is due to dryness, oils are the most obvious solution. Just rub a little of whatever you have in the house, whether it is coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera, or even salmon oil. And don’t just make it a one-time thing. Instead, make a whole routine out of this moisturizing process, and you will save yourself a lot of trouble down the line.
Anti-Itch Medication
You could have some over-the-counter anti-itch medication around the house for such situations for quick relief. This could be in the form of chewable anti-allergy meds, ointments, or even sprays.
We personally recommend this oral medication from PetHonesty. It contains all-natural ingredients in its anti-itch formula and comes along with bonuses like probiotics and essential fatty acids that have other health benefits. More practically, it can double up as a treat to mix with everyday training with your Yorkie.
Anti-Itch Spray
Finally, a solution tackles the problem straight on. Anti-itch sprays contain a solution that reduces the intensity of itchiness. The idea of it is to prevent scratching that may open up the skin and lead to infection in a bid to buy time for the itchiness to go away.
One of the best anti-itch sprays for Yorkies is Pet MD Hydrocortisone Spray For Dogs. It is a 1% hydrocortisone formulation that relieves irritation and reduces inflammation on your Yorkie’s skin. The best part is that it has a non-irritant formula to prevent doing more harm than good.
What Are Yorkies Known To Be Allergic To?
While dryness is the most common cause of itching and skin problems in Yorkies, it is not the only culprit. This dog breed is known to be prone to several systemic and topical allergies that could contribute further to skin conditions. Fortunately, the solution is as simple as identifying the allergen and avoiding it, and your dog should be just fine.
The main group of bad guys here includes things found everywhere in your home. This includes some fabrics on carpeting, upholstery, or linen or products like detergent and perfumes. It could also be on your Yorkie’s own accessories, including their toys and grooming products. This results in contact dermatitis if the furry little spends a lot of time on the offending objects.
In some cases, the allergic reactions are internal and present with skin problems. With Yorkies, this is more often than not due to food allergies. Some of the most common here include:
- Grains
- Eggs
- Soy
- Animal by-products
When it comes to dealing with these causes of skin problems, avoidance is the best way out. However, it sometimes does the Yorkie more justice to help their bodies fight the allergies as opposed to living a restriction-filled life. With this solution in mind, immunity supplements should be your best friend.
The Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Supplement is easily our top pick for the impressive blend of immune boosters from vitamins and antioxidants to colostrum extracts and salmon oils. It also comes with prebiotics and probiotics for gut health which often affects skin health.
PetHonesty Allergy Relief Immunity Supplement is a fantastic alternative that I would also strongly urge you to consider. It contains all-natural ingredients and a hypoallergenic formulation to help strengthen your little doggy’s already fragile immunity.
Grooming Tips For Yorkie
Finally, grooming plays a huge role in determining just how healthy your Yorkie’s skin will be. This is mainly because of the thickness of their coat. It harbors several problematic components, including parasites, dead skin, and dirt that only worsen the skin’s condition. Below are a few grooming tips to help keep the Yorkie’s skin clean and healthy.
Wash Once Every Week Or Two
This is just the right interval to keep the Yorkie’s skin clean without stripping it of moisture and natural oils that keep it nice and supple. If your Yorkie’s hair is short, you could do it once every 2 or 3 weeks.
Keep The Fur At A Manageable Length
This will help prevent a build-up of things like dead skin or even fleas that cause skin problems for Yorkies. Invest in a good pair of shears, in which case Pet Magasin Grooming Shears is your best option. In addition to the effective and durable stainless steel blade construction, the shears feature a curved edge for the dog’s safety.
Use The Right Shampoos
A good shampoo for Yorkies is made out of natural ingredients. It should clean and moisturize the skin and, lastly, condition the hair. A fantastic option would be the HONEYDEW Lavender Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. The oatmeal helps soothe irritated skin, while lavender oils repel fleas for clean and protected skin.
Use Home Anti-Itch Remedies
In order to stop itching, you can bathe your dog in the home remedies highlighted above, including green tea baths, oatmeal, natural oils, and even apple cider vinegar. This complements essential grooming and helps to deal with allergy-related skin problems in Yorkies.
Cover All Aspects Of The Grooming
The Ruff’ n Ruffus Grooming Set is your one-stop purchase for all your grooming needs which are important for the overall health of your Yorkie’s skin, fur, nails, and paws. The set includes a versatile steel comb for combing fur and massaging the kin and a set of nail clippers.
Related Questions
How Can I Tell If My Yorkie Is In Pain? When Yorkies are in pain, their behavior and personality change drastically. They go from being active and fun-loving to being lethargic. They stop being ravenous little beasts and may even go several days without eating properly. Then there is the insistent whining and the fact that they may not want to get petted as much as they used to. If you have one or even all of these clues, then it could be a sign of pain.
Can I Put Neosporin On My Dog? Neosporin is actually safe for use on dogs. It is a fantastic remedy for dealing with small cuts and bruises on the skin. It offers a protective antimicrobial layer to prevent infections that could turn minor issues into major nightmares. Just make sure that the doggy does not lick it off.
Can I Give My Yorkie Benadryl For Itching? Benadryl is a highly effective anti-allergy medication and is actually considered safe for use even by dogs. It is good for dealing with both internal and external allergies and helps reduce the irritation and pain associated with the reaction. However, before you use the drug, be sure to consult a vet to get more information on the best dose.
