Caring for Your New Yorkie Puppy
Everything you need to know to give your puppy the best start — by Doll Face Pups
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a disorder that occurs mainly in small breed puppies between six and twelve weeks of age. It is often precipitated by stress and can occur without warning. It might appear after the puppy misses a meal, chills, becomes exhausted from playing, or has a digestive upset.
Watch for your puppy to become tired or droopy. The first signs are listlessness and depression, followed by muscular weakness, tremors, and later convulsions, coma and even death. If your puppy has any symptoms of hypoglycemia you must act fast. If the puppy is awake, give it Nutri-cal by mouth. You should see improvement within thirty minutes. If no improvement, call your veterinarian immediately.
Prevention Tips
- ♥ Allow only 20 minutes of play at a time, followed by rest or sleep
- ♥ Keep puppy warm — do not let them become chilled
- ♥ Feed a high quality kibble diet (we recommend Life's Abundance Small Breed Puppy)
- ♥ Feed at least every 6 hours — more often for very small puppies
- ♥ Give ½ tsp of Nutri-cal morning and night for the first couple of days in a new home
- ♥ Keep dry food and water available at all times
General Care Tips
Yellow Foam / Vomiting
If your puppy throws up yellow foam, their stomach is empty and they haven't eaten in too long. Feed them right away — Nutri-cal will raise their blood sugar and help their appetite return. When they reach this point they usually have no appetite.
Collar with a Bell
These tiny dogs get underfoot easily. A simple collar with a bell will help you know where they are at all times — and will give you an audible cue if they wander off to go potty somewhere.
Yorkies Retain Baby Teeth
Baby teeth should fall out between 6–12 months. Most Yorkies retain the top or bottom set of canines. Check regularly — if they don't fall out by 12 months, the vet will need to pull them.
A Puppy's Bite Will Change
A puppy's bite can change significantly up until about a year old. An overbite or underbite as a puppy may worsen or correct itself as the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates. Don't panic — monitor and communicate with your breeder.
Small Breed = Dental Care
Yorkies need professional teeth cleanings starting at 18 months old. You can use a tooth scraper or toothbrush between cleanings. If your dog's teeth get really bad, take them to the vet — don't do it yourself. Your dog will get a secondary infection without an antibiotic. Bad breath is hard to get rid of once they have it!
Don't Change Food Right After Coming Home
Yorkies have the most sensitive stomachs of any breed. Stress of moving combined with a diet change can trigger coccidia or other GI issues. Wait for your puppy to settle, then slowly transition — starting with just 4 kibbles of the new food with a full serving of what they're used to.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Secure all electrical cords — puppies can have seizures after chewing through them. Be aware of cigarettes (fatal nicotine poisoning), socks (choking hazard), chocolate, and xylitol (found in gum — even one stick can kill a puppy). Use doggie steps or ramps from beds and sofas to prevent injury.
Fragile Tracheas
Always attach a leash to a harness — never a collar. Leading a Yorkie by the collar can cause collapsing trachea over time. You can use a collar for decorative purposes only.
"We want every puppy to thrive in their new home. These tips come from years of hands-on experience raising tiny, healthy Yorkies. You've got this! 🩷"
— Janet, Doll Face Pups