Careful diet consideration is important for the health of all dogs, but very small breeds can be especially tricky to feed. Yorkshire Terriers are among the smallest of even toy breeds and need a well-thought-out, healthy feeding regimen to feel their best. The best dog food for Yorkies will meet all of your pet's nutritional needs.
Educating yourself on nutritional needs and incorporating them into your dog's meal plan will help you to give your Yorkie a long and happy life. Proper nutrition is directly correlated to good health, so if you want your dog to be healthy you need to make sure you feed her a healthy diet.
Of course, every dog has its own individual nutritional needs, so it's best to consult a veterinarian or trained canine nutritionist before deciding on the diet that you're going to offer your pet. They will not only tell you about the best food for Yorkies, but they'll tell you what you can do to adequately meet any individual needs your
Best Dog Food for Yorkies: How & What to Feed Yorkshire Terriers?
Best Dog Food for Yorkshire Terriers (Commercial)
When picking the optimal best food for Yorkshire Terriers, you need to keep your dog's breed and size nutritional requirements in mind. Here are the nutrition requirements for Yorkies:
- Adults: 150-170 kcal
- Puppies: 190-210 kcal
- Seniors: 110-130 kcal
* Other factors may influence precise caloric requirements, such as daily activity levels.
There are several commercial dog food brands that would be considered as the best food for Yorkies, and many vets and dog food review websites agree on this. I researched and picked five of the best dog foods for Yorkshire Terriers below.
| Dog Food Brands | Price | Value | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canine Breed Health Yorkshire Terrier | $$$$$ | $4.4/lb | 4.7/5 |
| Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food | $$ | $1.6/lb | 4.5/5 |
| EUKANUBA Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food | $$$ | $3.0/lb | 4.2/5 |
| Wellness Complete Health Small Breed | $$$ | $2.5/lb | 4.2/5 |
| Wellness CORE Grain Free Small Breed | $$$ | $2.9/lb | 4.5/5 |
* Click on the Yorkie dog food brand for information and prices. Or scroll down below for more details.
Bear in mind, you don't have to buy an expensive dog food brand for your pet's diet to follow an AAFCO approval. However, if you want more specific dog food brand recommendations that are tried and true, the above ones are usually the brands that the majority of Yorkie owners and their vets choose as the best options. For more, I recommend reading this thorough review on the top 10 dog food brands by Samantha.
How Much to Feed Your Yorkie?
On average, a Yorkshire Terrier will eat between ¼ to ½ cups of dry dog food per meal. Puppies require more food per pound of body weight since they are growing and constantly expending energy.
Similarly, an older Yorkie who is minimally active will need less food for her weight than a younger adult.
Since different dog foods have varying caloric values, it's always best to check the nutritional facts on the packaging for a recommended serving size by weight.
If you notice that your dog seems excessively hungry or isn't finishing her food, you can adjust the serving size to fit her needs. Metabolisms and activity rates vary from dog to dog.
How Often to Feed Your Yorkie?
Like people, dogs need to eat a couple of times per day rather than all at once. The average dog will be fine with eating two meals per day, but tiny breeds like Yorkies need more frequent smaller meals.
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You should feed the best dog food for Yorkies three or four times daily. This will keep your pet's blood sugar from getting low in between meals and prevent her from overeating all at once.
If you are unsure if your Yorkie is getting the right amount of food, a quick consultation with your vet can offer advisement for their specific needs.
Every dog is different, and as they grow you can figure out their individual feeding schedule. Some may be hungrier at different times of the day than others depending on activity level and timing. There is no set schedule that you need to follow for feeding your dog as long as she is getting proper nutrition from the best dog food for Yorkies.
What to Feed A Yorkie? Try Homemade Food
Similar to clean eating for people, making your own homemade dog food is the best way to guarantee that you know exactly what goes into your dog's body. If you work with a canine nutrition expert, you will always know that you are making the best dog food for Yorkies.
You'll be sure your dog is getting the appropriate amount of vitamins and protein and won't have to worry about fillers and additives.
TRY: Here are 5 USDA-Certified MOST Healthy Dog Food Brands
If you already follow a weekly meal prep schedule for your household, it will be pretty easy to incorporate dog food prep time into your cooking day. Be sure to allow time and patience for research on recipes and nutritional values beforehand though. This will most likely be the most time-consuming stage.
There are many recipes for homemade dog foods and treats available online to help you get started.
A good starting point is to know that your homemade dog food should include about two parts meat one part healthy starch and one part vegetables.
Tasty and healthy ingredients for treats include yogurt, pumpkin, peanut butter, and apples just to name a few.
Be sure to avoid flavorings like garlic and onion, as they will lower your dog's red blood cell count when used in excess. Nutmeg and baking soda are also toxic. Dog-safe fruits such as berries, bananas, and mango can also be added and are a healthy sweet treat. Be sure to avoid grapes and anything with a pit (peaches, apricots, cherries, etc.) as these fruits are poisonous to dogs as well as choking hazards.
Knowing which foods your dog cannot eat is especially crucial when making the best dog food for Yorkies since potency is related to size. Yorkshire Terriers, being among the tiniest of breeds need an extra watchful eye on their diet.
RELATED: 3 Common Canine Diseases Linked to Dog Food
Even if you don't choose to make your own dog food, these ingredient guidelines will give you a good idea of which people's foods are safe for dogs if they were to get a hold of them somehow.
What Else to Feed a Yorkie? Commercial Dog Food
Unfortunately, many of us simply don't have the time to make our own dog food, and that's completely okay. Your Yorkie can still be happy and healthy eating a diet of store-bought food; just make sure to be a smart shopper.
When choosing the best dog food for Yorkies and treats for your furry friend, ignore the claims on the packaging and look at the ingredients. High-quality dog food will list some form of meat, probably multiple, as its first ingredients.
A safe bet is always to check for an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) certification as well. This means that these foods have been confirmed to have appropriate nutritional value through lab tests and feeding trials.
Be sure to look for additives, fillers, and artificial colorings. These are not healthy for your dog and should be avoided if possible. The same applies to dog treats. Look for natural ingredients and no artificial coloring when purchasing treats.
There is no reason a dog treat should be a bright color, and it won't matter to your dog anyway. Opt for naturally colored treats or a fruit or vegetable substitute instead. Your Yorkie will love them just the same and they will be better for her as well.
In Short
Be a mindful dog owner and a smart consumer. Resist your Yorkie's adorable begging tendencies and be conscious of what goes into your dog's body. As your pet's caretaker and family, it is your responsibility to pay close attention to her diet and reactions to foods.
A healthy Yorkie that is not bogged down by extra weight and has plenty of energy to run and play will be much more content than one whose nutritional needs are not being met.
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