Yorkshire terriers are small dogs with big attitudes. Weighing around 7 pounds, Yorkies do not need to eat a lot of food. The best dog food for your Yorkie will be one that is high in protein (from real meat), free of corn and soy and full of nutrients.
Yorkies have sensitive stomachs and due to their size they can get sick easily from over-eating. Carefully regulating your Yorkie’s diet means less cleaning up of messes inside your house and a longer, healthier life for your dog (which is what we all want, right?)!
Our selection of the 5 best dog food brands for your Yorkie
Dogs with sensitive stomachs benefit from eating smaller meals. As a growing puppy you might feed your Yorkie 3 times a day. As they reach their adult phase you can reduce feedings to once or twice a day depending on the type of dog food you get.
Every bag of dog food will have a recommended feeding schedule & quantity listed. You should try to stick to this as close as possible, but remember that you should be watching your dog’s eating behavior and weight/size. If they get too thin or too fat, adjust their feeding schedule and/or the amount you are feeding them.
Yorkies are known for being picky eaters, which is why it’s important to stay consistent when feeding them. If you give them too many treats they will start to ignore their regular food. It’s ok to give them treats (especially for training), just don’t spoil them or they will start to expect and demand it from you. You should never give your Yorkie human food, it’s way too harsh on their sensitive little stomachs.
Some owners will leave a bowl of food out at all times and let their dog eat as they please. If you choose to do this, be sure to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and health. This approach can make housebreaking more difficult, but not impossible.
Yorkies reach adulthood around 1 year old. Up until this point you should feed them a puppy formula.
What ingredients should I look for in dog food for my Yorkie?
It is best to look for dog food whose first ingredients are a meat-based protein (chicken, lamb, etc). Fish oil and Omega 3 & 6 help keep your Yorkie’s coat silky and shiny.
Rice and sweet potatoes are good sources of carbs for Yorkies. Corn and soy should be avoided since they can be hard on a Yorkie’s stomach.
Be sure that any food you buy has an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose. According to PetMd; “The “AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose” also called a “nutrition claim” is a statement that indicates the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance or a combination of these, or if the food does not meet the complete and balanced requirements than it is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.” What that means is that if the food claims to be for puppy stage growth, it will have the minimum necessary amount of ingredients and nutrients a growing puppy needs.
Yorkie health concerns
Small dogs are more prone to certain diseases than other breeds. Most common are joint problems and increased risk of hypoglycemia. Proper nutrition and exercise are the best ways to reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
If you notice any odd behavior in your dog (not eating as much, limping, etc), contact your vet. Dogs are experts at hiding their ailments, so even if they are in pain they might be hiding it from you. This is where having a good relationship with your dog and paying attention to their mood and demeanor is crucial. You should have a sense of when your dog is not acting normal.
Common Yorkie health problems
- Luxating Patella – Kneecap Dislocation
This is a common problem for small & toy breeds. This condition can be brought on due to aging or a fall. Dog foods with glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain the health of bones and joints, reducing the risk of developing luxating patella.
Hypoglycemia is mostly a concern during the puppy phase. If your dog goes too long between meals, their blood sugar levels can drop, so just make sure you feed them on a regular basis. This problem is most prevalent from 5-16 weeks of age.
This disease is brought on by the degeneration of the top of the femur due to poor blood circulation. This disease is thought to be hereditary, so if the mother and father have this, their puppies are at a higher risk of getting the disease.
It occurs when they are excited, eat or drink too fast, or when they experience allergies. Nose secretions drip onto the soft palate and cover the windpipe. It’s a temporary condition that resolves itself. While your dog might seem like they are in pain while reverse sneezing, it is generally not harming them.
Even though Yorkies are small dogs, it’s recommended to take them out once a day on a walk. Due to their size, they won’t need to go far before their energy is spent. This helps to calm down some of their “yippy” behavior, especially if they’re left at home all day long.
Taking your dog on walks is something you should do consistently. When I don’t take my dog out (whether I’m being lazy or the weather is bad) he will bug me for a long time. Maybe he thinks I forgot about taking him on a walk? You will also benefit from the regular exercise and walking is another activity for you and your dog to bond through.
While this can be a matter of debate, I recommend feeding your dog dry food. The choice is up to you, but for the purpose of this article I will discuss the benefits of feeding your dog dry food.
- Dry food tends to have a more balanced amount of nutrients
- Dry food is much easier to store
- Dry food lasts longer than wet food
- Dry food is cheaper than wet food
You can read about the benefits of wet food in this article by PetSmart.
Our recommendations
Wellness CORE small breed
- Crude Protein (Min)36.00%
- Crude Fat (Min)16.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max)5.00%
- Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- First 3 ingredients: Turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal
- Glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain bone and joint health
- Nutrient-dense and enhanced with antioxidants and probiotics
- No meat by-products or fillers (see all ingredients below)
- No grain, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
- Fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat
Blue Buffalo Life Protection small breed (chicken & rice)
- Crude Protein (Min)26.00%
- Crude Fat (Min)15.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max)4.00%
- Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- First 3 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice
- Delicious, protein-rich, Deboned Chicken
- Wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit
- No chicken (or poultry) by-product meals
- No corn, wheat or soy
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Contains Omega 3 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food (turkey & oatmeal)
- Crude Protein (Min)28.00%
- Crude Fat (Min)16.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max)4.00%
- Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- First 3 ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal
- Smaller kibble size made with turkey, oatmeal and salmon.
- Optimal Caloric Intake to Support Healthy Body Weight.
- 4 Animal Protein Sources for High Energy Needs and Lean/Strong Muscles.
- Omega 3 and 6 Mix to Help Support Healthy Skin & Coat.
ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION Yorkshire Terrier Adult dry dog food
- Crude Protein (Min)26.00%
- Crude Fat (Min)16.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max)5.00%
- Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- First 3 ingredients: Brewers rice, brown rice, chicken by-product meal
- Specialized kibbles help reduce dental plaque and limit tartar formation
- Maintains coat health
- Exclusive kibble shape easy to grasp and chew
- Satisfies fussy appetites
- Supports healthy aging
- Yorkshire Terrier Adult is designed exclusively for pure breed Yorkshire Terriers over 10 months.
Taste of the Wild, Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Formula
- Crude Protein (Min)32.00%
- Crude Fat (Min)18.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max)4.00%
- Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- First 3 ingredients: Venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans
- High protein content from easily digestible venison
- Small kibble size is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Probiotics and prebiotic fiber help support healthy digestion
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny
- Rich in proteins and fat, this formula provides the energy that active small dogs need
Given their small size, Yorkshire terriers can only eat a limited number of calories. This means that every bite should contain nutrients beneficial to your dog’s health.
Following the recommended feeding schedule on the bag of dog food you get is always a good idea. Remember that these are just recommendations (usually based on their size/age) so if your dog starts to get too fat or thin, adjust their feedings accordingly.
