Understanding The Dietary Requirements Of A Teacup Yorkie
Most dogs have the same basic dietary requirements. However, since teacup yorkies are exceptionally small, they have different diet requirements. Yorkies need high protein to help them maintain lean muscle mass as they grow. They also need fat and omega 3 fatty acids it helps them have a source of energy. While carbohydrates are not a must on their diet, it still pays to include them in their food as it provides fiber, energy, high protein and other essential high quality nutrients. There are teacup Yorkies that can digest whole grains, however, there are also those who are more into the grain-free diets.
Dry Or Wet Which One Makes The Best Dog Food For Yorkies
The next thing to look at when youre trying to find out what kind of food you should buy for your Yorkie is deciding whether you should buy dry or wet food. For a lot of people, it simply comes down to personal preference.
For example, when it comes to dry food sure it can be very convenient for pet owners as all they have to do is scoop out the dry kibble rather than open a can of wet food but you need to do what best for your dog not what more convenient for you.
Ok now lets look into the actual differences between wet and dry food. Yorkies have relatively small mouths which means they tend to have overcrowded teeth and as a result, they are at risk of developing a dental disease if food gets stuck in between their teeth.
Wet food is more likely to get stuck in between their teeth than dry food, in fact, dry food can help clean your dogs teeth. How so? Well, the dry food will scrape against the teeth as its being chewed, and as a result, the teeth get cleaned .
Also, the wet food contains approximately 70% water and what the average pet owner doesnt realize is that because there is so much water the nutrient label can be misleading.
It is also a good idea to consider your Yorkies age if the Yorkie is still a puppy and only a few months old then dry food is not an option. When Yorkies are first born, their teeth are not developed, so pet owners are forced to stick with wet food.
Merrick Lil Plates Grain
Best Yorkie Dog Food for Seniors: As your Yorkie gets older, his metabolism may slow down, but it is still likely to be faster than that of a larger dog. The best Yorkie dog food for seniors will account for your Yorkies fast metabolism, providing the ideal balance of protein, fat, and calories for optimal health. This Merrick Lil Plates Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe is a great option because it features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient and a lean source of animal protein with digestible grain-free carbohydrates for support. It is still nutrient- and energy-dense but contains fewer calories and fat to help your aging dog maintain a healthy body weight. Plus, it contains prebiotic fibers and probiotic supplements as well as vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption and healthy digestion.
- Pros: Fewer calories and fat to maintain healthy weight, rich in lean animal protein, digestible carbohydrates, chelated minerals, prebiotics and probiotics, complete and balanced for seniors
- Cons: Contains some plant protein
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Dry Puppy Food
This special recipe* is created to meet the needs of toy breed puppies who will weigh 10 pounds or less as adults.
The small kibble is easier to hold in your puppys mouth while chewing.
The recipe includes omega fatty acids, DHA, and essential vitamins and minerals.
It is another recipe with high quality protein as its main ingredient.
Here Is Another Recipe Using Chicken:
- 2 pounds of chicken
- 1/4 cup cooked oatmeal or brown rice
- 1 tablespoon of vegetables like peas, carrots, green beans, broccoli, spinach
- 1 tablespoon of rolled oats
Instructions:
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How To Choose Food For Your Yorkie
After ensuring the food meets basic nutritional needs, select a formula that best meets your Yorkies individual needs.
LID formulation
Limited ingredient diets eliminate exposure to common food allergens by using a simple recipe to meet nutrient requirements.
These formulas generally use a single source of animal protein. Since most allergens are proteins, a single protein source limits the potential development of new allergies.
Elimination diets typically do not include fillers or artificial additives. Many dogs with food intolerances experience digestive upset when they consume these ingredients.
If your Yorkie suffers from a sensitive stomach or food allergies, a limited ingredient diet may be beneficial.
High Fiber
Fibers are essential for healthy digestion. Healthy sources of fiber such as beet pulp act as prebiotics and help improve nutrient absorption from food.
Dogs do not rely on dietary fiber as a primary energy source. But, fiber nourishes beneficial gut bacteria that help breakdown food. And a healthy gut and proper nutrient absorption help your Yorkie digest the energy provided by his diet.
Some dog food formulas also include probiotic blends to boost digestibility further. Probiotics introduce additional good bacteria into your dogs digestive tract. The sensitive gastrointestinal systems of senior Yorkies and Puppies can benefit from feeding probiotics.
Vitamins & Minerals
Smaller Size Kibble
Caloric Needs
Yorkshire Terrier Daily Calorie Requirements
Age
Canidae Pure Petite Puppy
This limited ingredient recipe is simple. This is very appealing for those dogs who have any allergies or a sensitive stomach. It is made with fresh Salmon that provides him with high-quality protein. Its also fantastic for his long and silky coat, so he is guaranteed to have super shiny and healthy hair. The kibble pieces are then coated in freeze-dried Salmon for extra nutrition.
In addition to the 8 ingredients, extra flaxseed, vitamins, minerals and probiotics have been added. This will ensure that he receives the nutrient boost that his immune system needs, and it is grain free too.
We love that this recipe offers an alternative protein source compared to most other Chicken recipes. This is great for fussy pups. It also has the highest number of calories for extra bouncy Yorkies.
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Best Dog Food For Senior Yorkies: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Senior
Because the nutritional requirements for senior dogs are different from other life stages, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Small Breed Dry Dog Food features the ingredients to support their overall health and well-being. It is also formulated to meet the specific needs of small-breed dogs.
Based in the United States, Blue Buffalo makes premium-quality dog food featuring real meat as the first ingredient to help your senior Yorkie build and maintain healthy muscles. They also contain wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, fruit, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support your aging dogs joint health and mobility.
Best Puppy Food For Yorkies
The Yorkie can look a little more sizeable than this dog actually is.
Underneath all that silky hair is a petite pup weighing anywhere from three to eight pounds, tops!
This means the best dog food for Yorkie puppies will always be one made to meet the needs of small breed puppies.
You may also benefit from a high calorie supplement, especially if your Yorkshire Terrier suffers from low blood sugar.
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Monitor Weight And Health
The quality and quantity of the food must be strictly monitored for a healthy weigh in Yorkies.
When switching your pup to a new diet, you should monitor his weight and health closely at least for a month. This will help you rule out any adverse effects provoked by a new diet.
Poorly planned and unbalanced dog food can lead to excessive lack of energy, skin or coat disorders, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, or obesity. If you notice these symptoms, stop feeding them to your pet, review your dogs diet, and talk to a vet as soon as possible.
Its important to work alongside your vet to ensure the diet maintains nutritional adequacy.
Whats The Best Food For A Yorkie Puppy
Since theyre considered small breed dogs, Yorkie benefit from eating foods that contain the right balance of calcium and other nutrients specifically designed for puppies. So, until he reaches 9 to 12 months, your Yorkie should be eating a dog food that meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines and labeled for Growth or for All life stages.
In addition to the Royal Canin Yorkie Puppy Food above, youll find a complete list of The Dog Food Advisors Best Small Breed Puppy Foods here.
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What Not To Feed My Yorkie
The strength of your dogs immune system, disease resistance, and quality of life all depend on the type and quality of food it eats.
It is tempting to give your dog table scraps or human foods, but some of this can be harmful and even deadly to your dog.
This is why it is essential to feed the best dog food for Yorkies where possible.
See our article for more details on which foods dogs should not eat: 18 human foods dogs shouldnt eat.
You will be surprised by what those foods are.
Hereditary Health Conditions In Yorkshire Terrier
Many Yorkshire Terriers suffer from inherited eye issues known as retinal dysplasia. The reason for this is improper eye development and it can lead to serious vision issues in our Frisky little friends. The best dog food Yorkie with eye problem needs is supplemented with vitamin E, A, selenium, and omega 3 fatty acids to promote retinal health.
Yorkies are prone to a host of joint and bone-related problems including luxating patella and Legg-Perthes disease. Yorkies are less prone to arthritis and other joint inflammation problems, however, due to their light frames. That being said, when picking the best dog food for Yorkies, make sure it has glucosamine and a chondroitin supplement.
Because of issues such as HGE, allergies, and skin and joint problems, it is especially important to find a top diet for your Yorkie to decrease their risk of developing these more often diagnosed health problems.
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General Dog Food Considerations: What Makes A Good Dog Food
When it comes to picking out a high quality dog food for any furry friend, there are a couple of key considerations to take into account. Youll want to make sure that any potential meal for your pooch checks the following boxes:
Youll want to consider these criteria mandatory, but there are some additional things to think about when picking a food for your Yorkie. Specifically, youll want to look for food that:
- Are made by a brand who has a dog nutritionist on staff.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Toy Breed Adult Chicken Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe
Though some dog owners assume that all grains are bad for dogs, whole grains are actually quite nutritious. In this Nutro Wholesome Essentials Toy Breed Adult Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato recipe, they provide a rich source of fiber to support healthy digestion as well as natural sources for essential vitamins and minerals. This formula features farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient and a lean source of high-quality animal protein to support your dogs lean muscle mass. It is also rich in healthy fats, with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat support. This formula provides 25% protein and 16% fat with 382 calories per cup. It also contains chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption with vitamin supplements as needed for balance.
- Pros: Formulated for toy breeds, farm-raised chicken as first ingredient, whole-grain carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, chelated mineral supplements, high in protein and fat, plenty of fiber
- Cons: Not a grain-free recipe , contains some plant protein
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Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Recipe For Small Breed Adult Dogs
This recipe from Blue Buffalo Basics has all the good qualities of my first recommendation from Blue Buffalo Freedom, including its powerful antioxidant formula and high levels of omega oils.
The reason I recommend it here is that it is low in protein, with just 22%, which makes it suitable for Yorkies who suffer from liver shunt.
This recipe is also a limited ingredient formula that contains ingredients for easy digestion. So, as with Wellness Simple, it is also good if your Yorkie has a sensitive tummy or food allergies.
The only thing with this formula is that it contains brown rice, so it is not grain-free. While brown rice is one of the easiest grains to digest, this may be an allergen for some Yorkies.
PROS
What Do Do Yorkies Eat
The Yorkies diet must consist of at least two meals a day, which can be a more or less light breakfast and a full and hearty dinner.
Due to the carnivorous nature of dogs, the diet should focus mainly on the intake of meat. The digestive system of the Yorkies is correctly developed to allow the taking of abundant and abundant meals that are absorbed during a slow process.
This allows that between one intake and another can spend a considerable time without starving. What do Yorkies eat if we talk about specific foods?
Regarding meat, Yorkies can feed on waste from butchery, cartilage, or shell. Products made from beef, pork, or poultry are suitable. Another source of protein is fish , eggs, or milk.
However, Yorkies can also feed on products of non-animal origin, as long as their diet is varied and includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins.
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Instinct Raw Boost Toy Breed
- Includes pieces of freeze-dried food.
- Blends kibble with raw feeding.
- Grain-free formula.
This dog food recipe is a mixture of both kibble and extra tasty freeze-dried raw pieces that are minimally processed and packed with protein. It is grain free which is great for those with grain intolerances, and it has optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth.
Chicken, Chicken meal, heart and liver provide him with plenty of glucosamine, and cranberries, apples and other vitamins and minerals maintain a healthy immune system and healthy hair. If your Yorkshire is on the larger end of the scale and prefers slightly bigger biscuits, then Instinct also create this recipe in 3 other flavors for small breeds rather than toy.
We love that this recipe offers the highest protein content which makes it a great option for those Yorkshires who prefer the meatier goodness.
The Best Food For Yorkies
While your Yorkie may not take up much space in your home, they do take up a huge space in your heart. Because of this, they deserve the best nutrition you can provide. To help you make a smart choice for your Yorkshire Terriers diet, weve assembled a list of the best food for Yorkies, based on the recommendations above.
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Yorkshire Terrier Feeding Chart
The amount you feed your Yorkie is as important as what you feed your dog. While no two dogs will have the same feeding schedules or food amounts, the general rule for an adult Yorkie is ½ to ¾ cup of dry dog food per day.
This feeding amount should be split between two feeding times. You shouldnt just keep the bowl full and accessible all day. Instead, place the ¼ to ½ cup of food int eh bowl and leave it for about an hour. Remove the bowl until the next feeding time when you add the remainder of the daily scoop.
You need to check for overeating and weight gain. These conditions can cause a lot of health problems for a Yorkshire Terrier and are easily avoided.
The size, weight and activity level of your Yorkie will also determine how much you feed them. Younger, thinner and more active dogs will need more food, while more lethargic lap dogs will need less.
If you feel you are feeding too much or not enough, have your Yorkie checked out by the vet and bring examples of how much the dog is eating on a daily basis. The vet will be able to tell you how much more is okay for the dog based on the examination.
What To Avoid In A Yorkies Food
Just like other dogs, there are foods that are not allowed for Yorkies. Some foods may be okay for humans but are toxic for dogs. These are the foods that should be avoided not just for Yorkies but for every dog:
Since Yorkshire Terriers have sensitive tummies, you should be cautious in giving milk, gluten, and certain proteins. Be wary of offering chicken and cooked eggs as well, as these are known to cause allergies. If you are unsure of your Yorkies allergies, offer only a small amount of chicken or egg. Then, observe for any symptoms. Take note, never give raw eggs to your pooch. It may contain salmonella that can make your dog sick.
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Diamond Naturals Small Breed
DHA and other omega fatty acids ensure that his brain function and ophthalmologist health develop as it should. Added calcium will help promote healthy bone development. Sweet potato and dried beet pulp aid a healthy digestive system. Whole brown rice provides him with the energy he needs.
The Diamond Naturals small breed puppy formula has been known to soothe promote both skin and coat health. This is likely down to the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids listed in the ingredients.
We love that this recipe lists real Chicken and Chicken meal as the first two ingredients. It also sources protein from other natural sources, so you can be sure that he will be eating wholesome food that is also ethically sourced.