If you’re owner of a Yorkshire Terrier, or you’re thinking about getting a Yorkie puppy, you’re probably wondering what you should be aware of regarding how to care for their health. This beautiful small-breed dog has been a favorite lap-dog of Americans for many years, and continues to fill our hearts with each adorable move they make.
In order to ensure that your bundle of fluff lives the longest and healthiest life possible, let’s discuss some of the best dog foods for Yorkies to help you on your search!
Quick Review: Top-3 Dog Foods For Yorkies
 | Best Puppy Food Wellness Complete Health Natural
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| | Best Adult Food Hill’s Science Diet Small & Toy Breed
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| | Most Popular Food Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS
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Is specialized dog food for Yorkies different from regular dog food?
Specialized dog food is always designed to address the differing needs of different breeds. In most cases, generic dog food brands will provide a cookie-cutter approach that assumes all dogs are okay to eat identical plain old kibble. In reality, this is not the case. So what’s so ‘special’ about special dog food, then?
So, what’s so different about the best food for Yorkshire Terriers?
Distinct calorie requirements for mature Yorkies and Yorkie puppies
In short, giant-breed dogs like Great Danes and St Bernards are going to require many more calories than smaller or teacup-sized breeds like Chihuahuas or teacup Yorkies. Because Yorkies only usually reach an average adult mass of around 4 to 7 pounds, they’re sometimes only going to need about 15-20% of the calories of a giant-breed.
A general vet-recommended figure will fall between 150-250kCal each day. That’s the number of calories which we humans get from a Yorkie Bar (the chocolate ones)! Obviously, teacup Yorkshires are going to burn a lot fewer calories and so will require something at the lower end of this scale, while those with longer bodies will often have greater body mass and require closer to the 250kCal mark.
Yorkie puppies are an entirely different story. If you’re blessed with a newborn pup, you’ll know they can be as small as 4 ounces, which is incredibly adorable. However, Yorkie puppies grow fairly fast and are going to burn calories much faster than adult Yorkies. They’re therefore going to need more calories overall until they’re at least 3-4 months old. The best dog food for Yorkie puppies will recognize this in its Yorkie puppy food recipe, by packing in more calories from healthy sources like natural protein and fats.
Yorkie-specific Nutrient Profiles
Specialized food for Yorkshire Terriers will also account for the fact that Yorkies need to be fed more frequently than medium- to large-breed dogs. The reason being, as smaller mammals, they’re technically metabolizing their dog food or puppy food a bunch faster than most other, larger breeds. Since they’re metabolizing dog food faster, special dog food for Yorkshire Terriers will be formulated so you can feed them at least 3 times daily. It’s super important you’re aware of the fact that Yorkies and Yorkie puppies can become hypoglycemic if they don’t eat often enough. This means they’ll get low sugar, and it’s possible they may faint. Feeding them at least 3 times daily and even more based on their overall energy, will help to prevent a dangerous drop in blood sugar.
What are the daily nutrient requirements of Yorkshire Terriers?
Protein
There’s actually lots of debate around the right amount of protein a good Yorkie dog food should contain, and the same applies to good puppy food for Yorkie puppies. A commonly agreed upon figure amongst Yorkie owners, breeders and vets is something that’s at least 28% protein.
Whether you should be feeding your Yorkie puppy or grown-up Yorkshire Terrier any more than this is debatable. Because they’re one of the smallest breeds in the States, it’s generally agreed that “the more the better” doesn’t always apply when it comes to their food’s protein content. There are three things you’ll need to know as a Yorkie or Yorkie puppy owner, however:
- If you see SUPER amounts of protein in a dry kibble (think 42%+), it generally means the dog food you are checking out is designed for either larger breeds or working dogs who burn SUPER amounts of calories each day. This won’t typically apply for the average Yorkie or Yorkie puppy.
- You may find top quality food for Yorkies with higher than 28-30% protein content. This may mean it’s specially designed food for Yorkie puppies. In this case, there’s little need for worry, because Yorkie puppies do in fact require more daily protein than Yorkie grown-ups.
- A little more than the recommended protein in dog food for Yorkies isn’t often a problem unless your Yorkie has a kidney problem. If your Yorkie doesn’t have kidney issues, excess protein is generally excreted by his body with no problems, but it’s always essential to take your Yorkie or Yorkie puppy to the vet for regular check-ups.
Fat
As with other dog breeds, a suitable dog food for Yorkies, or a suitable food for Yorkie puppies should have something around 10-17% of its nutrient profile as fat. The lower end of this range will be relevant for mature Yorkies, while figures closer to 17% relate to the recommended content for a good food for Yorkie puppies. This fat should be from healthy sources- and for Yorkies and Yorkie pups this means you should keep your eyes open for something like chicken fat or similar as the primary fat source.
Carbohydrates
Dogs don’t require carbohydrates as part of their diets. However, dry dog food for Yorkies and dry puppy food for Yorkies does require carbohydrates as these play a fundamental role in kibble structure, and so it lasts without going off on the shelf. When you’re considering Yorkie dry dog food or puppy food for Yorkies, you’ll often want to pass over dog food products with high carbohydrate components. Definitely DO steer clear of dry dog foods and puppy foods listing a number over 70% for carbohydrates, as your Yorkie puppy or Yorkshire Terrier may end up suffering from digestive problems and diarrhea when he can’t digest this properly.
Vitamins
Vitamins are absolutely crucial for Yorkie puppies- perhaps much more critical than mature adult Yorkies who are eating solely for maintenance. Your Yorkie and your Yorkie puppy especially deserve only the best, happiest lives. The highest caliber brands of dry kibble may not always be the most expensive, but you can tell a healthy puppy food for Yorkies or an awesome food for adult Yorkies if you see real vegetables and fruit on the ingredient label. Some ingredients you should keep an eye out for are:
- Spinach, for Vitamin C, B, A, K and cancer-fighting antioxidants
- Carrots, sources of potassium and Vitamin A, they’re also good for doggy teeth
- Blueberries or cranberries for B1, B2, C, K and A Vitamins alongside polyphenol antioxidants
- Sweet potato- provides a ton of B and C vitamins, and beta-carotene antioxidants, meaning they’re a key source of healthy carbohydrates while also providing fiber
Minerals
Good puppy food for Yorkies and healthy dry dog food should contain calcium and phosphorus for dental well-being. Also look out for:
- Potassium in the 0.6% zone, as this helps Yorkies and Yorkie puppies maintain proper enzyme function
- Magnesium at a minimum of 0.04%, a macro-mineral that allows your Yorkshire Terrier to absorb all the other nutrients from his dog foo
Is dry food better than wet dog food for Yorkies?
The best dog foods and puppy foods for Yorkies should, actually, be the dog food that works best for both of you. While the health of your Yorkie or Yorkie puppy should always come first, there are a few things to consider when deciding whether to buy a wet or dry dog food for your Yorkshire Terrier.
Dry dog foods will tend to be more on the economical side of things for you as his owner. The cost of a special dog food for Yorkies will, however, be much less of a concern with Yorkshire Terrier owners than it is for owners of larger breeds. Because Yorkies eat much fewer calories than dogs falling in the larger-breed categories on a daily basis, you won’t have to worry as much about buying bag after bag of dog food all the time. This lets you spend a little more on the premium brands to ensure you’re truly giving your Yorkshire Terrier the best food for Yorkies.
Dry kibble for grown-up Yorkshire Terriers, like dry food for Yorkie puppies, will also last longer on the shelf than wet dog food or wet puppy food. Wet versions of dog food typically don’t have more than 24 hours in the fridge, before they go bad, and even faster when left out of the fridge. It means you’ll need to purchase more cans, more often, than if you go the dry dog food route.
On the whole, we suggest you don’t worry too much about whether to feed your Yorkie or Yorkie puppy wet or dry food. A combination of both can give him a chance to enjoy a change, after all, and as we said earlier, your Yorkie’s health is number one. What’s most important is making sure that your Yorkshire Terrier is getting an appropriate supply of nutrients, protein, fat, and calories alongside a sufficient supply of water. In fact, we’ve already picked out some top makers of great food for Yorkies based on vets’ recommendations and the key pointers we’ve outlined- all to save you time!
What is the best dog food for my grown-up Yorkshire Terrier ?
- Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier
Pros
- Contains DHA which is derived from fish oil
- Natural chicken fat, totaling 16%
- 26% protein
- Made to include taurine, glucosamine and also chondroitin for joint suppleness and support
Cons
- Number 1 and 2 top ingredients are brewer’s rice and brown rice, rather than meat
- This is followed by chicken-derived by-product meal, another filler
- Eukanuba Breed Specific
Pros
- 28% protein, with real chicken listed top of the ingredients
- Includes fish oil-derived DHA
- Made with potassium, zinc, and additional vitamins
- Omega 3 and 6 for glossy coats
Cons
- 18% fat may be a little high for Yorkshire adults unless they are particularly active
- Contains chicken by-product meal
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed
Pros
- Fat sources and protein sources are real meat
- This means chicken meal (not by-product meal) is the top ingredient, giving 24.9% protein overall
- Healthy fat content of 16%
- Is a source of carrot, grape, tomato, and spinach for vitamins
- Has zero meat by-product meals!
- Made with calcium which works together with phosphorus
Cons
- Not really, we love it!
How can I pick out the best puppy food for Yorkies?
Picking out the best food for Yorkie puppies might take a little more effort because it means thinking especially about their needs for more protein, more calories, and all-round specially formulated puppy food requirements. Compared to dog food for Yorkie adults, your Yorkie’s puppy food should contain nutrients like:
- glucosamine, which acts alongside
- chondroitinfor joint health;
- calcium, which should be between 0.8%-1.2% of your puppy’s food at this important growing stage of his life; and
- DHA, a special dietary essential for vision and cerebral development, which your Yorkie puppy will require from his puppy food once he’s weaned off his mother’s milk.
On top of all this, if you’ve got a brand new Yorkie puppy straight from his mother, you may not yet know if he’s sensitive to ingredients such as egg or low-quality filler grains like soy or wheat. This makes grain-free options amongst some of the best puppy food for Yorkies.
What is the best puppy food for my Yorkie puppy?
- Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed
Pros
- Has no meat by-product fillers whatsoever
- High protein content of 28%
- High real chicken fat content, making total fat around 19%
- Contains our favorite veggies- spinach and sweet potatoes, as well as awesome fruits like blueberries, apples, and tomatoes
- Free of wheat, soy, and corn
- No artificial flavors or preservatives, no artificial colors
Cons
- None, really, in our opinion!
- Hill’s Science Diet Small & Toy Breed
Pros
- Made with natural DHA fish oil sources
- Does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
- Number one ingredient is chicken meal, and packs in 30.5% protein!
- 8% fat is a good percentage, this comes mainly from pork fat
- Made with green peas, carrot, broccoli, and cranberries!
Cons
- Contains corn and corn gluten meal along with some wheat, meaning it’s not entirely grain-free
- Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy
Pros
- Fat content comes from farm-raised chicken fat, and rolls in at 16%
- Chicken is the top ingredient, meaning 27% protein
- Contains DHA from fish oils
- Healthy 1.2:1 balance of calcium against phosphorus
- Made with apples, carrots, and apples for a vitamin boost!
Cons
- Contains rice as the second key ingredient, which is not entirely necessary for a Yorkie diet
FAQ
Does special food for Yorkies help prevent hypoglycemia?
Absolutely. The well-known brands making specialized and high caliber food for Yorkies (and those making the best food for Yorkie puppies, of course), tend to set themselves apart from regular dog food brands because they consider your Yorkie’s special dietary concerns. Because Yorkies are small-breed dogs that need to eat regularly throughout the day, the best food for Yorkies will be somewhat lower in carbohydrates to prevent them ‘crashing’ sugar-wise after a high carb meal. In other words, the formulas of the best food for Yorkies will be designed to help stabilize the levels of sugar in their blood all day long.
Can I give my Yorkie puppy treats as well as his puppy food?
It’s not so bad to give your Yorkie puppy a few healthy treats throughout the day! If your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is active and getting enough exercise, then you don’t need to worry too much if you’re also feeding him some small snacks on top of his puppy food. The key is to pick healthy snacks, such as raw or steamed vegetables. While the best food for Yorkie puppies will tend to include vegetables as part of its unique mix, a snack like a carrot or some broccoli can help boost your Yorkie puppy’s vitamin and mineral intake. Healthy snacks in moderation can be a lovely treat, and as part of a healthy diet that incorporates special nutrient-rich food for Yorkie puppies, can be a great way to bond with your pup!
Helpful Links
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/categories/nutrition/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-supplements/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle/
- https://www.orijen.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/White-Paper-Revisions-CP-Feburary-11th-2012.pdf
- https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/healthy-dog-treats
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_contrasting_grain_based_and_meat_based_diets
Last update on 2025-01-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
