Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately known as Yorkies, are beloved for their small size, affectionate nature, and lively personality. A full-grown Yorkie stands all of 7-8 inches tall and weighs up to 7 pounds, but their energetic and feisty personality does not reflect their small stature. Yorkshire Terriers make wonderful family pets, whether you live in an apartment or a big house with room to run. The typical Yorkie lifespan is long, at 11-15 years. However, their tiny bodies require precise nutrition at each stage of life - puppyhood, adulthood, and senior years - to ensure optimal health. Feeding your Yorkie a well-balanced and nutritious diet is one of the most important care tasks that falls under your responsibilities as a loving pet parent. Every bite of food that you offer will either be detrimental or beneficial. Choosing the right food for your Yorkie can prevent health issues like hypoglycemia, dental problems, and digestive sensitivities.
Nutritional Needs of Yorkshire Terriers
When it comes to nutrition, most dogs, regardless of breed, have surprisingly universal needs. Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores. That means meat is their biological staple, but they can survive by scavenging and eating other food types, including some plant matter. Modern dogs may appear different from their wild ancestors, but biologically, they remain remarkably close to wolves.
Feeding Schedule and Portion Sizes
The feeding schedule for Yorkshire Terriers is different than that for larger breeds, as they need to be fed small, frequent meals. While other breeds may do okay with just one main meal, going for such long times in between feedings can cause problems that range from low blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia; signs include weakness and clumsiness) to stomach upset (which may include vomiting up yellow/white foam).
Here's a general feeding schedule for Yorkshire Terriers:
- Puppies up to 3 months old (or at least 2.5 lbs.): Free-feed.
- Puppies 3 months to 1 year old: 3 to 4 meals per day plus small snacks.
- Adults 1 year and older: 2 to 3 meals per day plus small snacks.
Because Yorkies are small dogs, adults do well with two to three feedings per day. The best way to determine your dog’s meal sizes is to talk with your veterinarian, who can calculate your Yorkshire Terrier’s caloric needs. Just remember: In small breeds like the Yorkie, calories in dog treats add up quickly.
Read also: Perfect Keto Yorkshire Pudding
Before discussing serving sizes, it's important to note that foods vary in calorie density. The amount a Yorkie eats will differ based on whether the food is wet or dry and its specific ingredients. Serving sizes are guidelines; the actual food a Yorkie needs depends on its activity level, age, health, and metabolism. Weather changes can also impact dietary needs. Typically, puppies need about 55 calories per pound of body weight, adults need 40 calories, and seniors may need 35-38 calories if less active. However, precise calorie counting isn't necessary.
Figuring out serving size for a Yorkie only requires 3 steps:
- Know how much your Yorkshire Terrier weighs. Do not make a guess, but rather weigh your Yorkie using a reliable scale (a kitchen scale can work well as long as your little guy or gal stays still) or ask the veterinarian to do a quick weigh-in (most will be more than happy to oblige).
- If you are offering manufactured food, read the recommended serving size on the labeling of the dog food bag or container. These are based on the standard range of what a puppy or dog requires which is based on both age and weight. Note that this is usually listed as the amount to give per DAY (not meal), so you will need to look at that amount and divide it by however many meals you are feeding your Yorkie, which for most adults will be 2- 3.
- Do not estimate the measurement. which is a very accurate means of doling out correct servings.
The amount of food a Yorkie needs is relatively very small, at least in comparison to larger dogs and certainly to us humans. Yorkie puppies in the 2 to 4 pound range (.9 to 1.8 kg) and 3 to 12 months old will only need 1/3 to 1/2 cup per DAY (not per meal). Adults on the smaller end of the expected weight range, near 3 or 4 lbs. (1.4 to 1.8 kg) will generally eat the same 1/3 to 1/2 cup per day and adult Yorkies near the larger end of the weight range or a bit over that, in the 7 to 8 lb. range (3.2 to 2.3 kg) may consume up to 2/3 cup per day. Offering such small meals leads to many owners feeling as if their Yorkie is not eating enough; however, in most cases if a puppy is gaining weight as expected or an adult is maintaining, they are indeed ingesting the right amount of food. Do not assume that a Yorkie does not need a meal if they just lightly pick at the food and seem to barely eat. This breed eats very small meals, so those tiny nibbles are providing much-needed sugars and nutrients.
Puppy Feeding (Up to 1 Year)
Yorkshire Terrier puppies have fast metabolisms and tiny stomachs, so they require nutrient-dense meals. Yorkie puppies need to be socialized from the moment you bring them home. Yorkshire Terrier puppies should be fed a high-quality puppy formula that is nutrient-dense to support their rapid growth phase until they reach adulthood, typically around 12 months of age. This ensures they receive the proper balance of nutrients necessary for optimal development, including proteins, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Puppies up to 3 months old (or at least 2.5 lbs.): Free-feed. Young puppies should be be free-fed as they are being weaned and up until they have gained enough weight to handle a more structured diet which is typically by the 3-month mark or until they weigh 2.5 lbs. (1.1 kg). Free-feeding refers to when fresh food is left out and accessible to a puppy or dog at all times. It is time to now start scheduled meals. If you continue to free-feed at this age, housebreaking will be much more difficult since the timing of bowel movements will be erratic. In addition, when a dog has a well-scheduled day (can count on when things are going to happen, like walks and meals), this usually equals better behavior.
Read also: Feeding Your Boston Terrier
Feed your Yorkie puppy 3 to 4 meals per day. This will be morning, lunchtime, early evening (if 4 meals) and evening (no later than 2 hours before bedtime). It will be time to switch from a puppy formula to an adult formula.
Adult Feeding (1-8 Years)
As Yorkies transition into adulthood, their diet should support their energy levels, coat health, and digestive system. Once a Yorkshire Terrier matures into an adult around the one-year mark, transitioning to an adult dog food formulated for small breeds is crucial. Adult formulas provide the necessary nutrients to maintain their health, energy, and coat quality without extra calories, as growth is complete. Given their size, adult Yorkies benefit from food that continues to have smaller kibble sizes for easier chewing and digestion.
Adults 1 year and older: 2 to 3 meals per day plus small snacks. If large snacks are given, an adult Yorkshire Terrier can do okay with two meals per day; however, 3 meals per day is often best for adult Yorkies age 1 year and up.
Senior Feeding (8+ Years)
Older Yorkies need joint support, digestive aids, and lower-calorie diets. For senior Yorkshire Terriers around the 8-year mark, the need to switch to a senior diet depends somewhat on dietary supplementation. If their diet includes omega fatty acids (for skin, coat, and joint health) and glucosamine HCL and chondroitin (for joint health and mobility), a senior formula may not be necessary. If these supplements aren't part of your Yorkie's diet, a senior-specific formula is usually recommended.
Dry vs. Wet Food
Dry kibble is recommended for most Yorkshire Terriers, but there are a couple of exceptions. Dry kibble is best for oral health which is important for small breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier that is prone to dental issues. It also tends to be more convenient, economically efficient and can be left out longer without spoiling, making it a good choice for Yorkies with busy pet parents.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Wet dog food, on the other hand, may be more palatable and easier to eat for some Yorkies, especially seniors or those with dental problems or tooth loss. There are several things you can do to make dry kibble more appealing or more tolerable for Yorkshire Terriers that have trouble eating hard kibble (due to tooth loss or other issues). Kibble can be soaked for a short time in warm water (just a minute or two, but this can be done longer for Yorkies with few or no teeth remaining) or low-sodium chicken or beef broth can be drizzled over the kibble. It can also help to warm the food; many Yorkies find this much more appetizing than room-temperature food and most will outright refuse to eat chilled or cold meals.
Grain-Free Diets: Considerations
A grain-free diet was usually a quick recommendation for dogs with known or suspected grain allergies. However, in most cases the actual trigger was certain grains with high levels of gluten, specifically wheat or rye. But, going completely grain-free averted any gluten as well as low-grade fillers (like cereal by-products, middlings, etc.), so in general dogs did really great on these diets. Several years ago regarding grain-free diets and a possible link with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is a serious heart disease. A small number of dogs not prone to DCM were developing the disease and were found to be eating mainly grain-free meals. Has yet to conclude that those diets were the cause of DCM. Instead, they've pointed out that the issue is complex and may involve multiple factors beyond just diet, such as genetics, the dog's size, and underlying health issues.
In December of 2018, Lisa Freeman DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, announced, via a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a suspected link between not just grain-free dog foods but more specifically those that fall under a BEG diet. BEG stands for boutique brands with exotic meats (non-traditional proteins like kangaroo, alligator, and ostrich) along with being grain-free and with peas, legumes and/or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients.
In June of 2019, the FDA released an alert. In analyzing data, they identified 16 brands of grain-free dog food that showed up in their database of DCM incidences 10 times or more. They are, in alphabetical order, just the grain-free formulas of:
- 4Health (32 reports)
- Acana (67 reports)
- Blue Buffalo (31 reports)
- California Natural (15 reports)
- Earthborn Holistic (32 reports)
- Fromm (24 reports)
- Merrick (16 reports)
- Natural Balance (15 reports)
- Nature’s Domain (29 reports)
- Nature’s Variety (10 reports)
- Nutrisource (10 reports)
- Nutro (10 reports)
- Orijen (12 reports)
- Rachael Ray Nutrish (10 reports)
- Taste of the Wild (53 reports)
- Zignature (64 reports)
From 2014 to April of 2019, there were 524 case reports of DCM with mostly dogs and several cats that were eating grain-free formulas. Just specifically with Yorkshire Terriers, there were 4 cases:
- A 6-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier that was eating Zignature Kangaroo kibble
- An 8-year old female Yorkshire Terrier that was eating Zignature Kangaroo canned food
- A 1-year-old male Yorkie mix that was eating Castor & Polloux freeze-dried nuggets
- A 9-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier that was eating Acana Light & Fit and Acana Small Breed Adult
Going forward, there will be more data compilation and many more studies. There have been no recalls of grain-free brands. Most veterinarians are recommending that breeds prone to DCM do not eat grain-free dog foods and if they must due to allergies that the protein base is a traditional meat and not an exotic meat. If you are wondering if your Yorkshire Terrier should be on a grain-free food or be eating grains, this should be discussed with your dog's veterinarian and will be based in part on your particular dog's health history. A breed that is prone to DCM; the list does include the Afghan Hound, American Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Dalmatian, and mainly larger dog breeds. However, seeing as there were few reported cases of DCM with Yorkies, adding in some healthy whole grains should be considered.
If you believe that your Yorkie is allergic to grains, it may actually be a matter of a gluten sensitivity. Wheat contains very high levels of gluten and if that is kept out of the diet, your Yorkie may do very well with grains that are gluten-free such as rice (brown or white), oatmeal, and quinoa (technically a seed). Barley, though it does have some gluten, tends to also be very well tolerated. If you opt for grain-free, choose a recipe with traditional proteins (to avoid exotic meats).
Ingredients to Avoid
When choosing a food for your Yorkie, it is just as important to know what to avoid as it is to know what you want the kibble to contain. There are countless dog food brands that contain extremely detrimental ingredients. This includes:
- Chemical preservatives. These can cause allergic reactions (itching, hot spots, skin rash) and/or intestinal distress and some are known carcinogens.
- Artificial coloring or flavoring. These additives can also cause mild to severe allergic reactions and certain dyes (Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #5 and #6, 4-MIE) are also linked to behavioral issues (hyperactivity and anxiety), and some forms of cancer.
- Fillers. These are inexpensive ingredients loaded into food to plump it up but offers little to no nutritional value. Ingestion of fillers can cause nutritional deficiencies and intestinal distress and is one cause of coprophagia (eating feces).
- By-products. Added as a cost-saving method to reach protein quotas, this may include lungs, intestines, brain, and other meats or tissue not fit for human consumption.
- Generic meats or oils. This can legally be roadkill and meat from diseased animals.
- Made in China. Pet foods with ingredients sourced from China are responsible for thousands of deaths.
Beneficial Ingredients
Steering clear of the above, your Yorkie's food should have:
- Natural preservatives. Dog food can be successfully preserved using a vitamin blend (usually listed as mixed tocopherols) and/or certain herbs or plant extracts including rosemary and spearmint.
- No artificial coloring or flavoring.
- Wholesome traditional meats (this may include whole or meal (compressed) chicken, turkey, goose, duck, rabbit, lamb, beef, or a variety of fish including whitefish and salmon).
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. While one source is flaxseed, the best source is fish oil. This is important for joint health. Small breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) in their diet.
- Small-sized kibble. To facilitate comfortable eating.
- Made in the USA or Canada.
Alternative Diets: Raw Feeding
Raw dog food is whole food served in their most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs. It delivers nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives or mystery fillers. Modern dogs may appear different from their wild ancestors, but biologically, they remain remarkably close to wolves. That’s not a criticism; most dog owners simply want to do their best.
A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries. Contrast that with ultra-processed commercial dog food. While convenient, it’s the exact opposite of raw. The high-heat manufacturing process depletes nutrients, denatures proteins, and creates inflammatory compounds. The added carbs, synthetic vitamins, and often rancid heated fats can contribute to a long list of chronic health issues that are now on the rise - not just in dogs, but in humans too.
Addressing Specific Health Concerns
Every dog is unique, and while general feeding guidelines work for many, some Yorkies may have specific health concerns such as allergies, digestive issues, or obesity. Yorkies are prone to allergies that can cause skin irritations and digestive upset. Small breeds like Yorkies are at risk for obesity if overfed.
Hypoglycemia
Small-breed and toy dogs are at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Yorkie puppies are especially sensitive and should be fed frequently.
Dental Disease
Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in dogs as they age, especially in small breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier.
Patellar Luxation
The patella (kneecap) is a small bone that normally sits in a groove within the femur at the knee. This can cause discomfort and may lead to osteoarthritis. In mild cases, anti-inflammatory medications and joint supplements may be enough to control pain.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse occurs when the trachea (windpipe) flattens. This happens due to a weakening of the trachea's C-shaped cartilage rings, which causes the muscle that connects the edges of the C to sag. Symptoms include a dry cough that may be worse when your Yorkie is active or gets excited. To prevent and manage this condition, weight control is a necessity.
Liver Shunt
A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal connection between the blood vessels in or around the liver exists and blood bypasses (shunts) the liver. Signs of a liver shunt include slow growth, disorientation, circling, and sometimes seizures. Most cases of liver shunts in Yorkie dogs are caused by a birth defect. In some cases of liver shunts, the only necessary treatment is a diet change plus medications to reduce the production of ammonia and other toxins.
The Importance of Consulting with a Veterinarian
Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier the right food throughout their life is crucial for their health and longevity. From selecting the best over-the-counter foods to incorporating organic human-grade options and nutritious treats, there are plenty of ways to keep your Yorkie healthy and happy. However, every dog is different, and consulting with your veterinarian or a clinical canine nutritionist can provide tailored advice to address specific health concerns and dietary needs.