How to feed your Yorkshire Terrier

The best diet for a Yorkshire Terrier should prioritise high-quality protein, healthy fats and easily digestible, low-glycemic index fruit and vegetables. The best food for a Yorkshire terrier is fresh food specifically designed for small breed dogs. Ideally, raw or lightly cooked homemade food and not highly processed synthetic commercial dog food which is full of artificial preservatives, colourings, fillers and by-products.

Key considerations for a Yorkshire Terrier diet

Protein: Yorkies need a good amount of low-fat protein for energy and muscle maintenance. Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, beef and fish are good options, as a the likes of goat and rabbit. The wider the variety of proteins you feed your Yorkie the better.
Fats: healthy fats are important for the Yorkie’s coat and skin health, as well as overall energy. Look for sources of healthy fats that contain omega-3 oils such as fish oil from fatty fish.
Carbohydrates: technically speaking, dogs have no need for carbohydrates. That said, a small amount of easily digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and quinoa are good food for Yorkshire Terriers.
Small breed formulas: do not buy highly processed small breed formulas. These are not healthy food for a Yorkie. Dry dog food does not clean a dog’s teeth, and these are poor value, low-quality foods made largely with by-products from other industries. These do not represent good value and are not healthy for a Yorkshire Terrier.
Avoid: commercial dog food, particularly dry commercial dog food. It is full of artificial additives, fillers and by-products.
Puppies: Yorkie puppies need frequent, smaller meals to maintain their energy levels and support growth. No food is better for Yorkie puppies than fresh dog food.
Adult Yorkies: adult Yorkies are ideally fed at least three small meals a day.
Senior Yorkies: calorie needs of senior Yorkshire Terriers need careful monitoring in order to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Water: fresh water should be available at all times for a Yorkshire Terrier.

Specific recommendations

The best food for a Yorkshire Terrier is a moderate to low-fat, fresh food diet made with human-grade ingredients. Speak to a qualified dog nutritionist who will advise you the best way to feed a Yorkie.

Suitable foods for a Yorkshire Terrier

Nothing beats a fresh food diet for a Yorkie. Proper food.

Raw food: if considering a raw diet, consult with a canine nutritionist to ensure it is balanced and safe.

Foods to avoid or limit: avoid excessive amounts of fatty foods as Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to unhealthy weight gain.

Treats: keep treats to a minimum and deduct them from your dog’s daily calorie allowance.

To learn how to feed your Yorkshire Terrier healthy nutritious food, download my Toy & Small Dog Feeding Guide. It includes all the ingredients you can feed a Yorkshire Terrier which, with only a few exceptions, is more or less the same diet you can eat. It also includes a number of fresh food Yorkie recipes.