Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies as they are commonly called, are a toy breed of dog. They’re characterized by their small size
and long silky hair. Like many other small breeds, they have a lot of energy and need a food that can keep them healthy. Small breeds of dogs often require more food per pound than large breeds because of the higher energy output. Dry dog foods work best Yorkies because it helps keep their teeth clean and doesn’t get caught in the hair around the mouth as easily. The best dry dog food for Yorkies is made from high quality ingredients and has an ideal balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Adult Yorkies generally weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. The best dry dog food for Yorkies will provide 150 to 200 Calories in about ¼ to ½ cup of food.
Puppies will need approximately twice as many Calories as adult dogs until the puppy stops growing.
About Yorkies and Food
Because these small dogs have small stomachs, the meals should be spread out during the day. Puppies should get 3 to 4 meals per day, adults should get 2 to 3 meals per day.
It’s important for Yorkies to have proper nutrition and a high quality food. The best dry dog food for Yorkies will have a crunchy morsel. This will, in turn, help keep the dog’s teeth clean and reduce tartar build up. Yorkies are prone to having dental issues and a good dry food will help combat that. Plus, it means fresher smelling breath for all those kisses you will get.
Some Yorkies may be finicky eaters or may eat only when they are hungry. Others will eat everything in sight and some things that are not in sight… Yorkies tend to be overweight. The added weight puts strain on the back and joints so you should be careful not to over feed them.
To ensure that your dog is a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their ribs slightly. It is not recommended to leave food out for your dog all day. This makes it harder to track how much has been eaten. Also do not put all the food in one serving. The Yorkie’s small stomach makes it hard to consume a lot of food in one sitting.
On top of that, some Yorkies may suffer from hypoglycemia, a dangerous drop in blood sugar, if the span between meals is too great.
Instead, feed your dog a couple of meals per day, using the recommended amount on the packaging as a starting point. The best dry dog foods for Yorkies will help prevent these issues when fed properly.
What are some of the things that make up the best dry dog food for Yorkies?
There should be a protein source as the primary ingredient. Avoid protein by-products as these can be up to 14% material that cannot be digested. The best sources of carbohydrates are rice or potato. These are easier to digest than corn or soy. And that means fewer upset tummies too. Also, look for fish oil or Omega fatty acids to keep that coat shiny and smooth.
Best Dry Dog Foods for Yorkies
Based on a review of five different kinds of dog food, below are the results for the best dry dog food for Yorkies.
Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Chicken and Rice formula boasts added super foods, like kale, and anti-oxidants for a healthy immune system. It provides the necessary nutrients for a long life, DHA for brain health, and probiotics for a smoothly running digestive system.
It contains no corn, soy, or wheat, which is a huge plus for us.
The crunchy kibbles help keep the teeth clean while still being easy enough for the small teeth to break through. Calories come in at 354 per cup of food and the first three ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley. The overall content comes in at 27% protein and 16% fat.
Nutro
Nutro Toy Breed Adult Chicken, Whole Brown Rice & Oatmeal formula contains anti-oxidants for a stellar immune system to last the life of the dog. The chicken is raised on farms in the United States and are a big contributor to the targeted levels of protein and fat formulated to meet the energy needs of the toy breeds.
Omega 6 fatty acids, zinc, and B vitamins all help to keep that Yorkie hair smooth and shiny. The kibble is a unique shape designed for the smaller mouths of the toy breeds too.
This food has 382 Calories per cup. The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, and whole brown rice. The overall content is 25% protein and 16% fat.
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small and Toy Breed Chicken Meal and Rice formula is specially balanced to be easy to digest and boost the immune system. The quality of the ingredients goes above and beyond the industry standard and the food is manufactured in the United States, helping to ensure your pet’s food is safe.
Omega 6 fatty acids are added for a healthy coat and great skin. These kibbles pack 364 Calories per cup, 25% protein and 16% fat. The first three ingredients are chicken meal, whole grain wheat, and brewer’s rice.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina ProPlan Focus Toy Breed formula is high in protein. Calcium and phosphorus are added for bone and teeth health. Along with the small crunchy pieces, your dog’s teeth will be shining and strong.
Prebiotic fiber for digestive health makes it a good choice for a great running digestive tract. All topped off with Vitamin A and Omega 6 fatty acids for a beautiful coat and skin.
Overall content is 30% protein and 17% fat. All that protein packs in the Calories at 487 per cup. The first three ingredients are chicken, brewer’s rice, and corn gluten meal.
Beneful
Beneful Incredibites Chicken formula boats a 94% approval rating by customers. It’s made specifically for small dogs with the ingredients consisting of farm raised chicken, whole grains, and vegetables.
The Calorie count comes in at 366 per cup. The overall content is 27% protein and 15.5% fat. The first three ingredients are chicken, whole grain corn, and barley.
Conclusion
The best dry dog food for yorkies out of the reviewed foods above is Diamond Naturals Small Breed Chicken and Rice. This is a well-balanced food made with quality ingredients that has a good protein and fat content. The super foods work great to boost the immune system for a long healthy life. All while keeping the calorie content lower than some of its competitors.
The second best dry dog food for yorkies is Nutro Toy Breed Adult Chicken, Whole Brown Rice & Oatmeal. Diamond beat out Nutro based on the protein and fat content, but it was a close call. Nutro has US farm raised chicken and omega 6 fatty acids, zinc, and B vitamins for an outstanding and shiny coat.
Any of the foods listed here are recommended for your favorite friend at home and all will contribute to a long and healthy life when fed properly. Use the feeding guide on the package as a starting point and then adjust the amount for your individual pet as needed.
