What Foods Can I Feed to Yorkie Puppies?

Finding the appropriate food to feed your Yorkie puppy can seem confusing if you are not familiar with the options. Dogs will usually eat anything that you put in front of them but it does not mean that the food is beneficial to their well being or that it may not be dangerous for them to ingest. Yorkies are known to suffer from a few health issues, such as hypoglycemia, so your veterinarian may suggest adding supplements to their food. Talk to your veterinarian before switching your puppy's food if your Yorkie has any food allergies. A few signs of a food allergy are if your Yorkie is licking its paws often, chewing on its skin, inability to focus during normal activity or an upset stomach that is causing diarrhea or vomiting.

  1. Premium Dry Food

    • There are wide varieties of premium dry puppy foods that you can feed your puppy. Premium dry puppy foods may be pricier than the average dog food but they are made with healthier and higher quality ingredients and are held to higher nutritional requirement. Premium dry foods are brands such as Orijen, Innova Evo, Blue Buffalo Wilderness and Wellness Core. Visit the websites for the food you are interested in and research the brand and its ingredients. A premium dry dog food should provide your Yorkie with a balanced diet. Dry food offers the convenience of just measuring the appropriate amount of kibble and putting it into a bowl. Depending on the brand you select, you may have to purchase the premium dry food from a specialty pet store or online. Visit the website for the premium dog food you are interested in and see if they offer free samples or coupons.

    Homemade and Raw Food

    • Homemade and raw food may provide your Yorkie with the exact ingredients you would like it to have, but it will take more time to prepare. Raw diets may require additional supplements to ensure that your Yorkie is getting a balanced diet. When preparing homemade meals, you can include items such as poultry, fish, vegetables, rice and fruits. If you are cooking the meats, prepare it without seasonings. Boiling, baking and broiling are usually the best ways to prepare the meats and for the vegetables, steaming is best. Raw food should be appropriate to the size of the dog, for example, a chicken wing would be best for a Yorkie but not for a Golden Retriever as it would be a choking hazard. Research and speak with your vet before feeding your Yorkie a raw or homemade diet, your vet may recommend doing blood work on your dog to ensure it is healthy enough to eat such a diet.

    Wet Food

    • Wet food can be convenient and beneficial for your dog. Many of the premium brands also offer a wet food. Most veterinarians will recommend that if you choose to feed a wet food that you mix it with a dry kibble as well. The wet food alone is not good for their teeth but mixing in a small amount of dry kibble will provide their teeth with the needed chewing.

    Treats

    • Many people often give treats to their Yorkie puppies when they are in training or for good behavior. Make sure the treats are appropriate to your Yorkie's size. Offer items such as small pieces of carrots, apples, green beans, small training biscuits and chews. Whether you choose to go the natural route or not, always check the ingredients on the packaging to ensure that the treats are not made with any items that your Yorkie may be allergic to or that your veterinarian may have informed you to avoid.