Yorkshire Terriers, or lovingly called Yorkies, are an American household favorite. Finding the best dog food for Yorkshire can be a struggle with all the options out there. So how are Yorkies different from other small breeds?
They’re a toy breed that is known for their big personalities and loving behavior. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love their affectionate and playful disposition.
But, odds are if you’re looking for what dog food brands are best for Yorkies you’re probably already a proud Yorkie owner.
As a Yorkie owner or prospective Yorkie owner, you’re probably generally familiar with the specific health needs of Yorkshire terriers. So, what do you look for to satiate this super tiny ball of energy that has many common medical issues?
Finding Value that Meets Your Pups Needs
Of the things that a Yorkie definitely needs to be addressed this is a short list:
- Dental problems
- Breathing and airway collapse possibilities
- Blood flow and bone issues
- High energy
- Sensitive Stomachs
Don’t let this list run you off from bringing a Yorkie home. They’re incredibly rewarding pets and their medical needs, although common, aren’t found in every dog.
Be sure to begin your Yorkies life on the right track by avoiding puppy mills and only going to reputable breeders. If you’re adopting from a shelter or rescue center, ask for any signs of the above the staff may have noticed.
Finding Value in Formula
Of the above issues, each can be addressed through their diet. Although there is no solution that diet will magically fix any of the above it is definitely a step in the right direction.
If you can help your pup out with these issues before they arise it may help ease any medical problems they face during their life. Either way, part of the secret to a long and happy life for dogs or people, is a well-balanced diet.
That’s one of the things that is being evaluated throughout the review process. A balanced diet can help ease sensitive stomachs and provide the right amounts of energy.
With high-quality proteins, and high-fat content your Yorkie will have the energy to burn for, well not days, but a few hours.
The next thing to keep an eye out for is small kibble. Yorkies have very small muzzles and dental problems. This means you need a small kibble size.
Small kibble makes it easy for your pup to chew which is part of their dental health. The equivalent of brushing your teeth, the crunch helps work away at unwanted buildup in their mouth. Not to mention the chewing helps digestion too.
So, what are the absolute needs?
- Small kibble
- High protein content
- High-fat content
Top 5 Dog Food for Yorkies with Allergies
After a bit of research, these are the top five picks of dog food for Yorkies. Although most of these are catered towards a general toy or small sized dogs they offer very different benefits.
The goal is to, of course, provide information that will help you make a knowledgeable decision on what is best for you and your pup.
Again, none of these willfully prevent or treat any medical issue. If you’re concerned about your Yorkies health, see your family vet immediately!
1. Taste of the Wild – Small Breed Formula
[img_products img_code=”515Pg8fCK0L” alt=”Taste of the Wild – Small Breed Formula” code=”B015BSDRS2″ reviews=”View on Amazon”] This version of Taste of the Wild is made with venison and garbanzo beans. The protein from the start is easy to digest. But, Taste of the Wild holds up to its high standard.Taste of the Wild has built a long-standing reputation for delivering exactly what your four-legged friend would encounter in the wild. This means a lot of protein and natural carbohydrates.
- Venison is easy to digest, great for sensitive stomachs
- Small kibble
- Probiotics and fiber for digestion
- Lots of protein and fats
One of the best things about the Taste of the Wild is how much effort and consideration was put into this formula. Yorkies experience a lot of gastric distress and have very small stomachs.
Aside from needing small kibble, they need to eat at multiple times throughout the day. The easy to digest venison, lamb, egg, and fish is a combination of a fast metabolism that isn’t rough on their digestive tracks.
Taste of the Wild excels in meeting the digestive needs of small dogs. But, they deliver small kibble, a balance of protein and fats as well as a healthy dose of natural fiber.
The small kibble is designed to help clean your dog’s mouth as they chew which is an added benefit.
- Small kibble
- Easy to digest proteins
- Probiotics aid digestion
Not to mention it’s free of many common dog allergies including chicken. Then its formula of complex carbohydrates helps the energy your Yorkie takes in last all day.
Taste of the Wild is a bit pricey. However, if your Yorkie needs the dietary aid or you’re concerned about other dog foods being too rough to digest it is worth it.
If you can budget for Taste of the Wild, it is worth trying and seeing how your furry family member takes it. If you have concerns but don’t want to try it without knowing how well it will work, contact your vet. A veterinarian who is familiar with your dog is a valuable resource.
2. Blue Buffalo Small Breed – Chicken and Rice
[img_products img_code=”718FpixrozL” alt=”Blue Buffalo Small Breed – Chicken and Rice” code=”B003O7ZON4″ reviews=”View on Amazon”] So, chicken and rice are supposed to be a premier option for soothing an upset stomach. That makes this seem like a great way to meet the needs of your Yorkies sensitive and small stomach, right? Well, let’s see.- Four flavor varieties for small dogs
- Additional small bit chicken and brown rice option
- No corn, wheat, soy or by-product meals.
- No artificial colors or preservatives
Many pet owners, including Yorkie pet parents, turn to Blue Buffalo because of their all-natural ingredients list. They focus on providing nutrient-dense formulas that deliver on multiple fronts.
They’ve actively avoided chicken by-product after a brief legal battle over this issue. They’ve also consciously added in healthy alternatives like swapping out fish oil for flaxseed.
Building on beneficial fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6s Blue Buffalo aims to deliver aid in a healthy coat and clearing up skin issues.
Although this formula is designed with stomach aid in mind, it doesn’t quite deliver. Many dogs are allergic to chicken and a chicken-based formula isn’t what you want with stomach issues.
Additionally, brown rice can disrupt your Yorkies eating habits making them feel fuller than they are. This doesn’t sound like it’s a big deal except for when it leads to hypoglycemia or fluctuating blood sugar.
3. Wellness Complete for Small Breeds
[img_products img_code=”813Z8p8qiTL” alt=”wellness Complete for Small Breeds” code=”B001HYB2P0″ reviews=”View on Amazon”] Dry dog food is always the top choice when you’re dealing with a breed that has dental problems. But the Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds aims to meet more than just the dental problems that Yorkies face.- Small kibbles
- Turkey, oatmeal and salmon-based formula
- No fillers such as corn, soy, meat by-products, or wheat
Wellness brand is making a name for themselves in high-quality dog food. They use ingredients that bring together a ton of vitamins and nutrients for a power-packed meal for your Yorkie.
Wellness depends on a long list of natural ingredients to deliver a ton of beta-carotene, vitamin A and E. These ingredients include chicken, apple, turkey, salmon, blueberries, spinach, rye flour, brown rice and sweet potatoes.
On top of that, it’s small kibble is easy on tiny jaws and breaks apart with little force but demands enough crunch to aid dental health.
Just like we mentioned above, the chicken and brown rice are kinds of deal breakers here. Keep in mind though if your Yorkie hasn’t shown any digestion problems such as diarrhea or vomiting this is a contender for atop pick.
Wellness is usually a top choice for many pet owners but ingredient choices like chicken and brown rice here are questionable for Yorkies specifically. Still a good choice, but keep in mind your dog’s specific needs when choosing your dog food.
4. Wellness CORE Natural for Small Breeds
[img_products img_code=”81xFvtl8UiL” alt=”Wellness CORE Natural for Small Breeds” code=”B007M0J9VC” reviews=”View on Amazon”] While the Wellness option above had a hard focus on chicken, this option sticks with turkey. The Wellness CORE Natural for Small Breeds is designed with a number of benefits in mind.- Grain free
- Protein rich
- Optimum calorie levels
Instead of putting the focus on a ton of ingredients, Wellness took a different approach here. Wellness CORE addresses nearly all the issues that Yorkies experience through a balance of proteins and fats.
By avoiding any grains and nearly all common dog allergens the formula is already soft on their small stomachs. Additionally, they mix in probiotics to help throughout the digestion process.
There is also the benefit of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hydrochloride for optimal joint and bone health. The hip and knee problems that Yorkies have could be aided by proper diet. This is the type of formula you would want to be looking at for joint and bone support.
The price tag on this bag of Wellness is a little steep. Now, if this is in your budget, the price was the only feature that didn’t set right.
Overall, it is a bit expensive. But it brings so much more to the table than simply being grain-free.
5. Rachel Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food
[img_products img_code=”91FTM6jjp4L” alt=”Rachel Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food” code=”B009LQFGTO” reviews=”View on Amazon”] Rachel Ray has moved out of the kitchen and into the backyard to support your family pet. This is also the premier brand in grain-free, high-quality ingredient pet foods.This is the only generalized dog food on the list, so immediately the concern is how this formula will benefit your Yorkie.
- Four flavor varieties
- Made with real Bison for easy digestion
- Grain-free, and packed with vitamins
What makes this stand out is that although small kibble is a standard across the board in these reviews, this is a general adult dog food that has smaller kibble. It’s not a “for small breeds” formula. Although it seems like you need the specifics for small breeds that isn’t always the case.
There really isn’t anything to not like with Rachel Rays new pet formula. The price is right, the formula is simple, but power packed with nutrients.
The Clear Winner
The Taste of the Wild for Small Breeds stands out. Even though it’s a bit pricey the value it brings makes it worth it. The blend of venison and garbanzo beans make it a great choice for Yorkies with stomach issues.
All the while the protein quality and good fats make for long-lasting energy. Yorkies, in general, need to eat a few times a day. No doubt they’ll still need more than one meal, but you can be sure they’re getting sufficient protein for their energy needs.
The small kibble aids in dental health and digestion. This was a key point in the values section that small kibble was a big deal for Yorkies. It suits their small mouths but also the common Yorkie problem of poor dental health.
An extra bonus for dental health with the Taste of the Wild is the tartar control that comes from the high volumes of antioxidants. The antioxidants enable the tartar to easily scrape off their teeth which will happen with each crunch.
Overall there are a lot of great options on this list. Finding the best dog food for Yorkies seems complicated at first because of the Yorkie specific needs. Taste of the Wild for Small Breeds because it hit on every major aspect for Yorkies. Whereas the others here fell flat on one need or another. However, only you and your family vet know what’s best for you and your Yorkie pup!