Nutrition plays a very important role in keeping your dog happy and healthy. Nevertheless, many dog owners do not know that size and breed are two vital factors that they should consider before picking a bag of food for their dog. As a Yorkshire terrier owner, chances are you are wondering which is the best dog food for Yorkies, as satisfying both the nutritional requirements and taste buds of this breed can sometimes be difficult.
However, you do not have to worry about that, as we have compiled a list of the 9 best dog food for Yorkies out there. In addition, we will provide you with a buyer’s guide to help streamline your decision-making process.
Our top choice is the Merrick Lil Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe. This is another great dog food for Yorkies. The food is packed with quality ingredients to meet all the nutritional needs of your little pooch. It also comes in different flavors, including Chicken, Beef, Salmon, and Lamb, allowing you to find the right flavor food for your dog. You can even switch between flavors for a little variety.
All the flavors contain between 30 percent and 38 percent of protein, and about 15 percent of fat. Ingredients such as salmon meal, lamb meal, beef, turkey meal, and chicken meal all add bioavailability to the overall protein percentage. This food is also ideal for Yorkies with allergies to protein, as the red meat recipes do not contain poultry.
This food is also rich in omegas for a healthy fat boost. The ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids is 1:9, which is a little bit higher, but it is still great compared to most commercial diets. Another great selling point of this dog food is that it is formulated for all life stages. It is suitable for puppies down to seniors. This food is a bit pricey but it is worth every penny.
The formula is grain-free, with no gluten ingredients for easy digestion. It also contains prebiotic and probiotic fiber for optimal digestion and adequate levels of chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints and hips. It comes in crunchy, small kibble bites to help clean teeth. You can also get it in different sizes, 4, 12, and 20 pounds.
The second dog food for Yorkies on our list is the Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed. This is another dog food that is formulated for Yorkies, and it is very rich in protein. The protein content of this food is 36 percent. It also comes with the perfect amount of fat for Yorkies, 15 percent. This is a great diet that supports the fast metabolism of Yorkies; it also helps to keep them energized and healthy.
The Wellness Core Natural Grain is made with high-quality meat ingredients. The first three major ingredients of this food include turkey, chicken meal, and turkey meal. These are high-level, natural protein ingredients and they are accompanied by healthy fat ingredients such as salmon oil and ground flaxseed. Those fat sources mean this food contains a lot of great essential fatty acids.
The ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids is 1:6, and this helps to enhance the health of your Yorkie’s skin and coat. In addition, this food comes with a sufficient amount of vitamin E, making it one of the best dog food for Yorkies. This dog food is all-natural and it is loaded with calorie and nutrient-dense kibbles in shape and size that is suitable for the pint-sized mouth.
If your Yorkie has a sensitive stomach or grain allergies, then this food is ideal for it, as it is 100 percent grain-free. Because this food is more calorie-dense, it is a bit more expensive than most all-breed diets. It is also a bit starchy than foods made with whole grains.
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog food is one of the best dog food for Yorkies. This food boasts of a special formulation that is designed for smaller canine breeds that might be vulnerable to a wide range of health issues that are not seen in larger breeds. Yorkies are a very active breed. As such, the best dog foods for them are those with substantial amounts of calories.
In addition, Yorkies require a lot of protein, and they need it for optimal development of the muscles. Blue Buffalo Wilderness comes with a very high concentration of protein. It also contains a commendable amount of fats. Additionally, this dog food for Yorkies includes glucosamine and chondroitin. These are very important ingredients, as Yorkies are known for having joint issues, especially collapsing trachea.
It also features four different strains of gut-friendly probiotics to help boost the immune system of your Yorkshire. It is 100 percent grain-free. Rather, it is made with healthier, wholesome ingredients. The first three ingredients of this food are deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal.
The protein content is 36 percent while the fat content is 15 percent. It contains 5 percent fiber and 10 percent (maximum) moisture. It is also enriched with beta-carotene and 1:6 ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids. It also contains a sufficient amount of vitamin E, calcium, and phosphorus.
Taste of the Wild made this dog food for small breeds and it is full of venison protein, an ingredient that is easy for the stomach of a Yorkie to digest. Venison is one of the best sources of fats and proteins, and it is a big plus for this dog food. This food also contains other sources of protein including egg, lamb, ocean fish, and duck. These other protein sources are also considered to be a great source of probiotic and prebiotic fibers.
The food also contains the right amounts of amino acid nutrition. Yorkies also find it very easy to eat and manage, thanks to the dry, small kibbles. This food is protein-rich for strong, lean muscles. In addition to the high protein ingredients, this food contains vitamins and minerals. It also contains veggies and fruits as superfoods, for hardworking antioxidants, with the right amount of fatty acids for healthy coat and skin.
The formula is grain-free, and it does not contain wheat, corn, filler, preservatives, or artificial colors and flavors. This nutrient-rich food is highly digestible, and your Yorkie is going to love it.
The fifth dog food for Yorkies on our list is the Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food. This is one of the best dog food for Yorkies as it contains all the natural ingredients that small breed adults need. The major ingredients of this food include deboned turkey, salmon meal, chicken meal, ground barley, oatmeal, rye flour, spinach, blueberries, apples, ground brown rice, sweet potatoes, chicken fat and more.
This potato recipe food is very rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, thanks to all the aforementioned ingredients. Yorkies do not have issues eating this food, thanks to its small-sized kibbles. This food contains only all-natural, premium ingredients with no corn, wheat, meat by-products, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
It is also rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, with flaxseed, which help support healthy digestion and a shiny coat. It contains peas, which are an excellent source of protein and fiber. Balanced, nutritious blends of high-quality proteins, select fats and carbohydrates to provide your pet with all the energy it needs. It also boasts of great immunity, as it comes with ingredients that support a healthy immune system.
If you are looking for the best dog food for senior Yorkies, then the CANIDAE All Life Stages, Premium Dry Dog Food with Whole Grains is one of the best options out there. The great thing about this food is that you can feed it to all breeds and sizes. This food is great for senior Yorkies as it contains less protein and less fat. This would help you manage the weight of your dog as their metabolism slows down and they become less active.
The formula of this food also contains some beneficial additives such as probiotics and antibiotics to support the immune system of your Yorkie. These additives also enhance your Yorkie’s coat, skin, and digestion. This dog food is made with real and healthy ingredients such as chicken meal, white rice, brown rice, rice bran, and peas.
It does not have any trace of corn, soy, or wheat in its formula, making it very easy for your Yorkie to digest. The food is formulated for senior dogs as well as the common issues they often have. The kibbles are smaller in size and they are perfect for the smaller mouth of Yorkies. It also comes in different flavors, so you can choose anyone that makes your dog happy and satisfied.
Are you looking for the best dog food for Yorkies that will not leave a hole in your pocket? Then the Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food is the perfect product for you. This dog food for Yorkies contains high-end carbohydrate and protein sources to meet all the nutritional needs of your Yorkie. This food is great for dogs that need weight management, which is a common issue among smaller dogs.
This small breed formula is enriched with phosphorus and calcium to help support the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth of your Yorkie. It also comes with the right amount of taurine for healthy eye and heart function. To provide your Yorkie with a healthy, shiny coat and skin, this food comes with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
You can use this food to feed all life stages, from puppy Yorkies to adult Yorkie. There is also no trace of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in the food. The food is also easier on the pet's stomach and it helps to fight skin issues.
If you are looking for the best dog food for Yorkie puppy, the Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Puppy, Small Breed is what you need. This food is formulated specifically for small breed pups, such as Yorkie puppies. The food is made with natural DHA fish oil sources. The number one ingredient in this food is chicken meal, which boasts of a protein content of about 30.5 percent.
It does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The food contains about 8 percent of fat, mainly from pork fat, and this is great for Yorkie puppies. Other ingredients in this food include carrot, green peas, cranberries, and broccoli.
The recipes of this dry puppy food also support brain and eye development. It uses a balance of minerals to promote healthy teeth and strong bones. It also contains an antioxidant blend specifically for lifelong immune support.
This is one of the best dog food for teacup Yorkies. It comes in five different stages and two different flavors. This food does not contain any artificial flavor, dye, or preservatives. It contains a healthy dose of vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants to enhance and support the immune system of your dog. The kibbles are smaller in size, allowing for easy and quick digestion.
This food is made with natural, high-quality ingredients including rice, chicken meal, whole grain, spinach, carrots, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and high-quality proteins. It is made in the USD with very high manufacturing standards. The food is available in different sizes, and the two available flavors are Lamb Meal & Brown Rice and Chicken Meal & Rice.
This food from Hill’s Science is the number one choice of many veterinarians for teacup Yorkies. It is nourished with omega 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat. The high-quality protein of this meal helps to maintain lean muscle in small breed dogs. This food is also ideal for pregnant and nursing dogs.
Before you can choose the best dog food for your Yorkie, there are certain things you need to understand and put into consideration. Here are some of the vital ingredients you need to look for in the best dog food for Yorkies.
Yorkies require enough proteins for two things: for supplementing losses due to energy utilization and for continuous building and maintenance of tissues especially the muscles.
You should also avoid by-products. Experts recommend that wholesome proteins should be among the first three ingredients of a dog’s food. If you have a Yorkie pup, you need to go for a food with high protein count, in addition to high-quality protein.
For puppies, you should not settle for anything less than 28 percent protein. Aging dogs require less protein, as their metabolism is slowing down. Hence, you should consider that when shopping.
When it comes to carbohydrates, ingredients such as brown rice, barley, sweet potatoes, and wholesome grains are nourishing and great options.
Fats also play a major role in the diet of Yorkies. As such, you should only opt for healthy fats. Look for dog food that contains healthy fats like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids or DHA. Healthy fats will help maintain the long, shiny and healthy coats of your Yorkie. You should avoid low-quality, cheap ingredients.
Yorkshire terriers are an adorable bunch. These pets are very curious and full of energy. As such, you need to provide them with the best dog food for Yorkies to keep up with their nutritional needs.
From the products reviewed above, our recommended product is the Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipe. This is because it is a complete grain-free formula with different protein options. It is made with quality ingredients, affordable, and it is suitable for all life stages.
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