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Have you been wondering what foods you can feed your beautiful Yorkshire Terrier? Here are five in-depth reviews of the best dog food for Yorkies.
Introduction
The Yorkshire Terrier, or the Yorkie as it is lovingly known, is one of the cutest and most adorable breeds ever, to grace the canine world. But there is a lot more to admire about this dog species than its good looks. Depending on your character and needs, the Yorkie makes an excellent companion. These animals are smart, courageous, ambitious, feisty and energetic.
But, the Yorkie also has little tolerance for other animals—including fellow dogs. We can sum up their character as a no-nonsense kind of pet.
One of the most notable features that make the Yorkie an excellent companion is their petite size. If you have a small budget, this dog breed is pretty manageable since it does not consume much, both as puppies and as adults. Also, Yorkies adapt very quickly to apartment living. However, just because they are a small breed does not mean that they lack specific nutritional needs.
Most Yorkshire Terrier owners will just feed them generic dog food. Doing so is not only insensitive but also wrong. So, just what is the best food for Yorkies? Read on to learn more about the foods to feed your Yorkie.
At a Glance: Our Choices for the Dog Foods for Yorkies
- Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food
- Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
- Wellness CORE RawRev Natural Dog Food
- Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Formula
DOG FOOD | DETAILS | OUR RATING |
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Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food  |
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Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food  |
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Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food  |
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Wellness CORE RawRev Natural Dog Food  |
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Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Dog Food  |
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Reviews of the Top 5 Dog Foods for Yorkies
In the following review, we highlight the best dog food for Yorkies on the market.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Our pick for the best puppy food for your Yorkshire Terrier is the Merrick Grain-Free Puppy formula. It comes in an array of sizes, allowing you to purchase one that meets your needs.
Our Rating
We gave the Merrick Grain-Free dog food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- It is Grain-FreeMerrick, the manufacturing company, relies on only fresh produce and vegetables to enhance the carbohydrate content of this product. The fact that this product has no grains makes it suitable for your puppy’s digestive system. It also helps to promote a healthy skin and coat while keeping his energy levels high.
- Boosts Brain Development One reason that makes this the best dog food for Yorkshire Terriers is because it packs a handful of DHA. This ingredient is vital in the development of the brain. More importantly, all of Merrick’s puppy products are made using organically-certified items.
- Rich in ProteinsThe primary ingredient in the Merrick Grain-Free dog food is deboned chicken. It makes up 70% of the meat and fish sourced ingredients in this product. As such, it is one of the best Yorkie food with high-quality protein content, making it suitable for building and maintaining your Yorkie’s muscle tissues.
Cons
Based on a few customer reviews, there are cases where the dogs suffered side effects including loose stools.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food
Although Natural Balance pet foods have only been around for a few years, they have already gained immense popularity. The Natural Balance Original Ultra product is a particularly excellent food choice for your Yorkie—it offers quality ingredients at a low price.
Our Rating
Based on the quality of ingredients in this dog food, we rated it 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Helps with Weight Management If you have had to visit a vet because your Yorkie tends to overeat or not eat enough, the Ultra Whole Body dog food by Natural Balance can help. It has balanced amounts of high-quality proteins and carbohydrates.
- Maintenance of Healthy Teeth One common problem that small dog breeds grapple with entails having too sensitive teeth and joints. Luckily, the kibble in this product is enriched with calcium and phosphorous that can boost the health of his bones.
Cons
If your Yorkie is a picky eater, there is a possibility that he will not like the taste of the Natural Balance Dog Food. Also, this product is not suitable for dogs with food allergies.
Check out a complete review of the Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food by chewy.com on
CANIDAE All Life Stages Less Active Formula Dry Dog Food
On average, the Yorkshire Terrier lives between 10 and 15 years (http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier/care/). We have tested an array of pet foods for senior Yorkies and found the best to be the Canidae All Life Stages.
Our Rating
Our rating for the Canidae All Life Stages is 4.3 out 5 stars.
Pros
- Keep Your Yorkie’s Weight in Check It stands to reason that your Yorkie’s nutritional requirements will change as he grows older. The CANIDAE is designed with this specific need in mind. When we compare it to the CANIDAE Multi-Protein Formula, this product has 10% less protein nutrient and 28% less fat. This combination makes it suitable for managing your Yorkshire terrier’s weight as their metabolic reaction rates begin to decline.
- Small Kibble Sizes CANIDAE understands that Yorkshire Terriers have small mouths; hence, it has designed this product with small-sized kibble. Moreover, the All Life Stages is available in different flavors.
- Highly Digestible Ingredients One aspect that makes this product suitable for senior Yorkies, is its content. Apart from the usual brown and white rice, it also contains bran, millet, potatoes, and oatmeal. These are complex carbohydrates, which can be slowly digested by your Yorkshire terrier.
Cons
The dog food contains peas. While peas are an excellent source of protein, they can potentially also lead to increased waste and gastrointestinal problems. CANIDAE Life Stages may also be too pricey for some Yorkie owners.
Wellness CORE RawRev Natural Dog Food
Wellness Core can be described as a family of grain-free, natural pet food products. The company operates on the tenet that dogs thrive best when fed hearty animal proteins.
Our Rating
We gave the Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- A Protein Powerhouse The first ingredient in the Wellness RawRev dog food is deboned turkey, which is chock full of proteins. In addition, this product has flaxseed, which provides the essential fatty acids. The fatty acids aid in keeping your Yorkie’s coat shiny and healthy.
- Tasty! Your Yorkshire Terrier will be over the moon with the Wellness Core RawRev. You won’t even have to call them for dinner, when this product is on the menu.
- An all-natural solutionOne thing the Wellness RawRev is known for entails its freeze-dried protein. This delicious dog food contains 100% real meat. If your Yorkie is prone to food allergies, you are guaranteed that the Wellness RawRev is as healthy as it is delicious.
Cons
The only drawback to this product is that it contains a few poultry products meaning it is not suitable for Yorkies that are allergic to poultry.
Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Dog Food
For a long time, Royal Canin has marketed itself as a science-based company for producing pet foods. What sets this firm apart is their aptitude for creating products tailored to specific dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier formula is one of the best dog food for Yorkies.
Our Rating
Our rating for this product is 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Designed Exclusively for YorkiesNo other company devotes itself to producing dog breed-specific foods as Royal Canin does. The Yorkshire Terrier formula will meet most, if not all, of your Yorkie’s nutritional requirements.
- High Antioxidant LevelsAnother perk of this dog food is that it packs a wealth of antioxidants. These are useful in staving off diseases. Also, this product features a tartar reduction formula that helps to minimize tartar buildup.
- Shiny CoatsYorkies are mostly loved because of their silky and glossy coats. The quality of the coat is directly related to the diet that you feed him. If you want to keep his coat looking shiny, consider investing in the Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Formula.
- Small KibbleThe jaw strength of Yorkshire Terriers is not as strong as in other dog breeds. Luckily, this dog food contains kibble that is small and has a soft texture, making it easy for your Yorkie to consume.
Cons
Some Yorkies may end up with loose stools after consuming the Royal Canin Yorkshire dog food.
Conclusion
The ideal foods for your Yorkshire Terrier are ones that are healthy and fortified for this particular breed. Overall, you should avoid foods that have additives and artificial flavors. Pay close attention to your Yorkie’s digestive system and plan his meals accordingly.
Top Picks For Our Dogs
- BEST PUPPY TOY
We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. - BEST DOG CHEW
We Like: Bones & Chews Bully Sticks - All of our puppies love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. - BEST DOG TREATS
We Like: Crazy Dog Train Me Treats - One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies. - BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.
For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.