What To Feed A Yorkie Puppy (And How Much?)

Yorkies are delicate little dogs, especially when they are young.

You need to know what to feed a Yorkie puppy to ensure it grows healthy and strong.

Just as important, you need to know how much to feed a Yorkie puppy.

Their tiny stomachs actually make it impossible to feed them enough in one meal, like you could do with larger dogs.

This means you need a daily Yorkie puppy feeding schedule. And you need to stick to it.

Keep reading to learn exactly what kind of food, and how much, to give a Yorkie puppy.

 

What To Feed A Yorkie Puppy

Yorkie puppies need a high-quality diet for healthy growth and a long, silky coat. Give them food made from all-natural ingredients that are packed with enough nutrients and vitamins to promote healthy growth and optimum energy.

Both dry kibble food or wet food work fine, but dry is probably a bit better, since it helps clean your dog’s teeth. We generally prefer to mix a dry kibble with some wet food, to get the best of both.

Since Yorkshire Terriers can be finicky eaters, you might have to try several brands to find the best one. The following dog foods are all great for Yorkie puppies and ones they tend to enjoy.

Dog Food	Type	Price (per oz)	Rating
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Check Price	Wet Food	$$	10 / 10
Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Check Price	Dry Food	$$	10 / 10
Merrick Lil' Plates Check Price	Wet Food	$$	9.7 / 10
Hill's Science Diet Wet Check Price	Wet Food	$$$	9.4 / 10
Hill's Science Diet Dry Check Price	Dry Food	$	9.4 / 10

 

How Much To Feed A Yorkie Puppy

In general, you should feed a Yorkie puppy between 1/4 to 1/2 cups per day, depending on the age and weight. But don’t give it all of that food at once.

Their stomachs are tiny and can’t hold a lot of food, so they need to eat multiple times a day to get the calories they need. You should feed your Yorkie at least three times a day.

Spread the total daily amount evenly among the 3 (or more) feedings. The 1/4 to 1/2 cups is a good guideline, but the actual amount should depend on your pup’s weight.

If you do not know your Yorkie’s weight, you should get it weighed when you visit the vet. Of course, that is something you should be doing anyway. Read “How Much Should A Yorkie Weigh?” for more.

Once you know how much your Yorkie weighs, you can simply follow the guidelines on the packaging of the dog food you buy. That is usually the best way to determine the amount of food to give your pet.

Observe your puppy aver the course of a few days and if it seems like it is not getting enough food, increase the amount you give it.

You can also supplement mealtimes with some tasty dog treats in between meals. Treats are great as rewards during Yorkie puppy training, too.

Set up a Yorkie puppy feeding schedule and stick to it every day. Consistency is important.

When you first adopt your Yorkie, you should find out what it has been eating. If you have food that is completely different, it may be quite a shock to your puppy’s delicate stomach. Your puppy may refuse to eat altogether.

It is best to make the switch slowly, in order to allow the stomach an adjustment period. Mix a little bit of the new food into the old, in the beginning. Then gradually increase the amount of new and decrease the amount of old, until your puppy is eating only the new food.

 

Top Foods For Yorkie Puppies Reviewed

The following dog foods all contain the necessary ingredients for a growing Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Just as important, Yorkie puppies enjoy each of these foods.

If your pup does not like one of them, try another brand. All puppies have unique tastes, after all.

 

Solid Gold Mighty Mini Puppy Food

This brand has a variety of options that are all perfect for your Yorkie. You can choose from chicken, lamb, salmon or turkey.

Solid Gold is packed with real protein. It is a tasty and nourishing dog food that is perfect for your puppy’s needs. You can combine it with a regular kibble (like the next food below) for added texture and flavor.

This food is made with ingredients that are easy to digest, like real chicken, chickpeas and pumpkin. The latter two provide a good amount of fiber to promote healthy digestion.

It also includes a good balance of omega fatty acids, with the ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6. This fosters a soft and shiny coat. Natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants boost the immune system and prebiotics and probiotics promote gut health and nutrient absorption.

The Mighty Mini foods are made from a recipe designed to accommodate puppies with sensitive stomachs. They contain no added preservative or fillers, like corn, wheat or soy. With the choice of 4 flavors, there is sure to be one your puppy loves!

 

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food

This blend is an exclusive Royal Canin recipe explicitly made for Yorkshire Terrier puppies. It has a unique shape designed for a Yorkie’s small muzzle and bite.

It is our favorite dry food, because it is specifically formulated for Yorkie puppies ranging from eight weeks to 10 months old. There is also an adult version that is one of the best foods for adult Yorkies.

It is contains omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin, all of which are beneficial for your Yorkie’s long and silky coat.

It also has antioxidants and vitamin E to foster healthy development of the immune system and high-quality proteins and prebiotics for your pup’s digestive health. Both promote optimal stool formation.

This kibble is small and easier to chew, and it also helps to clean your Yorkie’s teeth. Dry kibble stimulates a dog’s gums and helps remove tartar.

This can help reduce the risk of tooth infections, gum disease, and plaque. Some Yorkies are a bit picky when it comes to dry kibble. If that is the case with yours, you can try some of these hacks:

• Mix it with a wet food (this is what we recommend)
• Mix it with tasty nutritional supplements recommended by your veterinarian
• Let it soak in warm water
• Add it to beef broth foods

 

Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Dog Food

Another good option is Merrick’s Pint-Sized dog food. It is grain-free and perfect for your little puppy. It is made with all-natural ingredients, which is always important.

Which ingredients specifically depends, since you have the option of several different flavors. You can choose between real deboned chicken, duck, beef or lamb. When it comes to chicken, you have the additional choicer between regular and a pot pie.

Lil’ Plates puppy food contains probiotics and prebiotic fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion. It is grain free  and has ideal levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy joints in growing puppies.

This food is designed explicitly for small doggies and can be fed right from the container. And just look at that adorable packaging!

 

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Puppy Food

Our final wet food entry is Hill’s Science dog food. It is great for Yorkie puppies. This particular wet food is a stew that is rich in fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals.

It has high-quality ingredients and can be served on its own, or mixed with one of the two dry kibbles we listed here, for extra crunch and texture.

The Hill’s Science Diet wet food contains chicken, pork liver, brown rice, wheat flour, carrots, starch from rice and potatoes, dried beet pulp, green peas, spinach, and more. This mix is easy to digest and helps promote healthy growth.

 

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Puppy Food

Hill’s Science Diet dry food is veterinarian recommended, and there is a reason for that. It is made with a high-quality protein to help build lean muscle mass, plus other healthy and natural ingredients.

These kibbles contain chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, pork meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain sorghum, dried beet pulp, fish oil, apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, green peas, and more.

The fish oil provides DHA, which supports healthy brain and eye development. A good balance of minerals from the various ingredients helps your puppy develop strong bones and healthy teeth.

The mix of ingredients also provides a great antioxidant blend that boosts the immune system and sets your puppy up for lifelong immune support.

 

Feeding A Yorkie Puppy: Conclusion

Yorkies are fun little furries. They are small and petite. Underneath that long silky coat, they have a tiny little body that rarely weighs more than 8 pounds, even as fully-grown adults. The puppies weigh less than half that.

Even though they are little and have the tiny stomachs to match, you need to make sure that they are getting enough nutrients and vitamins in their bodies. You also need to know what not to feed Yorkies.

But you can’t give your Yorkie enough food in one meal to provide all of the nutrients it needs. Its small stomach just can’t take it all in and it will cause it problems.

That’s why you need to feed your Yorkie puppy smaller meals several times a day, and perhaps give it some treats in between meals for some additional nutrition.

It is also important to be prepared in advance. Have some quality dog food ready when your new puppy comes home. A healthy Yorkie puppy is a happy Yorkie puppy!