If you are a new Yorkie owner wondering what to feed your pet, this guide will provide you with all you need to know about the ideal diet plan for Yorkies.
Determine the Correct Calorie Requirement for the perfect meal plan for your pup
One of the most important aspects of feeding a Yorkie is determining the right calorie requirement. The amount of calories your fluffy companion requires differs according to the age of your Yorkie and the type of food in question. Some meals are calorie dense, while some contain lesser calories. Younger Yorkies require meals with more calories than their senior counterparts. While adult Yorkies can easily go from breakfast to dinner, younger Yorkies face potential health challenges if they are left for too long without feeding. The most popular health issue they face is hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar.
Traditionally, adult Yorkies weigh between 3 and 7 pounds, meaning Yorkies need to be fed between 250 to 340 calories daily. Always follow the 10% rule while feeding your dog. Your food should equal 90% of your pet’s total calorie intake, with treats making up the remaining 10%. For example, if your Yorkie weighs 8 pounds, it requires 293 calories daily. If you provide it with treats, it needs 296 calories in meals (90%) and 29 in treats (10%). You can feed your Yorkie freely until they are at least 3 months of age, after which you need to keep them on a strict diet to avoid getting overweight. You can use the calorie calculator to determine the exact caloric need of your pet. Pregnant Yorkies require about twice their normal calorie intake. It is, however, vital to speak with your vet for further directions on the ideal diet plan for your pregnant yorkie.
Dry vs. Wet Dog Meals
Many canines prefer wet dog foods as opposed to dry ones. However, this isn’t ideal because wet meals do not promote healthy gum and teeth and can lead to runny stools. Therefore, it is important not to teach your Yorkie what canned meals are. If it is already too late, you can mix wet and dry kibbles to provide a compromise. Aside from mixing their kibble, there are other ways you can use to make their meals more tolerable and appealing, especially for Yorkies that find it difficult to eat hard kibble due to tooth pain or tooth loss. Kibble can be soaked in warm water for about one or two minutes (this can be longer for Yorkies with few or no teeth). You can also lace their kibble with beef broth or low-sodium chicken to make it tastier. Many Yorkies also find warm meals more delicious than room-temperature, and most decline to eat cold meals. You can steam their meals inside the microwave while keeping in mind that small food generally requires between 10 to 20 seconds to warm up.
Manufactured vs. Homemade Dog Meals
Manufactured meals are one of the most popular staples of Yorkies. They are mostly preferred because they contain the correct percentage of vitamins and minerals your pet requires daily. However, most dog nutritionists oppose manufactured dog meals because of the presence of processed ingredients, preservatives, and fillers they contain.
Owners dissatisfied with manufactured meals can take advantage of homemade Yorkie foods. Homemade dog foods are highly coveted because they contain adequate fruits, fats, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates needed for a dog’s diet. Your Yorkie’s ideal diet plan should contain at least 1/4 % of protein, and common sources include kidneys, livers, boiled chicken, lean hamburgers, fish, eggs, bison and venison, and organs. Fats should also make up 5% of their diet; a common fat source is meats.
Carbohydrates are an important energy source for your Yorkies and should make up at least half of your pet’s diet. Common sources of carbohydrates include potatoes, pasta, and brown and white rice. Fruits and vegetables are vital to your pet’s general well-being and should make up a tiny percentage of their diet. Examples of fruits and vegetables include mango, apples, green beans, carrots, spinach, raspberries, bananas, sweet peas, and beets. Alternatively, you can also include avocados and wheat germ oil in their foods to keep their coats shiny.
Vitamins and Minerals
Yorkshire terriers are notoriously popular for having more teeth challenges than other canine breeds. Tooth troubles are usually caused by the diet they consume, and a lack of proper vitamins and minerals can heighten their risk of tooth problems. Vitamin A and D and calcium are widely recommended because they aid in developing strong gums and teeth and help combat infections. Your Yorkie requires essential minerals: iron, copper, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, sodium, and iodine. These minerals and vitamins can be found in manufactured and homemade dog meals. You can also include supplements for optimal growth and well-being.
Foods You Shouldn’t Feed Your Yorkie
Yorkies are sensitive dog breeds and are allergic to certain kinds of foods, such as dairy, onions, chocolate, grapes, garlic, bread dough with yeast, cooked beans, nutmeg, corn, walnuts, macadamia nuts, sugar-free gum or candy, raw eggs, salt, raisins, and cat foods. These foods contain chemicals that can make your Yorkie sick and, in some circumstances, lead to a fall in blood sugar or fatal kidney failure.
Other components you need to avoid include the following:
- Chemical preservatives: These chemicals include carcinogens that can cause allergic reactions, like itching, skin rash, and hot spots.
- Fillers: These are cheap ingredients loaded into pet foods to increase their size. They contain no nutritional value and can cause intestinal distress and nutritional challenges.
- Generic oils and meats
- Artificial flavoring and coloring: These additives can cause severe allergic reactions and behavioral problems.
- By-products: These are added as cheap alternative sources of protein ratios. They include brains, lungs, tissues, and intestines unsuitable for dog consumption.
Conclusion
Your Yorkie’s ideal diet meal plan requires careful planning and consideration. The ideal meal features high-quality nutrients and balanced amounts of calories. Therefore, drafting a diet plan incorporating your pet’s weight and age is vital. Sticking to a healthy meal plan helps to avoid obesity while keeping your canine companion at optimal performance. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
