The 8 Best Dog Foods For Yorkie Puppies

Reviews

Nutro Complete Adult Dry Dog Food

Growing pups are voracious eaters. This is one of the reasons why it’s essential to choose the finest dog food for Yorkie pups for the money. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Dry Dog Food is palatable and meets the requirements.

This product contains a significant amount of fiber sources to prevent water loss in puppies by providing them with ample bulk. It also has an impressive array of nutritional additions.

The nutritional profile is adequate for pups that are growing. Due to the various dietary demands of smaller and larger breeds, we would want to see the food targeted more toward them.

It contains adequate levels of lipids and omega-3 fatty acids to maintain the suppleness of your Yorkie’s coat. We also appreciated that it is created in the United States, however, the serving size seemed excessive for a little dog.

Pros

• Produced in the U.S.A.
• Excellent fiber sources
• Excellent protein content
• Not made with wheat, corn, or soy.

Cons

• Larger size bag not available
• Not particularly developed for tiny breeds

 

Food for Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier

Blue Buffalo Lifeguard Formulation As a meal designed specifically for Yorkies and, presumably, other tiny breeds, Puppy Dry Dog Food receives good reviews.

This product is a wonderful addition to the manufacturer’s product range since it complements the manufacturer’s diverse dietary formulas. Considering the specific nutritional needs of this breed, the fat and protein content are more than sufficient.

The ingredient list appears limited in comparison to comparable goods. We are also uncertain if by-products are the best option. The nutritional profile seemed appropriate, however, we questioned the salt content in light of its relative position to the others.

We appreciated that the maker takes further measures to assure a high-quality product. Considering the few ingredients, we can’t help but question whether it’s tasteless.

Pros

• Designed to stop hypoglycemia
• Smaller size kibble for tiny puppies
• A by-product is a primary component.
• The manufacturer employs third-party quality control testing.

Cons

• Extremely costly in comparison to other brands.
• Omission of fruits and vegetables from the formulation

 

Diamond Naturals Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

The Diamond Naturals Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food is distinguished by its high protein content, which provides your puppy with a great nutritional foundation. It has one of the highest market percentages.

The majority comes from by-products as opposed to higher-quality sources. The ingredient list is not as transparent as we would want, as it contains a large number of unidentified, initially incomprehensible components.

At 31%, the protein content is high. However, the high-fat content makes us suspect digestion troubles for those with sensitive stomachs. We want to see uncooked foods, so the added taste is a red flag for us. There are probiotics in the diet, which may mitigate some of these detrimental effects.

Pros

• Excellent protein content
• Made by a family-owned business
• Primarily comprised of processed beef by-products.

Cons

• No little bag is available
• There is no unique formulation for tiny breeds
• Elevated fat content

 

The Hill’s Scientific Diet Dry Small Paws Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet created its Small Paws Dry Dog Food exclusively for the dietary needs of smaller breeds. This yields a product with enough levels of protein and fat that is good for developing pups. Amino acids are the fundamental components of proteins. Among the twenty present in nature, ten are needed since dogs can produce them themselves.

Hill’s Science Diet contains all of these nutrients. Nevertheless, many are derived from grains and plants. This makes the product more reasonably priced.

Dogs with delicate digestive systems may have difficulty metabolizing some of the components. The dispute of whether or not dogs are real carnivores persists. This dish contains fewer varieties than comparable goods.

Pros

• Designed for tiny dog breeds
• Excellent fat content for a plush coat
• Made in America
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Lack of available sizes
• High grain density
• Insufficient fruits and proteins

 

Blue Buffalo Life Dry Puppy Food

Nutritionally dense, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food. We enjoyed the inclusion of chicken, blueberries, and carrots on the ingredient list. The protein level exceeds industry standards for puppy food.

We also appreciated seeing brown rice and barley at the top of the list due to their high fiber content for developing puppies. At 398 calories per cup, it is nutrient-dense.

Several sources of fat contribute to caloric composition. At 16%, it is twice the minimum required by industry standards. It might be too rich for pets with delicate digestive systems.

The bundle contains valuable advice for easing the transition of your dog. We recommend carefully reviewing the complete ingredient list to avoid problems with components that your pet may find disagreeable.

Pros

• Not made with wheat, corn, or soy.
• Excellent protein content
• Exceed several of the minimal vitamin and mineral needs.
• Contains flaxseed and omega-3 fatty acids to promote a silky coat.

Cons

• Too expensive for some puppies.
• Expensive

 

Eukanuba Lamb & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food

For puppies who cannot eat beef, Eukanuba Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is a wonderful option. As key protein sources, the product comprises both lamb and chicken.

The protein and fat composition significantly exceed the minimal requirements. We particularly enjoyed how prominent rice is in its composition since it aids in the digestion of this nutrient-dense diet for pups.

On the negative, it’s pricey, especially considering the number of servings. Except for beet pulp, fruits and vegetables are noticeably lacking as providers of fiber and other minerals.

The meal has a complete complement of vitamins and minerals as additions to guarantee a balanced diet. We would choose a product designed for tiny dog breeds over one for all dogs.

Pros

• Food containing lamb for dogs allergic to beef
• Excellent protein content
• Rich in nutrients for developing pups

Cons

• Expensive
• Large suggested serving size
• Absence of fresh fruits and vegetables in the ingredients

Buyer's Guide

Important to remember about puppy feeds, in general, is that they differ from adult goods. The calorie and nutritional content vary.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes nutritional standards for pet food. For example, their rules stipulate that adult dog food should include 18% protein and 5% fat by volume. It is 22% and 8%, respectively, for pups. Additionally, only feed your puppy dog food, not cat food. The nutritional requirements of the two species vary.

Ingredients in Puppy Foods

Selecting a meal particularly prepared for smaller breeds is a fantastic first step toward a balanced diet. The difference resides in their biology and metabolism. Your Yorkie will develop faster than a Saint Bernard. Consequently, your dog need high-calorie diets to accommodate his unique development patterns.

Reading Labels on Pet Food

Due to the AAFCO’s monitoring, you may obtain a wealth of information to assist you to choose the best food for your Yorkie. The formulation of the product specifies the proportion of each element. If anything is labeled “All Chicken,” it is composed entirely of fowl. In contrast, a product with the label “Puppy’s Beef Food” contains 95% beef by weight.

There are also several pet meals with labels such as “Chicken Platter” and “Beef Entree.” These items must contain 25% by weight of the specified component. The words are particularly relevant if your dog has food allergies or intolerances. AAFCO also demands a declaration of assured analysis and nutritional adequacy.

Here you will find meals labeled according to their growth stage. Therefore, a meal labeled for pups gives appropriate nutrients for a dog of this age. Other information on the label includes:

• Any ingredients
• Feeding guidelines
• Energy per serving
• Name and address of the guarantor, or the person liable for the contents of the bag.

Category of Ingredients

This section of the label indicates the amount of protein, fat, fiber, and water in the dog food. In addition, ingredients will be listed from largest to smallest by weight.

What one sees is what one receives. Premium goods or so-called pet shop brands typically contain components of the greatest quality – for a fee. These foods have the added benefit of containing fewer filler substances.

On the label, you will frequently notice by-products, different types of meals, and extra nutrients. While it is true that by-products sometimes contain organ meats, this is not always a bad thing for your dog.

Numerous nutrient-rich components make these dishes a healthier option for your Yorkie. Rest assured that the AAFCO and FDA have designed these regulations with your pet’s safety in mind.

Concerns Regarding Yorkshire Terrier

Similarly, Yorkies require a diet that meets their health requirements. Due to the susceptibility of this breed to major health difficulties, selecting the proper diet is vital.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a common problem among puppies, particularly toy breeds such as Yorkies. This condition arises when a person consumes more calories than they consume from eating.

The symptoms are comparable to those observed in humans. Your dog may be sluggish and sleep more than normal. He may look fragile and uncharacteristic. Untreated, it can become life-threatening.

Fortunately, it may be avoided by consuming small, frequent meals. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America suggests feeding them three to four meals each day. Also, ensure that there is an abundance of clean water accessible. This will help him digest it more quickly and maintain consistent energy levels.

Gum Disorder

The oral health of Yorkies and other toy breeds is an additional issue. The greatest technique to avoid gum disease in pets is to wash their teeth. In addition to brushing your puppy’s teeth, you can also provide them dental snacks and treats with the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance to keep their teeth clean.

Weight Management

Obesity is, of course, an issue for all pets. These additional pounds might raise your Yorkie’s chance of developing diabetes and other chronic diseases. It can also exacerbate other issues, such as luxating patellas. Even as a puppy, it is essential to adhere to a suitable feeding schedule in order to build positive habits that will improve the quality of life.

However, the worry is reciprocal. A pet that is underweight is also susceptible, especially if its nutritional needs are not being met. It can also raise the likelihood of hypoglycemia in your dog.

We recommend keeping track of your puppy’s weight throughout these crucial weeks. Depending on their amount of activity, animals’ metabolisms might differ. Use the serving size recommendation as a reference.

Conclusion

Choosing the proper diet for your Yorkie puppy is a crucial factor to consider. It is the greatest approach to guarantee that he receives a balanced diet to promote healthy growth. As we’ve seen, there is a great deal of variety among these items. The most important lesson is to provide your puppy with items suited to his life stage as a smaller breed. Thus, you may be comfortable that he is meeting his specific nutritional requirements.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hope that our guide has equipped you with the knowledge necessary to make choices for the best dog foods for Yorkie puppies.