Yorkies might be small but they have big personalities. Their feisty and playful attitude just means that they need an excellent source of energy. With this, I reviewed many products to find the best food for Yorkies. Here, I created a roundup of 5 top picks to help you choose the right formula.
| YORKIE DOG FOOD | DOG FOOD BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill’s Science Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies | 
| Check Price |
| Wellness Complete Health Natural Small Breed Puppy Food | 
| Check Price |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Small Breeds |
| Check Price |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Dog Food |
| Check Price |
| Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food |
| Check Price |
To rank these products, I looked at the ingredients, nutrition, kibble size, life stage, and flavor. Check which one suits your doggo well.
MY TOP PICK: Hill’s Science Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies
Product Name: Hill’s Science Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies
Product Description: My top pick for this roundup is Hill’s Science Dry Dog Food for Small Breeds. This is a chicken meal with barley and brown rice. It has a high-quality protein that will help build lean muscles for Yorkie puppies. In fact, this is formulated for small and mini pups. Each serving of this dog food contains 24.5% protein, 15.5% fat, 3% fiber, and 10% of moisture. It’s also rich in Vitamins C and E as well as DHA that supports brain development among puppies. This Hill’s Science dog food also has the right balance of minerals for healthy teeth and bones. There’s also added antioxidants that will boost the immunity of toy and miniature canines. Other ingredients of this dog food include whole grain, sorghum, beet pulp, chicken fat, fish oil, brown rice, chicken liver, and pearled barley. There are also superfoods like carrots, apple, broccoli, and cranberries. Just take note that it also has small amounts of corn and soybean oil.
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Formula Quality
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Flavor
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Ingredients
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Kibble Quality
Overall
Summary
This is a new formulation of the same product. It has more whole grains than the previous recipe.
I’ve contacted some pet owners who gave it to their doggos and many are pleased with the results. They said that their pooches have a better appetite and firmer stool. Still, there are some who said that it didn’t help their pet recover from skin issues. Each dog is unique.
Overall, I can say that this is good food for Yorkie pups with sensitive tummies. It’s indicated in the formula that it’s made for muscle and bone development. If you’re looking for a pup food that will help your pooch’s coat problems, consider my next pick.
Pros
✔️No by-products
✔️Rich in whole grains
✔️Packed with DHA
✔️Contains antioxidants, Vitamins C+E
Cons
❌The corn and soybean oil content can raise allergy issues to some dogs
Wellness Complete Health Natural Small Breed Puppy Food
The smaller kibble size makes it easy for pups to munch it. The tasty turkey flavor will also entice the appetite of picky eaters.
Among the ingredients of Wellness Complete include chicken, blueberries, spinach, flaxseed, salmon oil, tomatoes, peas, brown rice, carrots, apples, and sweet potato. It’s a powerhouse recipe rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Each serving contains 28% of protein, 19% of fat, 4.25% of fiber, and 10% moisture. There’s also 1.5% of calcium and a healthy balance of phosphorus, DHA, Vitamins A, C and E, and Omega fatty acids.
This is free from corn, soy, wheat, by-products, and artificial colorants. With this, even pups with allergies will have a nourishing meal. Just remember that this formula is best for pups of up to 12 months only.
Overall, this formula supports digestive, coat, eye, and dental health. The nutrient-dense formula also boosts the immune system of the pooch.
Another thing that I love the most about this dog food is its satisfaction guarantee. If you and your dog aren’t happy with the food, you can send the unused portion back to the place of purchase. You’ll receive a replacement or a full refund.
I saw comments of pet owners and they love how Wellness Complete improved the health of their dog’s coat. The bag also stays fresh with the resealable lock.
✔️Grain-free
✔️Contains superfoods
✔️No meat by-products
✔️Smelly and flavorful
❌Tends to give some dogs a mild case of flatulence
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Small Breeds
The main ingredient of the kibble is chicken blended with brown rice. It’s a healthy combination of protein and carbs together with some fiber.
In fact, each serving of this dog food contains 26% of protein, 15% of fat, 4% of fiber, and 10% of moisture. Included in the ingredients are blueberries, brown rice, cranberries, sweet potato, flaxseed, and carrots.
Like the Wellness Complete recipe, this Blue Buffalo dog food is free from wheat, soy, corn, and meat by-products.
Since this is made for small breeds, this dog food has higher levels of carbohydrates and protein. It also contains glucosamine for joint health as well as small-bite kibbles to reduce tartar buildup.
The chelated minerals in this dog food let your Yorkie absorb more nutrients fast and easy. It’s also rich in antioxidants that will keep your pooch away from common diseases.
Another thing: this dog food has very small amounts of garlic. Generally, garlic is toxic to dogs. Upon checking with my dog’s vet, he told me that very small amounts can be beneficial for canines.
My only gripe is the mild chemical smell from the bag. I think it has something to do with the LifeSource bits since it’s a concentration of vitamins and chemicals.
✔️LifeSource Bits
✔️Grain-free
✔️Zero meat by-products
✔️Small-bite kibbles to reduce tartar buildup
❌Some dogs don’t find the LifeSource bits appealing (it’s still healthy, though)
Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Dog Food
However, I noticed that this has a lot of grains like whole corn and soybean. Although many Yorkies thrive in this dog food, I don’t recommend it to pooches with allergies and sensitive stomachs.
The consolation here, though, is it doesn’t have by-products or fillers. Also, all the ingredients are sourced in the U.S. under strict standards.
Every serving of this dog food contains 26% of protein, 16% of fat, 4% of fiber, and 10% of moisture. This food also has a balance of Omega fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and Vitamins A, C, and E. I can say that this formula is perfect for adult doggos.
Some pet owners complained about molds so I personally purchase a bag to see for myself. I didn’t encounter molds and the kibble seems to be crunchy and fresh. However, my only gripe is that the bag isn’t resealable. It’s probably the reason why mold tends to grow on the food. If possible, transfer this into a sealed canister.
Many pet owners that I’ve talked with have said that their pets have firmer stools and less gas. For such an affordable price, this is already a decent recipe.
✔️Made with farm-raised chicken
✔️High protein content
✔️Promotes better digestion
❌Contains corn and soy
Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Among the highly nutritious ingredients of this Nutro food includes whole grain oats, brown rice, sunflower oil, pumpkin, kale, spinach, blueberries, carrots, and apples. Overall, there are 15 superfoods in this dog food.
Each serving of this dog food contains 27% of protein, 13% of fat, 4% of fiber, and 10% of moisture. It also has an excellent balance of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins A and E. Also, it’s infused with chondroitin sulfate and Omega fatty acids for better joints and coat health.
This is free from by-products, corn, soy, wheat, and any GMO food items. My dog really loves this food and I never notice any problems. For a senior doggo, this is the perfect formula in my opinion.
I also like the small bite kibbles since it’s easy even for mini canines to chew. The edges are smooth and my little pooch can easily gobble it down. Based on my research, this is a new formula for the same product. Others say that something has changed and that their dogs no longer like it.
✔️Packed with 15 superfoods
✔️Contains chondroitin
✔️3 protein sources: chicken, lamb, and salmon
✔️Tasty flavor
❌Not the ideal choice for picky doggos
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Yorkie Nutritional Needs
Here’s a short break down of a Yorkie’s nutritional needs:
*Protein
Yorkies need around 30% to 40% protein in their meals. This should come from meat and with a small amount from grains. Just like any dog, Yorkies aren’t supposed to eat a plant-based diet.
You can choose from protein sources like lamb, chicken, salmon, turkey, and ocean fish. You can also pair it with flaxseeds and other protein-rich grains.
*Fats
Yorkies are small dogs so they don’t need too much fat. The amount should be balanced between the calorie and carb requirements of your specific doggo. Always aim to have high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and the right amount of Omega-6. Of the two, Omega-3 is more difficult to find.
*Carbohydrates
It’s best to limit the carb source of your Yorkie on whole grains and complex carbs. It includes barley, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and peas. As much as possible, avoid corn, soy, and other simple carbs.
*Moisture
For small breeds, dehydration is a major threat to their life. Always choose food with added moisture. Dry dog food usually has 10% moisture so it’s important that you keep bowls of water available in multiple areas of your home.
Yorkie Dog Food Buying Guide
When shopping for your Yorkie’s food, always consider the following points.
*Ingredients
Always opt for fish, lamb, turkey, or chicken. These have high protein content with lower allergic tendencies. Avoid by-products since it’s more difficult to digest.
For the carbohydrate source, choose a few that contains fiber so it’s less likely to upset the stomach.
If possible, choose a LID formulation or Limited Ingredient Diet, much so for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
*Small breed formula
This is very important since small breed formulas have the right balance of minerals, vitamins, protein content, and calories. A large breed formula might cause intestinal problems and overgrowth to small doggos.
*Kibble size
When it comes to Yorkies, always choose a dog food with a small kibble size. A fine-edged kibble that doesn’t crumble easily is a good choice. Still, the kibble should be crunchy or soft enough for the small teeth of Yorkies.
*Joint support
As a small breed, Yorkies are prone to joint problems when they exert too much physical force. You can help them by giving dog food rich in glucosamine and chondroitin.
*Coat health
Yorkies are iconic due to their silky coat. To keep the luster of their coat, always look for food rich in Omega fatty acids.
*Grain-free or not?
There’s a misconception to newbie pet owners that grains are bad for their dogs. However, whole grains are actually good sources of healthy fats, fiber, and carbs. It’s a matter of choosing which one actually healthy for your dog. The key here is knowing if your Yorkie has allergies or intolerances to some food items.
Conclusion
The best food for Yorkies should always contain excellent sources of protein, fats, carbs, and fiber. Although there are many options in the market, the five picks I have here are some of the best. Just make sure that it suits what your dog actually needs.
