Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Facts & Characteristics

When choosing food for a Yorkshire Terrier, there are many factors to consider: their age, lifestyle, activity level, physiological condition, and health, including potential sickness or sensitivities. Food provides energy to cover a dog’s vital functions, and a complete nutritional formula should contain an adjusted balance of nutrients to avoid any deficiency or excess in their diet, both of which could have adverse effects on the dog. The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your dog has health problems, please consult your veterinarian who will prescribe an exclusive veterinary diet. Clean and fresh water should be available at all times to support your Yorkshire Terrier’s urinary health. In hot weather and especially when out exercising, bring water along for your dog’s frequent water breaks.

Similarly, a puppy’s teeth – starting with the milk teeth, or first teeth, then the permanent teeth – are an important factor that needs to be taken into account when choosing the size, shape, and texture of kibble. This growth phase also means high energy needs, so the food must have a high energy content (expressed in Kcal/100g of food), while concentrations of all other nutrients will also be higher than normal in a specially formulated growth food. Maintaining the health of their long and silky coat requires nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (EPA-DHA), omega-6 fatty acids, borage oil, and biotin. It is recommended to split the daily allowance into three meals a day until they are six months old, then to switch to two meals per day.

A Yorkshire Terrier puppy’s requirements, in terms of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins, are much greater than those of an adult dog. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their body, but also to grow and build it. Until they are 10 months old, a Yorkshire Terrier puppies’ immune system develops gradually. A complex of antioxidants - including vitamin E - can help support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries, and new encounters. Their digestive functions are different from an adult Yorkshire Terrier’s, too: their digestive system is not mature yet so it’s important to provide highly digestible proteins that will be effectively used. A balanced intake of fibres, such as psyllium, can help facilitate intestinal transit and prebiotics (FOS) can support digestive health and balance of intestinal flora, which contributes to good stool quality.

Throughout their life, it is important to avoid feeding your Yorkshire Terrier human foods or fatty snacks. Instead, reward them with kibble taken from their meal allowance in order to prevent excessive weight gain.

The main nutritional goals for adult Yorkshire Terriers are:

Preserving the health and beauty of the skin and coat with the enriched provision of essential fatty acids (omega-3 - EPA-DHA - and omega-6), borage oil, and biotin.

Satisfying their fussy appetite. The size of the kibbles should be very small and adapted to the miniature jaw of Yorkshire Terriers in order to avoid problems with picking up food. Combined with great aromas and flavours, this will help stimulate their finicky appetite.

Maintaining an ideal body weight by using highly digestible ingredients and keeping the fat content at a sensible level.

Maintaining a healthy digestive system. A diet formulated with a balanced intake of fibres, to help facilitate intestinal transit, and with highly digestible proteins contributes to good stool quality.

For Yorkshire Terriers living mainly indoors, because of reduced activity, it is important to strictly follow the feeding guidelines written on the package in order to prevent excessive weight gain and to do so for sterilised Yorkshire Terriers as neutering is a factor for overweight dogs.

After 8 years old, Yorkshire Terriers start facing the first signs of ageing. A diet enriched with antioxidants helps maintain vitality, and key nutrients, such as taurine, help support good cardiac function. Ageing is also accompanied by the modification of digestive capacities and particular nutritional requirements, so food for ageing Yorkshire Terriers should have the following characteristics:

Higher vitamin C and E content. These nutrients have antioxidant properties, helping to support the body’s cells against the harmful effects of the oxidative stress linked to ageing.

Highly digestible proteins, a blend of prebiotics and fibres to help promote a balanced intestinal flora and optimal stool quality.

An adapted phosphorous content to help slow down the gradual deterioration of kidney function

A higher proportion of the trace elements iron, zinc, and manganese to help maintain good condition of the skin and coat

A higher quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) to maintain the quality of the coat. Dogs can normally produce these fatty acids, but ageing can affect this physiological process.

As they age, dogs increasingly suffer from teeth problems. To ensure they continue to eat in sufficient quantities, the size, shape, and texture of their kibble needs to be tailored to their jaw. Kibble may be softened with warm water which can bring out the aroma and allow for easier eating. A formula that contains calcium chelators will support dental health by helping to reduce tartar formation.