How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Yorkie Puppies
Yorkshire Terrier puppies are so adorable that it is almost impossible to resist their charms. With their sweet, angelic faces and silky hair, they make the perfect lap dogs; always ready for an affectionate cuddle.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed whose primary purpose was always that of a cherished family companion. The breed bonds deeply to its family but can be aloof and standoffish with strangers.
Small of size, the Yorkie is big of heart. The breed is well-renowned for having attitude, believing itself to be much larger than it actually is. This trait can lead the Yorkie into mischief and even harm’s way.
Yorkies are very vocal dogs; enjoying the sound of their own voice. They take great pleasure in barking to announce the presence of strangers or even upon hearing an unusual sound.
The Yorkshire Terrier does require daily exercise to remain physically and mentally well. But moderation is the key for the Yorkie puppy. A gentle walk of average length will do.
A breed not prone to becoming overweight, it is still important to avoid free feeding the Yorkshire Terrier puppy. To maintain excellent health, it is best to measure all food and monitor intake carefully.
The best dog foods for Yorkshire Terrier puppies contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. In addition to this, it is important for owners to select a diet that has the right proportions of calcium to phosphorus to support a healthy rate of growth. Experts agree that this amount is 1.2 parts of calcium to each part of phosphorus.
The Yorkshire Terrier puppy can be plagued by dental problems, so extra care must be devoted to its teeth. A dog food which contains textured kibble pieces will help keep tartar at bay.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Yorkie Puppies
Yorkshire Terrier puppies require a well-balanced diet to thrive. Determining the correct calorie count of this food can be challenging. Thankfully, the suggested serving sizes found on the bag provide an excellent place to start. Adjustments can be made based on the puppy’s age, weight, and activity level until the correct portion is found.
The best dog foods for Yorkshire Terrier puppies should always be measured to prevent weight gain from occurring. All intake should be regularly monitored as well.
Dietary Requirements for Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Foods
Because Yorkshire Terrier puppies are carnivores, they require a diet based on meat to thrive. The best dog foods for Yorkshire Terrier puppies are based on a lean whole meat or meat meal. By-products are not of sufficient quality to meet the needs of this developing pup. Other things to avoid in a food for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy are soy, corn, and wheat as well as additives, preservatives, chemicals, fillers, artificial flavors, and colors.
Carbohydrates are included in a lesser role in the Yorkshire Terrier puppy’s diet, but they are still rather important for well-rounded nutrition. These can come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. For puppies who have expressed sensitivities to grains, a grain-free formulation may be preferable. The main priority of any carbohydrate in a food for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy is its amount of antioxidants and fiber as these nutrients support vital systems such as immunity and digestion.
Healthy fats help the Yorkshire Terrier puppy to have the support it needs for brain and vision development. Additionally, it is these nutrients that nurture coat and skin health. These are best obtained from animal sources such as oily fish or chicken fat; however, they can also be found in plant-based oils such as canola, coconut, or safflower.
It is always a good idea to consider a dog food that contains helpful supplements. The most beneficial supplements for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Yorkie Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Yorkshire Terrier puppy:
-
Lean meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
Whole meats or meat meals should be the first ingredient in any diet suited to the needs of the growing Yorkshire Terrier puppy. By-products, soy, corn, and wheat should all be avoided if possible. They are not nutritionally beneficial to the breed, and particularly, not to a puppy.
-
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to a growing Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Diet formulations which include any of these items are best avoided.
-
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements offer powerful benefits to growing puppies. The ideal ones to look for in a food for the young Yorkshire Terrier pup include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
-
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.