What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier? Secrets and features of nutrition

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier? The digestive system of representatives of this breed is famous for its exactingness. The he alth and even life of a dog is directly dependent on its nutrition; poor-quality and inappropriate food will cause great harm to it. What should hosts know?

A few words about the breed

How to feed a Yorkshire terrier to give him many years of life? To begin with, it is worth understanding what this breed is. York is a decorative dog whose weight does not exceed 3.5 kg. On average, representatives weigh no more than 2.5 kg. Therefore, it is very difficult to make a diet in such a way that the dog's body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

The answer to the question of what to feed the Yorkshire Terrier directly depends on the temperament of the animal. One dog can be agile and playful. The other can be slow and phlegmatic. Due to differences in activity, experienced dog breeders advise choosing food on an individual basis. OK.

Newborns

What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier puppy that has just been born? As a rule, they are born very small, the weight of newborns rarely exceeds 120 grams. In the first two weeks, the responsibility to feed them rests entirely with the mother. It is important that puppies gain daily weight.

If a dog that has given birth does not have milk, you can use the milk formula that is sold at the pet store to feed the puppy. Of course, it is not necessary to buy it, you can make it yourself. This requires cow, sheep or goat milk. A boiled mashed stomach is added to it. The meal interval is 1-2 hours.

At the age of two weeks, you can gradually add fermented milk products to the diet - yogurt, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir.

1-2 months

What does a Yorkshire Terrier eat per month, how to feed a puppy? Already at this age, a representative of the breed begins to be transferred to an adult diet. The menu should contain a small amount of raw meat. It is important that the product is pre-frozen, this will help prevent worm infestation. Thawed meat can be twisted through a meat grinder or finely chopped. It is also necessary to scald it with boiling water.

At 1.5 months, boiled sea fish, boiled cereals, finely chopped boiled vegetables can be introduced into the diet of a Yorkie.

What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier puppy at 2 months? It depends on how the dog will eat in the future. If ait is planned to give the animal natural food, then the products remain the same. The frequency of meals can be reduced to four times a day. If the Yorkie will eat dry food, then it's time to start transferring him to it. Be sure to include dairy products in your diet.

3-4 months

What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier puppy at 3-4 months old? At this age, the animal should already be on dry food if it is planned to be fed dry food. Of course, you can only give him special brands that are intended specifically for puppies. Feeding is carried out three times a day. Food should not be left in a bowl, as this is fraught with overeating. At this age, dairy products can already be excluded. However, once a week it is necessary to treat the puppy with a raw egg.

Food will be natural? In this case, the puppy has access to all the foods that are present in the diet of an adult.

Number of feedings by age

How much to feed a Yorkshire Terrier once a day? It directly depends on how old he is. The approximate number of feedings by age is as follows:

• 0-2 months - 5-6 times;
• 2-4 months - 4-5 times;
• 4-6 months - 3-4 times;
• 6-10 months - 2-3 times;
• after 10 months - 2 times.

You need to pay attention to the ratio of products in the diet, it must be correct:

• proteins (meat, fish, cottage cheese) - 50%;
• vegetables and fruits - 25%;
• porridge – 25%.

How to feed a Yorkshire Terrier: meatand fish

Meat is the main element in the pet's diet. It can be offered raw to a Yorkie, but it is preferable to boil it. It is important that meat products do not contain fatty layers. The animal can be given beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit.

How to properly feed a Yorkshire Terrier, is it worth adding offal to the menu? It should be remembered that the liver, stomach, lung, heart must be given to the dog only in boiled form. They should not be considered as a substitute for meat. Offal is included in the menu only once a week.

Also, the animal will benefit from the addition of sea fish without stones, scales and entrails to the diet. In its raw form, this product should not be given to York, it must be boiled. It is better not to feed a pet with species that do not allow iron to be absorbed, for example, blue whiting, pollock. Fish is introduced into the diet approximately once a week.

Vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, herbs

What to feed a Yorkshire terrier, in addition to meat, offal and fish? The animal also needs vegetables, which must be served boiled. Carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini - such options are possible. It is better to add carrots to the diet in their raw form, finely grated and adding a few drops of vegetable oil. Yorkies are strongly discouraged from feeding potatoes.

Greens should also be present in the pet's diet. It is used in small quantities as an additive to the main product. Green onions, spinach, lettuce - all this can be a Yorkie.

What to feedYorkshire Terrier at home, does he need fruit? Yes, adding apples, melons, watermelons, bananas, pears to the diet will bring benefits to the dog. From time to time it is necessary to pamper the animal with dried fruits, which contain a large amount of potassium, manganese and iron. This will make up for the lack of important trace elements, and will positively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dairy products, eggs, cereals

How to feed a Yorkshire terrier at home, give a dog dairy products? Yes, as they are valuable sources of calcium. Cottage cheese, low-fat kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk must be present in the pet's diet. This is especially important in puppyhood, when the bones and teeth are being formed. The Yorkshire Terrier only needs milk for up to four months, after which it should be eliminated.

Porridge must be present in the dog's diet. They will supply the body with potassium and magnesium, as well as fill the need for B vitamins. Rice, oatmeal, buckwheat - you can feed your pet with such cereals.

Do Yorkies need eggs? The yolk should be offered twice a week to the dog. Protein is not recommended, as it can cause allergies.

What else do you need

What can I feed a Yorkshire terrier besides this? Olive or flaxseed oil should be included in the diet. This product is best added to vegetable mixes. The oil will saturate the dishes with amino acids, will promote the absorptionnutrients.

The dog must have constant access to clean and fresh drinking water.

The smallest

The above is about what should be in the diet of a representative of the standard breed. What to feed a Yorkshire terrier mini? The pet menu can include all the products described above.

The main task of the owner is to learn how to correctly determine the portion size. One tablespoon of food should be for every pound of weight. Let's say if a mini-York weighs 1.5 kg, he needs three tablespoons of provisions.

What not to do

There are foods that should not be included in the diet of the Yorkshire Terrier. Some of them can cause minor harm, others are not absorbed by the pet's body at all. So, what should you give up?

• S alt, sugar, pepper, all kinds of spices and seasonings - all this should not be used when preparing food for a Yorkie.
• Fish must be marine, freshwater pets cannot be fed.
• The Yorkshire Terrier is contraindicated for fatty meats. It is better to refuse pork and lamb belly.
• Sausages and smoked meats attract many pets, and Yorkies are no exception. Unfortunately, they are banned, as they are very harmful to the body, they are a source of cholesterol. The pet, in the diet of which they are present, is threatened by diseases of the kidneys, pancreas and other troubles.
• When choosing vegetables for a dog, you need to forevergive up turnips. Bloating can cause cabbage and legumes, they are poorly digested. Of the fruits, citrus fruits are under the strictest ban.
• Yorkshire Terrier is contraindicated in sweets that cause dermatitis and diarrhea. Also, the pet should not be given pasta, pastries, including bread. However, you can purchase special treats for pets at the pet store and occasionally include them in the diet as a reward.
• Meat, mushroom broths are too heavy for a tender stomach.
• Milk causes diarrhea in an adult pet, this product should only be given to puppies.
• York's stomach won't absorb raw protein.

Five basic prohibitions

Owners who are interested in what to feed the Yorkshire Terrier at home often make the same mistakes. So, what is strongly discouraged to do?

• Feast from the table. Charming Yorkies have no equal in the ability to beg for a forbidden piece. Chicken skin, sausage, chocolate - all this can harm a delicate stomach. In addition, the dog must remember that food is served to her in the designated place.
• Giving bones. Bird and fish bones are extremely dangerous for a pet, they lead to intestinal perforation.
• Forcing you to eat. The Yorkshire Terrier must decide for himself whether he is hungry. If the dog wanted to arrange a fasting day, this does not yet indicate he alth problems, poor he alth. Force-feeding can be a sourcepsychological trauma.
• Overfeed. A pet does not know how to stop in time. The result can be oversaturation, which leads to obesity. This will negatively affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs. The absence of obesity is evidenced by the fact that the ribs are felt on palpation.
• Zeal with vitamins. If the Yorkshire Terrier eats natural products, nutritional supplements should definitely be introduced into his diet. It is only important to use a reasonable amount of vitamins.

Important rules

What else should Yorkshire Terrier owners be aware of? Feeding tips are given below.

• You can not abruptly transfer a dog that is used to eating ready-made food to natural food. This should take at least two weeks.
• New products are introduced to the pet menu gradually.
• Natural food and ready-made dry food should not be mixed.
• Don't feed your Yorkie meals that are prepared for family members. Dog food is prepared separately and no s alt or spices are used.
• York food should not be too hot or cold. It's great if it's at room temperature.
• Porridge cannot be boiled in broth.

Dry food

Which food is better is a question that has been the subject of debate among veterinarians for several years now. How to feed a Yorkshire Terrier at home, how to choose between natural food and dry food? What are the advantages and disadvantages of prepared food?

The positive features of dry food include the lack of time spent on cooking. Pet food is simply purchased at the store and poured into a bowl, no additional manipulations are required. Food can be purchased with a margin, you do not need to constantly go for it. In addition, a pet is less likely to need vitamin supplements, since they are already included. However, along with useful trace elements and vitamins, the dog inevitably receives a certain proportion of preservatives. First of all, this concerns cheap feed.

The main advantage of natural nutrition is the natural composition. The owner can be sure that the pet's diet does not contain a variety of chemicals that can harm the delicate body. Natural food is easy to adjust, while dry food cannot boast of diversity, it has the same composition. However, the diet is compiled "by eye", and therefore the dog may not receive certain trace elements and vitamins. In addition, constant cooking requires a significant amount of time.

Which food to choose

What food to feed the Yorkshire Terrier? Pet owners have the following options.

• Economy class. The main advantage of such nutrition is its affordable cost, it consists of bone meal and proteins. Unfortunately, these feeds contain a minimum amount of useful elements. Prolonged feeding of them will negatively affect the he alth of the animal.
• Custom class. These foods are acceptable.in terms of cost, have a rich composition. However, it should be borne in mind that they contain a lot of artificial additives that can lead to allergies and are addictive.
• Premium class. It is these foods that are suitable for the Yorkshire Terrier, whose body is distinguished by its exactingness in food. The finished product contains all important trace elements and vitamins. Unfortunately, it has a significant drawback - the high cost.

Brands preferred by experienced cynologists are on everyone's lips. MeraDog, Proplan, Hills, Royal Canin are the names of popular brands. In the range of species for small breeds in certain periods of life. You can choose food for puppies of different ages, adults, old dogs and so on.