The best dog food for a shorkie
A shorkie, the shih tzu and Yorkshire terrier cross, does best on a complete small-breed food with kibble sized for a genuinely small mouth, since this is a tiny dog with the calorie needs and dental crowding risk typical of both parent breeds. Portion control matters here too, because a small dog gains weight quickly relative to their size.
Feeding a Shorkie
A toy breed
An adult Shorkie typically weighs 3–7 kg, so a healthy Shorkie eats a small amount — often under 100g of dry food a day compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A toy breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 11–16 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
How much should a Shorkie weigh?
Adult 3–7 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.5–1.3 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.9–2.1 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.8–4.1 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 3–7 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a toy breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Shorkie
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Shorkie's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
A small dog with small-breed needs
Shorkies are typically only around 15 to 20cm at the shoulder and a few kilograms in weight fully grown, which means their calorie requirements are quite different from a medium or large breed of the same age. A food labelled specifically for small or toy breeds is usually the better fit, both in nutrient balance and in kibble size.
Because a shorkie is so small, even a modest amount of extra food or treats each day represents a larger share of their total calories than it would for a bigger dog, so weighing out portions rather than free-pouring is worth the small extra effort.
Dental health needs attention
Both shih tzus and Yorkshire terriers are prone to dental crowding and tartar build-up, and a shorkie typically inherits that same tendency. Small kibble that encourages some chewing, alongside a dental chew a few times a week, is a sensible everyday habit to build in early.
Regular tooth brushing where your dog will tolerate it, or a consistent dental chew routine where they will not, both help manage a risk that is genuinely common in small breeds like this one.
What to check on the label
Look for a food that states it is complete, suitable for small or toy breeds, and gives a feeding guide based on adult weight rather than a single flat portion. A named protein source, rather than a vague blend, is also easier to track if you ever need to identify a reaction.
If your shorkie is a fussy eater, which is not unusual for small, single-owner-focused dogs, a wet food or a mix of wet and dry can help, provided the wet option is also complete and appropriately portioned.
Common questions
- How much should I feed a shorkie?
- Follow the feeding guide on the specific small-breed food you use, based on your dog's current weight, since a shorkie's small size means overfeeding shows up quickly. Your vet can help set a target if your dog is gaining weight.
- Do shorkies have dental problems?
- They can be prone to dental crowding and tartar build-up, inherited from both the shih tzu and Yorkshire terrier side of the cross. Regular brushing or a dental chew routine is worth starting early rather than waiting for a problem to appear.
- What size kibble is right for a shorkie?
- A small or toy-breed kibble size is generally easier and more comfortable for a shorkie to eat than a standard-sized kibble, which can be awkward for such a small jaw to manage.
- Are shorkies prone to being fussy eaters?
- Small breeds that are closely bonded to one household can sometimes be fussier eaters, and shorkies are no exception. A consistent routine and appropriately portioned wet or mixed feeding can help if your shorkie is reluctant with dry food alone.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.