Best dog food for a Yorkshire terrier
A Yorkshire terrier does best on a complete food made for small or toy breeds. Kibble size matters as much as the recipe, because a tiny mouth genuinely struggles with pieces sized for a much bigger dog. Beyond that, look for a food that supports dental health, since small breeds are more prone to tartar build-up, and one with enough energy density for a breed with a famously fast metabolism.
Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier
A toy breed
An adult Yorkshire Terrier typically weighs up to 3.2 kg, so a healthy Yorkshire Terrier 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 11–15 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 Yorkshire Terrier weigh?
Adult up to 3.2 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.6 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.9 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.9 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 3.2 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 Yorkshire Terrier
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Yorkshire Terrier'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
Why size matters for a small breed
A Yorkshire terrier's jaw and mouth are genuinely small, and a kibble piece designed for a much larger dog can be awkward or uncomfortable to chew, which sometimes puts dogs off eating properly. Small-breed formulas are shaped and sized with this in mind.
This isn't just a comfort issue. A dog who struggles with a kibble's size may swallow pieces whole rather than chewing them, which does less for dental health and can occasionally be a choking risk in a very small dog.
Energy needs and feeding frequency
Small breeds like the Yorkshire terrier have a faster metabolism relative to their size than larger dogs, and toy-breed puppies in particular can be prone to a drop in blood sugar if they go too long between meals. Regular, smaller meals rather than one or two large ones is generally the sensible approach, especially while they're young.
Your vet can advise on a feeding schedule suited to your individual dog's age and size, since the right frequency changes as a Yorkshire terrier grows from puppy to adult.
Dental health
Small breeds, Yorkshire terriers included, are more prone to dental tartar and crowded teeth than larger dogs, partly because of how their teeth are sized relative to their jaw. A food or kibble texture that supports some mechanical cleaning as they chew is a genuine benefit here, though it doesn't replace proper dental care.
Dental chews designed for small breeds are a useful addition between meals, but regular brushing and vet check-ups remain the more reliable way to manage dental health long term.
Picky eating and mixing food types
Yorkshire terriers have something of a reputation for being fussy eaters, and mixing a small amount of wet food into dry kibble is a common way owners make a meal more appealing without overhauling the whole diet.
If a normally good eater suddenly goes off their food, treat it as worth a vet check rather than assuming it's simply fussiness, since a genuine change in appetite can be an early sign of a dental or other health problem.
Common questions
- Do small dogs need a different food to big dogs?
- Yes, in practical terms. Small-breed formulas are shaped and sized for smaller mouths, and tend to be more energy-dense to suit a faster metabolism, both of which matter more than they might seem for comfortable eating.
- Why are Yorkshire terriers prone to dental problems?
- Their teeth are relatively large for the size of their jaw, which can lead to crowding and makes tartar build-up more likely. Regular brushing, dental chews and vet check-ups all help manage this over their lifetime.
- How often should a Yorkshire terrier puppy eat?
- Toy-breed puppies generally do best on several smaller meals a day rather than one or two large ones, partly to avoid a drop in blood sugar. Your vet can confirm the right schedule as your puppy grows.
- Can I mix wet and dry food for a Yorkshire terrier?
- Yes, many owners do this to make meals more appealing for a fussy eater. Introduce any change gradually and keep portions in line with what your vet or the pack guidance recommends for your dog's size.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
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.