Best food for a Chorkie puppy
A Chorkie is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier, and puppies from this mix are typically tiny, often fully grown at only a few kilograms. That small size means they need a complete puppy food formulated for toy breeds, fed in small, frequent meals rather than the two-meals-a-day routine that suits a larger puppy.
Why toy breed sizing matters here
Both parent breeds are toy-sized, and a Chorkie puppy typically inherits that small frame along with a fast metabolism relative to their body size. A puppy food labelled for toy or small breeds uses a smaller kibble shaped for a tiny jaw and packs more calories into a smaller volume, which matters because a Chorkie physically cannot eat much at once.
A kibble sized for a medium or large breed puppy is genuinely harder for a dog this small to manage, both in terms of chewing it comfortably and in terms of getting enough calories into the small amount they can physically eat in one sitting.
Blood sugar and feeding frequency
Toy breed puppies, Chorkies included, are at real risk of hypoglycaemia — a drop in blood sugar — if a meal is skipped or delayed, because their tiny bodies can't store much energy reserve. Three or more small meals a day, kept to a consistent schedule, is the main way owners manage this risk in a puppy this size.
A puppy who seems unusually weak, wobbly, or sleepy, particularly around mealtimes, should be seen by a vet promptly, since this can be a sign their blood sugar has dropped and needs addressing quickly.
Dental crowding in small crosses
Both Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers are prone to dental crowding, where a full set of teeth is fitted into a very small jaw, and this tendency often carries through into a Chorkie. Starting good dental habits early — a kibble with a texture that helps clean teeth as it's chewed, and an appropriate dental chew once your puppy is old enough — is worth building in from the start rather than waiting for a problem to appear.
Regular checks of your puppy's mouth as their adult teeth come through are worth doing too, since crowding can sometimes mean baby teeth don't fall out on schedule and end up sitting alongside the adult tooth. This is something to flag to your vet at a routine appointment rather than something to try to assess or address yourself.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Long-Handled Silicone Pet Toothbrush
A food-grade silicone toothbrush with fine soft bristles on a long, paw-shaped handle that reaches back teeth comfortably. Gentle on gums and helps keep your pet's mouth fresh and clean.
£7.99
NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats
A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.
£14.99
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Pet Dental Cleaning Wipes (50 Pack)
A tub of 50 textured finger wipes that lift plaque and freshen breath for dogs and cats without a toothbrush. Slip one over your finger and wipe teeth clean for easy daily dental care.
£9.99
Pet Oral Spray for Dogs & Cats
A 100ml pet oral spray for dogs and cats that helps promote fresh breath and cleaner teeth. Simply spray onto teeth and gums - no brushing needed for daily oral care.
£8.99
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 Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
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 Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
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
Common questions
- How often should I feed a Chorkie puppy?
- Three or more small meals a day is generally recommended for toy breed puppies like Chorkies, since their tiny size means they can't store much energy between meals. Keeping to a consistent schedule matters more for a breed this small than it does for a larger puppy.
- Do Chorkies need a specific toy breed puppy food?
- Yes, this is generally a better fit than a standard or large breed puppy food, since toy breed recipes use a smaller kibble and a calorie density suited to a dog who eats very little in absolute terms. Check the packaging is labelled for toy or small breeds.
- Are Chorkie puppies prone to any particular health issues?
- Like both parent breeds, Chorkies can be prone to dental crowding and, as puppies, to blood sugar drops if meals are missed. Regular feeding and attention to dental care from an early age both help manage these tendencies.
- When can a Chorkie puppy move to adult food?
- This depends on their individual growth and is best confirmed with your vet, but toy breeds often reach adult size and can transition to adult food somewhat earlier than larger breeds do, typically once growth has clearly levelled off.
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.