The best treats for a Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are a tiny, toy-sized breed, so the treats that suit them best are small enough to avoid a choking risk and low enough in calories that a few a day do not add up to a big share of a small dog's daily needs. Dental-support treats are also worth building into the routine, since small breeds are prone to dental problems.
Size and calories matter more than for bigger dogs
A treat sized for a Labrador is genuinely too large for a Yorkie's small mouth and body, both as a choking risk and because it represents a much bigger share of a tiny dog's daily calorie needs than the same treat would for a larger breed. Look for treats specifically sized for small or toy breeds where possible.
Because Yorkies are so small, it is easy to overfeed treats without realising, since a handful that looks modest can be a meaningful chunk of a dog weighing only a few kilograms. Breaking larger treats into smaller pieces stretches a single treat further and keeps portions genuinely small.
Why dental chews are worth including
Small and toy breeds, Yorkies included, are particularly prone to dental problems, partly because their teeth are crowded into a small jaw. A dedicated dental chew, sized appropriately, gives some mechanical help keeping teeth cleaner between brushing, alongside proper dental care rather than instead of it.
Training treats, small and soft enough to give in quick succession, are also useful for a breed that responds well to frequent, small rewards during training, without the bulk of a biscuit-style treat.
Reading treat labels for a small dog
Check the calorie content per treat where it is given, since it varies more between treats than owners often expect, and a Yorkie's daily calorie allowance is small to begin with. Treats should generally make up a small fraction of a dog's daily food intake, whatever the breed.
Avoid anything with pieces large enough to be a choking risk, or anything very hard that could damage small, crowded teeth, and introduce any new treat gradually to check it agrees with your dog.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats Meat Variety
Meat-variety dog treat sticks, 20 per pack, under 30 kcal each, banded by dog weight
£2.75
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treats with Chicken
Pedigree Rodeo chicken twists with weekly limits for dogs over the stated weight
£2.75
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats with Fish
Pedigree Schmackos fish-flavour strips with daily dog-size allowances
£2.75
Hatchwell Advent Calendar for Dogs
A carob advent calendar for dogs, breakable into 4 pieces, made in GB
£3.00
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 90g
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Good Gut Health Treats
Grain-free chicken dog treats with ginger, chicory root and MOS
£2.45
Common questions
- What size treats are best for a Yorkshire Terrier?
- Small, bite-sized treats specifically made for small or toy breeds suit Yorkies best, both to avoid a choking risk and because they fit a tiny dog's much smaller daily calorie allowance. Larger treats can be broken into smaller pieces if needed.
- Are dental chews good for Yorkies?
- Yes, small and toy breeds are particularly prone to dental problems due to their crowded teeth, so a properly sized dental chew can help alongside regular brushing, though it is not a substitute for proper dental care.
- How many treats can I give my Yorkie a day?
- Treats should generally make up only a small fraction of a dog's total daily food intake, and this matters more for a tiny breed like the Yorkie, where it is easy to overfeed without realising. Check the calorie content on the pack and adjust their meals accordingly.
- Can Yorkies choke on treats easily?
- Their small mouths and throats make choking more of a risk with treats sized for larger dogs, so choosing genuinely small or toy-breed-sized treats, and supervising a new treat the first few times, is a sensible precaution.
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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.