A feeding guide for Morkie puppies and adults
A Morkie is a Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier cross, and it is one of the smallest crossbreeds you are likely to feed, which changes the practical advice more than the ingredients do: frequent small meals matter more here than for almost any other breed, portions are genuinely tiny in absolute terms, and toy-breed puppies in particular need feeding little and often rather than on the schedule a larger puppy would follow.
Why toy-breed puppies need frequent meals
Very small breed puppies, Morkies included, have a fast metabolism and very little stored energy reserve relative to their size, which is why feeding guides for toy breeds generally call for more frequent, smaller meals than a medium or large breed puppy needs at the same age. Long gaps between meals are more of a concern for a puppy this size than for a bigger dog.
As a Morkie grows into adulthood, meals can be spaced out a little more, but even adult toy breeds generally do better on two or three meals a day than on one large one, given how small their stomachs stay throughout life.
Portions that look small because they genuinely are
The daily amount on a feeding chart for a dog this size will look tiny compared with what a larger breed eats, and that is correct rather than a sign of underfeeding — a Morkie's whole body weight can be a fraction of a medium breed's daily food portion. Weighing food on a small kitchen scale rather than guessing by eye avoids the easy mistake of overfeeding a dog this size without realising it.
Training treats matter more here than for a larger dog too, simply because the daily food total is so small that a few treats can represent a meaningful share of it. Breaking treats into smaller pieces than the packet suggests helps keep the day's total food genuinely proportionate to the dog.
Checking it's working
Weigh a Morkie puppy regularly and move up the feeding chart's weight bands as they grow, the same as with any small breed. Once they reach adulthood, checking body condition by feel — ribs covered by a thin layer rather than easily visible or impossible to find — is a better ongoing guide than sticking rigidly to one number.
A Morkie who seems unusually lethargic, especially as a young puppy, or who is reluctant to eat at a normal mealtime, is worth checking with a vet promptly rather than waiting, since very small breed puppies have less of a buffer if a meal is missed than larger puppies do.
Feeding kit
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Beaphar Lactol Milk Replacer for Puppies
A milk replacer for newborn and orphaned puppies, and for nursing or recovering dogs
From£20.23
Common questions
- How often should a Morkie puppy eat?
- More frequently than a larger breed puppy, typically four small meals a day at a young age, dropping gradually as they grow. Toy breeds have a fast metabolism and little stored energy, so long gaps between meals matter more for a Morkie than for a bigger dog.
- Why does my Morkie's feeding chart show such a small amount?
- Because the dog itself is very small. A Morkie's total body weight is a fraction of a medium breed's, so the correct daily food amount is genuinely tiny by comparison, not a sign the guide is wrong or that the dog is underfed.
- Do treats matter more for a Morkie than a bigger dog?
- Yes. Because the daily food total is so small to begin with, a handful of treats can represent a meaningful share of it. Breaking treats into smaller pieces and counting them within the day's total helps keep portions proportionate for a dog this size.
- When should I be worried about my Morkie puppy not eating?
- Promptly if it happens at a normal mealtime, more so than you might worry about a larger puppy. Toy breed puppies have less of an energy buffer if a meal is skipped, so a vet visit is worth arranging sooner rather than waiting to see if appetite returns.
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.