How many times a day should I feed my Yorkshire terrier?

Two to three smaller meals a day generally suits this breed better than one large one, because their small size means they cannot store much energy between meals. Puppies usually need to stay on three or more meals for longer than a larger breed would.

Why do Yorkies need small breed food specifically?

Small and toy breed foods use a kibble sized for a smaller jaw and pack more calories into a smaller volume, since a Yorkshire terrier needs a lot of energy relative to how little they can physically eat in one sitting. A kibble made for a large dog is harder for them to chew properly.

Is it true that small breeds like Yorkies can develop low blood sugar?

Yes, toy breed hypoglycaemia is a recognised risk, particularly in puppies and very small adults, if a meal is missed or delayed. Regular, frequent meals are the main way owners manage this, and a dog who seems unusually weak, wobbly or drowsy should be seen by a vet promptly.

My Yorkie is a fussy eater — should I keep changing food?

It is worth resisting the urge to switch foods every time they turn their nose up, since that can teach a dog to hold out for something better. Stick with a suitable complete food, introduce any genuine change gradually, and speak to your vet if the fussiness comes with weight loss or lasting disinterest in food.

Yorkshire terrier feeding guide

Yorkshire terriers do best on a complete dry or wet food sized for toy breeds, split into two or three small meals a day rather than one large one. Their tiny stomachs and fast metabolism mean they cannot store much energy at once, and puppies in particular are at real risk of a blood sugar dip if a meal is skipped or delayed.

Why portion size and frequency matter more than the recipe

A fully grown Yorkshire terrier typically weighs only a few kilograms, which means their daily food allowance is small in absolute terms even though it needs to be nutritionally complete. Splitting that allowance across two or three meals rather than one keeps their blood sugar steadier through the day than a single large bowl would.

This matters most in puppies and very small adult Yorkies, where toy breed hypoglycaemia — a drop in blood sugar that can leave a dog wobbly, weak or unusually quiet — is a recognised risk if a meal is missed or delayed. Feeding little and often, and keeping to a routine, is the single most protective habit for this breed.

Reading the bag: what actually matters for a toy breed

Look for a complete food labelled for small or toy breeds, since the kibble size is shaped for a small jaw and the calorie density is calculated for a dog that needs a lot of energy in a small volume of food. A kibble sized for a large breed is harder for a Yorkie to manage and easier to gulp without chewing.

Check the life stage on the front of the bag matches your dog — puppy, adult or senior — because the balance of protein, fat and calcium is different at each stage. A Yorkshire terrier's small size does not mean their nutritional needs are simpler than a bigger dog's; if anything, the margin for error is smaller.

Common feeding issues in the breed

Fussy eating is common in Yorkies, and switching foods constantly in response to it usually makes the problem worse rather than better, since it teaches a dog that holding out gets them something new. Introduce any change gradually over several days, mixing the new food in with the old.

Dental crowding is also common in small and toy breeds, because a full set of adult teeth is fitted into a much smaller jaw than in larger dogs. Kibble with a texture designed to scrape the tooth as it is chewed, alongside a dental chew now and then, is worth building into the routine rather than treating teeth as separate from feeding.

Feeding kit

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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.

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Beaphar No-Brush Toothgel with Enzymes for Cats & Dogs

Beaphar no-brush tooth gel for cats and dogs, with liver flavour and an enzyme formula in a 100g tube

£7.34

Beaphar Lactol Milk Replacer for Puppies

A milk replacer for newborn and orphaned puppies, and for nursing or recovering dogs

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Beaphar Toothpaste

Beaphar liver-flavour toothpaste for cats and dogs, a 100g enzyme formula free from fluoride and xylitol

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Common questions

How many times a day should I feed my Yorkshire terrier?: Two to three smaller meals a day generally suits this breed better than one large one, because their small size means they cannot store much energy between meals. Puppies usually need to stay on three or more meals for longer than a larger breed would.
Why do Yorkies need small breed food specifically?: Small and toy breed foods use a kibble sized for a smaller jaw and pack more calories into a smaller volume, since a Yorkshire terrier needs a lot of energy relative to how little they can physically eat in one sitting. A kibble made for a large dog is harder for them to chew properly.
Is it true that small breeds like Yorkies can develop low blood sugar?: Yes, toy breed hypoglycaemia is a recognised risk, particularly in puppies and very small adults, if a meal is missed or delayed. Regular, frequent meals are the main way owners manage this, and a dog who seems unusually weak, wobbly or drowsy should be seen by a vet promptly.
My Yorkie is a fussy eater — should I keep changing food?: It is worth resisting the urge to switch foods every time they turn their nose up, since that can teach a dog to hold out for something better. Stick with a suitable complete food, introduce any genuine change gradually, and speak to your vet if the fussiness comes with weight loss or lasting disinterest in food.

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.