What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier
A Yorkshire Terrier's small size and tiny mouth matter more to their diet than almost anything else — most adult Yorkies weigh under 3.2kg, and a food built for a Labrador simply does not suit them, whatever the ingredients list says. A small-breed complete food, fed in measured portions across two or three meals, is the starting point for most Yorkies.
Why kibble size and shape matter
Yorkshire Terriers have small jaws and are prone to dental problems, so kibble sized for a large breed is genuinely harder for them to eat comfortably and chew properly. Small-breed formulas are shaped and sized specifically for smaller mouths, which also encourages more chewing rather than gulping food whole.
Because Yorkies also have a faster metabolism relative to their tiny size than a larger dog, small-breed formulas are typically more calorie-dense per gram, which means the actual portion looks smaller than you might expect for the number of calories your dog needs.
Portion size and meal frequency
Because Yorkies are so small, even a modest overfeed represents a much bigger share of their daily needs than the same amount would for a larger dog, so weighing food rather than guessing by eye matters more with this breed than most.
Toy breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier are also more prone to blood sugar dips between meals, particularly as puppies, so splitting the day's food across two or three smaller meals rather than one large one tends to suit them better.
Dental health and the food connection
This is a breed with a well-known predisposition to dental disease, partly down to the crowding that comes with a small jaw. A dry, correctly sized kibble does more for a Yorkie's teeth mechanically than wet food alone, though neither replaces regular dental care.
Dental chews sized for small breeds are worth building into the routine alongside meals, since they give additional chewing time that helps reduce plaque build-up between proper dental checks.
Treats and life-stage changes
Keep treats genuinely small and infrequent — it is easy to underestimate how much of a tiny dog's daily calories a single normal-sized treat represents. Look for treats specifically sized for toy and small breeds rather than dividing a treat meant for a bigger dog.
As a Yorkie moves from puppy to adult to senior, their energy needs change noticeably given how small they are to begin with, so it is worth reviewing portion size at each stage rather than assuming the same amount stays right for years.
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.
Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice
A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.
£49.00
Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken
An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.
£29.00
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
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
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
Bakers Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables Dry Dog Food
Bakers Chicken with Vegetables dry dog food, 14kg, complete nutrition for adult dogs
£39.15
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for adult dogs, evenly balanced with potato in the mix
From£12.75
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Lily's Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Common questions
- How much should I feed a Yorkshire Terrier?
- It depends on your dog's exact weight, age and activity level, so use the feeding guide on a small-breed food as your starting point and weigh portions rather than guessing. Given how small Yorkies are, small overfeeds add up quickly relative to their size.
- Why do Yorkshire Terriers need small-breed food specifically?
- Their small jaws and higher risk of dental problems mean kibble shaped and sized for larger dogs is genuinely harder to eat comfortably. Small-breed formulas are designed around exactly that mouth size and typically pack more calories per gram to suit a faster metabolism.
- Are Yorkshire Terriers prone to dental problems?
- Yes, this breed has a well-documented predisposition to dental disease, largely linked to crowding in their small jaw. A correctly sized dry food and regular dental chews both help, but neither replaces routine dental checks with your vet.
- How often should I feed a Yorkshire Terrier puppy?
- Puppies of this breed typically do best on three to four smaller meals a day rather than fewer larger ones, since toy breeds are more prone to dips in blood sugar between feeds. Speak to your vet if your puppy seems weak or lethargic between meals.
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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.