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7 Best Dog Foods for Yorkies in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks 

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

yorkshire terrier

Yorkies may be small, but as anyone who loves them knows, they think they’re big dogs! Despite the way they picture themselves, they need food with small kibble pieces that are easy for them to eat. They also have high energy needs, so it’s essential to have nutritious food.

If you’ve already started researching food options, you’ve no doubt realized that there are many choices. It can make it challenging to know which is best for your pup. We’ve done the hard work for you and curated a list of reviews of the best food for Yorkies. We’ve also included a buying guide so you know how to look for good dog food.

Read on for our recommendations.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Nom Nom Turkey Recipe Fresh Dog Food Nom Nom Turkey Recipe Fresh Dog Food
  • Fresh ground turkey is the first ingredient
  • Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
  • Meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Pedigree Small Dog Food Pedigree Small Dog Food
  • Roasted chicken, rice, and vegetable flavors
  • Small kibbles
  • Vitamin E added to support a healthy immune system
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Adult Dry Dog Food Royal Canin Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Designed specifically for Yorkies
  • Contains a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and biotin to maintain a glossy coat
  • Exclusive kibble shape designed specifically for a Yorkie’s small muzzle
  • Purina Pro Small Breed Dog Food Purina Pro Small Breed Dog Food
  • High-quality ingredients
  • High nutrient density for higher metabolic rate of small dogs
  • Blend of crunchy kibble and tender pieces of chicken
  • Royal Canin Puppy Dog Food Royal Canin Puppy Dog Food
  • Contains antioxidants including vitamin E
  • Small kibble size
  • High-quality proteins and probiotics for digestive health
  • The 7 Best Dog Foods for Yorkies

    1. Nom Nom Turkey Recipe (Fresh Dog Food Subscription) – Best Overall

    Nom Nom dog food packets with recipes turkey

    If you are looking for the best food for your Yorkie, look no further than Nom Nom. The Turkey Fare fresh food recipe gets our pick for best dog food for Yorkies overall for being top of the line in quality and tailored specifically to your dog’s needs. It is a fresh food subscription service that is easy to use.

    We know that subscription services aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t beat the convenience of customization and delivery, and with Nom Nom, you can cancel at any time if it doesn’t suit you. This recipe features fresh ground turkey as the first ingredient and a blend of healthy fresh foods like brown rice, eggs, carrots, and spinach, along with essential vitamins and minerals for whole body health.

    Nom Nom crafts all its recipes using its board-certified veterinary nutritionists to meet and exceed the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. Not only do owners give glowing reviews about how much their dogs love the food, but there have been noticeable improvements in the health of those suffering from allergies and digestive issues and an increase in energy and vitality.

    The only downside to fresh food is that it can get quite expensive, especially when compared to dry kibble and canned food.

    Pros
    • Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
    • Meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for all life stages
    • Fresh ground turkey is the first ingredient
    • Formulated with a healthy blend of whole foods, vitamins, and minerals
    • Great or those with sensitivities
    • Tailored specifically to the individual dog
    Cons
    • Expensive

    2. Pedigree Small Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Pedigree

    Pedigree Small Dog Food is the best dog food for Yorkies for the money because it contains no potentially harmful ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and added sugar. The food consists of small kibbles to make it easier for Yorkies to eat. It comes in roasted chicken, rice, and vegetable flavors to make it more appealing for picky pups.

    It’s enriched with omega-6 fatty acids and zinc for healthy skin and coats. It has added vitamin E to support your pup’s immune system. Pedigree ensures that its food contains all the vitamins and minerals that small breed dogs like Yorkies need to be healthy.

    For some sensitive dogs, Pedigree may cause digestive issues. Be sure always to switch your dog to a new food slowly and test out a small amount at first.

    Pros
    • Roasted chicken, rice, and vegetable flavors
    • Small kibbles
    • Vitamin E added to support a healthy immune system 
    • No high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, and no added sugar
    • Enriched with omega-6 fatty acid and zinc for healthy skin and coat
    • Contains all the vitamins and minerals that small-breed dogs need
    Cons
    • Can cause digestive problems in some dogs

    3. Royal Canin Adult Dog Food for Yorkies

    Royal Canin 451410

    Royal Canin Adult Dry Dog Food is specially made to meet the nutritional needs of Yorkies 10 months old and older. It has kibbles shaped for a Yorkie’s small muzzle. Royal Canin contains a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as biotin, to maintain the silky coat that Yorkies are known for.

    It also has nutrients to support long life expectancies. Yorkies can sometimes be picky eaters, but Royal Canin has made its food extra palatable. This is one of the pricier foods on our list due to the specialized formula. Also, brewer’s rice is the first ingredient instead of meat.

    Pros
    • Designed specifically for Yorkies
    • Exclusive kibble shape designed for a Yorkie’s small muzzle
    • Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and biotin
    • Contains specific nutrients to support long life expectancies
    • Flavored with a picky eater in mind
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Brewer’s rice is the first ingredient

    4. Purina Pro Small Breed Dog Food

    Purina Pro Plan

    Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy Breed Formula is another excellent choice for Yorkies because it is made for little dogs. The kibble is small, and the food contains soft pieces of chicken. It also has a high nutrient density to keep up with the higher metabolic rate of small dogs, so your Yorkie will get the nutrition they need.

    The food contains live probiotics to support immune and digestive health. It’s made with high-quality ingredients, and chicken is the first one listed. It also contains vitamin A and linoleic acid, which is an omega-5 fatty acid. Both elements help promote healthy skin and coats. If you have a picky eater, your pup may refuse to eat this formula, so be sure to buy a small bag first to see if your Yorkie likes it.

    Pros
    • Chicken is the first ingredient
    • High-quality ingredients
    • Blend of crunchy kibble and tender pieces of chicken
    • High nutrient density for higher metabolic rate of small dogs
    • Fortified with live probiotics to support immune and digestive health
    • Vitamin A and linoleic acid help promote healthy skin and coat
    Cons
    • Some dogs refuse to eat this formula

    5. Royal Canin Puppy Dog Food for Yorkies

    Royal Canin 450125

    Royal Canin Puppy Dry Dog Food is made to meet the nutritional needs of your Yorkie puppy from 8 weeks to 10 months old. It contains an exclusive mix of antioxidants, including vitamin E, to protect a puppy’s developing immune system. The kibble is small, so your Yorkie can eat it easily.

    Royal Canin contains a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as biotin, to help your Yorkie grow their famous silky coat. It also has high-quality proteins and probiotics for good digestive health.

    It is one of the more expensive choices for dog food on our list due to the high-quality ingredients. Yorkies can be picky eaters, and some won’t eat this food.

    Pros
    • Designed specifically for Yorkie puppies
    • Contains antioxidants, including vitamin E
    • Small kibble size
    • Contains a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and biotin to support the puppy’s growing long hair
    • High-quality proteins and probiotics for digestive health
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some puppies will not eat this formula

    6. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

    Hill's Science Diet

    Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is specially made for small-breed dogs like Yorkies. The food has tiny kibble for small mouths to eat. For a Yorkie’s sensitive stomach, it has easy-to-digest ingredients.

    It also has a blend of omega-6 and vitamin E to support the Yorkie’s glossy coat. It contains an antioxidant blend for lifetime immune support. In some sensitive pups, it can cause digestive issues. Some Yorkies refuse to eat this formula entirely.

    Pros
    • Easy-to-digest ingredients for sensitive stomachs
    • Contains omega-6 and vitamin E blend
    • Specially made nibble-sized kibble for small mouths
    • Contains an antioxidant blend for lifetime immune support
    Cons
    • Can cause digestive problems
    • Some Yorkies refuse to eat this formula

    7. AvoDerm Dry Dog Food

    AvoDerm

    AvoDerm Dry Dog Food contains a unique ingredient: avocados. These promote a healthy skin, coat, and immune system, which is especially good for Yorkies and their silky hair. AvoDerm contains high-quality meat, wholesome grains, and vitamins for good health. It has bite-size pieces for small-breed dogs like Yorkies. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that may cause allergic reactions.

    Despite the wholesome ingredients, some dogs can still have their skin allergies inflamed by this food. It may also cause digestive problems in some dogs. If you have a picky eater, your pup might not like the taste of this food.

    Pros
    • High-quality meat, wholesome grains, and vitamins
    • Contains bite-sized kibbles for small-breed adult dogs
    • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
    • Contains avocados to promote a healthy skin, coat, and immune system
    Cons
    • Can cause skin allergies in some dogs
    • Can cause digestive problems
    • Some dogs don’t like the taste

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    Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Food for Yorkies

    When shopping for the best food for Yorkies, there are certain things you should look for and certain ingredients to avoid.

    What to Look For

    • Small-Sized Kibbles. Yorkies are small dogs and have small mouths and compact bodies. Smaller kibble pieces are easier for them to eat.
    • Natural Preservatives. Vitamins such as mixed tocopherols can be used to preserve dog food without resorting to artificial chemicals.
    • High-Quality Meats. This can include everything from grass-fed beef to free-range chicken.
    • Fruits and Vegetables. Dogs, including Yorkies, are omnivores, which means that they eat fruits and vegetables just like we do. They are a great source of vitamins and minerals.
    • Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The best source for DHA, which is one of the most common omega-3 fatty acids, is fish oil. You may also see flaxseed listed as an ingredient.
    • Food Specially Formulated for Toy Breeds. Yorkies are a toy breed with high energy and high metabolism. They need special nutrition to keep them healthy and strong.

    What to Avoid

    • Artificial Ingredients. This may include artificial colors and flavors that can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
    • Chemical Preservatives. These have also been known to cause allergic reactions and gastrointestinal problems in some dogs.
    • Corn or Other Ingredient Listed First. Meat such as chicken should be listed first on the ingredients list because protein is one of the most essential nutrients for a dog.
    • Inexpensive ingredients like corn are sometimes used in dog food to give it more substance but provide little nutritional value. They can cause your pup to have intestinal distress and nutritional deficiencies.

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    Conclusion

    Our best food for Yorkies overall is Nom Nom Dog Food Turkey Fare Recipe because it is easy for little dogs like Yorkies to eat, is made with healthy ingredients, and is conveniently shipped right to your door.

    Our best food for the money is Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food because it has all the vitamins and minerals your Yorkie needs to be healthy, including vitamin E, zinc, and omega-6. It doesn’t contain potentially harmful ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or added sugar.

    We hope that our list of reviews and buying guide for the best dog food for Yorkies have helped you find the ideal option for your little pup.

    See Also:


    Featured Photo Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay

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