)
)
Yorkshire Terriers might be small, but when it comes to nutrition, they’ve got some big needs. From maintaining that silky coat to supporting their heart health and tiny mouth, the right food does more than just fill their bowl — it helps them truly thrive.
Whether you’re navigating mealtime with a picky eater or fine-tuning your Yorkie’s long-term health, understanding what fuels their body best — including protein-rich ingredients and functional treats — can make all the difference.
Read more: Yorkshire Terrier breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
How nutrition can help common Yorkshire Terrier health concerns
Dental disease
Yorkshire Terriers are notorious for dental issues due to their small mouths and crowded teeth. Left unchecked, tartar and plaque can lead to dental disease and tooth loss.
Try this:
Keep your dog’s teeth pearly white by giving them a daily brush with dog-friendly toothpaste. Complimenting that with dental chews like Lyka’s Turkey Dental Jerky, and feeding a fresh food diet featuring kelp can be a great way to reduce plaque and tartar.
Read more: Protecting your dog's dental health: how to clean your dog’s teeth
Joint conditions
Patellar luxation can be an issue for some Yorkies. This is a condition where the kneecap slips out of place instead of staying in its groove. Over time, this can lead to joint inflammation and arthritis.
Try this:
Diets containing bone- and joint-loving ingredients like green-lipped mussels and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA from fish oil) can support your pup’s musculoskeletal health. Lyka’s Mussel Munchies are great treats with health benefits – ideal for rewarding good behaviour and providing nourishment for your dog’s bones and joints.
)
How to choose the best food for your Yorkshire Terrier
Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?
1. Complete and balanced
Yorkshire Terriers, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.
Australia has pet food standards, but they're largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.
Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they're complete and balanced for all life stages.
Read more: Dog food ingredients: A glossary of common and confusing terms
2. Optimal nutrition for your Yorkshire Terrier
Not all dog food is created equally. The variety and quality of the ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog's food.
Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system or digestive issues.
Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures, which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.
Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.
Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog's daily needs.
Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Yorkshire Terrier? We've created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice.
Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Fresh vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?
)
How much food does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don't tell the full story. Your dog's energy level, lifestyle, and body condition score are all part of the picture.
That's why Lyka calculates your Yorkshire Terrier's portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.
Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Yorkshire Terrier to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Do Yorkshire Terrier puppies and senior dogs need special food?
Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development
Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs
)
New to Lyka? Let's rethink dog food together
Parenting a Yorkshire Terrier comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what's in their bowl is one of the most important.
Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog's needs.
Yorkshire Terriers across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next. Join our pack of proud Yorkshire Terrier parents today.
)
)
)
)
)
)
