Feeding plays a leading role in the health of dogs. When getting a Yorkshire Terrier, you need to understand that it needs proper and balanced feeding.
Despite its cute appearance, the Yorkie is a dog, not a toy, to which you just want to give some tasty treat from the table. In this article, we will help you decide on the type of feeding; you will learn what you should never give your pet, and what you can do to please your pet.
Basic Rules
- The diet must be balanced and contain all the necessary macro- and microelements.
- It should consist of 60-70% meat, 20-25% vegetables, and also contain a small amount of eggs and dairy products.
- Feeding should be portioned and the portion size should be appropriate to the size and activity of the Yorkie.
- Dogs' stomachs stretch very easily (unlike cats), and Yorkies have an excellent appetite even more so. Don't leave food freely available; these babies are prone to obesity.
- Don't give anything "off the table."
- Do not mix dry food with natural food, choose one or the other.
Feeding during pregnancy
To support the health of a pregnant dog, it is worth adding more protein foods to the diet. It is also recommended to increase the serving size, but only until the pet’s belly begins to increase. After this, portions should be reduced and the number of meals increased.
Pregnant Yorkie bitch eats
Additional Information. If your dog eats dry food, then you should switch to a line for pregnant women. Almost every manufacturer has one.
The danger of problematic childbirth may be eliminated if meat is completely excluded from the diet a few days before.
Food selection
It is very important to decide on the type of food, because mixed feeding is unacceptable!
There are two options left:
- commercial food (dry food + wet/canned);
- natural nutrition.
This table will help you decide:
Power type | pros | Minuses |
Commercial feed |
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Natural feeding |
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Dry food
With this type of feeding, it is important to choose a brand that suits your pet, but the main rule is that it should be premium and super premium brands, as well as holistic! Only such food can be safe for your Yorkie.
For small breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, there is a large selection of foods on the market; we have reviewed the most popular ones:
For Yorkie puppies
Brit Care GF Mini Puppy Lamb
A good super premium diet for puppies. Suitable for babies from 4 weeks to 12 months.
Ingredients: lamb meat meal (35%), lamb protein (20%), yellow peas, chicken fat and salmon fat, dried apples, seaweed, blueberries. Plus an impressive complex of additives that contribute to the growth of the puppy:
Yorkie's age and feeding rate (in grams): | |||||
1 month | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 8 months | 10 months |
30 g. | 50 g. | 80 | 110 g. | 130 g. | 170 g |
Origen Puppy
High quality holistic food suitable for your Yorkie puppy. The Orijen brand has one. The food is grain-free, 85% meat and fish, 15% vegetables, herbs and fruits. For a growing baby, the Orijen diet is the best food.
Ingredients: chicken, turkey, eggs, herring, chicken liver, flounder, chicken and turkey by-products (liver, hearts), sardine, herring. From vegetables: green peas, lentils, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, blueberries, etc. Not all contents of the diet are indicated. All products are added fresh - the quality is tested by consumers.
A Yorkie puppy needs 85 grams of food per day. This number is divided by the number of meals.
Premium class
Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Adult
Specially developed food for adult (from 10 months) Yorkshire terriers. The kibble is small in size, which is convenient for baby Yorkies, and the composition is balanced in such a way as to keep the luxurious coat in excellent condition.
This is definitely important for this breed. The table on the package will help you calculate the amount of daily ration, plus it is better to have a measuring cup for croquettes, it can be purchased along with the food.
Dog weight | Normal activity | Increased activity |
2 kg | 41 g | 47 g |
3 kg | 55 g | 64 g |
4 kg | 68 g | 79 g |
Hill's Science Plan Small & Miniature Lamb and Rice
Not the worst premium food. Designed for adult dogs.
The first ingredient listed is lamb flour (11%). There are the most carbohydrates: there are both relatively high-quality ones (brown rice (11%), ground rice (11%), oats) and those completely undesirable for dogs: wheat, corn, corn gluten meal. Tomato and grape pomace and citrus are present in small quantities.
In general, the composition of the food is acceptable, but the large amount of carbohydrates is alarming. Choose better food if possible.
Feeding rate:
Weight, kg): | Daily value (in grams): |
2 | From 45 to 60 |
3 | From 60 to 80 |
Superpremium
Monge Mini Adult
Good super premium food. There is also no line specifically for Yorkies, but there is one for small and miniature breeds. Not a bad choice, but it is worth noting that the medicinal lines of this food are of a higher quality than those developed for the daily nutrition of a healthy dog.
For better health, it is recommended to feed your Yorkie, in addition to dry food, wet food and canned food from the same manufacturer as the dry food. The approximate ratio should be 80% dry and 20% wet.
Purina Pro Plan Optibalance
There is no special line for Yorkies, but there is one for small and toy breeds.
The Purina Pro Plan Optibalance line is designed for healthy adult Yorkies; there are also lines for the elderly, those with sensitive digestion, and so on. The daily ration should be calculated according to the following table:
Dog weight | Less than 1 hour of physical activity | Up to 3 hours of physical activity |
1 – 5 kg | 35 - 110 g | 45 - 125 g |
5 – 10 kg | 110 - 175 g | 125 - 200 g |
Almo Nature Small&Beef and Rice Holistic
A balanced diet of super premium class. Suitable for adult Yorkies.
The main ingredient of the food is beef (fresh - 26%, dehydrated - 3.2%). The next ingredients include maize, rice, dried chicken (12%), rice flour, etc. The food is rich in mineral supplements and vitamins.
Terrier weight: | Daily rate: |
1-2 kg | 30-45 g |
3-4 kg | 45-65 g |
Holistic
Acana Adult Small Breed
The food is of very high quality. As the manufacturer claims, it fully complies with biological nutrition and contains all the necessary vitamins and amino acids, so your Yorkie will not require vitamin and mineral supplements. The daily ration is calculated according to the table:
Dog weight | High activity (1 hour or more) grams/day | Low activity (less than 1 hour) grams/day |
2 kg | 40 | 30 |
5 kg | 90 | 60 |
7 kg | 120 | 90 |
It is worth noting that Acana food may be too oily for some dogs.
Ava Fresh Meat Adult Small with duck
A good diet with duck. Suitable for Yorkies over 1 year old.
The protein base of the food is duck: it contains almost 50% (28% dehydrated, 15% fresh). Potatoes and peas are sources of carbohydrates. Also includes: Antarctic krill (dried), dried apples, dried cranberries, grapes, citrus. Additional fortified feeding is not required.
The daily intake varies depending on the weight of the Yorkie. So, if your dog weighs 1-2 kg, the feeding rate is 25-40 grams per day, and if more than 2 kg, then from 40 to 50.
NOW Fresh SMALL BREED
Now Fresh is a grain-free Canadian holistic food. A specialized diet for small dogs has smaller kibbles to make it easier for the dog to chew. The food is suitable for puppies and dogs that are prone to gaining excess weight.
The diet includes: fresh fillet of turkey, salmon, duck; potatoes, peas, pressed cheese. In addition to the typical apples, alfalfa and carrots, it contains a number of exotic fruits: papaya, pineapple, bananas, blackberries. To balance the BJU, coconut and rapeseed oils were added to the feed.
Daily value (calculated in grams):
Dog weight, kg | For dogs prone to obesity | For active dogs | For puppies |
0,5 — 1 | 14-29 | 14-29 | 29-38 |
1 — 2,27 | 29-32 | 29-48 | 38-72 |
2,27 — 4,5 | 32-86 | 48-115 | 72-144 |
Important : before purchasing, carefully read all food items, as some may cause allergies in your Yorkie.
For a neutered Yorkie
Brit Care Mini Light & Sterilized
Super premium diet, produced in the Czech Republic. Suitable for both sterilized Yorkies and allergy sufferers.
The contents of the food include: rabbit meat meal (25%), salmon, chickpeas and yellow peas, dried apples, chicken fat in 9th place, salmon fat (2%).
The food is generally dietary and does not contain major allergens. Also suitable for Yorkies suffering from obesity.
For a Yorkie with allergies
Brit VetDiets Dog Hypoallergenic
Czech hypoallergenic food with salmon. Reduces the load on the dog's stomach and eliminates potentially dangerous foods. Belongs to the super premium class.
The base is salmon, salmon protein (3rd place). In second place are yellow peas, after: buckwheat, coke oil, apple cake, salmon sauce, seaweed, various mineral and vitamin supplements.
For a Yorkie weighing 2-3 kg, the feeding rate fluctuates around 30-50 grams per day.
Probalance Hyppoallergenic Dog
Inexpensive premium hypoallergenic food. Let us warn you right away: it is not a complete nutrition, it also has some flaws in its composition: a lot of carbohydrates, flour instead of meat, etc. But that’s why it’s premium.
The first ingredients of the diet are rice and barley. After that comes poultry meal, chicken fat, turkey meal, flavoring additives (positioned as natural). The composition includes a number of vitamins and minerals.
Feeding rate: for Yorkies, 50-84 grams of food per day is enough.
Acana Singles
A line of holistic food for dogs with sensitive digestion. Includes meat from only one animal (fish). Variations:
- GRASS-FED LAMB with lamb meat;
- FREE-RUN DUCK with duck;
- YORKSHIRE PORK with pork;
- PACIFIC PILCHARD with sardine.
Akana diets feature high-quality fresh ingredients. The company has long established itself in the dog breeding market, so we won’t analyze the composition of each separately.
The daily norm for a Yorkie: for active dogs from 2 kg – 40-50 grams per day, for sedentary dogs – 30-40.
Diets for older Yorkies
Pronature Holistic 7+
Treat the diet for aging Yorkies with special care. The dog is no longer young; its body loses immunity with age. An excellent choice would be the Pronature diet for dogs of all breeds over 7 years old.
The contents of the granules include: fresh white fish (15%), dried chicken, rice (wild, brown and regular), oatmeal and pearl barley. Fruits: apples, blueberries, pineapple. Rare ingredients such as: quinoa, green mussels, honey, yucca, chicory root. Please note that this is not the complete contents of the diet.
Feeding rate for Yorkies: 40-60 grams per day.
Nutritional supplements
If you feed your four-legged friend exclusively with dry food and do not know what vitamins to give your Yorkshire Terrier, we recommend that you use nutritional supplements. Let's consider the most popular and effective nutritional supplements.
Calcidee is a mineral supplement high in calcium and phosphorus, which play an important role in the formation and growth of teeth and bones. The supplement is relevant for both puppies and adult dogs.
Excel contains a huge number of substances that help enrich the diet.
Glucosamine with chondroxide strengthens ligaments and cartilage, and also promotes the proper absorption of calcium in the body.
Multitonic contains a large number of amino acids necessary for dogs: arginine, lysine, methionine, histidine, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine, each of which is directly involved in the process of protein construction. The basis of the supplement is seafood (echinoderms, mollusks), which also provides a large amount of other vitamins.
Vitamins have a direct effect on the body of any dog, Yorkie
What kind of dry food is not recommended to feed your Yorkie?
An unequivocal “no” goes to economy-class food and a number of food posing as premium. Among them:
- Pedigree;
- Chappie;
- Darling;
- Dog Chow;
- Some diets are Royal Canin, Hills, others are premium food.
If you don't know whether to take a certain food, take a look at the composition. What you should be wary of:
- Cheap carbohydrates: corn and wheat. The worst thing is when they come in first place in the feed, or even in a row. If meat or protein is in 3, or even 4-5 places in the composition, it is better to avoid such food.
- Blurry composition. Instead of “chicken” - “chicken flour”, the percentage of ingredients is not indicated.
- Poultry meal, chicken meal, fish meal, etc. This is not meat, these are ground bones, offal and other low-quality raw materials. Exception: when it is indicated that the flour is from meat (turkey meat flour, etc.).
Natural nutrition
Before you decide to give up dry food, answer yourself the question: can you provide your four-legged friend with a balanced diet? Because natural food is not at all like what you yourself eat.
So, a natural diet should contain the following products:
- meat component (beef, lamb, rabbit, chicken, turkey);
- you can give fish, the main thing is that there are no bones in it (use sea fish);
- offal (beef or lamb tripe, heart, lungs, liver);
- vegetables (zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli);
- fermented milk products (cottage cheese, yogurt) and eggs.
For better absorption of vitamins, it is necessary to add oils (vegetable, flaxseed, olive, ideally salmon). It is necessary to supplement the diet with vitamins B, C, E, and bone meal.
How to properly create a natural food menu
If everything is clear with dry food, you just need to be guided by the table on the back of the package, but with natural food you will have to do the calculations yourself.
The first rule of natural nutrition is no cereals or soups!
It's hard to believe, but the Yorkshire Terrier is also a predator. Over the course of evolution, the digestive system of dogs has adapted to feeding side by side with humans, but they are still carnivores.
Meat should be given raw for the simple reason that it is better absorbed and more useful macro- and microelements are retained.
You must first keep the meat frozen at -22 for 3-4 days. This is a necessary measure in order to protect the dog from helminthic infestation.
An approximate list of products from which you can create a diet for a month, or even more!
Beef tenderloin | 1 kg |
Lamb/beef tripe | 1.5 kg |
Beef/lamb heart | 0.5 kg |
Liver | 0.5 kg |
Zucchini | 0.7 kg |
Carrot | 0.7 kg |
Wheat bran | 25 - 50 g |
Vegetable oil | 100 g |
Milk thistle meal | 10 g |
Bone flour | 0.5 g per serving |
Cooking method.
Grind all of the above products, divide into portions and freeze.
To determine your Yorkie's daily food intake, simply multiply his weight by 3%.
For example, if your pet weighs 4 kg, its daily portion (when fed natural) should be approximately 120 grams. You should build on these numbers and adjust the portion based on the condition and activity of the dog.
Diets for older Yorkies
You need to love pets for the rest of your life. As soon as the owner feels that his pet’s teeth and stomach are weakening, the diet should be reconsidered. As a dog ages, its activity level decreases and it begins to gain weight. Therefore, it is worth slightly reducing the calorie content of the serving. It is necessary to reduce the amount of proteins and fats, and leave more carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
What to cook for a pet without teeth
Given good conditions and genes, Yorkies live to a very old age. And sometimes owners are forced to think about what to cook for a pet without teeth. In this case, the basis of the dog’s diet should be food that does not require chewing - liquid cereals and soups.
You should think over the Yorkshire Terrier's diet before the puppy appears in the house. You should not skimp on such an important aspect as food. After all, a dog’s health, appearance and life expectancy depend on its nutrition.
Feeding the puppies
Newborns
If, for some reason, it falls to you to feed a puppy that is not yet three weeks old, then you will have to be patient. It needs to be fed every 2 hours. And as food it is better to use a special mixture for puppies, which is sold at a veterinary pharmacy.
Terrier 1 month
Closer to the month, complementary foods begin to be introduced. When feeding commercial food, this is wet canned food for lactating females and puppies up to 3 months. On the natural side, it can be cottage cheese, pureed meat.
2 - 3 months
The frequency of feeding is reduced to 6 - 5 times a day, gradually wean the baby from the bitch. Active complementary feeding is carried out, the meat is already chopped, not ground. We leave cottage cheese as a source of calcium. Additionally, vitamins are introduced for full development.
4 – 6 months
At this time, teeth change, so cartilage can be given, and the meat should not be cut so finely. More vegetables are introduced. Feed 3-4 times a day
6 - 8 months
Offal is introduced, and the diet becomes like that of an adult Yorkshire terrier. As they grow, they change the volume of portions and actively use vitamin and mineral complexes.
9 - 10 months
Yorkshire Terriers are adult-like.
When are vitamins necessary for dogs?
First of all, the quality of the dog's nutrition is assessed. If the dog is fed natural food, then vitamins must be given. In this case, it is very difficult to provide a balanced diet.
If the dog is on natural feeding, then you should add fish oil (vitamins A and D), sea buckthorn oil (vitamin A), thiamine chloride (vitamin B1) or brewer's yeast, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, fluoride preparations (sodium fluoride) to the diet. , sodium nucleinate, ascorbic acid. These drugs should be given in combination, 2-3 (no more), at the same time.
Vitamins of group A, B, D, E, K must be present in the diet of dogs , because:
- with a lack of vitamin A, vision is impaired, growth retardation in puppies is observed, resistance to various diseases decreases;
- lack of B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin) leads to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, paralysis, convulsions, hair loss and depigmentation, dermatitis, peeling of the skin;
- lack of vitamin D in puppies causes rickets, in adult dogs – bone atrophy;
- with a lack of vitamin E, the reproductive function is impaired, which leads to infertility;
- Vitamin K deficiency causes subcutaneous hemorrhage (bleeding in the neck, chest, legs).
Minerals are also necessary because:
- with a lack of calcium and phosphorus, rickets appears in puppies, and brittle bones in adult dogs;
- with a lack of potassium and magnesium, cardiac activity is impaired;
- lack of sodium and chlorine leads to loss of appetite, decreased secretion of gastric juice and impaired protein absorption;
- lack of iron, copper and cobalt reduces hemoglobin and leads to anemia;
- lack of zinc leads to slower growth and puberty of puppies, loss of taste, decreased sense of smell, and poor coat quality;
- with a lack of manganese, bitches are born dead or non-viable offspring;
- As a result of iodine deficiency, goiter (overgrowth of the thyroid gland), periodontal disease occurs, and bitches give birth to weak puppies.
If your pet eats a complete, balanced diet, adding any vitamins or minerals is not only not beneficial, but even harmful. All the necessary vitamins and minerals are already included in the food and adding more only upsets the balance, which in some cases can lead to serious illnesses.
Diet of pregnant and lactating bitches
If you are expecting more puppies, you should immediately take care of the health of the mother and the expected offspring. Yorkies are recommended to receive additional phosphorus and calcium. In the second half of pregnancy, vitamins E and D are started.
On the 40th - 45th day of pregnancy, the dog is transferred to fractional feeding - the daily norm is divided into 4 - 5 servings and fed gradually. Approximately a week before giving birth - on days 53 - 55 - fertilizing, calcium and meat are excluded from the diet in order to make the pelvic bones “easier”.
How to feed a Yorkshire Terrier puppy: diet
A Yorkshire Terrier puppy is usually fed by its mother in the first weeks of its life. If the bitch does not have the opportunity to feed newborns, the owner should use a milk mixture of goat or cow's milk with the addition of egg yolk, a small amount of cream, liquid vitamins A, D and 40% glucose solution. This composition can fully replace mother’s milk and provide the growing body with everything it needs.
What to feed a Yorkshire terrier puppy after weaning from breast milk is a very pressing question for those who have acquired canine offspring. Complementary foods can be introduced as early as the second week of life for puppies, 1 teaspoon at a time. One new product is introduced every week, but no more. This can be cottage cheese, kefir, heated cow's or goat's milk. A little later, at the end of the first month, it is allowed to add raw, finely chopped meat to the diet, then boiled meat.
What to feed if you have an allergy?
If you adhere to natural feeding, through trial and error you need to find out which product the dog reacts to. This can only be done by completely eliminating it from the diet.
Hypoallergenic (non-allergenic) types of meat include rabbit, turkey, and meat from non-specific animals, such as venison.
Potentially hypoallergenic vegetables include zucchini and cauliflower.
With dry food, this issue is simpler; there are entire lines of hypoallergenic food. You need to maintain a diet with new food for at least 1.5 months to see results.
A sudden transition from one food to another can provoke an allergy, as the body adapts to digesting one type of protein, and its change is stressful for the body. To switch a dog from one food to another, you need to gradually add new food to the old one, gradually replacing it.
Switching from natural nutrition
If the owner understands that a natural diet is not his option, you can choose dry food. They are no less quality. Dry food is especially suitable for beginners who are not well versed in the nature of the dog’s body.
Yorkie near the bowl
Review of ready-made food for Yorkshire Terrier
There are a huge variety of dry food options on the market. When thinking about what to feed your Yorkie, it is advisable to pay attention to the following brands:
Name | Class | Price per 1 kg (rub.) |
1st Choice Breeders | Premium | 500-530 |
Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier | Super premium | 670 |
Our Brand | Economy | 135 |
Acana Heritage | Holistic | 500-550 |
Holistic food is considered the best because its composition is dominated by natural products.
Features of feeding dry food
The main nuance when feeding so-called drying is the need to consume a large amount of water. For dogs under one year old, dry granules should be soaked in water in advance so that they are not so difficult to chew and so that the pet receives some moisture from the portion.
Yorkie won't eat dry food: what to do
Feeding problems arise in small dogs more often than in large dogs. It's all about being picky. The easiest way to solve the problem is to switch the dog from drying to natural.
It might be worth trying to change the food itself. It happens that your pet doesn’t like the taste of a certain food.
Important! The bowl should be put away in some inaccessible place after feeding, even if the Yorkie has not finished his portion. This will teach him to eat everything at once and not stretch out the process of eating for half a day.
Soft canned food
Wet food is a good balance between dry and natural. This option will prevent rapid weight gain even if you exceed the recommended serving size, since canned food is moderately high in calories. But at the same time, they contain all the necessary components to maintain the health of the dog.
Treats for Yorkshire Terrier
Of course, any Yorkie owner wants to please his pet, especially when these kids look at you so pitifully while you eat chocolate. Don't be fooled by those cunning eyes, you don't want to harm your pet.
So that you can reward your pet without anyone getting hurt, we offer a simple recipe for dried hearts - an excellent treat for a terrier.
You can use chicken hearts.
- Cut off the fatty part.
- Place on a baking sheet, or better yet, thread the hearts themselves onto skewers.
- Place in the oven and with the lid ajar and a temperature of 100-120 degrees, leave for 5 - 6 hours.
- The finished treat should feel rubbery to the touch.
You can give your Yorkie one piece per day. It is absorbed perfectly and everyone is happy.
Briefly about the main thing
- The basic rules for feeding Yorkies are a balanced diet and avoiding overfeeding.
- Feed either dry food or natural food, do not mix.
- Natural food is not soups or cereals, it is a balanced diet of meat and vegetables, designed specifically for your Yorkie.
- Feeding puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches should be treated with special attention.
- If your dog is prone to allergies, you should pay attention to hypoallergenic foods when creating a diet.
- There is a list of prohibited foods that are very dangerous for dogs.
Feeding your Yorkie natural food
If you have the opportunity to choose what to feed your Yorkie at home, first of all you should pay attention to a natural diet. It will satisfy all the needs of a small energetic dog.
Basic Rules
The basis of any good diet should be proteins (3.5% of the animal’s weight). They can be obtained by adding cottage cheese, milk, fermented baked milk, yogurt, kefir, eggs. As for meat, it is better to prefer beef or horse meat. Chicken and turkey can lead to excess protein, although they are easily digestible.
Also, a proper diet must include vegetables, cereals and fish in small quantities.
Yorkie eats straight girl
Feeding plan for an adult dog
You can switch to two feedings once you reach the age of 9 months. A total portion of an adult dog should be about 500 g. The food in the bowl should be at room temperature, the pieces should not be left too large.
Additional Information. When a dog is one or two years old, its digestion has already become stronger, but due to breed characteristics it remains sensitive for life.
How to properly create a natural food menu
When creating a menu of natural food, the main thing is to remember balance. The products in the bowl should be combined both with each other as a whole and in proportions.
What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier - diagram of necessary components:
Age | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 12 months |
Product | ||||
Meat | 20 g | 40 g | 60 g | 80 g |
Groats | 5 g | 10 g | 15 g | 20 g |
Fermented milk | 5 g | 10 g | 15 g | 20 g |
Fruits | 5 g | 10 g | 15 g | 20 g |
Vegetables | 5 g | 10 g | 15 g | 20 g |
Total | 40 g | 80 g | 120 g | 160 g |
The table shows average indicators; the diet of a particular dog should be based on the individual characteristics of the body.
Sample menu for the day
Diet option for an adult Yorkshire Terrier per day:
- 105 g meat trimmings;
- 150 g fish;
- 1.5 tbsp. l. cereals;
- 2 g salt;
- 50 g sour milk.
On a note! In case of allergies, any product can be replaced with any similar hypoallergenic one.
What not to feed a Yorkshire Terrier
Before purchasing a pet, you should familiarize yourself with the list of foods that should not be included in your Yorkie's diet. This:
- semolina;
- sweets;
- salted and smoked;
- fatty and fried foods;
- bakery;
- sausages;
- pasta;
- pork;
- freshwater fish;
- citrus fruit;
- nuts;
- mushrooms.
This list can be continued, but it will be easier for owners to study the list of products that can be fed to a Yorkie.