FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed a Chorkie
The Chorkie is a pocket-sized Chihuahua–Yorkie mix with a terrier-sized appetite for life, a famously tiny mouth, and a real tendency to put on weight fast — which makes how, and how much, you feed one matter far more than its size suggests.
Here is exactly how to feed a Chorkie on freeze-dried raw: small, precise portions that protect their teeth, joints, and waistline while fueling that big personality.
- Adult weight5–9 lb
- SizeToy
- EnergyHigh
- Lifespan11–16 years
- CoatFine, silky — minimal shedder
What a Chorkie's body needs
Every Chorkie trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.
Tiny mouth, dental-prone
Needs: Small, soft, low-starch meals
Rehydrated freeze-dried raw is gentle on tiny teeth and skips the sugary, starchy fillers that feed plaque and the gum disease toy breeds are so prone to.
Weight-prone toy breed
Needs: Precise, calorie-honest portions
A few grams matters at this size. Measured, nutrient-dense raw — fed by weight, not by the begging — keeps a Chorkie lean, the single best lever for a long life.
Big energy in a small body
Needs: High-quality animal protein
83% meat, organs and bone delivers steady, real-food energy for a spunky terrier-cross — without the carb fillers that spike and crash a little dog.
Fine, silky coat
Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids
Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping a Chorkie's delicate coat soft and the skin comfortable beneath it.
Patellar luxation risk
Needs: Lean weight + joint nutrients
Real bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and staying lean takes load off the small, slip-prone knees common in toy breeds.
How much to feed a Chorkie
Quick answer: a healthy adult Chorkie (5–9 lb) needs about 0.8–1.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
| Ideal adult weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 0.8 oz | 0.4 oz |
| 6 lb | 0.9 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 7 lbtypical Chorkie | 1.1 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 8 lb | 1.2 oz | 0.6 oz |
| 9 lb | 1.3 oz | 0.7 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
What to feed a Chorkie
For a Chorkie we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone, no heat-processed filler — rehydrated into a soft, easy-to-chew meal that suits a small mouth and tiny teeth.
Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keep calories honest for a weight-prone toy breed, while Salmon adds skin- and coat-supporting omega-3s for that fine, silky coat. Just add water and serve.
Recipes for Chorkies
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Feeding a Chorkie by life stage
- Puppy: Tiny Chorkie puppies can develop low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) between meals, so feed small amounts 3–4 times a day. Rehydrate freeze-dried raw well to make it easy for little mouths, and never let a young puppy go too long without food.
- Adult: Feed a lean adult Chorkie to a visible waist and easily felt ribs, split across 2–3 small meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
- Senior: Activity slows but appetite rarely does. Trim portions to prevent weight gain, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and dental-supporting whole-food nutrition.
Common Chorkie concerns — and the diet connection
- Periodontal (dental) diseaseToy breeds with crowded little teeth are especially prone to gum disease. A low-starch, whole-food raw diet avoids the sugars that feed plaque, supporting a cleaner mouth alongside regular brushing.
- ObesityEasy to overfeed a dog this small. Measured raw feeding and a lean body condition lower the risk of nearly every other issue a Chorkie faces and protect their fragile joints.
- Patellar luxationLargely structural, but lean weight plus natural joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help ease the load on slip-prone knees and support day-to-day comfort.
- Tracheal collapseCommon in toy breeds and aggravated by excess weight. Keeping a Chorkie lean with measured, nutrient-dense meals reduces the strain that worsens the breed's signature cough.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding a Chorkie: what to know
A Chorkie needs only a small amount of food a day, so every ounce counts — a few extra bites is a big percentage of a 7-pound dog's diet. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing them, and keep treats under 10% of daily calories.
Because puppies this tiny can drop into low blood sugar, very young Chorkies need frequent small meals; adults do well on two to three. Feed to a lean, easy-to-feel ribcage, not to the begging.
Chorkie feeding questions
How much should I feed my Chorkie?
What is the best food for a Chorkie that gains weight easily?
Is raw food good for a Chorkie's teeth?
How do I switch my Chorkie to raw?
How often should I feed a Chorkie?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Chorkie's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Vet-formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- Pathogen-tested every batch
“Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He’s leaner, with more energy on our walks.”
— Jenna & Cooper“My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was.”
— Priya & Luna
Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.