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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier packs a big, bossy personality into a roughly seven-pound frame — and that tiny size is exactly why feeding one is its own discipline. Small dogs burn fuel fast, have a margin for error measured in ounces, and pay for poor diet first in their skin, teeth, and energy.

Here is how to feed a Yorkie on freeze-dried raw: in the small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals a toy breed needs, with the real-food nutrition that protects that silky coat, those little teeth, and a steady blood sugar all day.

  • Adult weight5–7 lb
  • SizeToy
  • EnergyModerate to High
  • Lifespan11–15 years
  • CoatLong, silky, single coat — minimal shedder
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A healthy Yorkshire Terrier
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Yorkshire Terrier's body needs

Every Yorkshire Terrier trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Tiny body, fast metabolism

    Needs: Small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals

    Freeze-dried raw is calorie- and nutrient-dense, so a Yorkie gets complete nutrition in the small portions a walnut-sized stomach can handle — easy to split across the day.

  • Prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

    Needs: Regular meals, real protein & fat

    Whole-food protein and fat give steady, slow-release energy. Spreading freeze-dried raw across several small meals helps keep a toy breed's blood sugar stable between feedings.

  • Long, silky, sometimes dry coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that signature glossy coat and easing the dry, flaky skin some Yorkies develop.

  • Small teeth, dental-disease prone

    Needs: Low-filler, low-sugar whole food

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy, sticky fillers that feed plaque — gentler on a toy breed's crowded little mouth than carb-heavy kibble.

  • Picky, not always food-motivated

    Needs: Highly palatable real food

    Real meat, organ and bone is intensely aromatic and palatable, winning over fussy eaters far more reliably than bland processed food.

How much to feed a Yorkshire Terrier

Quick answer: a healthy adult Yorkshire Terrier (5–7 lb) needs about 0.8–1.1 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 weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
5 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
6 lb typical Yorkshire Terrier 0.9 oz 0.5 oz
7 lb 1.1 oz 0.5 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Yorkshire Terrier

For a Yorkshire Terrier we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper to tempt a famously picky eater. The intense, meaty aroma wins over many Yorkies who turn their nose up at kibble.

Gentle single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit sensitive tummies and dry skin, while richer Salmon adds extra skin-and-coat omegas. Just add a little water, break it into small morsels, and serve.

Recipes for Yorkshire Terriers

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Daily support for Yorkshire Terriers

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Treats Yorkshire Terriers love

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Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier by life stage

  • Puppy: Yorkie puppies are especially vulnerable to low blood sugar, so feed small amounts often — three to four little meals a day — and never let a young pup go too long without eating. Use a puppy or all-life-stages formula and keep meals frequent and consistent.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two to three small meals a day. A healthy adult Yorkie eats only about an ounce of freeze-dried raw daily, so weigh portions and count treats carefully.
  • Senior: Older Yorkies slow down but still need quality protein to hold lean muscle. Keep meals small and frequent, lean into omega-3s for skin and joints, and stay attentive to dental comfort and weight.

Common Yorkshire Terrier concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)A real risk in toy breeds, especially puppies. Regular small meals of whole-food protein and fat help maintain steady energy and blood sugar between feedings.
  • Dental diseaseCommon in small breeds with crowded teeth. A low-filler, low-sugar whole-food diet avoids the sticky starches that feed plaque, supporting better oral health alongside regular brushing.
  • Patellar luxationA loose kneecap is common in toy breeds. Keeping a Yorkie lean takes load off the joints, and whole-food omega-3 from real fish and meat helps support joint comfort.
  • Tracheal collapseToy breeds are predisposed, and excess weight makes it worse. Measured, calorie-honest feeding to a lean body condition is one of the simplest ways to support an at-risk windpipe.
  • Dry, flaky skinSome Yorkies develop dry skin. An omega-rich, whole-food diet feeds the skin barrier from within, supporting moisture and a healthy, shiny coat.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier: what to know

A Yorkie's stomach is the size of a walnut, so how often matters as much as how much. Adults do best on two to three small meals a day; puppies need three to four to keep blood sugar from dipping. Spreading the day's portion out is one of the most protective things you can do for a toy breed.

Because the numbers are so small, precision counts. A few extra treats can be a meaningful share of a Yorkie's daily calories, so weigh meals, count treats, and feed to a lean, visible waist rather than to that very persuasive little face.

Yorkshire Terrier feeding questions

How much should I feed my Yorkshire Terrier?
A healthy adult Yorkie (around 7 lb) needs roughly 1 to 1.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two to three small meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust as needed.
How often should a Yorkie eat?
Adults do well on two to three small meals a day; puppies need three to four. Frequent meals are especially important for toy breeds to help guard against low blood sugar.
What is the best food for a picky Yorkie?
Freeze-dried raw is intensely aromatic and palatable, which wins over many fussy Yorkies who reject kibble. Try a gentle single protein like Chicken or Cod, served slightly moistened and broken into small morsels.
How do I switch my Yorkie to raw?
Transition over 7 to 10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Start at the lower end of the portion range, keep meals small and frequent, and watch the waistline.
Will raw food help my Yorkie's coat?
It can. Whole-food animal and fish fats supply the omega-3s that feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that silky Yorkie coat and helping ease dry, flaky skin. A Salmon recipe or an omega supplement adds extra support.
Is freeze-dried raw safe for such a small dog?
Yes — it is complete and balanced whole food, just minimally processed. Because portions are tiny for a toy breed, the main thing is to weigh meals and count treats so the small daily calorie budget stays honest.

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  • 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
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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.