The Yorkshire Terrier, or as they are commonly known - Yorkies, are small compact dogs that usually sell on their 'cute factor'. Yet what many people do not know is that these dogs are really fragile and that proper dog care needs to be administered for them. If this is not done, Yorkies are even prone to serious illnesses and health problems. That is why it is important to know what some of the best choices to make for Yorkies are, because healthy and nutritious food is essential for all dogs, but more so for Yorkies, because they are fragile. The following article will deal with some of the greatest dog food for Yorkies and why it is important to feed them that food.

The Choices

So what is the best dog food for Yorkies? Believe it or not - homemade dog food! A dog's digestive system is meant to digest meats and the like. Giving them stale leftovers is not the way to go. So what exactly do you give them? The following paragraphs will fill you in on some of the best dog food options for Yorkies and what some dog food ingredients should be.

Meats
Feed them meats like chicken, beef, turkey, fish and other natural foods that you can afford to give them. Dogs have large stomachs and a short straight digestive tract that is meant to digest meat. They are meant to eat it, so there's really no need to go 'It's too heavy, taxing for their system' here. When giving meat to the dogs, make sure that you know the quality of it. Most dog products are made up of meats that are not really fit for their consumption. These meats are loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics. They come from animals that are dead, have had diseases, are dying or are disabled. Such foods have an adverse effect on the dog and your pet can even catch diseases from it. So make sure that you feed them the meat that you yourself are consuming - that is the safest bet.

Dairy Products
This really is according to the preference of your dog. You need to get in a good supply of cheese, milk and fresh yogurt from time to time in their diets. It does the same thing to the dogs as it would do to you. It provides for a good supply of calcium, thus making their teeth and bones stronger. It also strengthens their immune system and prevents them from becoming susceptible to diseases.

Vegetables and Fruits
Most owners will find that their dogs shirk away from fruits and vegetables. Obviously, your dog isn't going to relish a spinach salad, but, at times you can mix a batch of rice, yogurt and certain vegetables (fresh) and feed your dog and very rarely certain cereals.

Foods to Avoid - The Details

Now that you have a fair idea of what the best dog food for Yorkies is and how to maintain their health, with the kinds of foods that are good for them, let's turn to some of the things that you should not be feeding them.

I shall specifically refrain from making any comment on any of the pet foods that are available in the market today. For that, it would be best if you contact your vet and have a proper consultation with him/her about what will suit your pet best. What I can do instead is give you a list of some of the chemicals and preservatives that you should be looking out for in these products and refraining from giving your dog. Here is a list:
  • BHA - Butylated Hydroxyanisole. This is a kind of preservative that is added to food to preserve the fat reserves.
  • BHT - Butylated Hydroxytoluene. This is a phenolic compound that is added to foods to preserve them.
  • Ethoxyquin - It is an antioxidant that is used in preservation of food and to prevent spoilage of fats. What makes it dangerous is the fact that it is also used as a pesticide!
  • Animal By-products - These come from parts of animals like beaks, head, lungs, blood and feet among others. Neither do they provide any nutrition to them, they cause diseases instead.
  • Corn and Soybeans - These are difficult for dogs to digest and can cause problems with health.
I hope this article has been able to give you a clear understanding of what some of the nutritious things to feed dogs and your Yorkshire Terrier are. For any other doubt that you might have, I recommend you visit your vet. All the best!