Every Yorkie owner wants the absolute best for their dogs. Part of that responsibility involves feeding your dog a healthy and balanced diet. Unfortunately, there are foods that are safe and unsafe. Here you will find a list of Yorkie foods to avoid. These foods are considered not safe and shouldn’t be given to your Yorkshire Terrier.
What Should I Not Feed my Yorkie?
There are a variety of different foods that would not be good for your Yorkie. However, it is important to follow these guidelines because most of these foods could actually be harmful to your dog. Below you will find the foods that should not be given.
Chocolate – I am sure you have heard about the dangers of chocolate for dogs. All dogs should avoid chocolate because it is toxic. Chocolate contains theobromine which is what makes chocolate so toxic for dogs. Even baking chocolate or unsweetened ones are even worse for dogs because it contains more of that theobromine.
Onions – It may surprise you to know that onions are toxic for dogs. Onions contain thiosulphate, which can cause digestive tract irritation and even damage your dog’s red blood cells.
Garlic –Garlic contains the same thing that the onion does and can do the same thing to your dog as the onion.
Grapes & Raisins – Grapes should never be given to your dog as they can affect your dog’s kidneys. People are still unsure what toxin causes issues for dogs. This can be fatal, and one of the first signs of toxicity in dogs is vomiting.
Spicy Food – Spicy food can cause stomach upset and also digestive tract issues for your Yorkie.
Walnuts & macadamia Nuts – Nuts contain high amounts of phosphorus. Too much phosphorus can be dangerous to dogs such all nuts should generally be avoided, especially walnuts and macadamia nuts.
Fruit Pits – The fruit that covers the pit is completely safe for your dog, but you need to remove the pit first. Pits contain cyanide which is extremely harmful for your Yorkshire Terrier.
Cooked Bones – Cooked bones are dangerous because the cooking process makes the bones brittle. When they are brittle that break off or splinter into smaller sharp pieces that can be dangerous for your dog to digest.
Alcohol – Alcohol is extremely toxic to dogs as well as foods that contain alcohol. It is important that you are responsible and keep these things away from your dog. If your Yorkie gets into alcohol, you may notice symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and of course, there is always a possibility of death.
Caffeine – Caffeine is a lot like chocolate, where it is not safe for your dog to consume. Caffeine can make your dog sick just like these other foods, so watch out for common signs.
Moldy or Bad Food – You should never give your dog spoiled or moldy food. Food that is in this condition can be very harmful to your dog and can cause a lot of side effects. I actually have an entire article about the issue and side effects of moldy food.
Fake Sweeteners – Artificial sweeteners are not good for dogs. In general, sugar should always be monitored as too much can lead to issues. For example, Xylitol can cause liver failure and serious issues such as vomiting or lethargy.
What Foods are Most Yorkies Allergic To?
Yorkies can be allergic to a variety of things. Again, every dog is different, but Yorkies can be allergic to dairy, certain proteins, and even gluten. It is very important to introduce new foods slowly as you never know if your dog may be allergic.
Look out for signs of an allergy such as itchy skin, redness, swelling of your dog’s face, etc. If you are unsure what your dog might be allergic to, you will need to do an elimination diet until you have narrowed it down.
Are Yorkies Allergic to Chicken?
It is possible, like I said above, every dog is different, and some dogs can be allergic, and others might not be. First, you will need to give your dog a small amount of chicken to see if your dog develops an allergic reaction.
If you notice that your dog has an allergy, you will want to stear clear of dog foods containing chicken and switch to a different protein source. If your dog suffers from multiple food allergies, then I highly suggest just making your own homemade dog food that way; you know exactly what is in it.
Can Yorkies Eat Eggs?
Yes, your Yorkie can safely eat eggs. Eggs will actually provide your dog with a lot of protein and nutrition. The fatty acids inside of eggs are a great nutritional benefit for your dog. In addition, it will benefit your dog by giving it a healthy coat as well as strong bones and teeth.
Raw eggs are a Yorkie food to avoid. The reverse can actually happen and give your dog skin issues, so just take the time to cook the eggs. Avoiding raw eggs will also keep your dog safe from salmonella.
Can Yorkies Eat Bananas?
Yes, your Yorkshire Terrier can safely eat bananas. Of course, dogs can enjoy some other fruits, but the banana is one of the healthiest. Bananas are low in calorie but also full of potassium, fiber, and even biotin.
Bananas do contain sugar, so they should be given in moderation as your Yorkie is small, and it will not need too much extra food per day. However, you don’t want to let your Yorkie become overweight by feeding it too much sugary fruit.
Can Yorkies Eat Spinach?
Yes, the Yorkie can definitely eat spinach. Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables that you can feed your dog. You can toss some spinach into your dog’s food and mix it up. If you give your dog a combination of wet and dry food, you can totally up some spinach and mix it in.
Spinach has a lot of great vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, and K. The fiber inside spinach will also help your dog’s digestive tract as it will keep your Yorkie regular.
What Vegetables Can Yorkies Eat?
Here is a list of some of the common vegetables that you can give your Yorkshire Terrier:
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Wheatgrass
- Jicama
- Brussels Sprouts
- Asparagus, but it needs to be cooked first.
Vegetables for Yorkies to Avoid
- Onions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
What Fruits Can Yorkies Eat?
Below are some common fruits that your Yorkie can eat safely:
- Apples, if they are skinned, and the core has been removed first
- Bananas
- Various berries
- Oranges
- Melons
- Peaches but the core/pit will need to be removed
- Pumpkin
- Pineapple
- Dragon Fruit
Fruits for Yorkies to Avoid
Here are some fruits that you should never give to your Yorkie:
- Grapes/Raisins
- Cherries that contain pits
- Avocados
- Apricots
- Currants
- Lemons
Overall
As you can see, it is very important to know what Yorkie foods to avoid. If you feed your dog the wrong thing, it could result in your dog being very sick and possibly death. Therefore, always introduce your dog to new foods slowly and make sure you are looking for any concerning side effects.