Yorkies Food Facts: 5 Foods You Should Never Feed a Yorkshire Terrier

Although some human foods can be suitable for your Yorkshire terrier, some should be avoided at all costs. Not only are certain foods bad for their health, but there are also some that have proven to be poisonous. Yorkies already tend to have health problems, and their petite posture only presents a greater danger. That’s why you should pay extra attention to Yorkies food and what they eat. Take a look at five foods that you should never feed your Yorkie.

Garlic, Chives, and Onion

Although you might have never thought of giving your Yorkie garlic, chives, or onion, you should also avoid serving them any food containing these three ingredients. Yorkies that consume too much garlic, chives, or onion can develop anemia as their red blood cells are attacked.

Onions are more dangerous than garlic as toxins build over time, and repeated amounts are quite dangerous. Garlic is a safe food in small doses if not taken too often. However, eating these foods in quantities larger than 0.5% of Yorkies’ bodyweight might lead to fatal outcomes. 

All the more, the poisoning can take a few days, so you might not even see anything is wrong. Yet, if you notice signs of poisoning, be sure to induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to your Yorkshire terrier.

Chocolate 

You might have heard that chocolate isn’t as dangerous as depicted in movies or TV shows, and that is true for some dog breeds, but not Yorkies. Larger dogs can typically eat small amounts of chocolate without consequences, but smaller dogs can experience dangerous symptoms.

Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs slowly process. That’s why the chemical can build up in a dog’s system, leading to negative consequences. On top of that, chocolate contains caffeine that increases the heart rate and stimulates the dog’s nervous system.

As darker chocolate contains more milk, it’s one of the most dangerous Yorkies food. Remember to always keep it out of reach.

Bones 

Bones represent a choking hazard for small dogs. Although big dogs don’t have a problem with eating a bone or two when you’re cooking, giving one to your Yorkie may be fatal. Cooked bones tend to splinter quite easily, meaning they can get stuck in the dog’s intestines. Ultimately, it can puncture their digestive tract or cause an intestinal obstruction.

Chicken and pork bones should be avoided at all costs, while raw beef bones are deemed acceptable. However, make sure you give your Yorkie a larger bone after eating and then take it away within ten minutes. That way, you can make sure your Yorkie doesn’t swallow it.

Nuts 

Small and hard foods are considered to be extremely dangerous for Yorkies. That’s why nuts are among the top five most fatal foods for Yorkies. These foods can get stuck in the dog’s esophagus as they can be too sharp or too large for them. 

Macadamias, walnuts, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, and similar foods can get stuck close to the heart base or in the back near the diaphragm. If this happens, make sure you take your Yorkshire terrier straight to the vet. They might need medical intervention as serious complications can arise.

READ ALSO: 5 Must-Have Accessories for Yorkies You Should Buy

Xylitol

Xylitol is not a food per se, but it is commonly found in many foods, and it has proven to be fatal for animals. Xylitol occurs naturally in vegetables and fruits, and it’s often found in chewing gum, treats, sweets, and baked goods. This sweetener is deadly for both cats and dogs, especially smaller ones. That’s why you won’t find this ingredient in any Yorkies food.

It doesn’t take much for Xylitol to be fatal, especially with Yorkies. They can experience a high drop in blood sugar and lethal liver damage. It typically starts within minutes, sometimes hours, and it’s manifested with seizures and vomiting. So, be careful where you put your gum and other sweets.