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Wondering about the best dog treats for Yorkies?
The various flavors of Fruitables Soft and Chewy Skinny Minis Grain Free Dog Training Treats are the best dog treats for Yorkies, especially if you are using them for training.
I have researched the various treats available in the market and even tried out the best few shortlisted for my pup. Hence, you can say that I have some knowledge of the treats’ nutritional value and suitability for dogs.
The Fruitables mini treats are small in size, low in calories, and rich in antioxidants, which are ideal for Yorkies. Additionally, they come in 6 different flavors, so even the pickiest Yorkies are likely to find at least a flavor that they like.
However, other treats may be a better alternative in some other cases, so read on to find out our recommended best dog treats for Yorkies!
Our Best Dog Treats For Yorkies
- Best overall Yorkie dog treat: Fruitables Soft and Chewy Skinny Minis Grain Free Dog Training Treats
- Best Yorkie dog treat with dental cleaning properties: C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT Zen Tartar Control Chews for Dogs
- Best Yorkie dog treat for liver health: Zesty Paws Liver Support Supplement for Dogs
- Best Yorkie dog treat for eye health: Zesty Paws Eye Supplement for Dogs
- Best low-budget Yorkie dog treat: Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Natural Grain Free Dog Treats
5 Best Dog Treats For Yorkies Reviewed
All dog treats reviewed here have at least an 80% positive rating, and the information provided is accurate at the time of review.
1. Fruitables Soft and Chewy Skinny Minis Grain Free Dog Training Treats
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Only 3 calories per treat | Contains many ingredients |
| Grain-free | |
| Nutrient-dense with antioxidants to reduce inflammation |
The Fruitables mini treats have only 3 calories per treat, so you do not have to worry about your Yorkie getting overweight as long as you feed the treats in moderation. Yorkie owners have reviewed that both humans and dogs were pleased with the treats!
These treats are made with fruits that contain antioxidants which help to reduce inflammation in the body, including the lungs. They are also loaded with nutrients that help your dog to remain healthy and reduce the risks of diseases and cancer.
However, it is hard to pack so many nutrients without using a wide variety of ingredients. Therefore, their ingredient list is quite long – containing approximately 15-20 ingredients, depending on the flavor. Therefore, check the list to see if your Yorkie is allergic to the listed ingredients before feeding them to your dog.
Product details:
- Manufactured in: USA
- Size: Bite-size
- Flavor: Apple bacon, Grilled bison, Pumpkin & Berry, Pumpkin & Mango, Rotisserie chicken, and Watermelon
- Texture: Soft and chewy
2. C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT Zen Tartar Control Chews for Dogs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Approved by the VOHC | 24 calories per chew |
| Cleans teeth, freshens breath, and supports digestion | Some dogs expressed disinterest |
| Plant-based and gluten-free |
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approves these dental chews, so rest assured about their quality and the benefits they can bring to your Yorkie. These chews are also plant-based and gluten-free, making them suitable for dogs that have gluten-related or meat-related food allergies.
They are also one of the dental treats suitable for Yorkies, who usually weigh between 4-7 pounds, as they specifically cater to dogs with 6 pounds or less. Other dental treats usually start from dogs with at least 5-7 pounds, making their nutritional content more geared towards dogs around 10 pounds.
However, the calorie content per chew can be pretty hefty at 24 calories, so you might want to consider breaking up the chew into multiple portions and feed only a portion a day.
Product details:
- Manufactured in: Vietnam
- Size: A short bone-shaped stick
- Flavors: Only one
- Texture: Hard
3. Zesty Paws Liver Support Supplement for Dogs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good for liver and kidney health | More of a supplement than treat |
| Contain ingredients that help in detoxification | |
| Made in FDA-registered facilities |
The Zesty Paws liver support treats contain plenty of Curcumin and BioPerine – the former helps to support liver function, while the latter allows the body to absorb Curcumin better. One of the ingredients used is dandelion root, which has detoxification properties to help maintain the health of your Yorkie’s liver.
Owners who fed this treat to their dogs have also reported that the treats have helped their dogs’ liver health.
However, these treats act more as a supplement, as your Yorkie, which most probably weighs less than 25 lbs, should only eat 1 per day. Therefore, this treat is not a suitable choice if you intend to use them for training purposes.
Product details:
- Manufactured in: USA
- Size: Heart-shape
- Flavor: Chicken
- Texture: Crunchy
4. Zesty Paws Eye Supplement for Dogs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good for eye health and immunity | More of a supplement than treat |
| Especially suitable for senior dogs | |
| Made in FDA-registered facilities |
The Zesty Paws eye supplements are tailor-made with antioxidants and astaxanthin to support eye health and visual functions.
Owners whose dogs have experienced eye problems turned to this supplement. A vast majority of them reported seeing an increase in eye health and performance.
Similar to the liver support supplement, this treat is more of an eye supplement than a treat, so do stick to the suggested daily amounts listed on the packaging.
Product details:
- Manufactured in: USA
- Size: Heart-shape
- Flavor: Only one flavor
- Texture: Crunchy
5. Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Natural Grain Free Dog Treats
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good value for price | Picky eaters may not like them |
| Contains omega-3, omega-6, and prebiotics for skin and circulatory health | |
| Less than 2 calories per treat |
The Merrick small breed dog treats have the lowest calories per treat, at less than 2 calories. As such, they are an excellent choice for owners who are on a low budget but still want to provide a healthy option for their Yorkies.
Unlike the Fruitables, Merrick treats do not contain antioxidants that boost overall immunity and health. However, they do contain omega-3 and omega-6, which help to maintain skin and circulatory health respectively. Additionally, they include prebiotics, which help the friendly bacteria in your Yorkie’s guts digest food better.
Many small dog owners have spoken that this is a good training treat for their dogs. A handful mentioned that their picky pups turned their head away, so be prepared for such a reaction if your Yorkie is a picky eater.
Product details:
- Manufactured in: USA
- Size: Bite-size
- Flavors: Beef, Chicken, Other (Salmon), Turkey
- Texture: Soft and chewy
Yorkie Health Considerations
Yorkies are small breeds, so they are prone to complications that plague all small breed dogs, such as obesity and hypoglycemia.
In addition, The Complete Guide to Yorkshire Terriers discussed their genetic composition that makes them more susceptible to eye, liver, and lung issues, which will be explained in detail below.
Additionally, Yorkies’ delicate digestive system do not respond well to frequent dietary changes. Therefore, if your Yorkie has any health complications, consult a veterinarian for their opinions and suggestions before making any changes to the current diet.
Obesity
Small breeds are prone to obesity as it is much easier to overfeed them, and Yorkies are no exception.
Obesity is an issue because it brings about other health issues such as joint issues, digestive disorders, and heart problems.
A way to prevent obesity is to ensure that you provide your dog with low-calorie food and plenty of exercises.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, will usually happen when your Yorkie’s routine has been disrupted.
Some examples include a sudden increase in exercise, delayed meals or consuming lesser than usual, eating artificial sweeteners, and experiencing stress.
To prevent hypoglycemia, ensure that you have a routine planned out for your Yorkie and stick to it as close as possible every day.
Eye Complications
Yorkies experience two common types of eye complications: cataract and dry eye syndrome (DES).
The first is cataract, meaning the eye lens becomes cloudy (whiteness), leading to a decrease in vision and possibly causing blindness. Yorkies are more likely to develop cataracts as a breed, and the chances are even higher in older Yorkies. While most dogs do adjust well to the loss of vision, as owners, we want to prevent it from happening for as long as we can.
The second is DES, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). As the name implies, DES means that your Yorkie is experiencing dry eyes. DES occurs when the amount of tears produced by the glands is insufficient, or the tears dry up too quickly to keep eyes moist. Having dry eyes is very uncomfortable and itchy to your Yorkie, and it will tend to paw at its eyes, possibly causing an infection. Dogs with this eye complication will need medical treatment and a special ointment to be applied for life.
Liver Issues
The liver shunt, formally known as portosystemic shunt (PSS), is an abnormal flow of blood bypassing the liver in the circulatory system.
PSS is an issue because of the crucial functions a liver is responsible for, including detoxifying the body and metabolizing nutrients. Therefore, when PSS occurs, it will lead to the appearance of other issues such as gastrointestinal complications, urinary tract problems, and stunt growth.
For Yorkies with PSS, corrective surgery and special diets recommended by veterinarians will help manage the issue so that your Yorkie can continue living normally.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs, leading to difficulties in breathing, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
While an occasional cough or two is nothing too much to worry about, you should be wary of this issue if you notice your Yorkie coughing frequently.
As coughing exerts a lot of stress and energy from your Yorkie, you may sense that it is getting more lethargic. There may also be mucus discharge from vomiting, and in severe cases of oxygen deprivation, the gums may turn blue.
The underlying cause of this issue is currently unknown, with no single identifiable reason [1]. However, common stimulants that can lead to irritation and inflammatory of the bronchi include air pollutants (such as smoke, dust, and mold), allergens (grass and pollen), and household chemicals.
Yorkie Dog Treats Buying Considerations
Before selecting a treat for your Yorkie, you might want to understand their nutritional needs and the ingredients to look out for.
We will address these concerns in the sections below.
Yorkie Diet and Nutrition
Yorkies need a lot of proteins and will benefit from both lean meat and protein-rich plants.
Unlike some other breeds like huskies closer to their ancestor, the wolf, Yorkies can handle plant materials better.
By feeding plants such as grains, vegetables, and fruits to your Yorkie, you ensure that it gets both animal-based and plant-based proteins, which are essential to its health.
Size & Calories of Treats
Yorkies are small breed dogs with small mouths. Therefore, when you purchase treats for your Yorkie, select small-size treats or spend some time cutting the bigger treats into smaller pieces before feeding.
Also, it is easy to overload Yorkies with calories which will result in obesity issues. Therefore, opt for low-calorie treats or treats that will have low calories when broken into smaller sizes for your Yorkie’s consumption.
Artificial Additives
Most treats will include sweeteners, preservatives, and food coloring to make them last longer and look more appetizing.
Some sweeteners and preservatives are natural. An example of a natural sweetener will be honey, while for preservatives, it will be rosemary extract. Most of these are not dangerous for your Yorkie, although their nutritional value and health benefits are questionable.
On the other hand, artificial sweeteners, coloring, and preservatives must be avoided at all costs. Some food colorings have even been found to have adverse effects on animals [2, 3].
Yorkies are small. Anything that they consume has much more impactful effects on them than medium and large dogs, so it will be wise to avoid any artificial additives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Treating Yorkies
Yorkie owners have asked these questions before, and we want to share the answers with you in case you are wondering about the same question.
If you have a question that is not listed here, you can always contact us, and we will give you a reply.
How often should I feed my Yorkie treats?
You can treat your Yorkie every day, as long as the amount of treats consumed does not exceed 10% of the total consumption in the day.
If you are wondering about the exact amount of treats you can feed your Yorkie, check out the labels on the treat packaging. Most treat packaging will come with a suggested amount to feed per day.
What human foods can I give my Yorkie as treats?
There are many human foods that you can feed your dog, and it will be impossible to list them all down here.
You can refer to the posts on fruits and vegetables to understand what you can and should not feed your dog, as well as some precautionary measures.
Just ensure that you do not feed your dog any cocoa-related products, grapes, alcohol, Allium plants (like onions and garlic), xylitol (an artificial sweetener), and macadamia nuts. For more information about them, check out this post.
Do Yorkies have a favorite flavor or texture?
Yorkies as a breed do not have a favorite flavor or texture, although individual dogs certainly have their preferences.
However, as Yorkies have relatively delicate stomachs, it is good to keep to the same type of treat once your Yorkie gets used to it.
Our Verdict
Yorkies are small dogs, so they need small treats that they can eat and digest easily. They also need treats with lesser calories to prevent obesity and benefit best from treats that are beneficial to the eyes, liver, and lungs.
For training purposes, the best option is the Fruitables Soft and Chewy Skinny Minis Grain Free Dog Training Treats, at a low 3 calorie per treat rich with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body organs.