The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest pet dog breeds, so many people begin raising it from puppyhood. For a new dog owner, however, the first Yorkshire Terrier puppy can be stressful, because there are many things to watch out for, especially in such a tiny breed.
Proper feeding amount
At around 25 days old, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy still relies mainly on its mother's milk, though it may sometimes try to steal food from the mother's bowl. At that stage, the owner should adjust the mother dog's food as well. A good approach is to soften the mother's kibble with warm water. This helps the mother digest more easily and also lowers the risk that the puppy will suffer indigestion if it samples her food.
By the time a Yorkshire Terrier puppy reaches about 40 days of age, it can usually be weaned. At that point, full feeding of the puppy becomes necessary. Because the digestive system is still not fully developed, the food must be complete, balanced, and easy to digest. Small frequent meals are best, usually four to five feedings a day. The food can be puppy kibble softened with warm water, or puppy kibble softened with puppy milk replacer.
Feeding frequency for Yorkshire Terrier puppies
At around 40 days to two months of age, the owner should keep to the principle of small, frequent meals and feed about four to five times a day, with equal intervals between meals so the food is easier to digest well.
After the puppy reaches about three months of age, a little dry kibble can gradually be added to the food mixture. This helps dental development, and the number of daily meals usually does not need to change yet.
When the puppy slowly grows to about six months old, both the feeding frequency and feeding amount should be adjusted. At that stage, three meals a day are usually suitable, with each meal given to about eighty percent fullness. Once the dog becomes an adult, the schedule can generally be changed to two meals a day, still at about eighty percent fullness. In addition, as the puppy grows, the owner should make sure calcium and other nutrients are supplemented in time so that the body develops normally and healthily.