A former Veterinary Assistant at Southwest Animal Care Hospital, Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all-around geek. Along with writing for DogVills, Ben runs his own virtual assistant company, BizzyBim.
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Table of Contents
Today we’re going to talk about finding the best hypoallergenic dog food for Yorkies. I know I’ve said in the past that breed-specific dog foods are mainly a marketing ploy, and I stand by that. However, there are some considerations to take into effect when buying foods for smaller breeds, so today, we’ll use the Yorkie as a roadmap for what a smaller dog needs in terms of food.
Hypoallergenic dog food has taken the world by storm. I’m a big fan of it. Even if your dog isn’t allergic, it’s is an excellent choice. That’s because these foods are free of all of the major offenders when it comes to allergies, including grains. Grains were never meant to be a staple in a canine diet, so it works out perfectly. Of course, with so many on the market, it can be confusing to know which is the right one. Let’s check out some of the things you should be looking for when you’re shopping.
The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for Yorkies & Other Tiny Dogs
First thing’s first. Let’s look at the Yorkie. He’s a tiny little guy. I mean tiny. They top out at around 7 pounds, so there is nothing large about them except their personalities. So we have a tiny little dog. What does this mean for picking out his food? Let’s go over the Yorkie’s particular characteristics and use that to choose a hypoallergenic dog food that fits the breed.
Size
Again. Yorkie = tiny. This tiny dude is going to have a hard time eating big kibble. So look for foods that have small kibble. This is actually one awesome thing about this new breed-specific food craze. There are a lot of foods out there now that come in small kibble sizes. Look for one of those, as small kibble will be much easier for your dog to digest.
Health Issues
When choosing a food, remember to take into account the Yorkie’s particular health issues, as well. This may sound like looking for a breed specific food, but it’s really just looking for specific ingredients. The Yorkie is prone to eye issues, so you’ll want a food with plenty of beta-carotene.
Yorkies also have issues with luxating patellas or dislocating knee caps. This can sometimes lead to arthritis, so a food with adequate amounts of omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation and promote joint lubrication is a good idea. Bonus: it’s also good for their skin and coat.
Finally, Yorkies, as any small breed, can be prone to hypoglycemia. This is a drastic and rapid drop in blood sugar. Look for a food with high-quality ingredients without fillers. You want every ounce of food to serve a purpose, and fillers don’t do that.
Caloric Density
Although Yorkies are an active breed, they are also commonly kept indoors. Being a lap dog, even an energetic one can lead to obesity. After your Yorkie is fully grown, look for a hypoallergenic dog food that is also low calorie. This will help you keep your Yorkie at his optimal weight and avoid obesity and the health concerns that come with it.
Hypoallergenic Dog Food – Look for Ingredients that Work
When looking for the best hypoallergenic dog food for Yorkie, you want to look for ingredients that work, not for breed names on the packaging. Taking your dog’s size, physical features, and known health issues for the breed into account will help you figure out which hypoallergenic dog food is right for your guy or girl.
Have you discovered the best hypoallergenic dog for Yorkies already? Share your tips in the comments below.
A former Veterinary Assistant at Southwest Animal Care Hospital, Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all-around geek. Along with writing for DogVills, Ben runs his own virtual assistant company, BizzyBim.
A former Veterinary Assistant at Southwest Animal Care Hospital, Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all-around geek. Along with writing for DogVills, Ben runs his own virtual assistant company, BizzyBim.
