Yorkshire Terrier Feeding Calculator
Get your Yorkshire Terrier's portions right — calculated for their weight, life stage, and the exact food in your bag. Because the chart on the bag doesn't know your dog.
Values auto-fill from the food you pick. Can't find yours? Choose “My food isn't listed” in the search and copy the numbers from the bag's Calorie Content (ME) label — dry foods typically run 3,300–4,200 kcal/kg.
Yorkshire Terrier feeding notes
A grown Yorkie eats a startlingly small amount: a 2.7 kg adult needs only about 235 kcal a day (RER = 70 × 2.7^0.75 = 147, × 1.6), so weigh food in grams — one heaped tablespoon of kibble can approach 10% of the entire daily budget. Yorkie puppies are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): feed 3–4 small meals a day until about 6 months and keep honey or corn syrup on hand for wobbly episodes. Tiny crowded jaws also make daily dental care a breed priority from puppyhood.
Yorkshire Terrier puppy growth chart — male & female
Healthy weight ranges by age. A puppy slightly lean is healthier than slightly heavy — especially for growing dogs.
♂ Male
| Age | Range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 2 mo | 0.8 – 1 |
| 3 mo | 1.3 – 1.6 |
| 4 mo | 1.7 – 2.1 |
| 5 mo | 2 – 2.5 |
| 6 mo | 2.3 – 2.8 |
| 8 mo | 2.5 – 3 |
| 12 mo | 2.7 – 3.2 |
| 18 mo | 1.8 – 3.2 |
♀ Female
| Age | Range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 2 mo | 0.7 – 0.9 |
| 3 mo | 1.1 – 1.4 |
| 4 mo | 1.5 – 1.9 |
| 5 mo | 1.9 – 2.3 |
| 6 mo | 2.1 – 2.6 |
| 8 mo | 2.3 – 2.8 |
| 12 mo | 2.4 – 2.9 |
| 18 mo | 1.7 – 2.9 |
Reference: Weight: breed standard maximum 7 lb / 3.2 kg (AKC standard) with typical range 4-7 lb / 1.8-3.2 kg via Wikipedia — single range, female range derived as ×0.92 (estimate); growth midpoints per small-breed developmental ratios (estimate); hypoglycemia first aid: Veterinary Nursing Journal 2022; dental: AVMA. Always confirm against your vet's assessment — individual lines vary.
Feeding guide by growth stage
Meal frequency and food type for a growing Yorkshire Terrier:
| Age | Meals | Food type | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 3–4 × daily | puppy formula | Soak kibble warm water 10 min if still soft; weigh weekly. |
| 3–6 months | 3 × daily | puppy formula | Peak growth — feed to the chart, never free-feed; keep puppy lean. |
| 6–12 months | 2 × daily | puppy formula | Growth slows; reduce portions if ribs get hard to feel. |
| → adult (10–12 months) | 2 × daily | adult formula | Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing adult food. |
Yorkshire Terrier milestones
What happens when — eyes, teeth, maturity, and when hard exercise is safe:
Frequently asked questions
How much should a Yorkshire Terrier eat per day?
Not much: a 2.7 kg neutered adult needs about 235 kcal per day (RER = 70 × 2.7^0.75 = 147, × 1.6) — barely half a cup of a typical 400 kcal/cup dry food. A smaller 2 kg adult needs only about 190 kcal (RER 118 × 1.6). Weigh portions in grams; at this size a measuring-cup error can be 20% of the ration.
How much should a Yorkshire Terrier weigh?
The breed standard caps Yorkies at 7 lb (3.2 kg); typical adults fall between about 4–7 lb (1.8–3.2 kg), with pet-bred dogs sometimes running a little larger. Whatever the scale says, you should feel the ribs with light finger pressure and see a waist from above — body condition score 4–5/9. On a 3 kg dog, just 0.3 kg of excess weight is already 10% overweight.
Why does my Yorkie puppy need so many small meals?
Toy-breed puppies have minimal energy reserves and can develop hypoglycemia if they go too long without eating — signs include trembling, weakness and a wobbly walk. Feed 3–4 small meals a day until around 6 months; a 3-month-old (1.3–1.6 kg) needs roughly 3 × RER, about 280 kcal a day. If a puppy becomes wobbly, rub a little honey or corn syrup on the gums and call your vet (toy-breed hypoglycemia first aid, Veterinary Nursing Journal, 2022).
When should I switch my Yorkie puppy to adult food?
At 9–12 months — toy breeds finish growing long before large breeds do, and puppy-formula calories become surplus once growth slows. Transition over 7–10 days, choose a small-bite kibble sized for tiny jaws, and recalculate the daily portion from the new food's calorie density.
Do Yorkshire Terriers need special dental care?
Yes — it is arguably the breed's most everyday health problem. A Yorkie's tiny jaw crowds a full set of adult teeth, so plaque and tartar build fast; the AVMA notes most dogs show periodontal disease by age three, and toy breeds get there earliest. Brush daily with dog toothpaste, use VOHC-accepted dental chews, and schedule the professional cleanings your vet recommends.