Yes, a Yorkie can eat chicken and it is a very healthy food for them to eat as it contains a lot of protein and other important vitamins and minerals that their body needs to help keep them healthy.
In this article we will talk you through whether or not a Yorkie can eat chicken, how much chicken they should be eating, the pros and cons of feeding your Yorkie chicken as well as good alternatives to chicken.
Table of Contents
- Can my Yorkie eat chicken?
- How much chicken should my Yorkie eat?
- Is chicken good for my Yorkie?
- Can chicken be bad for Yorkies?
- What are some alternatives to chicken for dogs?
- How do you cook chicken for Yorkies?
- What is a Yorkie’s favorite food?
- Is too much chicken bad for my Yorkie?
- Can I mix boiled chicken into dog food?
- What should Yorkies not eat?
- Can Yorkie puppies eat chicken?
Can my Yorkie eat chicken?
Yes, your Yorkie can eat chicken, just like every other dog. Chicken is a fantastic food to give to your Yorkie as dogs require a lot of protein in order to keep them healthy.
However, making sure that your Yorkie gets enough protein can be tricky as you will also need to make sure that they are not getting too much fat, as is the case with a lot of meats. Chicken is lean meat, making it a great choice.
How much chicken should my Yorkie eat?
Because Yorkies are small dogs you should make sure that you are not overfeeding them as they should be given less food than average or even large dogs.
On average, you should not let a single food make up more than 10% of your dog’s complete diet. And a Yorkie should be having, on average, around 150 to 200 calories a day.
So, you should not give your Yorkie any more than 15 to 20 calories of chicken a day.
Is chicken good for my Yorkie?
Chicken is a great food to give to your Yorkie, either on its own as a treat or as part of a bigger meal. Chicken is high in protein and low in fat. However, you should also aim to balance it out with carbohydrates and vegetables.
Remember that chicken is only good for your dog as long as it is plain, fully cooked and served as the correct portion. Feeding your dog too much chicken, undercooked chicken or seasoned chicken can be dangerous.
Can chicken be bad for Yorkies?
In some cases, chicken can be bad for Yorkies, like with all dogs, which is why it is important that you either prepare the chicken yourself or you know exactly how it was prepared.
The reasoning behind this is that seasoning, such as garlic powder, can be toxic to dogs and can make them very sick.
Additionally, if the chicken is not properly cooked then it may still contain parasites and give your dog salmonella poisoning. If this is the case then you will need to take them to a vet for an examination as soon as possible.
What are some alternatives to chicken for dogs?
If your dog is not a fan of chicken, is allergic or you simply want to switch up their meals then you can find some great alternatives to chicken.
Turkey is another lean meat that is a great choice for dogs. Beef is also another alternative, but some parts of beef can be very fatty so you should avoid these for leaner options.
If your dog is not a fan of cooked meat then it is perfectly fine to give them kibble or any dry food as this will contain all of the nutrients that they need to remain fit and healthy.
How do you cook chicken for Yorkies?
When preparing chicken the most important thing is that it is properly cooked so that you kill off any parasites or harmful bacteria that may be in the meat. This will stop your Yorkie from getting ill.
The easiest and healthiest way to cook chicken for your Yorkie is to boil it. Boil a pan of water (unsalted), dice up your chicken and place it in a metal rest in the pan for 12 minutes or until fully cooked.
Remember to serve the chicken plain. It may not seem appetising to you, but it is better than making your dog sick.
What is a Yorkie’s favorite food?
Each dog is unique and one Yorkie’s favorite food may not be another’s. However, in general, many dogs agree that any type of cooked meat is their favorite thing to eat.
If you are not sure what your dog’s favorite food is you can try presenting them with options and see which one they choose. Alternatively, you can change up their meals every day and see which one they eat more of.
If your dog does not like a certain food then do not force it on them. Instead, look for good alternatives that will provide them with the vitamins and minerals that they need.
Is too much chicken bad for my Yorkie?
Just like with everything in the world, everything should be done in moderation and this includes giving your dog chicken.
In total, only 10% of your Yorkie’s meals should be chicken and then the rest should be made up with other types of proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables (and treats occasionally too)!
Too much chicken will not allow your dog to get all of the nutrients that they need and will fill them up so that they do not want to eat the vegetables that they need.
Can I mix boiled chicken into dog food?
Yes, you can mix boiled chicken into dog food and this is a great way to give your dog a bit of extra protein if they need it.
However, remember to adjust the amount of dog food that you are giving them to account for the calories in the chicken.
What should Yorkies not eat?
There are a number of things that dogs cannot eat, and this also goes for Yorkies. Examples of toxic foods include chocolate, grapes, avocados, onion, many seasonings and spices.
Remember that if you are eating a meal with chicken that contains any of these ingredients (remember that this list is not complete) do not give any to your dog.
Can Yorkie puppies eat chicken?
Yes, just like chicken is a good source of protein for adult dogs it is also a good choice for growing puppies.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.