Can Yorkies Eat Ribs? (Solved & Explained!)

Yorkie owners are constantly looking for new foods to feed to these picky eaters, and that includes meats and proteins. So that brings us to the question: can Yorkies eat ribs?

While rib meat is generally fine (though a bit unhealthy) the real danger of ribs comes from the bones that can cause a choking hazard or cut the inside of your dog’s mouth and throat. Your dog can eat rib meat (not bones), but there are healthier and safer alternatives. 

There’s a lot to know about what meats are safe for your Yorkie to eat! Read on to find out everything you need to know about feeding ribs to your Yorkie and get an answer to the question: can Yorkies eat ribs?

Can Yorkies eat ribs?

Yorkies can eat ribs once in a while. So if you’re looking for a short answer, it’s yes. However, there are a few things to watch out for when serving ribs to a Yorkie. Firstly, you can not give table scrap ribs or ribs you didn’t finish to your Yorkie.

The cooked rib bones can pose a choking risk, and the sauces and seasonings on human food are not good for Yorkies to eat. 

Ribs are also quite fatty and can pose health risks if eaten regularly. However, they are a fine treat once in a while. 

How to serve ribs to your Yorkie

If you’re going to serve ribs to your Yorkie, the best thing you can do is get the meat off the bones and serve it. Otherwise, your dog should not be eating ribs.

If it’s the only meat you have on hand, you can try to get the meat off of the bones before cooking it without adding any sauces, seasonings, or salts and then serving it with vegetables and carbs in your dog’s bowl. 

How much rib meat to give your Yorkie

If you’re going to shred the rib meat and give it to your dog, give no more than 1/4 cup to a dog as small as a Yorkie. This meat is very fatty, so it’s best to give it in small amounts. 

How often can you feed ribs to your Yorkie?

Pork is very fatty and shouldn’t be given to your Yorkie more than once a week. If you overfeed pork or beef to your dog, it can lead to unnecessary weight gain and other health problems down the line.

Health benefits of ribs for Yorkies

The main health benefit of giving ribs to your Yorkie would be the protein that they provide. However, there are far healthier and more effective ways to get protein into your Yorkie’s diet than giving them ribs. 

Unfortunately, the risks and the negative health effects far outweigh the benefit, due to the ability to get protein elsewhere. 

Negative health effects of feeding ribs to your Yorkie

Pork and beef ribs pose a number of negative health effects to your Yorkie. Firstly, they are quite fatty, meaning that excess consumption of rib meat, especially by a smaller breed like a Yorkie, can quickly lead to weight gain, which can put stress on your dog’s organs and joints. 

Long-term pork and beef consumption by dogs can also lead to pancreatitis, which in its worst cases can be a fatal condition. 

The dangers of rib bones

The main danger of rib consumption by Yorkies is the bones. Cooked rib bones can splinter while your Yorkie eats the ribs. This can do damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and even its intestines. This can lead to injury and internal bleeding, which can be exceptionally dangerous.

Alternative proteins for Yorkies

There are plenty of other proteins that are not only healthier, but safer for your dog. Instead of pork or red meat, try a leaner protein like chicken, turkey, or fish. these foods will give your Yorkie the protein it needs while not providing unnecessary calories and fat that can lead to health problems down the line. 

If you’re looking for a meatless option, eggs and beans can serve well. Eggs are a bit fatty, but they also have a lot of vitamins and minerals that can help with your dog’s overall physical health. 

What vegetables to serve with protein for Yorkies

Remember, whether you’re serving ribs or not, all proteins lack certain vitamins and minerals that can only be found in vegetables. Try adding some carrots, kale, cucumber, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, green beans, or other veggies to your dog’s bowl. 

What carbs to serve with protein for Yorkies

Your dog will also need carbs to go along with whatever proteins you decide are best. Kibble and dry food work, but white rice, brown rice, potatoes, and pasta are all fine alternatives as well. 

Can Yorkies be allergic to ribs?

Yorkies, along with any other kind of dog, can be allergic to any food. That’s why it’s very important to call your vet before giving your Yorkie something new to eat. Afterward, you should closely monitor your dog’s health and behavior to see how they’re reacting to new foods. 

Avoiding sauces, spices, and seasonings

Ribs often come with sauces, spices, and seasonings, which is another reason that any ribs meant for humans are certainly not fit to be served to your pet. These flavorings can be very hard on your dog’s digestive system and lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal distress. It’s best to avoid any food with any oils, salts, spices, seasonings, or sauces. 

Are Yorkies picky eaters?

Yorkies are very picky eaters, so it can be quite difficult to find a protein that they like. That being said, even if they like ribs, the dangers of ribs often outweigh any benefit they could provide, so it’s best to move on to a different protein if possible. 

Do Yorkies have sensitive stomachs?

Yorkies have very sensitive stomachs, so make sure you are giving them leaner foods and proteins that will be easier for them to digest.