Can Yorkies Eat Squash? (Solved & Explained!)

Yorkie owners are always looking for new foods to put in these picky dogs’ diets! That being said, squash is a perfect contender for a staple veggie in the diet of any Yorkie. Not only can Yorkies eat squash, but it has many nutritional benefits, making it a great addition to all of your Yorkie’s meals.

There’s a lot to know about giving your dog squash or any vegetable, however. Read on to find out if Yorkies can eat squash!

Can Yorkies eat squash?

If you’re looking for a short answer, it’s yes! Squash can be a fantastic addition to your Yorkie’s diet. It provides them with plenty of vitamins and minerals that will help with physical health, and it’s a tasty addition to any meal. It can’t be the only food in your dog’s diet due to its lack of protein and carbs, but it can certainly be a staple!

How to serve squash to your Yorkie

Serving squash to your Yorkie can be done in a number of ways. You can serve squash cooked or raw. If you’re interested in the nutritional differences between cooked and raw squash, you can scroll down a bit to the “cooked vs. raw” section. 

Squash can also be served in a bowl with a carb and a protein (such as chicken and rice), alongside kibble or other dry food, or as a treat! The possibilities with this healthy veggie are endless.

How much squash to serve to your Yorkie

A teaspoon or two of squash daily is enough to give your dog the nutritional benefit of the veggie without filling its stomach too much. This will leave room in your dog’s belly for other important foods like protein and carbs! Add around one tablespoon to each meal your dog eats throughout the day. 

How often to serve squash to your Yorkie

Don’t be afraid to serve your dog squash every day, or even with every meal. This is not a food you need to worry about overfeeding. It has extremely low fat content and a ton of vital vitamins and minerals that will help keep your dog healthy and happy. 

Raw vs. Cooked squash

Raw squash can be served to a dog, but it can be far more difficult for your dog to digest. This can lead, in the worst cases, to things like diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal distress. However, raw squash does have more nutritional benefits, as some of the vitamins and minerals can be lost in the cooking process. 

On the other hand, cooked squash is far easier for a Yorkie to eat and digest, but has less nutritional content. It’s recommended to start with cooked squash and see how your dog digests that before moving on to trying raw. 

Health benefits of squash for Yorkies

Squash has a ton of vitamin A, vitamin B6, and folate, meaning that it is fantastic to help with a dog’s digestion. This is especially helpful for Yorkies who have sensitive stomachs. 

The vitamins present in squash are also great for your Yorkie’s fur health and can result in a healthier, shinier coat on your Yorkie!

Negative health effects of squash for Yorkies

There are very few negative health effects of squash for Yorkies besides the digestive issues that can come with feeding it raw. Other than this, you don’t need to worry about anything bad coming from the feeding of squash to a Yorkie. It is a very healthy treat or addition to your Yorkie’s meals and is a safe food to make a staple of your dog’s diet. 

Can your dog be allergic to squash?

Yes. You should be careful adding any new food to your Yorkies diet. Yorkies, like any dog, can be allergic to almost any food. This is why you should closely monitor your dog for health issues after giving it a food you don’t normally serve to it or that it’s never eaten before. 

Proteins to serve with squash for Yorkies

Squash is great, but it’s missing some crucial nutrients. Because of this, you need to pair it with some important food like proteins. 

For protein, you’ll want to go with something lean and healthy. Chicken, fish, and turkey are great options for meats that should be in your dog’s bowl. Eggs and beans can be fine meatless alternatives but aren’t as low fat, so be careful with how much you feed your dog!

Carbs to serve with squash for Yorkies

Your dog will also need some carbohydrates to provide energy and fill its belly. Kibble is fine, but if you want to give your dog something else, white rice, brown rice, potatoes, or pasta are all fine options. 

Are Yorkies picky eaters?

Yorkies are picky eaters, so it can sometimes be difficult to introduce new foods to their diet. If your Yorkie isn’t taking to squash right away, try serving it different kinds of squash, mixing it up more into the foods around it, or changing the way you serve it (cooked vs. raw). Every Yorkie is different, so some may not like squash at all.

Do Yorkies have sensitive stomachs?

Yorkies do have sensitive stomachs, so feeding them raw squash can be risky. That being said, the nutrients that are in squash can actually help combat this problem. Becasue of this, getting into the habit of adding cooked squash to your Yorkie’s dinner bowl can actually be very helpful for adding variety to their diet and helping their digestive issues in the long run. 

Call your vet!

Before adding any new food to your Yorkie’s diet, or making any changes to it, you should call your vet. After all, every Yorkie, and every dog, is unique and needs special consideration when it comes to how dietary changes will affect their physical health.

Calling your vet can help you understand what is best practice when it comes to adding new foods to your dog’s dinner bowl. Your Yorkie will be glad you did!