Can Yorkies Eat Raw Meat? (Solved & Explained!)

Many pet owners prefer to give their dogs raw meat diets due to the increased nutritional value of raw meat versus cooked meat. However, is it safe for Yorkies, who have quite sensitive stomachs? Yes. Raw meat is generally considered safe for Yorkies, although there are some things to look out for. 

Read on to find out some of the precautions that should be taken when feeding your Yorkie raw meat, how to prepare raw meat for your Yorkie, and more! Find out for certain the answer to the question: Can Yorkies eat raw meat?

Can Yorkies eat raw meat?

As mentioned above, Yorkies can generally eat raw meat. Meats like chicken, turkey, and fish, are best because they are low in fat. However, in a pinch, red meat, pork, or eggs can be fine substitutes, although a bit high in fat content. 

Generally speaking, however, the answer is yes. Raw meat is fine for Yorkies. However, Yorkies have sensitive stomachs and are picky eaters. Therefore, you should consult your vet before making any changes to your Yorkie’s diet, and monitor changes in your Yorkie’s behavior closely after adding raw meat to your dog’s bowl.

What meats to serve to your Yorkie?

As mentioned above, you’ll want to go with leaner proteins to avoid unnecessary weight gain and health problems down the line. Chicken, fish, and turkey are ideal. These proteins give your Yorkie the nutrients it needs while also being low in fat, keeping your dog happy and healthy while it builds muscle. 

Organ meat, such as chicken or beef liver, can also be good because it is extremely nutrient-dense. However, it is also quite rich, so feed it to your Yorkie in moderation. 

How to prepare raw meat for your Yorkie

Preparing raw meat for your Yorkie is not as simple as just throwing a piece of raw chicken in your dog’s bowl. However, it’s not too hard. 

First, make sure you’re getting your meat from a reputable source. After all, raw meat can have parasites and bacteria if obtained from the wrong place. Getting clean, high-quality meat is of the utmost importance when switching your Yorkie to a raw food diet. 

Next, cut your meat into pieces that will be easier for your Yorkie to chew. Although they are designed to eat raw meat, if they aren’t used to it it may be hard for them to chew and swallow at first. 

Also, you’ll need to add some carbs and veggies to your dog’s meal to make it well-rounded. After all, only protein doesn’t satisfy all of your Yorkie’s nutritional needs. 

Things to watch out for when giving raw meat to your Yorkie

The main thing to watch out for when giving raw meat to your Yorkie is bacteria and parasites on the meat. Although this is always a risk with raw meat, obtaining your meat from a reputable source and making sure you’re getting the highest quality ingredients can help with mitigating the risk involved with a raw food diet. 

Another thing is that your dog will be quite messy eating raw meat! When first switching to the raw diet, you should feed your Yorkie in an area you don’t mind making a mess in. Outdoors is ideal, but a room with a tarp or newspaper on the ground can also be fine. After all, you don’t want to have a lengthy clean-up after every meal your dog eats. 

Carbs to serve with raw meat for Yorkies

The best carbs to serve with your dog’s protein are rice, potatoes, or pasta. These will give your Yorkie the energy it needs to get through the day and fill its belly! These are often an overlooked part of your Yorkies diet. However, they are essential in the energy and fiber they provide, as well as for adding variety to your dog’s bowl. 

Vegetables to serve with raw meat for Yorkies

There are plenty of fantastic vegetables that you can add to your dog’s raw diet to make it more nutritionally balanced. Raw veggies are more nutritionally dense than cooked ones as well, so you’ll want to keep these raw also. 

Carrots, kale, spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, and other veggies are great for providing vitamins and minerals to your Yorkie. These can keep things like fur health, eye health, and more up to par! Vitamins and minerals are absolutely essential for a healthy Yorkie, so make sure not to overlook veggies in your raw food diet! 

Nutritional differences between raw and cooked meat

Raw meat is far more nutrient-dense than cooked meat, which is the main reason many owners are switching to a raw food diet. Your Yorkie will get far more protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from a single day of eating raw food than eating cooked food. 

How often to serve Yorkies raw meat

You can serve raw meat to your Yorkie on daily basis. However, you should start slow. Give your dog some raw meat and watch intently to see if any of its digestive habits change. Then slowly ramp up how often you’re giving your Yorkie raw meat until all the proteins it eats are raw!

How much raw meat to serve your Yorkie

When serving raw meat to your Yorkie, you should keep it to around 2-4% of its body weight. This should be enough to satisfy your dog’s nutritional needs, and any more would be overfeeding. Simply weigh your dog and multiply that weight by .02 or .04 in your calculator. 

Every dog is different though, so monitor your dog and see how much it’s eating. If it’s slowing down or not finishing, you can lower the amount of meat you’re giving slightly. Likewise, if it’s finishing quickly, perhaps it needs slightly more! 

Can you mix raw food with kibble?

Yes. Mixing raw food with kibble is quite common, and can be a great way to get all the necessary nutrients into your dog’s diet. It can also be a great way to transition from a kibble diet to a fully raw diet, and is totally healthy! Yorkies are picky eaters, so if your Yorkie prefers its meat with kibble, it’s okay to keep feeding it this way.