If you are the lucky owner of a Yorkie Poo, you are familiar with how such a large personality can come in a tiny package. There is no doubt you will be in search of the best dog food to feed your beloved little companion – and what a task that can be!
We are here to help, though. Instead of throwing you into the vast sea of available dog foods and all the information surrounding health and nutrition, we’ve done the digging and even checked into the reviews of other small dog owners to come up with a list of the best dog food for Yorkie Poos available currently on the market. Here’s what we came up with!
Our overall best pick for a Yorkie Poo goes to Ollie Fresh lamb recipe. It features fresh lamb as the first ingredient, which is an excellent protein source that is rich in essential amino acids but has a lower fat content.
Ollie’s aim as a company is to offer high-quality natural pet food that is customized for each dog’s needs and they test every batch. The recipe is packed full of other fresh ingredients like butternut squash, lamb liver, kale, and rice, without the use of fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. Ollie’s recipes are free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and by-products.
Ollie is a subscription-only service that will deliver frozen, vacuum-sealed food right to your door. If left unopened and frozen, it can last up to 6 months. Set aside some room in the fridge and freezer for storage. Subscription services may not be for everyone, but they are growing in popularity due to their convenience.
If your Yorkie Poo suffers from any sensitivities, such as allergies, or stomach issues, this food is ideal. Ollie gets glowing reviews for restoring the health and energy levels of many dogs as well as providing shiny, vibrant coats. Since this is fresh food, it can be expensive when compared to other dry and canned food competitors.
Pros
Fresh lamb is the first ingredient
Customized for each dog’s specific needs
No artificial flavors, preservatives, or by-products
Each batch is tested for safety and quality
Great for food allergy sufferers
Cons
Expensive
Requires storage space in refrigerator/freezer
Subscription services aren’t for everyone
2. Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed – Budget Buy
Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oats, barley, brown rice
Protein content:
27.0% min
Fat content:
16.0% min
Calories:
3,660 kcal/kg, 432 kcal/cup
Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed is a high-quality, affordable kibble that is great for small dogs like Yorkie Poos. That’s why it gets our pick for the best value. You can see that deboned turkey and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, which are rich in protein and essential amino acids.
The recipe also includes a blend of healthy, wholesome grains and a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It also includes probiotics for added digestive support and overall immunity.
This food is formulated to meet AAFCO’s Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance, so it is not designed for puppies but makes an excellent choice for adult dogs. Thus far, negative reviews are limited, and the food gets plenty of positive feedback. As with most recipes, it may not be suited for the occasional picky eater.
Pros
Affordable
Deboned turkey is the first ingredient
Meets AAFCO’s Dog Nutrient Profile for Maintenance
Added probiotics for healthy digestion and immunity
A balanced blend of omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
Lamb hearts, brown rice, cauliflower, carrots, spinach
Protein content:
6% min
Fat content:
5% min
Calories:
1,332 kcal ME/kg; 38 kcal ME/oz
JustFoodForDogs makes this PantryFresh Lamb & Brown Rice recipe that gets our pick for premium choice. This food is expensive, but it is of great quality and formulated by a team of the company’s veterinarians, a board-certified nutritionist, a toxicologist, and a dermatologist.
It features a wholesome blend of lamb, long-grained brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a healthy blend of vitamins and minerals. This food is appetizing to even the pickiest of eaters and the company explains that this food will even help entice senior dogs that have lost their appetite. There are no fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors in this formulation.
The recipe is designed using AAFCO’s guidelines. It is shelf stable but being that it is fresh food, it will need to be refrigerated and used within 5 days once opened. However, JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh recipes can last up to 2 years when frozen and unopened.
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy features this Healthy Development Small Bites recipe that is great for the little ones. It comes recommended by veterinarians and provides puppies with a well-balanced diet that will support their growth and development during this crucial stage of life.
Protein-rich chicken meal is the first ingredient and the kibble features DHA derived from fish oil that is great for brain health, cognitive function, and eye development. The blend of essential vitamins supports healthy immunity, and the recipe is created without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
This food will be suitable until 1 year of age and will not break the bank. There were some complaints of puppies not eating the kibble, but overall, this is a very well-reviewed food by small breed puppy owners.
Pros
Supports healthy development
Free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
Nutro Ultra offers up this Grain-Free Trio Protein, which is a savory wet food pate that is high in quality, full of moisture, and formulated with wholesome ingredients. The first ingredient is chicken, followed by chicken broth, chicken, liver, lamb, and whitefish. All of which are excellent animal protein sources.
In addition to the quality protein, this recipe also includes a blend of superfoods for a balance of essential vitamins, nutrients, and fiber. There are no GMOs, chicken by-product meals, or artificial additives in this recipe.
It is made without any corn, wheat, soy, or other grains, so be sure to. Grain-free diets aren’t always necessary for dogs, so it’s always recommended to chat directly with your vet to ensure this works for your dog. Some dogs have turned their nose up to the food but overall, it is favored by customers.
Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, oatmeal, ground brown rice
Protein content:
28.0%min
Fat content:
15% min
Calories:
3,645 kcal/kg or 408 kcal/cup ME
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health is a dry kibble that features deboned turkey, chicken meal, and salmon meal as the top three ingredients. Wellness is a highly revered company that does not use any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
This food is sized perfectly for little dogs and features wholesome grains like oatmeal and brown rice with an excellent blend of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine for whole body health.
Most small breed owners love this particular recipe and go on about how much their dogs enjoy it. It looks like some pups had some loose stools when transitioning to the food and others just refused to eat it entirely. There were some suggestions in the reviews that adding warm water helped picker eaters.
Pros
Deboned turkey is the first ingredient
Crafted without GMOs
Contains no fillers or artificial preservatives
Enriched with omega fatty acids, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine
Lamb, water sufficient for processing, lamb liver, lamb lung, lamb kidney
Protein content:
10.0% min
Fat content:
11.0%min
Calories:
1,565 ME kcal/kg; 586 ME kcal/can
Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe is a great canned food option for Yorkie Poos. This food contains 91 percent animal protein on a dry matter basis and is free from artificial colors and preservatives. It is a grain-free recipe, so remember to check with your veterinarian to ensure a grain-free diet is needed.
Lamb is the first ingredient on the list, which is sourced from New Zealand. While many prefer that ingredients be sourced locally, New Zealand is very well known for its high-quality meat standards and humane animal welfare practices quality. This food is rich in moisture and provides wholesome nutrition for dogs.
Tiki Dog is a bit pricier than some other competitors, but that price reflects the quality of their food. We tried finding some other negative reviews about this food, but we came up empty, it is very well received by dogs and owners alike.
Pros
Real lamb is the first ingredient
Ethically sourced from New Zealand
Features 91% animal protein on dry matter basis
No artificial colors or preservatives
Cons
Pricey
8. Purina Pro Plan Adult Classic Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Water sufficient for processing, salmon, rice, fish, potato protein
Protein content:
7.0% min
Fat content:
5.0%min
Calories:
1,266 kcal/kg, 467 kcal/can
Whether your Yorkie Poo is healthy or suffers from allergies or any sensitivities with skin or stomach, Purina Pro Plan Adult Classic makes this great quality canned food that is well-balanced and easy on the system. Salmon is a great protein for allergy sufferers while being rich in healthy omega fatty acids with DHA for healthy skin, coat, and cognitive function.
This food does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It must be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent it from spoiling. Canned food is easy to chew and rich in moisture for optimal hydration. It is also very appetizing and pleases even the pickiest eaters.
The only pitfalls of this food are the gas that can come along with salmon-based foods, especially if it’s a new transition, so not only does it smell like fish upon serving, but it may also be smelly after it’s digested, too.
Pros
Great for allergy sufferers or those with sensitive stomachs
Rich in omega fatty acids for skin, coat, and brain health
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Palatable and easy to chew
Rich in moisture
Cons
May cause gas
Smells like fish
9. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal
Protein content:
27% min
Fat content:
16% min
Calories:
3,711 kcal/kg, 404 kcal/cup
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains makes this Small Breed Recipe that would make a great choice for Yorkie Poos and other toy breeds. Unlike their grain-free lines, this dry kibble features a healthy blend of high-quality whole grains such as brown rice, barley, and quinoa while listing deboned chicken and chicken meals as the first two ingredients.
The kibble is protein-rich and offers a great balance of vitamins and nutrients while being size-appropriate. This recipe is rich in omega fatty acids for lustrous skin and coat. It also has some added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
Merrick’s foods have always been crafted in Hereford, Texas, and are made in the United States. This food comes well-reviewed with some occasional complaints that picky eaters are not interested in the kibble.
Pros
Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the top two ingredients
Crafted with healthy omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin
A balanced diet full of essential vitamins and nutrients
Chicken Soup for the Soul offers up this delicious recipe that is great for adults and seniors. The pate is enticing and easy to chew. It features chicken, turkey, chicken broth, turkey broth, and duck as the first five ingredients on the list, which is excellent. Not only is this food tasty, but it’s full of moisture for some added hydration.
This food also includes salmon, which is rich in omega-fatty acids that are great for skin and coat health. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this food, and it is also free of wheat, corn, and soy. This food does contain a balanced blend of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are fiber-rich and great for digestion.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a great choice for those wanting a canned food variety and it is well-received by dog lovers. The biggest complaint was dented cans upon arrival and the occasional picky eater would refuse to eat more than a few bites.
Pros
An impressive list of ingredients
Rich in moisture for hydration
Palatable and easy to chew
Ideal for adult and senior dogs
Healthy blend of protein, fat, and fiber
Cons
Picky eaters may refuse to eat the pate
Cans have arrived dented
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for a Yorkie Poo
Since coming to a final decision can be quite a challenge, we’ve tried to help simplify the process for you by providing some guidance on how to shop for your Yorkie Poo’s ideal food and the things to take into consideration during the process.
Get Some Recommendations From Your Veterinarian
Whenever you are on the hunt for the perfect dog food, it’s a good idea to get your veterinarian’s opinion. Your vet knows your dog and is familiar with your pup’s overall health.
If they have any special dietary needs, your vet will be able to point you in the right direction. If your dog doesn’t have any special needs, they will still be able to give you some solid recommendations on food choices that would work well for your dog.
💛 🐶 Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
When you are trying to decide between brands, have a look-see into their history, reputation, and all they have to offer. If the brand gets a lot of bad reviews or has a long history of recalls, it’s probably best you consider going with another option.
Make sure to visit their website, which is where you can find a lot of information about where they manufacture foods and where they source ingredients. Remember to look into reviews from unbiased third parties to get a more well-rounded look at how other dog owners feel about any certain food.
Read Every Label
Learning how to read a pet food label will help you tremendously as an owner. Take a look at the ingredient list, caloric content, and guaranteed analysis to see how they compare to competitors. Labels will teach you a lot about the food in question, so knowing how to read it will be helpful in your decision-making.
Image by: BearFotos, Shutterstock
Consider Which Type of Food You Prefer
There are different types of dog food to choose from including traditional dry kibbles, canned food, fresh food, and some freeze-dried raw varieties. Fresh and canned foods may be more expensive than kibble, but they aren’t nearly as costly to feed exclusively to a small breed dog like a Yorkie Poo as it would be to feed a German Shepherd or a Great Dane.
There’s nothing wrong with opting for a dry kibble either. Each food type has its pros and cons regarding shelf life, storage, cost, and messiness. You have to pick what works best for your situation. You may even choose to use canned or fresh food as a topper for your dry kibble.
Stick to Your Budget
You don’t want to overextend your budget for long-term expenses like dog food. You never want to skip out on quality to opt for a cheap food choice, either. This can cost you in the long run with potential health conditions that can result from poor nutrition. You need to find quality food that is appropriate for your dog’s size, age, and activity level. There are many options available, and you are sure to find one that suits your financial requirements.
Our Selection Process for Dog Foods for a Yorkie Poo
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog foods we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog foods. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog foods to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Conclusion
Now that you have seen the top picks and are aware of what the reviews have to say, hopefully, your hunt for the perfect food will be easier. Ollie Fresh Lamb Recipe is a top-notch-fresh food that delivers the best quality right to your door, Nulo Frontrunner Ancients Grains gives you great quality while being wallet-friendly.
JustFoodForDogs is another high-end fresh food option of premium quality, Hill’s Science Diet Puppy is great for the growth and development of the little ones. There are also plenty of others on the list that are certainly worth consideration.
Featured Image Credit: Steve Bruckmann, Shutterstock
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I am a wife, mother, nature enthusiast, animal lover, and business major. I was born and raised in Ohio but now live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We share our home with a German Shepherd, several snakes, tarantulas, and a couple rescue cats.
My husband and I enjoy traveling the US with our kids and photographing wildlife. My passion is to educate others on the importance of proper animal care, with an emphasis on reptiles and exotics since their care requirements can be much more complex. I am also a huge advocate for bully breeds. I feel most at home in the forest either on horseback or in hiking boots.
If you are the lucky owner of a Yorkie Poo, you are familiar with how such a large personality can come in a tiny package. There is no doubt you will be in search of the best dog food to feed your beloved little companion – and what a task that can be!
