According to some, vitamin E is the so-called fertility vitamin. Whether it is needed for dogs has not as yet been determined. Rats fed upon a meal from which vitamin E was wholly excluded became permanently sterile; but the finding id not believed to apply to all animals.

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Dogs were immediately responsible for the discovery of vitamin B2, or nicotinic acid – formerly known as vitamin G.

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What was formerly known as a single vitamin B has now been found to be a complex of at least six (and probably more) factors. (more…)

Vitamin A in some form is an absolute requisite for good health, even for enduring life itself. (more…)

In the past, vitamins have been largely described by diseases resulting from their absence. It is recognized more and more that many of the subacute symptoms of the yorkie’s well-being may be attributed to the insufficient supply in the yorkie’s diet of one or more essential food factors.

It is to be emphasized that vitamins are to be considered a vital part of the yorkie’s daily diet, highly important to his health and well-being.

They are not to be considered as medication of some sort. Often, serious conditions which result from their absence in the yorkie’s diet may be remedied by the addition of the particularly needed vitamin – just as the effects of other starvation can be solved by adding little amount of food to satisfy his appetite.

Requirements of vitamins in the diet (from food) cannot be strongly emphasized. These vitamins may be in the food themselves, or they may better be added to it as a supplement to ensure a healthy supply.

Except for vitamin D, of which it is remotely possible though unlikely to supply too much – a surplus of this vitamin is quite harmless. They are somewhat expensive and we, as owners, have no reason to waste them; but if used in excess they are simply wasted with no subsequent ill effect.

It must also be realized that vitamins are various substances, each of which has a separate function. It is definitely not safe to add that a yorkie’s diet something out of a bottle or box indefinitely labeled “vitamins”, as our common practice.

We yorkie owners must know which vitamin we are giving, what purpose each is designated to serve, and the potency of brand preparation of each vitamin we are specifically using.

This does not mean that they must be fed separately. Several vitamins may be combined in a single label, tablet, or in liquid form. However, it is necessary for the yorkie to owner to be aware not only of the names of such vitamins contained, but the dosage as well.

Pharmaceutical companies take into consideration the costs of various ingredients and often, enough to formulate such vitamins and meet a price rather than to serve their nutritional purposes.

Any one of the quickly prepared vitamin is probably sufficient if given in large enough doses. It is much better to buy a product that contains an adequate amount of each of the needed vitamins as this method is much cheaper.

At least eleven minerals are present in a healthy dog’s body: Calcium, sodium chloride, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and iodine.

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The good thing about carbohydrates in dog food is that it has starch, sugar, cellulose and hemi cellulose – the last two being known as fiber – are the chief constituents of wood, stalks and laves of plants, and seed coverings.

There remains considerable controversy about how much carbohydrates are required or desired in canine nutrition.

It has been shown experimentally that the dog is able to digest large quantities of cornstarch, either raw or cooked. Rice fed to mature dogs in sufficient amounts to satisfy total energy requirements has been found to be 95 percent digested.

Commercial biscuits and meals which are sold as dog food are moderately well tolerated, especially if they are supplemented by the addition of fresh meat. There seems to be no reason why they should not be included in moderate amounts in the yorkie’s daily meal.

Carbohydrates are a cheap source of energy for the yorkie, both in their initial cost and in the work required for their metabolism. Ample evidence showed that the dog has no difficulty in digesting and utilizing considerable amounts of starch and sugar for producing energy, there is no reason why they should be excluded from this diet.

It should be noted that meat and milk contain a measure of carbohydrates as well as proteins.

Dog food which contains any large measure of cellulose for the yorkie is not recommended. Thoroughly cooked rice or oatmeal in moderate quantities may well be used to supplement and help save a meat diet for your yorkie without posing harm to him, unlike crushed dog biscuits, or table scraps.

They are not required but may be consumed by your yorkie without harm. Even thoroughly cooked and mashed potatoes, especially if they contain plenty of milk, butter, and gravy are good (along with plenty of meat), despite that many old-fashioned cranks persist in considering them dangerous.

Sugar and candy, which dogs are no doubt fond of – are also used as another additional source of carbohydrates. They are an excellent source of energy – and harmless to the yorkie.

They should be fed in sufficient portions and only after meals, since they tend to take the edge off the appetite.

Try giving your yorkie some sugar before his meal and he may refuse the meal itself.  Meat will always remain the essential main element of an optimum ration for the yorkie.

It has long been known that protein-rich foods are desirable for the yorkie.

Foods containing incomplete proteins should be mixed with others which, although they too may be incomplete in themselves will supply the mixture with adequate amounts of the essential amino acids.

Foods from other sources – such as meat, fish, eggs, and milk – supply proteins of high nutritive value, both from the standpoint of digestibility and amino acid content. Gelatin is an exception to that statement, since gelatin is very incomplete.

It does not follow that it must never be included in the diet, for it may be supplemented and completed by the addition of other food sources and may be assimilated along with its compliment.

Even foods coming from other sources (animals) vary among themselves in their protein content and amino balance. Protein found in muscle meat does not rank quite as high as that of eggs or milk.

Liver, kidneys, sweetbread, or pancreas – contain proteins of exceptionally high nutritive value, and these organs should be added to the yorkie’s diet whenever it is possible to do so.

Milk also contains two-thirds of an ounce (dry weight) of particularly high class protein to every pint, in addition to its minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and fats.

The only dietary necessity absent from milk is iron. Animal proteins have a high content of dietary essential amino acids, which makes them very effective in supplementing many proteins from that of other vegetables.

The egg white, while somewhat inferior to the yolk – contain excellent proteins. Lysine from milk can be destroyed by excessive heat and the growth promoting value of its protein so destroyed. Evaporated milk has not been subjected to enough heat to decrease its protein.

Now, we can readily see why meat with its concentrated, balanced, and easily assimilated proteins should form the major part of dry weight of the yorkie’s meal. Proteins in meat, and other animal products are not only excellent in themselves, but they render available and digest less complete proteins from other food sources.

We should not feed our yorkies the minimum, with which they can survive or even the minimum meal with which they can flourish. It is rather we give them the maximum in quantity and balance which they can digest and enjoy without developing a paunch.

Who wants to live on a less healthy diet necessary for adequate sustenance? We humans enjoy a full meal; of good food, and so do our yorkies.

All proprietary brands of dog food contain the correct balance of nutrients or give advice on what, if anything, should be added to ensure that the food is nutritionally balanced.

Labels and packaging often also include guidelines on the amount of food required by different sized dogs. However, these are inevitable approximate and only you can judge the proper quantities for your yorkie.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Not all foods are ‘complete diets; some require supplements.

Proteins

Protein is as vital to the yorkie’s diet as it is to a human’s. The amount of protein in dog food governs the animal’s daily life, its metabolism and capacity for work or exercise. As food passes through the digestive system, the protein content is digested and broken down into amino acids, the building blocks of a healthy lifestyle.

Dogs, like yorkies – require 20 amino acids, but the dog, being such a clever animal, can manufacture many of this itself or synthesize them from other components of its diet. In fact, only nine amino acids must be specifically included in the diet.

A shortage of any of these will quickly result in deficiency symptoms.

Fresh Food

Most dogs love food, but it should also include a balanced mixer meal to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Many owners cook poultry or meat for their yorkies once or twice a week and rely on the more convenient and scientifically formulated prepared dog foods for the rest of the time.

Most dogs love raw meat, but it is best to keep to beef or lamb; poultry, pork and fish need cooking to destroy any harmful bacteria. Fish, poultry, and chop bones are sharp or splinter easily and should always be removed before giving fresh meat to the yorkie.

Liver, kidneys, heart, and other similar meats should be given only once or twice a week.

On the other hand, vegetarian diets are gaining popularity for people and dogs. It has become fairly available in many pet supplies shops. Until years ago, it was usually manufactured in dried form – either flaked or pelleted – but canned vegetarian food is now more widely available.

You may think that it would be easy to prepare vegetarian food for the yorkie yourself. However, unless you are fairly knowledgeable, you could have considerable difficulty in achieving the correct balance of nutrients.

Miniature breeds such as Yorkshire terriers have very tiny stomachs and it may be better to feed them twice rather than once a day.

Many yorkie owners of this breed feed them in this way throughout the dog’s life. In any case, it is usually advisable when they are still young adults only just out of puppyhood.

There are, however, different types of dog food for your yorkie:

Canned Food

This is probably the best known and most popular form of dog food, and is available in a vast range of flavors and textures. Some canned foods provide a complete meal, as they already include cereal and other sources of carbohydrate among their ingredients.

Others must be mixed with meal to ensure a correct nutritional balance. If you are feeding your yorkie on complete canned food, provide the essential ‘crunch’ factor that helps keep teeth and gums healthy with biscuits and chews.

Be careful, however, to make sure that you are not over-feeding him with extra biscuits and other tidbits.

Unopened cans have a long storage life, but must be kept refrigerated and used quickly once they have been opened. However, food tastes and smells more appetizing – to your yorkie, if not to you – if it is served at room temperature rather than straight from the refrigerator.

Do not leave canned food lying around in the yorkie’s dish for prolonged pferiods, especially during warm weather, as it will attract flies and other pests.

Dried Food

A wide range of dried protein foods have become available over the years. Although the pelleted varieties look like biscuits, they are actually a complete food. They contain all the nutrients a dog requires, as well as the ‘crunch’ factor essential for exercising the jaws and keeping the teeth clean.

Dried food is extremely convenient to serve, rarely causes stomach upsets and, unlike fresh and moist foods, it can be left down for a long time without deterioration.

It keeps well, although not indefinitely, as it will eventually lose its vitamin content. Keep an eye on the ‘use by’ date on each package of dried food.

Dried food in the form of flakes is designed to be mixed with water or gravy. It can be stored for quite a long time in the same way as pelleted dried food, but once it has been mixed up, it will go off in the same way as fresh or canned food if left down for a long time.

Yorkies are cuddly and cute breed of dogs. When planning to purchase one, you must consider healthy and physically fit dogs. (more…)

Teacup dog puppies love food, but it should also include a balanced mixer meal to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals for them. (more…)

To make sure that your teacup dog stays fit and healthy as an adult, it is imperative that you feed it sensibly and wisely. There can be no strict rule about how much to feed or how many times a day. (more…)

As important as nutrition is to an ordinary dog, diet also plays an important role in a yorkie puppy. Although it is not much different from what is eaten by an ordinary dog, the only difference is the amount of diet. (more…)

A thorough focus on the yorkie puppies’ nutritional needs should not be stressful to their owners. The more they pay attention to their puppies health – the more these little, beautiful yorkie pups can benefit through careful food portions for yorkie puppies. (more…)

What makes a good, nutritious puppy food?

One can willingly tell you a few, but of course since puppies are in dire need of more than love and affection from us, a good puppy food’s top priority is to keep him healthy, and safe from future illnesses.

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What makes a good, nutritious puppy food?

One can willingly tell you a few, but of course since puppies are in dire need of more than love and affection from us, a good puppy food’s top priority is to keep him healthy, and safe from future illnesses. (more…)

I have spent some time in researching hypoallergenic dog food, sharing some useful information to readers should help them generate information and save time. (more…)

It is funny after reading articles and articles about organic pet food, sometimes you get a smirk out of all of it. Some things are good others bad, some things are ok, and some are kind of ironic. (more…)

I believe the best diet for is a raw food diet for dogs. Dogs by nature are carnivores and feed primarily in meat. In the wild, dogs hunt in packs and I suppose there is no cooking involved. (more…)

It would really be hard to compare dog food. You will have to check what type of breed you have, how many dogs you have, the dog’s lifestyle and other factors. (more…)

To ensure our puppies a start of living healthy lives, we should start at giving them healthy dog food. Dog lovers – professional or not, have options which healthy dog food would be best for them. (more…)

Bart and I love the cute Caesar dog food commercial! The dog is a west highland white terrier, and her name is Maggie. (more…)

The company Pet Food Direct specializes in meeting pet owners’ needs. They have over 11,000 products for dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, birds, small animals, fish treats and toys!. These can be all delivered to your doorstep. Carrying more than 400 brands to choose from, one is sure to find the dog food, cat food, or other pet supplies you’re looking for! (more…)

Owning a kennel is an enjoyable thing and quite a challenge? People would often ask me if it’s hard, specially the feeding part. Well, not so hard really cause there is dry dog food. I prefer this compared to the others. I have tried wet dog food, Barf, canned food and home cooked. By far feeding dry dog food is the easiest way to go. (more…)

A dog is a man’s best friend and your best friend deserves only the best. (more…)

What does Holistic Mean? Holistic is: “a healing philosophy that believes that both the mental and spiritual aspects of a person, or in this case, dogs, have a lot to do with their wellness. ” (more…)

Some additives in low priced dog food may give our dogs allergies. (more…)

It is a known fact that all dog foods definitely aren’t created equal. (more…)

Did you know that there is a lot of significance in the food that you give your dogs? (more…)

It has been quite like brushfire how organic dog food has spread throughout the dog world. In reality, it is healthier, humans go for it and dogs would if they had that decision to themselves. (more…)

There are only a few manufacturers of kibbles that say Human Grade. Natural Dog food is human grade, because it’s what we humans eat. Most kibbles do not have the proper balance of nutrients that dogs need in their natural habitat. (more…)