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.