Chicken is one of the most popular foods in the world. Humans have been eating chicken for thousands of years, and it’s an affordable, nutrient-rich choice of protein. That’s why many Yorkshire Terrier owners wonder: Can I feed chicken to my Yorkies?
The short answer is yes. You can feed your Yorkies cooked chicken, but there are lots of factors to consider before doing so. Every Yorkshire Terrier has a different diet and nutritional needs, and while chicken can be a great addition to some Yorkies’ diets, it might not be right for all of them.
Let’s start with the most important question: Is chicken safe for your Yorkshire Terrier to eat?
Is chicken safe for Yorkies?
You can feed your Yorkshire Terrier unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken. Make sure the chicken is boneless to avoid choking hazards. Cooked chicken is a better option than raw because of the potential for bacterial contamination.
It’s best not to feed your Yorkshire Terrier too much chicken at once, as it can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. If you are feeding your Yorkshire Terrier chicken for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs after eating it. While rare, some Yorkies can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to chicken. If you observe any abnormal symptoms in your Yorkshire Terrier after feeding him or her chicken for the first time, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of chicken in Yorkies
Protein: Yorkies are carnivores, so their diet needs to be protein-heavy. Chicken is one of the best sources of protein in a Yorkshire Terrier’s diet and can help them stay healthy and happy for a long time. Make sure you monitor the amount of chicken your Yorkshire Terrier is eating, though—too much can lead to digestive issues.
Omega-6 fatty acids: These fats are essential for proper function of your Yorkshire Terrier’s heart and kidneys, as well as giving him or her a shiny coat. Chicken is a great way to give your Yorkshire Terrier these fatty acids.
Vitamins: Chicken provides Yorkies with important vitamins such as B6, vitamin A, and niacin. One thing to keep in mind when feeding your Yorkshire Terrier chicken is that it also provides choline, which should not be consumed in excess by Yorkies.
Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, potassium. These minerals are found in chicken. They’re important for bone health and overall energy levels. And they’re easy to get from chicken!
Glucosamine: This substance helps keep your Yorkshire Terrier’s joints healthy so he or she can run around without pain or stiffness.
Do all Yorkies like chicken?
Unfortunately, not all Yorkies like chicken. Just like humans, Yorkies have their own unique food preferences. Some Yorkies may not like the texture of the meat or the way it tastes. Others may be allergic to chicken, and you should consult your veterinarian before introducing a new food to your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet if you suspect allergies. Sometimes, Yorkies may even reject a certain brand of chicken because of its added preservatives and other ingredients.
However, there are several other protein sources that your Yorkshire Terrier may enjoy as an alternative to chicken, such as beef, turkey, or salmon. The best thing you can do is try a few different options and see what works for your pet.
Can my Yorkies have chicken every day?
There’s no rule that says your Yorkies can’t eat chicken every day. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re thinking about feeding them chicken every day.
First, if your Yorkshire Terrier is allergic to chicken, this is a bad idea—plain and simple. You don’t want your Yorkshire Terrier to get sick or have an allergic reaction.
Second, you need to make sure that your vet approves of this. Maybe he or she will recommend a different protein or just say it’s okay as long as it’s part of a balanced diet. If you’re not sure whether your Yorkshire Terrier has allergies or how much chicken is too much for him or her, check in with the vet for guidance before feeding your Yorkshire Terrier chicken every day.
Can Yorkshire Terrier puppies eat chicken?
Yorkshire Terrier puppies can eat chicken, but you should wait until they are two months old before introducing it to their diet. When they are very young, puppies need to be raised on a specialized puppy food diet that is planned specifically for their dietary needs during the first two months of life.
Puppies have a delicate digestive system, so you’ll want to be careful about introducing new foods too quickly or any foods that may not agree with them. Be sure to start with just small bites of well-cooked chicken (don’t feed them raw chicken!) and consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into their diet.
How much chicken can Yorkies eat?
Determining how much chicken to feed your Yorkshire Terrier is a matter of a few variables. The most important factors are your Yorkshire Terrier’s age, size, and activity level.
To begin with, you should always consult with your veterinarian before changing your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet. Your vet will provide you with proper guidance and recommendations on serving size.
If you are feeding your pup raw meat on a homemade diet, they should usually consume about ⅛ to ⅙ cup of meat protein per 10lbs of body weight per day.
If you find your Yorkshire Terrier suffers from diarrhea, it may be best to add rice in a 2:1 ratio. For example, if your pup is eating one cup of food per day, ⅓ cup can be chicken and ⅔ cup can be rice.
Finally, remember that portion control is important for your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet as well. Start small and gradually increase the amount of chicken if there are no negative side effects.
How to serve chicken to your Yorkies?
Chicken is a great way to treat your Yorkshire Terrier. There are many ways that you can give it to them, such as:
-Along with a smaller serving of your Yorkshire Terrier’s usual food: adding chicken to their regular food adds flavor and protein
-On its own as a treat: giving them a small portion of just chicken is great for a special treat!
-Dehydrated as a chewy treat: dehydrating chicken means you can get the nutrients of chicken in an easily digestible form for your Yorkshire Terrier
-Tasty meatballs: making meatballs out of chicken and other ingredients is yummy for your Yorkshire Terrier
-Mixed with healthy grains and vegetables: cooking some chicken up and mixing it with healthy grains and vegetables gives your Yorkshire Terrier nutrients from different foods.
When is chicken bad for Yorkies?
The short answer “is chicken bad for Yorkies?” is “it depends.”
The long answer is that it depends on the health of your Yorkshire Terrier, how much chicken you’re giving it, the form of the chicken, and whether it’s raw.
Yorkies with underlying allergies could have a negative reaction to eating chicken. For this reason, if you’re introducing a new food to your Yorkshire Terrier, it’s always important to watch for signs of an adverse reaction—even if you think your Yorkshire Terrier must like the food. If you’re seeing any symptoms at all—from diarrhea to sneezing—and you suspect that chicken might be the culprit, stop feeding your Yorkshire Terrier chicken and consult with your veterinarian.
Too much of a good thing can be bad for everyone, including your canine friends. Eating too much chicken (or any protein) can lead to pancreatitis in Yorkies. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you see these symptoms in your Yorkshire Terrier after they’ve eaten or around the time they ate a lot of chicken, get them to the vet ASAP!
Chicken bones are not good for Yorkies because they can easily splinter when chewed or swallowed. This can cause choking as well as internal damage (including punctured stomach)
Chicken skin is high in fat and not good for Yorkies. The fat can lead to pancreatitis and diarrhea, so keep it out of their diet!
Finally, raw chicken is a no-no because of the salmonella risk. Make sure that any meat you give your Yorkshire Terrier is thoroughly cooked.
Other human foods Yorkies can eat
What other human foods can Yorkies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Yorkies can eat.
So, can Yorkies eat chicken?
Yes, Yorkies can eat chicken! In fact, it’s a great source of many nutrients that can help keep your Yorkshire Terrier happy and healthy. Specifically, cooked chicken is rich in protein, vitamins B6 and B12, and contains niacin and selenium. Chicken is also a good source of phosphorus, which is important for healthy bones and teeth. It’s low in carbs, so it won’t leave your pup with an upset stomach, but as always, check with your vet before making any dietary changes.
Some Yorkies may be allergic to chicken (and other meat products). If you suspect your Yorkshire Terrier has a food allergy or intolerance, talk to your vet about dietary changes that may ease the problem.
For the best possible benefits, feed chicken breast meat without skin or bones. Cook it thoroughly, with no harmful additives like oil or butter. Take cooked chicken off the bone before giving it to your Yorkshire Terrier, as small bones are a choking hazard. If you have any leftover chicken bones after cooking up a delectable meal for yourself and Fido, store them in the freezer until trash day so they don’t end up in the trash can where your pet can reach them.