Quick answer
Our top pick is the Stella & Chewy’s Raw Blend Small Breed (Chicken) for its balanced nutrition and small kibble size. For Yorkies with sensitive stomachs, the Primal Pet Foods Raw Frozen Nuggets (Turkey) is excellent. If you’re on a budget, the Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Mixers (Chicken) offers a cost-effective way to add raw to kibble.
What to consider for Raw Dog Food For Yorkies
Yorkies are tiny dogs with fast metabolisms and a tendency toward dental issues and hypoglycemia. Raw diets can provide dental benefits through chewing, but they must be complete and balanced to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Because Yorkies are prone to pancreatitis, fat content should be moderate (around 10 to 15 percent on a dry matter basis). Also, ensure the food is formulated for small breeds or all life stages with appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratios for bone health.
What to look for in a dog food
Look for an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy for the appropriate life stage (adult or all life stages). The first ingredient should be a named meat or meat meal (e.g., chicken, beef, turkey). Protein should be around 30 to 40 percent on a dry matter basis, fat 10 to 15 percent, and calories around 350 to 450 kcal per cup. For Yorkies, small kibble or easy-to-chew nuggets are ideal. Joint support (glucosamine and chondroitin) and omega fatty acids (for skin and coat) are beneficial. Avoid recipes with excessive legumes or peas due to the ongoing FDA DCM investigation.
How we chose these picks
- We evaluated each product’s AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement.
- We prioritized named meat as the first ingredient.
- We checked for appropriate calorie density for small breeds.
- We considered the form (raw frozen, freeze-dried, or raw-coated kibble) for convenience and safety.
- We looked for added probiotics or digestive enzymes to support Yorkie digestion.
- We reviewed customer feedback for palatability and stool quality.
- We compared price per serving to ensure value.
- Never ranked a product higher just because it pays a commission.
What to avoid
- Avoid unnamed meat meals (e.g., “poultry meal”) as the sole protein source.
- Do not default to grain-free or legume-heavy recipes unless your vet advises it; the FDA DCM investigation is ongoing, and grain-inclusive is the safer default.
- Avoid all-life-stages food for a Yorkie puppy unless it specifically meets large-breed puppy requirements (though Yorkies are small, all-life-stages can be too high in calcium for growing puppies).
- Do not abruptly switch diets; transition over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset.
For more guidance, check our dog guides and explore dog nutrition and dog health resources.
