Typical Yorkshire Terrier health issues that develop from a poor diet include:

• Diabetes
• Liver Failure
• Kidney Failure
• Digestive Health Issues
• Poor Bone Health
• Poor Dental Health

These potential health issues due to poor diet are even more common in toy breeds, such as Yorkies. We all want to share our favorite snacks with our best friends, but these human foods can be causing our furry friends great harm. While not all people foods are harmful, most can lead to negative health status. Knowing what common foods are safe or not safe could save your do in the long run.

Once you are aware of these 5 things your Yorkie should not eat, including foods and items around your house, many Yorkie health problems can be prevented. Some edible items your dog should avoid include the following:

Poisonous Plants and Shrubs

We have all seen it, dogs getting into things they shouldn’t. Whether it be a room they are not allowed to enter or your neighbor’s garden where they decide to try and dig to the middle of the planet. Yorkies are adventurous animals who love to explore their surroundings. In many homes, Yorkshire Terriers live indoors while also spending time in the yard and garden. Some indoor and outdoor plants are toxic if eaten by your dog.

Most of these plants are not fatally toxic. However, Yorkies are more negatively affected due to their smaller size. The majority of the previously mentioned plants will cause digestive issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. These symptoms can worsen over extended exposure. To avoid poisoning your favorite pet, you need to keep dangerous plants out of reach of your Yorkie or replace them with safer alternatives.

Chocolate

It may be one of the most popular treats for humans, but eating chocolate can lead to some serious health problems for your Yorkie. Chocolate is the most commonly known toxic food for dogs and for good reason.

“Theobromine is the main toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine. Both chemicals are used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. That is why dogs are more sensitive to the chemicals’ effects.” source: Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

The ingredients contained in chocolate are toxic when they enter your pet’s digestive system. Chocolate should be avoided in any of its shapes, sizes, or forms. This includes:

• White Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate
• Chocolate Bar
• Chocolate Drinks
• You get the picture

The result of a Yorkshire Terrier eating chocolate is often mild and not noticeable, however, it can be catastrophic and in some cases, lead to death.

Onions

Onions are a common ingredient in many human meals. However, many pet owners don’t realize these vegetables can affect your pet’s well-being, with some serious consequences such as blood cell damage. When your Yorkie eats onions, toxins in these vegetables create a blood disorder called haemolytic anaemia. This disorder is caused by the toxins in onions breaking down your pet’s red blood cells. These red blood cells are fundamental to life as they are the carrier for oxygen throughout your entire body.

Like most things, in small doses,  like a small piece of onion you lose the race to recover will likely not be initially fatal, but continued exposure will shorten your Yorkie’s life. Dogs become ill and can develop health problems including liver damage which will affect their quality of life.

iMushrooms

Mushrooms are another popular type of food humans love but can put your Yorkie’s health at risk. Just as certain mushrooms are poisonous to humans, Yorkies can be even more negatively affected. Toxins in mushrooms often lead to serious health issues such as canine liver disease, kidney problems and even death. The worse of these cases are on the extreme and easily preventable.

Reducing the risk to your dog’s exposure to toxins in mushrooms can be achieved by not allowing them to eat wild or uncooked mushrooms. Mushrooms are a potentially deadly food even for humans. You should only keep mushrooms in your house that have been purchased from a trusted grocer in order to ensure not only your Yorkie’s safety but your own. if you Yorkie does get hold of a mushroom, make sure it is at least cooked properly. Mushrooms are not easily processed in a dog’s digestive tract. Most cooked and store-bought mushrooms will only have a negative effect on their digestive health because they are not easily digestible for dogs. The mushrooms to be most aware of are the wild mushrooms which can be potentially fatal.

Fatty Foods

A diet containing too much fat is unhealthy for most animals, and Yorkshire Terriers are no exception. Many health problems develop if your Yorkie is fed high-fat food for a long period of time. Obesity and even diabetes from constant high blood sugar levels can develop if your dog is living this type of unhealthy lifestyle. Examples of these fatty foods can be:

• Sweet Potatoes
• Macadamia Nuts
• Potato Chips
• Dairy Products
• Coconut Water
• Ice Cream

Eating too much fatty food can cause short-term digestive issues on top of the greater more negative long-term health issues mentioned above.

What is Safe for a Yorkie to Eat?

Dog food brands are designed for your Yorkie’s health to be a safe and balanced diet. Quality dog food is formulated to provide your dog with a source of vitamins and fulfill all nutritional requirements. These are true for dry dog food and wet food varieties. You will find the ideal food for your dog based on multiple factors like flavors, kibble size, and even fat content. Options for dogs based on their age is even available with a balanced recipe created for adult dogs, puppies, and senior dogs. With all this in mind, sometimes store-bought dog foods are not an option.

Even with the huge variety of dog food brands and recipes available, a dog’s diet may require homemade food. Home-cooked dog food may be required due to food allergies. Some owners even choose to cook their pet’s meal themselves so they know exactly what their dog is eating. The important thing to keep in mind when preparing a meal for your dog is to know what foods are toxic and what are providing essential nutrients. A common home-prepared meal includes a source of protein mixed with healthy vegetables served with either cooked white rice or brown rice. Research your recipe to avoid allergic reactions and nutritional deficiency.

Your Yorkshire Terrier diet and the type of food they eat often decide how long your pet lives and whether or not they lead a healthy life. These adventurous pets love exploring their surroundings and will attempt to eat anything in their way. This means they could be eating food they shouldn’t. Identifying potentially dangerous food and stopping your Yorkie from eating these types of food can save your dogs‘ life and help them live a better life too.