How to Help a Yorkshire Terrier Lose Weight

Overview

Wanting to know how to help a Yorkshire Terrier lose weight may seem like an odd thing to those that have Yorkies in the expected weight range of being under 7 lbs. (3.2 kg). However, there are some Yorkshire Terriers that are on the large side and may be so not due to bone structure but rather are carrying a few extra pounds.

This article will cover the difference between being structurally larger and being overweight and the exact steps you can take to help your Yorkie lose weight in a way that is not overly stressful for you or your dog.

Can a Yorkshire Terrier Be Overweight?

The answer is yes. Any dog, even toy breeds, can carry too much weight. This usually occurs when a Yorkshire Terrier has larger-than-average bone structure (would normally be in the 6 to 8-lb. range) and then a diet of the wrong foods or too much food, often coupled with a sedentary lifestyle leads to packing on a couple, or a few, extra pounds.

How Many Yorkies are Larger than Normal?

A good number of Yorkshire Terriers are naturally larger than what breed standards call out for (under 7 lbs.). In fact, according to our comprehensive survey of 1,867 owners of adult Yorkies (age 1 year and up) which asked about the Yorkshire Terrier weight range for pets (not show dogs), 37% of Yorkshire Terriers were over 7 lbs. The survey allowed for comments which implied that many dogs simply had larger, sturdier bone structure, yet some were indeed in need of losing excess weight.

Needing to Lose Weight vs Being Naturally Larger

Putting a dog on a diet is never an outright fun thing; though, it can be a good feeling to know that you’re taking steps to help your Yorkie be healthier and live a longer life. However, you don’t want to have your Yorkie lose weight if there is no excess weight to begin with.

There are a few observations you can make at home to help determine if your Yorkie needs to lose weight. One is by assessing the rib cage. When your Yorkie is fully wet (when soaked in the bath, for example), when looking at your dog from the side, you should be able to see the outline of the ribs. And, if you certainly should be able to feel the ribs. If you cannot, this is one factor that points to excess weight.

And, dogs that are quite a bit overweight may have mobility issues. They may have trouble rising, walking briskly, and navigating up steps, around turns, etc.

With this in mind, the most reliable way to know if your Yorkie needs to be put on a diet is to consult with the veterinarian.

The Consequences of Being Overweight

Obesity in pets puts strain on the heart and is linked to canine diabetes, early onset of arthritis, kidney disease, skin disorders, respiratory disorders, high blood pressure, and increased risk of some cancers.

And, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, some veterinary behaviorists believe that obese pets suffer from depression at higher rates, most likely due to far less exercise and a more isolated lifestyle.

With all of these related health issues, it is no wonder that overweight pets live shorter lives. It is widely accepted that life span is shortened by 6 to 12 months and recent studies suggest heavy dogs may lose up to 2 years of their lifespan.

Steps to Help a Yorkshire Terrier Lose Weight

If it has been determined that your Yorkie needs to lose a few pounds, you will now take on the important role of coach and weight-loss manager. The goal is to help your Yorkshire Terrier gradually lose weight by eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity. Just like with humans, a slow yet steady weight loss is healthier and more sustainable than a rapid one.

Before you begin, you should receive an ‘okay’ from your Yorkie’s vet to place your dog on a diet and exercise program.

#1: Fewer Calories

Most dogs do not do well with less food. They can become agitated and moody and start to beg incessantly. This is not ideal for a Yorkie and it can wear down the willpower of owners that are trying to make healthy changes for their dogs.

So, the goal will be to offer approximately the same quantity of food but that which contains fewer overall calories.

For meals, there are two options.

1. Switch to a lower calorie kibble. Be careful here. Do not lower your standards in regard to offering a high-quality food. The kibble should be 100% all-natural with no fillers (like corn), by-products, synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring or flavors (like MSG), soy, or high levels of wheat.

One very good choice for a low-calorie food is Wellness Complete for Small Breeds - Healthy Weight. Their regular formula has long been a top recommended choice and this healthy weight recipe is ideal for Yorkshire Terriers that need to lose several pounds.

This has 341 calories per 8 oz. (126 g) versus the 462 calories in their regular kibble for adult toy breeds.

Note that the amount of kibble that you should feed your Yorkie is clearly shown under ‘recommended serving size’ under ‘weight reduction’ and is based on a dog’s current weight (not goal weight).

In addition, it is recommended to use a small digital kitchen scale like the Mueller Digital Kitchen Scale which is far more accurate than using dry measuring cups. We really like this one because its stainless-steel design looks sleek, you can reset the scale to zero once you place a bowl or container on top to get an accurate weight of just the food, and it has several measurement options (ounce, pound, ml, and grams). As an added plus, it's super-easy to clean and it even comes with batteries.

or 2. Swap out some kibble for lower-calorie ingredients. This is done by removing 1/8 to 1/4 of a cup of kibble (for each meal) and replacing it with low-calorie ingredients which includes kale, spinach, sugar snap peas, zucchini. These should be steamed (not boiled, since this can make these foods lose vitamins) and be sure to mix these in very well.

For snacks and training rewards, the same can be done and be sure to stick with your standards for high-quality. Most dogs expect a few snacks a day which is a great way to satiate a dog between meals. And, reward treats are always an important part of reinforcing good behavior. These do not need to be cut out of a Yorkie’s diet, but rather make a change to lower calorie options.

1. For snacks in between meals, you’ll want to choose a dry treat. This type is more filling than moist treats and may be labeled as biscuits, crackers, crunchy treats, or baked treats.

An awesome choice for this is Fruitables Baked Dog Treats which is a wonderful line of low-calorie dog super-yummy pumpkin-based treats that are paired with blueberry, cranberry, banana, or apple. Each treat has 9 calories.

2. For training treat rewards, when housebreaking, command training, or for any sort of behavioral training, you want to go with a moist, chewy treat. These are not designed to make a dog full, but rather are very small bursts of flavor that send a quick message of a job well done.

For this, Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft Treats are ideal. These are soft, chewy low-calorie treats with delicious flavors including pumpkin & mango, pumpkin & berry, apple & bacon, watermelon, grilled bison, and chicken. Each treat has 3 calories.

#2: Increased Physical Activity

It can be a bit of a conundrum that overweight dogs have a hard time moving around, but moving around is just what overweight dogs need to lose weight. But as long as the veterinarian has not forbid exercise due to existing health issues, the answer is to increase your Yorkie’s exercise in a gradual, stress-free way.

Tip #1:

Increase the duration of daily walks. No matter what level of activity your Yorkie is used to, increase this by 10 minutes per session for week one, and additional 5 more minutes per session for week two, and an additional 5 more minutes per session for week three. For week four and beyond, add on one completely new session per day.

So, for example, if you only take your Yorkie for a short 15-minute walk per day, it’ll look like this: 25 minutes of activity for week one, 30 minutes for week two, 35 minutes for week three, and two walks that last for 35 minutes each for week four and beyond.

Tip #2:

Keep your Yorkie moving at other times.

If you are taking your Yorkie for longer walks, this is fantastic and will play an important role in helping your guy or gal lose some weight. But, if your dog is sedentary for the entire rest of their waking day, this is not the healthiest thing.

Ideally, you’ll want your Yorkie to gradually get used to moving their body in bursts throughout the day. Here are some helpful ideas:

1. Bring your Yorkie with you to run errands. If you are not sure if the stores and other places that you visit allow dogs, don’t assume anything, call ahead and ask.

2. Offer a fun dog toy that moves which will encourage your Yorkie to chase after it. For example, the Neilden Interactive Plush Squeaky Giggle Ball is a neat toy that looks like a cute monster that shakes and makes noises when it’s first turned on and then when touched.

And, the PetQwerks Talking Babble Ball Toy is a neat little toy that says lots of silly sayings when it’s nosed like ‘Yeah, baby!’, ‘I’m gonna get you!’, and ‘Here, puppy!’.

3. If you normally pick up your Yorkie at certain times, start having them walk to you, or with you, instead. The only exception is if you carry your dog to keep them safe, i.e. when navigating a staircase, etc.

4. Playtime with other dogs. Since the Yorkshire Terrier is such a small dog (even those that need to lose a few pounds are often dwarfed by other breeds), caution must be taken to keep playdates only with other small dogs and to supervise. This said, when two or more dogs get together, they almost always engage in some sort of play.

If you know of others that have small dogs, set up a weekly playdate. For dogs that are a bit territorial, a neutral area outside may work best. And, if your Yorkie does well with ‘unknown’ dogs, you may want to bring them to a dog park as long as there are segregated areas for dogs based on size and those rules are enforced.

A Final Word

If your Yorkshire Terrier needs to lose weight, it’s vital that this not be ignored. And, it’s best not to focus on what went wrong, but rather as your dog’s leader and caretaker, to make the decision to move forward toward a healthier and happier future. Offering lower calorie meals and snacks and ensuring that your Yorkie engages in daily exercise is the most effective method to help your dog gradually lose weight.

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