What not to feed your Yorkie

I admit it, I am an Obsessive Overfeeder. I feed my Yorkies anything I am eating, and I am not always the healthiest eater around. However there are things you and I should never give our Yorkies. Not everything is good for them and some things can even kill them. Check with your Vet as to what to feed and not feed your Yorkies.

Here is a list of a few things you should never feed your Yorkie, no matter how much they beg! (I know those brown eyes are hard to resist)

Although bones seem like a good idea don't give your Yorkie animal bones. The chances that they can choke on them is just too much of a risk.

Yorkies are omnivores, not carnivores, and don't tolerate bones very well. They can splinter or lodge their intestinal tract and cause blockages. If you have to feed your Yorkie a bone make it a milk bone!

NO Chocolate. It is toxic and can build up in their systems and kill your Yorkie. Really "Death by Chocolate" isn't what you want!

If your Yorkie has gotten into chocolate you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Surrobbie ate an entire family size Hersey Bar once. She might have shared a little with her brother Muffassa but not sure how much. When I got home she had been sick, both ends, all over the house. What a mess to clean up. I called the Vet and he said she should be okay since Hersey's isn't the purest of Chocolate. She was hyper for the rest of the day. Since then I have been more careful not to leave chocolate where she can find it, like in a zipped book bag. Still not sure how she got the book bag opened.

Drinking Alcohol is more fun with someone but don't include the Yorkie. They need to stay sober so they can make sure they stay out of the way when you are staggering around.

In high doses, alcohol will suppress the central nervous, respiratory and cardiac systems and can lead to death. It is best to just give your pet water.

Milk isn't a great idea for the Yorkie, and yes that includes Ice Cream. If you have to give them a special treat try Frosty Paws. They will feel like they are getting a nice treat and it is good for them.

Avoid Ham and salty foods. They can make the Yorkie bloaty and can cause injury.


Not only will onions give your Yorkie bad breath they are toxic to them. Onions contain allyl propyl disulfide, which damages their red blood cells and can cause fatal consequences in animals. Eating onions can cause your Yorkie to become anemic, weak and have breathing challenges. If your Yorkie gets a hold of an onion contact your vet immediately.

Although you may need a cup of coffee to wake up in the morning your pet doesn't. Buddy loves coffee. I can't have it anywhere near him or he will empty the cup.

It wouldn't seem like Avocados would be bad for your Yorkie but according to the research I did Avocados are on the don't feed list. It can upset their stomachs and cause them to vomit. Of course you would keep the pit away from your Yorkie as it could cause a choking hazard and is toxic to boot.

Although there isn't much my Yorkies won't eat, reasins and graps are two things they don't like. Turns out that is okay because they are not good for them and can make them really sick.

Macadamin nuts are not recommended for Yorkies either. I personally wouldn't feed my Yorkies any nuts. We had a bad situation with our Yorkie Muffassa after he ate some peanuts. They became lodged in his intestines and almost killed him.

Although I am bad about feeding my Yorkies extra, I stick with what I know to be safe and feed them high quality dog food and treats. You want them to live a long healthy life!

Love my Yorkie
Rachelle

Resources:

St. Lucia Animal Protection Society

PetEducation.com Provides a pretty extensive list of things not to feed your Yorkie.

Go for a carry

Surrobbie turns 10 this November and she just isn't as spry as she once was. She still loves to go with Buddy and I on our long walks but has a challenge making it the entire way. Because she doesn't like to stay home I would take her and then carry her when she got tired. Although she isn't a large dog she is a large Yorkie and carrying 10 pounds of Yorkie for very long isn't that easy to do. So I decided to do what any good Yorkie mom would do and I got her a carrier.

I went to PetsMart and looked for something I could strap on and carry her baby style. I didn't want a stroller although I considered it. Too bulky. They did have them though. Not all that expensive, about $80. However I opted for the strap on kind that she fits right into and I can carry her on my chest.

I ended up with a Outward Hound Pet Travel Gear pack. It straps on easily and I carry Surrobbie in the front. I was afraid that she wasn't going to like it but she has no problems with it at all. I just put her in it and she sits right down. I bought her the 10 to 20 pound size and it is nice and roomy for her. I am not sure though if a much bigger dog would really fit. Buddy is 16 pounds and I tried to fit him in it and there was no way.

You should see the funny looks I get when people see me carrying Surrobbie in the pack.

Love my Yorkie
Rachelle

Glucosamine for Yorkies

My oldest Yorkie Muffassa had trouble with his joints. The vet recommended Glucosamine. I have been giving my Yorkies Glucosamine ever since. It really seems to make a big difference especially with my oldest Yorkie Surrobbie. I use Nutri Vet Hip & Joint Plus with Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid. I simply split a tablet in half and give Surrobbie half and Buddy half in their breakfast.

As always check with your vet before giving your Yorkie anything.

Love My Yorkie
Rachelle

Is it safe to give your Yorkie baby aspirin

My oldest Yorkie has arthritis. Some days are better than others but I have taken to giving her one half of a baby aspirin for the pain. This was recommended by my vet. It really helps and makes her much more comfortable.

Before you give anything to your Yorkie make sure you check with your vet. One thing I learned was that Tylenol was not safe for Yorkies and should not be given. You also have to be careful with how much you give your Yorkie as anything medicine can be deadly if overdosed.

I have found that baby aspirin is not as easy to find as one might think. The last time I bought a bottle for Surrobbie I got Bayer Chewable low does 81 mg. I give her just a half in her breakfast.

You can also buy aspirin that is made just for dogs. Check out DoctorDog.com for a variety of aspirin related products for your Yorkie.

For more information about giving your Yorkie aspirin check out School for Champions. However before giving your Yorkie anything ask your vet. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Love my Yorkie
Rachelle

Should a Yorkie wear Pearls

Greetings:

I have dressed my Yorkies up since I have had Yorkies. My first Yorkie was dressed as a Devil for Halloween. He had other little outfits that he would wear mostly when it got cold. I live in a climate that gets down right arctic so having a little extra protection from the elements is needed.

However many people think dressing your Yorkie, or any kind of dog, is stupid. It can be I guess but when you have a small dog it can also be practical.

In an article by Connie Limon "Why Should you Dress Your Dogs?" she offers these tips:

"Clothes for Warmth:

If you and your little toy dog will outside in Maine in the winter, it truly matters that your little guy is in a nice, warm coat. Sure your main objective here is to keep the little guy warm, but it is more fun if that coat is “mink,” or even faux fur. Wow! How cute can that be? Real cute! Even long-coated little dogs sometimes need a little help keeping warm. Small dogs do lose their body heat much faster and are prone to hypoglycemia. A fleece t-shirt inside is also great to help keep your little guys from losing too much body heat.

Clothes for Worried Dogs:

When you are a Teacup Shih Tzu and you only weigh 5 pounds, you will have lots to worry about if the larger size Shih Tzu is around. Dressing the little guys in clothes will actually relieve some of the tensions between them and their rivals – the bigger guys. It creates calming to wrap up your little guy in something warm and cozy like a fleece t-shirt or sweater for inside. It gives the little guys more confidence.

Dogs like attention. When you dress up your dog in a beautiful party dress, people pay that attention. Your little dog will probably respond with lots of tail wagging and an increase self confidence. Most dogs love to interact with people and clothes are very good conversation starters. Dress your dog up in something really, really pretty and unusual and have fun watching her/his reactions when people stop and tell him or her just how precious they look. People won’t be able to resist smiling and petting your little dog. Dressing up your pet in beautiful dog fashions is definitely a way for the two of you to meet new people anywhere you decide to go."

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase fleece t-shirts in a variety of colors and hand crochet dog blankets at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com

So clothes are a good thing but a pearl necklace? My girlfriend Jill gave Surrobbie a pearl necklace for Christmas last year and I just adore it. Surrobbie wears it all the time and gets tons of compliments on it. It doesn't keep her warm, make her feel more secure or give her confidence (well maybe it makes her feel more like a princess) however I just love it.

For Buddy he gets a Bandanna.



He isn't so fond of it so I don't put it on him very often. If it truly bothers either of the dogs to have something on I don't make them wear it. I don't want them worried and upset over it. If indeed they don't seem to mind I will go with it.

Also you want to make sure the garment or whatever you put on your Yorkie is safe, they can move in it and it isn't going to get caught on something and choke them. You should stick with things that are made for small dogs and are designed for the four legged fur person.

Love my Yorkies

Rachelle