Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Terriers > Yorkie eating habits

Yorkie eating habits

20 11:22:06

Question
my yorkie is 7 years old. Will not eat any dog food and very little dog treats . I
started giving him chicken and protein type han food. He is picky and
stubborn and will not even eat that now. The vet tested him and said he was
fine. He is skinny now and I'm worried. What can I get him to eat ? What will
happen if he keeps refusing every type of food I put in front of him?

Answer
First nquestion is, Do you leave the food down all the time?  If so you NEED to put it down 2 times a day, 7 am and 7 pm (of course adjust to your schedule).  If he doesn't eat within 5 to 10 minutes then you pick it up.  If it is down all the time he is in control. He will learn to eat what is in front of him when it is in front of him.  Ignore him.
Stop obsessing and catering to him. Get a premium food (Nutro, Evo, or raw diet) and leave it at that.  Don't buy the garbage because it has no nutritional value. Don't be switching all the time.  Its hard on his system.  He will get the runs.  Stick to one food.
Crating him while he eats will give him a sense of security also.  If your neighbor has a dog that he gets along with bring it over during feeding. Crate him and let the dog be right outside the crate and tell him that the other dog wil eat his food if he doesn't eat.  If he doesn't eat then take it out and give it to the other dog right in front of him.  He will learn that the other dog will eat it if he doesn't and DON'T give him anything till the next feeding.  Hold out.  He WILL NOT STARVE!  
 Hope this helps.
Tammy