Training your Yorkie doesn’t have to be boring. Dog food companies have made hundreds of different treats as delicious for your dog as they are delightful to you. But with so many dog treats formulated for small dogs on the market, it’s hard to pick just one best treat for your Yorkie. Still, it’s essential to ensure that you’ve made the right purchase for your dog’s needs.
So, let’s look at 10 excellent treat choices for Yorkies in this article. We will review some top choices and discuss the pros and cons of each treat on this list.
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
American Journey Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Lots of flavors to choose from
Affordable
Grain-free
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Best Value
Old Mother Hubbard Dog Treats
Bulk buying options
Fantastic assortment of flavors
No artificial preservatives
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Premium Choice
Blue Dog Bakery Dog Treats
No artificial preservatives
100% non-GMO
Crunchy texture
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats
Large bag size available
High in protein
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Natural Balance L.I.T. Dog Treats
Good flavor selection
A good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Suitable for all breeds
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The 10 Best Treats for Yorkies
Our list starts with our overall favorite dog treat for Yorkies: American Journey’s Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats. While we’ve chosen to highlight the peanut butter recipe, Yorkie parents have tons of choices with this option. American Journey makes these treats in six flavors: peanut butter, chicken, salmon, duck, lamb, and turkey.
Bag Size: 8 oz, 16 oz
Flavor Options: Peanut Butter, Chicken, Salmon, Duck, Lamb, Turkey, Sausage-Egg-and-Cheese
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In addition, all American Journey’s recipes are sourced and processed here in the United States! So, dog parents who like to know that their dog’s food is made close to home can feed these treats to their Yorkie guilt-free!
What makes these treats great for Yorkies is the size, though. They’re a small size, perfect for a little Yorkie’s mouth at any life stage. So, your Yorkie will be able to get these treats in their mouth and chew on them without them being so small as to risk being a choking hazard.
Pros
Lots of flavors to choose from
Affordable
Grain-free
Cons
Some dogs do not like the crunchy texture, especially dogs with weaker teeth
Old Mother Hubbard is a family favorite in the pet industry, and that’s why her treats were chosen to represent the best value you can get for Yorkie treats. In addition, you can buy Old Mother Hubbard’s treats in bulk; even their smallest bag is bigger than many other brands’ biggest bags at 20 ounces. Old Mother Hubbard treats go up to 10 pound boxes. So, bulk buying fanatics will be able to get their fill and a bit extra on top.
Lots of flavors to choose from
Affordable
Grain-free
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Affordable
- Grain-free
Some dogs do not like the crunchy texture, especially dogs with weaker teeth
- Some dogs do not like the crunchy texture, especially dogs with weaker teeth
Bag Size: 20 oz, 3.5 lbs, 6 lbs, 10 lbs
Flavor Options: Original Assortment, P-Nuttier, Extra Tasty Assortment, Bac’N’Cheez, Liv’R’Crunch, Just Vegg’N, Chick’N’Apples, Chartar
The big bag size isn’t the only great thing about Old Mother Hubbard. Her treats also come in a wide variety of flavors. The Original Assortment and Extra Tasty Assortment contain several flavors for your dog to sample and enjoy. At the same time, options like P-Nuttier, Bac’N’Cheez, and Chick’N’Apples offer a more consistent flavor palette.
These biscuits aren’t the only treats Old Mother Hubbard makes either. The company’s lineup includes soft chews, chew sticks, and biscuits, so dog parents who like to shake up their dog’s diet will be able to indulge their dog in the wide breadth of flavors and textures offered.
Pros
Bulk buying options
Fantastic assortment of flavors
No artificial preservatives
Cons
Some people noted that the biscuit size was too big for small dogs
Blue Dog Bakery has been making delicious dog treats since 1998. They’re committed to delivering an impressive repertoire of biscuits, chew sticks, and other dog snacks made in the U.S.A. with non-GMO ingredients, so we chose them as our Best Premium dog treats for Yorkies.
Bulk buying options
Fantastic assortment of flavors
No artificial preservatives
- Bulk buying options
- Fantastic assortment of flavors
- No artificial preservatives
Some people noted that the biscuit size was too big for small dogs
- Some people noted that the biscuit size was too big for small dogs
Bag Size: 20 oz, 3 lbs
Flavor Options: Peanut Butter, Chicken & Cheese, Beef
While their flavor selection could certainly be expanded, they offer a small variety of delicious treat flavors for dogs. Their assorted dog treats contain all the regular flavors they offer in one neat package, so your dog is never bored!
These treats don’t contain any artificial preservatives or colors. So, dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs will be safe from those ingredients. There’s nothing to not love about these treats, and we’re sure you and your dog will love them as much as we do!
Pros
No artificial preservatives
100% non-GMO
Crunchy texture
Cons
Some dogs did not like the flavors
Treats were a bit large and had to be broken up for very small dogs to eat
Blue Wilderness is Blue Buffalo’s high protein line, and it’s a fantastic option for any dog parents of dogs who benefit from a high-protein diet. Blue Buffalo is a family-favorite brand that is trusted and beloved by dog parents worldwide. They provide high-quality food products with specialty diets of all kinds.
No artificial preservatives
100% non-GMO
Crunchy texture
- No artificial preservatives
- 100% non-GMO
- Crunchy texture
Some dogs did not like the flavors
Treats were a bit large and had to be broken up for very small dogs to eat
- Some dogs did not like the flavors
- Treats were a bit large and had to be broken up for very small dogs to eat
Bag Size: 10 oz, 24 oz
Flavor Options: Turkey, Salmon, Chicken, Duck
Blue Wilderness Trail Treats are excellent for Yorkies since they’re the perfect size for their mouths. These biscuits are the perfect choice for any dog, but small dogs especially benefit from the manageable size.
They also come in many flavors that are provided by using real meat as an ingredient. One downside is that Blue Wilderness is known for having a somewhat excessive carbohydrate content in their products. But this isn’t too big of a problem with treats since they’re not a primary food source.
Pros
Large bag size available
High in protein
Cons
Higher in calories than other treats on the market, not ideal for overweight Yorkies
Natural Balance is another family-favorite amongst pet food brands. They’re known for making high-quality foods for specialty diets, and their L.I.T line is the treat line for their L.I.D limited-ingredient food line.
Large bag size available
High in protein
- Large bag size available
- High in protein
Higher in calories than other treats on the market, not ideal for overweight Yorkies
- Higher in calories than other treats on the market, not ideal for overweight Yorkies
Bag Size: 8 oz
Flavor Options: Sweet Potato & Chicken, Brown Rice & Lamb Meal, Potato & Duck, Sweet Potato & Bison, Sweet Potato & Fish, Sweet Potato & Venison
Like the L.I.D line, L.I.T features a limited ingredient profile that makes it perfect for any dogs with sensitive stomachs. Since there are fewer overall ingredients, the treats are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Natural Balance L.I.T. also come in a wide variety of flavors, including some less common flavors like bison and venison. Your dog won’t get bored of these treats anytime soon! Natural Balance makes many beloved dog food products and is well-known for their comprehensive nutritional products for dogs. Their Limited Ingredient Treats are an excellent option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Since the treats are made with a limited ingredient profile, they have a limited allergen content and are much less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Pros
Good flavor selection
A good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Suitable for all breeds
Cons
Only comes in a small bag size, not ideal for multi-dog households
Nutro is a famous brand amongst crunchy dog parents who want to feed their dogs grain-free food at a lower price. These grain-free dog treats offer various flavor options that your dog can test out.
Good flavor selection
A good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Suitable for all breeds
- Good flavor selection
- A good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Suitable for all breeds
Only comes in a small bag size, not ideal for multi-dog households
- Only comes in a small bag size, not ideal for multi-dog households
Bag Size: 10 oz, 16 oz
Flavor Options: Mixed Berries, Apple, Peanut Butter, Roasted Chicken, Berry & Yogurt, Beef & Hickory Smoke
Nutro treats are a fantastic option for any pet parents who want to get a little more fiber into their dog’s diet. The treats use real apples and berries packed with fiber for your dog’s health!
Unfortunately, these treats don’t have any fantastic bulk options, but their unique flavor choices make up for what they don’t have in bulk options.
Pros
Unique flavor options
High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
Cons
Treats are too large to use as training treats for Yorkies
Fruitables are like fruit snacks for your dog! They feature crunchy treats in delicious flavors that your dog will love! In addition, your dog will be able to snack on these delicious cookies without any guilt because they’re healthy for your dog’s gut and overall health.
Unique flavor options
High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
- Unique flavor options
- High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
Treats are too large to use as training treats for Yorkies
- Treats are too large to use as training treats for Yorkies
Bag Size: 7 oz, 12 oz
Flavor Options: Pumpkin & Blueberry, Pumpkin & Apple, Bacon & Apple, Pumpkin & Banana
These treats come in several fruity flavors like Pumpkin and Blueberry or Bacon and Apple and are packed densely with nutritional compounds that your dog needs to thrive. In addition, the fruit basis of the treats means that these cookies are full of fiber that will improve your dog’s stomach health.
Pros
Lots of fiber for digestive health
Only 8-calories per treat
Cons
Some dogs were not pleased with the flavor selection
Halo’s Healthsome Vegan Grain-Free Biscuits with Peanut’ n Pumpkin are excellent for any vegans who want to buy dog treats that align with their ideology. These vegan treats are made with healthy compounds that your dog needs to grow up big and strong—or just strong in the case of Yorkies.
Lots of fiber for digestive health
Only 8-calories per treat
- Lots of fiber for digestive health
- Only 8-calories per treat
Some dogs were not pleased with the flavor selection
- Some dogs were not pleased with the flavor selection
Bag Size: 8 oz, 8 oz (2 pack)
Flavor Options: Peanut & Pumpkin, Carrot & Quinoa, Peanut & Banana, Oats & Blueberry
They’re also nice and small, so your Yorkie won’t have to stretch her jaw to enjoy these treats! They’re made with veggies jam-packed with healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Additionally, these treats may be an exceptional choice for any parents of dogs who have regular upset stomachs. Their Peanut & Pumpkin flavor is a tasty way to get extra fiber into your dog’s diet.
Pros
Vegan
High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
Cons
Biscuits are a bit crumbly, often leaving a mess on the floor
High in fat for the biscuit size
If cost is your only worry, you can try out Milk-Bone’s MaroSnacks. Milk-Bone isn’t the healthiest company out there, but it’s hard to beat the prices of their treats! In addition, they sell treats in massive quantities that will make any bulk buyer drool.
Vegan
High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
- Vegan
- High in fiber, aiding in healthy digestion
Biscuits are a bit crumbly, often leaving a mess on the floor
High in fat for the biscuit size
- Biscuits are a bit crumbly, often leaving a mess on the floor
- High in fat for the biscuit size
Bag Size: 40 oz, 38 oz (2 pack)
Flavor Options: Bone Marrow
Milk-Bone’s MaroSnacks are made with actual bone marrow that your dog can use in their diet to promote healthy skin, coat, and growth. They’re also delicious; your dog won’t be able to get enough of these marrow snacks.
MaroSnacks are excellent for training treats since they’ve got just 12 calories per treat. Your dog will love training sessions, and you can shed the guilt of training your dog with fattening treats!
Pros
Contains real bone marrow
Amazing bulk options
Cons
Made with some low-quality ingredients
Milk-Bone doesn’t just make MaroSnacks. They’ve also got a line of traditional dog biscuits that your Yorkie will adore. Their traditional biscuits come in many sizes to ensure that every dog can appreciate their delicious goodness.
Contains real bone marrow
Amazing bulk options
- Contains real bone marrow
- Amazing bulk options
Made with some low-quality ingredients
- Made with some low-quality ingredients
Bag Size: 36 oz, 35 oz (2 pack)
Flavor Options: Beef, Chicken & Bacon
If you’ve got a Yorkie, you’ll want to choose their mini size, so your dog doesn’t strain to eat their treats. Larger Yorkies or families with a bigger dog can get the small size to accommodate both of their dogs with one box or get multiple sizes of treats.
The Milk-Bone name is also synonymous with bulk options, and these treats don’t disappoint in that category. Try not to go too overboard with your bulk buying, though. You don’t want to buy more than your dog can eat!
Pros
Good bulk options
Low-calorie snacks for dogs
Cons
Made with some low-quality ingredients
Good bulk options
Low-calorie snacks for dogs
- Good bulk options
- Low-calorie snacks for dogs
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Treats for Yorkies
What Treats Are Best for Yorkies?
Yorkies don’t have any specific, hereditary dietary needs that need to be addressed. However, as miniature breed dogs, they may have trouble with foods that are physically too big for their mouths.
You’ll want to choose small or miniature treats to ensure that your Yorkie won’t have trouble with their treats.
What’s in a High-Quality Dog Treat?
High-quality dog treats should be made of all the same things as high-quality dog foods. However, there’s more wiggle room for low-quality ingredients with treats because they’re only fed sporadically and aren’t a primary food source for dogs.
While domestic dogs are classified as omnivores, some studies show that their ability to subsist on plant material is an evolutionary trait that would allow them to survive famine in the wild. So while fruits and vegetables can provide your dog with essential plant-based nutrients, the dog may be better fed on a high-protein diet that would mirror their wild ancestors.
To Go Grain-Free or Not…That Is the Question
While grain-free diets are a popular fad amongst crunchy dog parents, there’s no empirical evidence that dogs benefit from a grain-free diet. In fact, grain-free foods are shown to be harder for dogs to digest. In addition, grain-free foods are also correlated with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.
While dogs may or may not be omnivorous (the jury is still out on that one,) it’s clear that grains may provide beneficial nutrients and be an essential pillar of a dog’s nutritional profile.
It’s worth noting that the same cannot be said about cats. A cat’s cecum—the part of the body that houses the bacteria the gut uses to digest plant material—is small and “relatively undifferentiated” from the rest of the intestinal tract. So, while grain may be appropriate, even essential, for dogs, cats do better without it.
Gluten-Free VS Grain-Free
Now it’s also important to remember that gluten-free and grain-free are not the same thing. Many grains do not contain gluten, like rice, oats, buckwheat, and sorghum. Whether or not you choose gluten-free food is up to you, but do so informed! Here are the facts about gluten and its effects.
The effects of gluten on dogs are not particularly well studied. However, a study of six Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome showed that the dogs’ conditions improved after being switched to a gluten-free diet.
Additional studies showed that hysteria could be induced in dogs by feeding them wheat gluten. While this study is by no means evidence that wheat gluten is toxic for dogs, wheat gluten doesn’t have particularly good effects on humans either. Studies have repeatedly found links between wheat gluten and schizophrenia in humans.
The jury is still out on whether gluten is helpful or harmful to humans, but it’s pretty clear that its effects on dogs are negative.
Summary
Finding the perfect treat for your Yorkie can be challenging, but hopefully, you’ll find something that everyone loves after reviewing the options. Our favorite treat for Yorkies was American Journey’s Oven-Baked Crunchy Dog Biscuits. Pet parents on a budget can grab a big ol’ bag of Old Mother Hubbard’s Baked Dog Treats. Try out Blue Dog Bakery’s Dog Treats if you’ve got the cash to burn!
You may also be interested in:
- 10 Best Dog Foods for Yorkies at Walmart – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
