Yorkshire terriers are also known as yorkies and they are one of the most popular breeds in dogs. They love, attention, time and devotion from their owners. This breed is only a 100 years old and they are becoming interesting pets for most of the people these days. Teacup yorkies are loved by people, since they are small and can be handled easily. However, before getting a yorkie, you must learn how to take care of yorkie.
Here are some simple steps on how to take care of yorkie.
Veterinary Care
- Whenever you are considering to have a teacup Yorkshire as your pet, there are many things that you will have to understand. One of the most important things is to find a good vet whom you can trust. Ask some of the dog owners in your locality for a good vet. Choose a vet whom you are comfortable with, because teacup Yorkshires are very tough to take care of as compared to other dogs.
- You must take your puppy to the doctor after 10 days of its birth. The vaccine routine for these puppies will start from six to eight weeks and they will need booster shots once in every two weeks until they have completed four months. Remember that your dog has sensitive ears and you must get them checked regularly for mites and excessive wax. Moreover, yorkies are known to have weak teeth and you will have to visit the vet several times to get them cleaned.
Teething
- Remember that teacup yorkies will usually retain their puppy teeth. Sometimes you will have to get these teeth removed professionally. For this, your vet will suggest you to wait for at least one and a half month unless there is any problem with your puppy’s bite.
- You will have to watch their bite and teeth very closely. A correct bite on a yorkie is like a preventive measure, because if there are properly aligned teeth then this will ensure a cleaner mouth. If there are overlapping teeth then this will lead to tartar and bacteria build-up in the vulnerable areas of their mouth. Your vet will give you good advice about yorkie’s mouth, jaw structure and teeth.
Housebreaking
- You must know that all the small puppies have small bladders and this may cause frequent accidents. The kidney of a yorkie will not be fully developed, so prepare yourself to face accidents until your yorkie is five or six months old. Interestingly, the teacup Yorkshire can be trained properly for a litter box or you can paper-train them as well. You should be ready to take your dog for walks outside everyday.
Grooming
- You will have to groom the yorkies on a regular basis. They come with silky and fast growing coat, which will need regular trimming at least once in a month. If you don not have time to do this yourself, then look for a professional who can help you. To maintain the coat and to keep it mat free you will have to comb the coat of your yorkie daily.
- However, remember that you must never brush the coat dry, make a mix of water and conditioner and then start combing. You will have to clip the toenails of your puppy and trim the hair from the feet. The hair on the earflap should be kept short. If you are planning to take your yorkie to a grooming salon, then ask them to shave his ears 1/3 down from the top and make an inverted V shape. Brush the teeth of your puppy with a special paste made for dogs.
Diet
- Remember that you must always give your puppy the same food that he has been eating previously. If you wish to give your puppy a higher grade of food, then you must give your dog a mix of new dog food along with the present dog food with a ratio of 3:1 for nearly five days. After five days, you must mix the dog food with a ratio of 1:1. Once you are done with this schedule then you can give your yorkie new food.
- Always remember that you must feed the yorkie quality dog food, which is specially made for puppies or you can make the puppy food yourself. In any case, the most important thing is the quality of food. You will not want your puppy to start his life with ailments like weak muscles or a bad skeletal system.
Feeding Schedule
- You will have to feed the yorkie a least three to four times a day. If your new puppy is facing some problems in eating food, then add a little warm water in the food. Between 12-24 months, you must shift from puppy food to adult food for Yorkshire terriers. If you wish to give your puppy treats, just keep one thing in mind that how small their stomachs are. Always keep the treats to a minimum, because too many treats will throw away his balanced diet. Usually a tablespoon of treat will be ideal for your dog and remember to keep fresh water all the times.
Spay/Neuter
- If you leave any pet intact then it will lead to serious health problems. Talk to your vet about the benefits regarding alterations, it can help in prolonging the life of your favorite yorkie.
Tips and Warnings:
- All the new yorkie owners must train and educate themselves regarding the health problems and parasites involved with this breed.
- There are a few things in your kitchen that can harm your puppy like chocolate. Bleach, Tylenol and mouth wash, so make sure that you keep your dog away from all these things.
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