Last Updated on September 24, 2021 by Marco C.
How much do yorkies weight? is a question of many Yorkie owners to know if their Yorkies have normal weight. A Yorkshire terrier is a fluffy small dog that makes you fall in love with it at first sight. Having information about yorkshire terriers weight can help you figure out or avoid certain health issues. Now, let’s dive in to explain more for you to understand.
Table of Contents
How Much Do Yorkies Weight?
Yorkie average weight is 4 to 7 pounds. However, sometimes you can see some Yorkies weighing less than 4 pounds which are “teacup Yorkies”. Teacup Yorkies are prone to several health issues because of their small size.
If the yorkie weight is more than 7 pounds, this is obesity. While Yorkies weighing less than 4 pounds are underweight. Both conditions are considered big problems affecting your puppy’s health negatively.
Factors Affecting Yorkshire Terriers Weight
Nutrition
What you feed your Yorkie will greatly affect its weight and health as well. Yorkies are energetic dogs although they are prone to obesity. That’s why they need a special diet formula to meet their needs in relation to growth and energy.
If you are feeding your puppy too much food and treats, it will end up in obesity. In the contrast, if you neglected to feed it properly and correctly, the underweight is a foregone conclusion. So, take your vet’s advice on how to feed your Yorkie in a healthy way.
Learn more about: Announcing Best Food For Yorkie Poo Puppy
Exercise
Exercising your Yorkie will keep it in a good health condition. It prevents it from being obese and helps build strong muscles. Additionally, it stimulates your Yorkie mentally and physically.
However, performing exercises is your responsibility. Some pet owners are busy workers and then when they back home, they stay on the couch just to watching TV. If you are this kind of person, do not go for adopting Yorkies.
Yorkies are active energetic dogs that need exercising or walking outside. If you switched their lives to be sedentary, they will become overweight and sick.
Age
Yorkshire terriers weight differs depending on their age. A Yorkie puppy has not the same weight as the full-grown. A newborn Yorkie weighs 2.5 to 5.5 oz while the adult could reach 4-7 pounds. For more information about the normal weight of Yorkies in every life stage, look at the Yorkie growth chart.
Sterilization
Sterilization or spaying is a process of removing the Yorkie’s genital organs if you do not want to breed it. Spaying is considered a risk factor of obesity in dogs according to a study published in the Journal of Animal Science. So, they suggested that feeding your pet a high-protein, high-fiber diet would manage their weight and keep them away from obesity.
Yorkies Obesity
Some Yorkies may weigh over 7 pounds but the vet does not call them obese because they might be taller or have a stronger bone structure or muscle mass. However, Yorkies weigh more than 10 pounds must see the vet, this is to figure out if they are healthy or not and to give their owners a plan on how to lose the excess weight. The vet would diagnose overweight Yorkie through the 9-point scoring system, obese Yorkie will score more than 7.
Causes Of Yorkies Obesity
Generally, obesity is a result of unbalance between food intake and energy expenditure because of the following reasons
- An unhealthy diet with high calories, fats, and low real protein content.
- An unhealthy lifestyle including sedentary habits
- Lack of exercise and physical activity
- Spaying
- Certain health conditions including hypothyroidism, Cushing’s Disease, and Insulinoma
Health Risks Of Yorkies Obesity
- Diabetes
- Collapsed trachea
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Shorter lifespan
Treatment
To make your Yorkie lose some pounds, you have to work on several aspects such as food, exercise, and regular vet visits to record the progress
- Feed your pet high-quality food that is high in fiber and proteins. You have to divide the food into 4-5 meals per day. Consider reducing its daily calorie intake and introducing the new food gradually by dividing the plate to contain half of the new food and half of the old one.
- Increase your Yorkie’s activity level by taking it to walk for some period or exercising it frequently. However, be cautious not to exhaust it too much. Just increase its activity gradually day after day and under the vet’s supervision.
- If your Yorkie suffers any health condition that causes weight gain, ensure giving it the proper treatment. Keep regular visits to the vet for a check-up.
Yorkies Underweight
A skinny Yorkie has difficulty in gaining weight, it has prominent vertebrae and jutting pelvic bone. Additionally, it weighs less than normal.
Causes Of Yorkies Underweight
Underweight Yorkies tend to have a high metabolic rate due to the following reasons
- An insufficient diet that does not have all the essential nutrients your Yorkie need such as a raw diet or a home-cooked diet.
- Underfeeding because you do not feed it the suitable amount of food per day or your puppy may suffer appetite loss.
- Health conditions such as intestinal worms or parasites, and diabetes
- Oral conditions such as gum inflammation, painful teeth, or painful gum muscle
- Medications that have some side effects causing weight loss
Health Risks Of Yorkies Underweight
- Hypoglycemia
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Lack of energy
Treatment
Take your Yorkie to the vet to check the reason for your Yorkie’s underweight then give you a specific diet plan and tips to improve its health and reach the ideal weight. Keep a good eye on your puppy not to make it play with other big-sized dogs to avoid injuries. It is recommended to use a harness while walking and avoid overcrowded places and children as well.
Final Thoughts
In a summary, Yorkies are small dogs that weigh around 4-7 pounds. You may find some Yorkies weighs more or less than normal, however, stay healthy. This depends on many factors and of course your vet evaluation. Overweight Yorkies are prone to the collapsed trachea, diabetes, arthritis, and many other health conditions that would shorten their lifespan. Underweight Yorkies may suffer hypoglycemia that is a common health condition in Yorkies. My advice is to keep regular visits to the vet to discover early abnormalities in your puppy’s weight. For further questions, please leave them in the comments below.