New yorkie owner - needs input on what to feed
 

Hello and greetings.

I got Mocha 2 months ago from a home breeder. She told me she feeds all her dogs Science Diet. I checked out the brand on the internet and it seems fine, so I continue feeding her this. But the more I go around, the more I hear unpleasant things about it.What I would like to know is:

1. Is science diet really, REALLY bad for my yorkie? Is there better food out there that costs about the same? Please bear in mind that I live in South East Asia, so I might not be able to get less popular yet very good brands.
2. How much to feed her a day? Mocha is 6 months old and she's about 4.5 lbs.
3. The instructions on the bag says 3/8 cup a day.. but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how much is 3/8 cups supposed to be.
4. I would like suggestions on healthy treats. Is jerky alright? I have difficulty finding dog cookies so for treats i feed her small bits of jerky instead. What about natural treats? I feed her a piece of carrot between meals as I have read that it makes a good snack. Is there any other opinion on this?
5. The breeder told me to feed her calcium supplements such as Suregrow. Is this advisable?

Off topic, but I would also love some input on shampoos that will not break my wallet. Mocha has white flecks coming off her skin, and I changed shampoo. Much better now but she still scratch a little excessively in my opinion. My shihtzu however, has no problem with both shampoo. I know it's not a good comparison, but I was just trying to get a "reading", so to speak.

I realise I have been very ignorant with my dogs. Quite ashamed at myself actually. The vet didn't say anything bad about science diet, I see his work, he seems to genuinely care about dogs, so I don't know if this is a bad thing or not.

Please help. I would like Mocha to live a long, healthy life as she is just the happiest most active dog there is.

Thank you beforehand.

Science Diet is not a great food but it is very likely the best you will be able to get. If you can't get one of the better brands, can you get Sci. Diet Nature's Best?

When Ellie ate Sci. Diet, she ate about 1/2 cup per day and she is just over 5 pounds.

When you are feeding an already complete and balanced dog food, you do not need to supplement with anything. It is probably best if you don't give extra calcium unless the Sci. Diet is different there than it is here.

Ellie May, thank you very much for the prompt reply :)

Unfortunately we only have one kind of Science Diet here :( Puppy and adults small bites.

I have been going round this forum a little more though, and so far I've concluded that the best foods are:
1.Innova
2.Canidae
3.Royal Canin

I'm not sure about Innova and Canidae, but I did see Royal Canin for Yorkies on the last pet store I visited. I remember it was for the adults though.

Welcome to YT!! Not sure what you can purchase over where you live but i would recommend that you just read the ingredients.
Make sure there is NO CORN, NO WHEAT OR SOY, AND NO BY-PRODUCTS.
Those are all ingredients that aren't nutritional, are known allergens and are just totally unhealthy for our furbabies.
Good luck finding something locally in your country. :)

Fufufashion, thanks! That's a great guideline - no corn, no wheat/soy, no by-products. Got it :D

I just found out that some pet stores carry the Innova brand. Fingers crossed!

I agree with Babz
1.Innova
2.Canidae
3.Royal Canin

Also Blue Buffalo is natural. You can get it at Petsmart.

Royal Canin may be better than Sci. Diet but it is not great and it has made several Yorkies very itchy. It has bothered so many that I would recommend not wasting your time with it...

My Yorkie had the same thing on her skin. It was dandruff. After changing her diet she got over the condition. I do not know what your options are in your country so it is hard to make reccomendations. I can tell you that it is better to feed natural snacks.
My Suzi likes cheese, Yogurt, plain rice with boiled chicken, w/o bones.

Ellie May, thank you for the advice. I have gone around the forum a little more and I did read many stories about this. I think I will go for the Innova. Right now I won't squabble about the price anymore. I have a feeling RC might not go well with Mocha as she already has itching. Not very bad, but it still drives me crazy when she just scratch and scratch :( Poor baby

mscat,
I found out that some shops carry Innova, so I think I'll go for that. At this point it seems like the safest bet, and best choice. What do you think?

So do I just put the yogurt on a bowl or is there any tricks? I do have Puppy and Dental Kongs :D what are the best kinda cheese to give, and wouldn't the rice and cheese sticks in their teeth? I appreciate your replies! :D