Bird bones splinter very easily and can cause intestinal tract problems, creating an obstruction, or blockage. Or the bone can actually go through the intestinal wall and create an infection in the abdomen, which can end up being very serious and costly to treat. Of all the common bones -- chicken, pork and beef -- beef bones splinter the least. But even if the bones do not end up causing internal damage, they can break teeth.
Rawhide bones, a common dog treat, can also break teeth and can become lodged in the esophagus, if swallowed prematurely. So they are not the best treats either.
Giving your yorkie a few bites from the table is okay, if the pet is used to it. If you start feeding all the time from your table the Yorkie may decide that it likes your food better than its own food. It’s not a good idea to feed Yorkies the fat off of meat, if it is not good enough for you to eat, do not to feed it to a Yorkie.
Do not give your Yorkie chocolate. Yorkies may have seizures if they get too much chocolate. Dark chocolates and baking chocolate are more harmful than milk chocolates.
Healthful treats to feed dogs that you may have around the house include canned green beans. As long as they are rinsed thoroughly to remove excess salt, green beans can be especially good for dogs that are overweight, as they are nutritious and filling. My Yorkies love the raw peeled baby carrots they make a wonderful treat and help in keeping the teeth clean.
There are a lot of good dog biscuits sold on the market, but owners should be aware that some biscuits are high in calories and fat.
Moderation is the key to commercial or homemade treats. As long as the dog is on a specific, prepared commercial diet for their mainstay of food, a few treats are okay. You don't want treats to become the only thing your Yorkie eats, because they may not be nutritionally complete or balanced, and may promote obesity.
Meatball Treats
1/2 lb. Ground beef
1 Carrot, finely grated
1 tbs. Grated cheese
1/2 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 cup Whole-wheat bread crumbs
1 Egg, beaten
1 tbs. Tomato paste
Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium-sized bowl, combine ground meat, carrot, cheese, garlic powder and bread crumbs. Add the egg and tomato paste and mix well. Using your hands, roll the mixture into marble-sized meatballs and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes until meatballs are brown and firm. Cool the meatballs completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Chicken Liver Cookies
Non greasy, easy to bake, good show bait.
- Simmer until tender approximately 1 pound of chicken livers, in enough water to completely cover them.
- Add to livers before simmering small amount of salt, minced clove of garlic or garlic powder.
- When tender, drain water and save. Turn on oven at 400 degrees. Puree or mash fine, the chicken livers put to one side to cool. If you are in a hurry put the livers in freezer to cool.
- Mix in large bowl 1 cup white flour, 2 cups yellow corn meal and 1 tablespoon baking powder.
- Add chicken livers when cool to dry mix, cutting in well. Add some of the saved water until the mixture is consistency of very soft dough.
These are very nourishing cookies the only fat is from the chicken livers.
WARNING: Remember to remove cookie from your pockets doggie will eat right through your pocket to get to cookies if not removed.