How to Take Care of a Teacup Yorkie Puppy

It's true, dog is man's best friend. And some people get even more attached to a teacup dog because of their small size. You can hold, coddle, sleep, pamper, and even dress a teacup dog.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has not recognized the word 'teacup' as a class of dogs. Many dog owners, however, have described a teacup as being a dog smaller than the toy group. The teacup designation is determined by the size and weight of the dog.

Taking care of a teacup Yorkshire Terrier is much more difficult than taking care of a larger dog. A teacup Yorkie needs extra care because of its small size. Teacup Yorkies normally need a lot of attention and can't be left alone for a long period of time. Read on for tips on taking care of your teacup Yorkie puppy.

Instructions

1. 

   Veterinary care: When considering a teacup Yorkshire Terrier as a pet, there are several things you must determine. One of your first steps should be finding a vet that you trust. You may ask other dog owners in your area for recommendations. Selecting a vet you are comfortable with is important because teacup Yorkies are more expensive to take care of than the average dog. Experts recommend taking your puppy for a checkup within the first 10 days of having your pet. Yorkie pups usually start their vaccine series at 6-8 weeks old and require booster shots every 2-3 weeks until they reach the age of 4 months. Your dog's ears may be sensitive and should be checked regularly for excessive wax and mites. Additionally, Yorkies are notorious for having weak teeth and often need to go to the vet several times a year for cleanings.

2. 

   Teething: Teacup Yorkies tend to retain their puppy teeth. Sometimes these teeth need to be professionally removed. Your vet may recommend waiting until your pup is at least 1 ½ years old before removing puppy teeth, unless they are creating problems with your puppy's bite.
   Watch their teeth and bite closely. A proper bite on a Yorkie is an important preventative measure because properly aligned teeth ensure a cleaner mouth. Overlapping teeth allows bacteria and tartar to build up in their vulnerable mouths. Your vet will have good advice about your Yorkie's mouth, teeth and jaw structure.

3. 

   Housebreaking: All toy puppies have small bladders and may have frequent accidents. The kidneys of teacup Yorkie puppies may not be fully developed (depending on the age of your pup) so you can expect accidents until they are around 5-6 months of age. Interestingly, there are many reports of teacup Yorkies being successfully trained to use a litter box. Alternatively, they can be paper trained. In any case, you should be prepared to take your dog outside every four hours in the daytime.

4. 

   Grooming: Yorkies must be groomed on a regular schedule. They have a silky, fast-growing coat that requires trimming approximately once a month. If you're not able to do this yourself or hire a professional, then you may want to consider another breed.
   Daily brushing is recommended to maintain their coat and keep it mat free. When brushing, never brush a dry coat; spray your brush with mixture of water and conditioner beforehand. Clip your puppy's toenails and trim the hair on his feet. Keep the hair on his ear flaps trimmed very short. If you take your teacup Yorkie to be groomed, request the ears be shaved 1/3 down from the tip in an inverted v shape. Brush your puppy's teeth with a tooth brush and paste made for dogs (available at all pet stores).

5. 

   Diet: It is best to feed your puppy the same food he was eating at his previous home for at least two weeks. If you want to feed your puppy a higher grade or natural grade of dog food, start by mixing the new dog food with the present dog food at a 3 to 1 ratio for 5 days. Then mix the dog foods at a 1 to 1 ratio for another 5 days. Next mix the dog foods at a 1 to 3 ratio and feed for 5 days. Now you can feed your Yorkie his new food without mixing in the old dog food.
   You must feed your teacup Yorkie quality dog food made specifically for puppies or make the puppy food yourself. In any case, the quality of your puppy's food is an important consideration. You don't want your puppy to begin life with ailments such as weak muscle tone or a compromised skeletal system.

6. 

   Feeding schedule: Teacup Yorkie puppies should eat 3-4 times per day. If your new puppy is having difficulty eating, add a bit of warm water to his food. At 12-24 months switch to an adult dog food for Yorkshire Terriers. If you choose to give your puppy treats, remember how small their stomach's are. One treat may be as large as a meal so adjust his food accordingly. Keep treats to a minimum; too many treats will throw off his balanced diet. Generally, a tablespoon sized treat is ample, and a bite or two will keep him happy. Keep fresh water out at all times.

7. 

   Spay/Neuter: Leaving any pet intact can result in serious health risks. Speak with your Vet about the benefits of alterations; it may prolong the life of your beloved teacup Yorkie puppy.

Tips & Warnings

• New Yorkie puppy owners should educate themselves about health problems and parasites associated with the Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) breed.

• Reccommended reading includes Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Health Problems, Yorkie Hypoglycemia, Parasites of Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Digestive System and Teacup Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Information.

• Here is a partial list of household items that will harm your puppy: 1. Antifreeze 2. Chocolate 3. Bleach 4. Tylenol 5. Watch Batteries 6. Moth Balls 7. Fabric Softeners and other detergents 8. Mouth wash 9. Peach Pits 10.Some Household Plants

Resources

• How to Bathe a Teacup Yorkshire Puppy
• How to Make Healthy Dog Food
• Tea Cup Care
• Yorkie Puppie Care