Human Foods Yorkies Should Never Eat
General nutrition information compiled from product labels and published sources, not veterinary advice. Your veterinarian is the right person to choose a diet for your dog, especially one with a health condition.
A Yorkshire Terrier is a toy dog. The American Kennel Club lists the breed at about 7 pounds, and the breed standard says a Yorkie must not exceed seven pounds. That small body is why a bite of the wrong people food matters more than it would for a larger dog.
This page answers the most common questions about what Yorkies can and cannot eat. The toxic foods named here come from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control list. We did not test any of these foods ourselves.
The Basics
Can Yorkies eat human food at all?
Some of it, yes. Plain, unseasoned foods in tiny pieces can work as occasional treats. The trouble is that many everyday foods are toxic to dogs, and a Yorkie has very little room for error.
What can Yorkies not eat?
The ASPCA lists chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine, and raw yeast dough among the common dangers. Very salty, very fatty, or heavily seasoned foods are also poor choices. The sections below take each group in turn.
Why does the ASPCA list matter for a Yorkie?
The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center tracks real poisoning cases in pets and publishes the foods it sees most often. It is a widely used starting point for owners. It is not a complete list, so when a food is not on it, ask your veterinarian before sharing.
Why are small dogs at higher risk?
The same piece of food is a larger share of a 7 pound dog's body than of a big dog's. We will not give a safe amount for any toxic food, because none should be offered. If your Yorkie eats something on the danger list, call for help instead of guessing.
Sweets, Chocolate and Sweeteners
Can Yorkies eat chocolate?
No. The ASPCA lists chocolate as toxic to dogs, and dark chocolate and baking chocolate are generally the more concerning kinds. Keep cocoa, brownies, candy and chocolate chips well out of reach.
What is xylitol, and where does it hide?
Xylitol is a sugar substitute the ASPCA warns about for dogs. Check labels on sugar-free gum, mints, candy, baked goods, and some peanut butters or other spreads. If xylitol appears in the ingredients, the product stays away from your Yorkie.
Can Yorkies have baked goods or desserts?
Best not to. Cakes, cookies and pies often contain chocolate, raisins, nuts, or xylitol, along with a lot of sugar and fat. Sweet treats also add calories fast, which matters for a breed the AKC says can be prone to becoming overweight.
Is coffee or tea safe for a Yorkie?
No. The ASPCA lists caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks and some sodas. Coffee grounds and tea bags in the trash count too.
Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts
Can Yorkies eat grapes or raisins?
No. The ASPCA lists grapes and raisins as toxic to dogs, and the cause is still not fully understood. That includes raisins baked into bread, cereal and trail mix.
Can Yorkies eat onions and garlic?
No. The ASPCA lists onions, garlic, chives and leeks as harmful to dogs, whether raw, cooked or powdered. Watch for them in soups, sauces, baby food and seasoned leftovers.
Are macadamia nuts bad for Yorkies?
Yes. The ASPCA lists macadamia nuts as toxic to dogs. Cookies and snack mixes that contain them are just as risky as the nuts alone.
What about avocado, pits and seeds?
The ASPCA includes avocado among foods to be cautious with. Pits, cores and large seeds are also a choking or blockage hazard for a dog with a tiny mouth and throat. Skip them and offer a simpler snack.
Is raw bread dough dangerous?
Yes. The ASPCA warns about raw yeast dough for dogs. Keep rising dough covered and out of reach, and call for advice if your Yorkie gets into it.
Alcohol, Fat and Bones
Can Yorkies have alcohol?
No. The ASPCA lists alcohol as dangerous to dogs. This covers drinks, unattended cocktails, and foods made with alcohol. Do not let a Yorkie lick spilled drinks.
Are fatty table scraps a problem?
They can be. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports an increased prevalence of pancreatitis in Yorkshire Terriers and says dietary indiscretion is believed to be a common risk factor in dogs. Bacon, fat trimmings, gravy and greasy leftovers are the kinds of scraps to avoid.
Are cooked bones safe to chew?
We would not give them. Cooked bones can splinter, and pieces can lodge in a small mouth or throat. Ask your veterinarian about chews that suit a toy breed.
What about salty snacks?
The ASPCA lists too much salt as a risk for pets. Chips, pretzels, deli meat and salted nuts add little a dog needs. Choose a plain snack instead.
Safer Snacks
What can Yorkies eat instead?
Many owners use small pieces of plain cooked chicken, carrot, cucumber, green beans, blueberries, or apple without the core or seeds. Offer no salt, oil, onion or garlic. Introduce one new food at a time, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure about a particular dog.
How many treats are too many?
The AKC advises Yorkie owners to watch calories and treats, since some Yorkies gain weight easily. Treats should stay a small extra on top of a complete and balanced diet. For a starting point on the main meal, see our label-by-label comparison of dog foods for Yorkies, which compares label data only. We did not run feeding trials or taste tests.
Does a Yorkie puppy need extra care?
Yes. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America names hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, as a concern in puppies, especially at 6 to 12 weeks old. A puppy that refuses food, vomits or seems weak after eating something odd needs a veterinarian quickly.
If Your Yorkie Eats Something Toxic
What should I do first?
Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away, and do not wait for symptoms. Look up the current number on the ASPCA website and save it in your phone today. Have the food, its packaging, and your dog's approximate weight ready.
Should I make my dog vomit?
Not unless a veterinarian or poison control professional tells you to. Some substances cause more harm coming back up, and home methods can go wrong. Follow the instructions you are given.
What signs mean trouble?
Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, shaking, weakness, unusual sleepiness, or collapse all call for immediate help. Some poisons cause no signs for hours. A normal-looking dog is not proof that nothing happened.
How can I prevent accidents?
Use a lidded trash can, keep purses and bags off the floor, and ask guests not to feed your dog. Store chocolate, gum and medications high up. A Yorkie will find what a larger dog might ignore.