Can Yorkies eat cashews?
Use caution. Cashews are not toxic to dogs, but they are very high in fat and are usually sold salted or roasted, and they pose a choking risk — so at most a Yorkie should have a couple of plain unsalted ones, and even that is not necessary.
Cashews are not on the list of nuts that are directly poisonous to dogs, but they are one of the fattier nuts and are almost always sold salted or oil-roasted. For a 5-pound dog, that fat and salt load can cause stomach upset or contribute to pancreatitis, and a whole cashew is also a choking hazard.
What Yorkie owners need to know
- Cashews are not toxic, but they are very high in fat and usually salted.
- A couple of plain, unsalted cashews is the ceiling for a small dog — and they are not needed at all.
- Whole cashews are a choking hazard for a Yorkie-sized throat.
How preparation changes the answer
| Preparation | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One or two plain unsalted cashews | Only small amounts | Not toxic but very fatty; not necessary. |
| Salted or oil-roasted cashews | Best avoided | Excess salt and fat for a small dog. |
| Mixed-nut blends | Toxic — do not feed | May contain macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs. |
Risks & things to watch
- Very high fat can cause GI upset or contribute to pancreatitis in a small dog.
- Usually sold salted or oil-roasted, adding an unnecessary salt load.
- Whole cashews are a choking hazard, and mixed-nut tins may contain toxic macadamia nuts.
If your Yorkie ate too much
One or two plain cashews usually cause at most mild stomach upset. If your Yorkie ate a handful of salted cashews, or any from a mixed-nut tin that could contain macadamia nuts, call your veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
Can Yorkies eat cashews?
Cashews are not toxic, but they are very high in fat and usually salted, so at most a Yorkie should have a couple of plain unsalted ones, and even that offers no real benefit.
Are salted cashews bad for dogs?
Yes, salted and oil-roasted cashews add unnecessary salt and fat for a small dog, and mixed-nut tins can contain toxic macadamia nuts, so plain unsalted is the only version to consider.
Sources
We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.
- Poison controlASPCA Animal Poison Control CenterToxic and Non-Toxic Plants / People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Supports: Classification of foods that are toxic or dangerous to dogs. · Accessed 2026-07-01
- Nutrition dataUSDA FoodData CentralUSDA FoodData Central nutrient database
Supports: Human-food nutrient composition (calories, macronutrients, fibre, sugars). · Accessed 2026-07-01
The Yorkiefood Editorial Team
We research Yorkshire Terrier feeding from regulatory bodies, veterinary manuals, poison-control centres, and peer-reviewed nutrition literature, then explain it plainly. We are careful researchers, not veterinarians — our pages cite their sources so you can check the evidence yourself, and we always defer to your own vet for your dog.
First published 2026-07-11 · Last reviewed 2026-07-11
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Related foods
Macadamia Nuts
No. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause weakness, tremors, and a fever-like reaction. Keep them away from your Yorkie.
Almonds
Use caution. Almonds are not considered toxic to dogs, but for a Yorkie they are a real choking and obstruction risk, they are high in fat that can upset the stomach or contribute to pancreatitis, and they are frequently salted.
Walnuts
Avoid. Walnuts are high in fat, a choking and obstruction risk, and — most importantly — moldy walnuts can carry tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures, with black walnuts being especially concerning.
Chia Seeds
In a tiny, soaked amount — a small pinch of chia seeds soaked in water is fine for Yorkies and adds a little fiber and omega-3.
Chocolate
No. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and for a dog as small as a Yorkie even a little can be dangerous. Darker and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.
Coconut
Use caution. Coconut flesh and oil are not toxic to dogs, but they are very high in fat and MCTs that can cause stomach upset in a small dog, sweetened coconut adds sugar, and coconut water is high in potassium — so this is a food to limit, not a staple.