Can Yorkies eat cheese?
In tiny amounts, usually yes — many Yorkies tolerate a small piece of plain low-salt cheese as a high-value treat, but it's fatty and some dogs are lactose-sensitive.
Cheese is a favourite training reward because it's smelly and irresistible, and a small cube can be genuinely useful for a picky Yorkie. But it's high in fat and salt and contains lactose, so portions must stay tiny and count against the daily treat budget. Skip it entirely for dogs prone to pancreatitis or with dairy sensitivity.
What Yorkie owners need to know
- Choose plain, low-salt cheeses; avoid anything with onion, garlic, or herbs.
- A pea-sized piece is plenty for training — the fat and salt add up fast in a 5-pound dog.
- Some dogs are lactose-intolerant and get loose stools; start with a crumb and watch.
How preparation changes the answer
| Preparation | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain mild cheese, tiny amount | Only small amounts | Occasional high-value treat within the treat budget. |
| Flavoured cheese (onion/garlic/herb) | Best avoided | May contain toxic alliums. |
| For pancreatitis-prone dogs | Best avoided | The fat load isn't worth the risk — ask your vet. |
Safe preparation
- Offer a pea-sized piece of plain mild cheese (mozzarella, mild cheddar, or cottage cheese).
- Use it as an occasional high-value reward, not a daily habit.
- Count it inside the 10% treat calorie budget.
Portion for a Yorkie
Pea-sized (roughly 3-5 g) at most, occasionally — and less for very small Yorkies.
Nutrition at a glance
Fat
~33 g
per 100 g cheddar (USDA FoodData Central)
Sodium
~620 mg
per 100 g cheddar (USDA FoodData Central)
Possible benefits
- Highly palatable — useful for pilling or motivating a picky eater.
- Provides protein and calcium (though your dog gets these from a complete diet already).
Risks & things to watch
- High fat can trigger GI upset or pancreatitis in susceptible small dogs.
- High salt is a concern in tiny bodies.
- Lactose can cause loose stools in sensitive dogs.
If your Yorkie ate too much
A little extra cheese usually causes at most soft stools or mild upset. A large fatty amount in a pancreatitis-prone dog warrants a call to your vet.
Frequently asked questions
Is cheese good for hiding pills?
A small piece can work well for pilling, but check with your vet or pharmacist first — some medications shouldn't be given with dairy or calcium. Purpose-made pill pockets are an alternative.
How much cheese can my Yorkie have?
Only a tiny amount — a pea-sized piece (roughly 3-5 g) at most, and less for very small Yorkies. Cheese is high in fat and salt for a tiny body, so keep it an occasional high-value reward within the treat budget, and skip it entirely for dogs prone to pancreatitis.
Sources
We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.
- Nutrition dataUSDA FoodData CentralUSDA FoodData Central nutrient database
Supports: Human-food nutrient composition (calories, macronutrients, fibre, sugars). · Accessed 2026-07-01
- Professional bodyWSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeGlobal Nutrition Guidelines & Toolkit
Supports: Energy requirement calculation, body condition scoring, treat guidance. · 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 2026-07-01 · Last reviewed 2026-07-01
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Related foods
Plain Yogurt
In small amounts, usually yes — a spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt is fine for many Yorkies, but never a sweetened one, and watch for lactose sensitivity.
Peanut Butter
In tiny amounts, yes — but ONLY a xylitol-free peanut butter; it's high in fat and calories, so a small lick is right for a Yorkie.
Butter
Use caution. Butter isn't toxic, but it is essentially pure fat with lactose, so even a small amount can upset a Yorkie's stomach or, in a susceptible dog, help trigger pancreatitis. It has no benefit, so it's best kept off the menu.
Cottage Cheese
Yes, in small amounts — plain, low-fat cottage cheese is usually well tolerated by Yorkies, but watch for lactose sensitivity and its sodium.
Cream Cheese
Use caution. A tiny amount of plain cream cheese isn't toxic, but it's high in fat and lactose, and flavoured tubs often contain onion, garlic, or chives. At most, a small smear of the plain kind — and check the label first.
Eggs
Yes — plain, fully cooked eggs with no salt, butter, or oil are a safe, protein-rich treat for Yorkies in small amounts.
Make serving it easier
A few small things that help at mealtime
Getting the portion right matters most on a tiny dog. These simple bits of kit help you weigh, serve, and store — tap a category to see current options on Amazon.
Wet food for toy breeds
Softer texture for picky or senior Yorkies — check calories per can.
Shop on AmazonMini silicone spatula
Scrapes every bit of wet food or topper from the can with no waste.
Shop on AmazonPet food can lids
Seal a half-used can so the second half is still fresh tomorrow.
Shop on AmazonFood toppers & pumpkin
A spoonful can tempt a fussy eater or settle a delicate tummy.
Shop on AmazonThese are Amazon search links, not specific product endorsements. As an Amazon Associate, Yorkiefood earns from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices or star ratings here — check the current details on Amazon.