Can Yorkies eat 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.
Macadamia nuts cause a distinctive toxic syndrome in dogs — hind-limb weakness, tremors, vomiting, and elevated temperature — usually within 12 hours. The mechanism isn't fully understood, but the effect is well documented. They're also often found in cookies that may also contain chocolate.
What Yorkie owners need to know
- Even a small number of nuts has caused signs in dogs.
- Watch for wobbliness or weakness in the back legs, tremors, and vomiting.
- Macadamia cookies frequently pair the nut with chocolate — a double hazard.
How preparation changes the answer
| Preparation | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Raw or roasted macadamia nuts | Toxic — do not feed | Toxic either way. |
| Macadamia cookies / baked goods | Toxic — do not feed | May also contain chocolate and high fat/sugar. |
Risks & things to watch
- Neurological signs: weakness, tremors, and hyperthermia.
- High fat content adds pancreatitis risk in small dogs.
- Often combined with chocolate in baked goods.
If your Yorkie ate too much
Call your veterinarian or a poison-control line. Most dogs recover with supportive care, but prompt advice is important — and confirm the treat didn't also contain chocolate.
Frequently asked questions
Are other nuts safe instead?
Most nuts aren't toxic like macadamias, but they're high in fat and a choking risk for tiny mouths, so they aren't good treats for Yorkies. See our peanut butter page for a safer, portion-controlled option.
Sources
We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.
- Veterinary manualMerck Veterinary ManualMacadamia Nut Toxicosis in Dogs
Supports: Macadamia nut toxicosis and neurological signs in dogs. · Accessed 2026-07-01
- 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.