Skip to content
Yorkiefood.

Can Yorkies eat shrimp?

Safe if prepared rightSafe only when prepared a specific way — read the prep rules.

Yes — fully cooked, peeled, deveined shrimp with the tail off and no seasoning is a lean treat Yorkies can enjoy in small amounts.

Shrimp is a lean, low-calorie source of protein and dogs often love it. It just needs careful prep for a tiny dog. Always cook it fully — never raw, which can carry bacteria. Peel off the shell, remove the tail, and take out the dark vein down the back, since shells and tails are choking hazards and hard to digest. Serve it plain, with no butter, garlic, or seasoning. Offered this way, a piece or two of cooked shrimp is a nice occasional treat.

What Yorkie owners need to know

  • Always cook shrimp fully — never raw, which can carry harmful bacteria.
  • Peel it, remove the tail, and take out the dark vein; shells and tails can choke a tiny dog.
  • Serve plain — no butter, garlic, or seasoning.

How preparation changes the answer

PreparationStatusWhy
Cooked, peeled, deveined, tail off, plain Safe if prepared rightA lean occasional treat once cooled and cut small.
Raw shrimp Only small amountsCan carry harmful bacteria — always cook fully first.

Safe preparation

  • Cook the shrimp fully by steaming or boiling with no oil or seasoning.
  • Peel off the shell, pull off the tail, and remove the dark vein along the back.
  • Let it cool, cut into small pieces, and offer one or two as a treat.

Portion for a Yorkie

One or two small pieces of cooked shrimp is plenty for a 4-7 lb Yorkie as an occasional treat; keep within about 10% of daily calories.

Nutrition at a glance

Calories

~99 kcal

per 100 g, cooked shrimp (USDA FoodData Central)

Protein

~24 g

per 100 g, cooked shrimp (USDA FoodData Central)

Fat

~1.4 g

per 100 g, cooked shrimp (USDA FoodData Central)

Possible benefits

  • Lean, low-calorie protein — good for weight-conscious dogs.
  • Provides some vitamin B12 and antioxidants.
  • Soft and easy to chew once cut small.

Risks & things to watch

  • Raw shrimp can carry bacteria that cause illness.
  • Shells and tails are choking hazards and hard to digest.
  • Seasoned or buttery shrimp adds fat and salt a tiny dog doesn't need.

If your Yorkie ate too much

A little extra plain shrimp may cause soft stools. If your dog ate raw or seasoned shrimp, or swallowed shells or tails and seems uncomfortable or is retching, call your vet.

Frequently asked questions

Can Yorkies eat raw shrimp?

No. Raw shrimp can carry bacteria that make dogs sick. Always cook it fully, then peel, devein, and remove the tail before serving.

Do I need to remove the shrimp tail?

Yes. The tail and shell are choking hazards and tough to digest, especially for a tiny dog. Take them off and serve just the plain meat.

Sources

We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.

  1. Nutrition dataUSDA FoodData Central
    USDA FoodData Central nutrient database

    Supports: Human-food nutrient composition (calories, macronutrients, fibre, sugars). · Accessed 2026-07-01

  2. Professional bodyWSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
    Global 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 2026-07-11 · Last reviewed 2026-07-11

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report a correction.

Related foods

Salmon

Safe if prepared right

Yes, when thoroughly cooked and boneless — cooked salmon is a healthy treat, but never raw, because raw salmon can carry a parasite that's dangerous to dogs.

Cooked Chicken

Safe if prepared right

Yes, when cooked plain, boneless, and skinless — plain cooked chicken is one of the most reliable, gentle treats for a Yorkie.

Tuna

Only small amounts

In small, occasional amounts — a little canned tuna in water (not oil or brine) is fine for Yorkies, but mercury means it shouldn't be regular.

Baby Food

Use caution

Use caution, and read the label every time. Plain single-ingredient meat baby food is sometimes used to tempt a sick or picky Yorkie to eat, but many baby foods contain onion or garlic powder — which are toxic to dogs — so the ingredient list is the whole story.

Bacon

Best avoided

Avoid. Bacon is very high in salt and fat and is loaded with grease — for a 5-pound Yorkie that fat and salt combination is a real trigger for stomach upset, pancreatitis, and salt-related illness.

Beef

Safe if prepared right

Yes — lean, plain, fully cooked beef with the fat drained is a protein-rich treat for Yorkies, served 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 Amazon

Mini silicone spatula

Scrapes every bit of wet food or topper from the can with no waste.

Shop on Amazon

Pet food can lids

Seal a half-used can so the second half is still fresh tomorrow.

Shop on Amazon

Food toppers & pumpkin

A spoonful can tempt a fussy eater or settle a delicate tummy.

Shop on Amazon

These 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.